Luke Kuechly

4 Man Rush Game Predictions: Week 1 – The Rhule Era

Vince's Vindications

A new era begins Sunday afternoon in Charlotte NC and there will be new faces all over Bank of America Stadium. With all the uncertainty and unfamiliarity surrounding the 2020 season, predicting the outcome seems almost impossible. However, I believe not having a preseason works in the Panthers favor on Sunday. The unorthodox off-season offers them an advantage over the visiting Las Vegas Raiders.

NO PRESEASON
Raiders head coach Jon Gruden has been around the NFL for decades now and he’s more than likely seen everything the league has to offer. However, COVID-19 leaves Gruden and his staff in a bind with little to no film of the Panthers and their new look schemes. Gruden has mentioned he’s opted to watch college film of both Matt Rhule and new offensive coordinator Joe Brady in order to be ready for this Sunday’s game. I don’t think it will be enough though due to Carolina jumping out to an early lead and able to hold off a late rally by Las Vegas.

Panthers 23  Raiders 20.

KEY MATCH-UPS
The Raiders boast a very good interior line of center Rodney Hudson, and guards Gabe Jackson and Richie Incognito. A newly revamped defensive front 7 for the Panthers will have their hands full getting to Derrick Carr and stopping running back Josh Jacobs. This is the biggest key to victory, limiting big plays in the pass game and stopping the running game in Week 1.

PLAYERS TO WATCH 
Rookie first round pick Derrick Brown will be key in trying to stop the Raiders run game. Carolina invested the 7th overall pick on Brown hoping he would put an end to the run game woes that plagued the Panthers in 2019. He will have veteran Pro Bowl DT Kawann Short returning from a Week 2 season ending shoulder injury from last season to help shore up the interior of the defense.

Raiders Tight End Darren Waller isn’t a house hold name. However, he’s one of the best players at his position in the league. Waller can line up all over the field causing match up problems for opposing defenses. The Panthers LB corps will look a little different without former All Pro Luke Kuechly in the middle, so limiting the effectiveness of Waller will be paramount in slowing down an explosive offense.

Rush Review: Training Camp Day #15 (Second Joint Practice)

Camp Wofford

#1. Today was the final practice of training camp at Wofford College for the 2019 season. There was plenty of speculation among Carolina Panthers fans about if this was the very last time the city of Spartanburg SC will be the summer home for the team. The current contract expired today and there has not been any statement by Carolina Panthers owner Mr. David Tepper or by anyone in the Wofford administration.

#2. Players who did not practice today: C Matt Paradis (vet day), LB Shaq Thompson (vet day), DT Gerald McCoy (vet day), TE Ian Thomas (rib contusion), CB Kevon Seymour (hamstring), C Tyler Larsen (unknown) and K Graham Gano (sore leg).  LB/DE Brian Burns came out in full pads but after warming up he was told by the medical staff to take the day off and to do work on the sidelines. He has a slight ankle bruise but expects to play in the game Friday night.

#3. Players getting first team reps on defense: S Tre Boston at FS, CB Javien Elliott at nickel CB, LB Jermaine Carter Jr. and DT Vernon Butler Jr. Players getting first team reps on offense: C John Yarbrough and TE Chris Manhertz.

#4. Positive plays made by the Carolina Panthers offense: QB Cam Newton was able to make Bills rookie DT Ed Oliver jump offsides three times in a row. He was then pulled from the field and got a good cussing out from his position coach. RB Christian McCaffrey runs right up the middle of the defense untouched for about 30 yards. On the very next play Newton threw a deep TD pass to WR Curtis Samuel who was covered by Bills CB Tre’Davious White. TE Greg Olsen makes a spectacular one hand catch behind his back from a Newton pass. TE Chris Manhertz makes back to back catches over good coverage by Bills LB Shaq Lawson. QB Kyle Allen connected on a deep ball with WR Torrey Smith for about 40 yards. RB Reggie Bonnafon runs in for a TD on the last play of the day.

#5. Negative plays made by the Carolina Panthers offense: QB Kyle Allen was the second team QB and one of his passes was intercepted by Bills LB Deon Lacey after the ball bounced off the hands of WR Terry Godwin. The offense got a delay of game penalty that caused head coach Ron Rivera to start cussing very loudly. LT Greg Little gave up a quick pressure to Bills LB Jerry Hughes. Newton was picked of by Bills CB Ryan Lewis. Panthers QBs Newton, Allen and Will Grier had about two-thirds of their pass deflected during team drills.

#6. Positive plays made by the Carolina Panthers defense: LB Luke Kuechly got a pass deflection while covering Bills TE Tommy Sweeney. S Colin Jones got a pass deflection while covering Bills WR Ray-Ray McCloud. CB Donte Jackson got a pass deflection while covering Bills WR Robert Foster. CB Josh Thornton got an interception while covering Bills WR Cam Phillips.

#7. Negative plays made by the Carolina Panthers defense: Bills WR Zay Jones had a very acrobatic TD catch from QB Josh Allen. Billls WR John Brown caught a quick slant pass from Allen for a TD. QB Matt Barkley threw a TD to WR Duke Williams. Barkley threw another TD to RB Christian Wade. Barkley threw his final TD pass to WR Isaiah McKenzie.

#8. Positive play made by the Carolina Panthers special teams: During the gunner drills CB Javien Elliott did a juke and swim move to split the two Buffalo Bills blockers and got a free release down the field. This caused a huge uproar from the Panthers sidelines as special team coaches Chase Blackburn and Ben Jacobs raced down to congratulate him along with several teammates.

#9. Negative play made by the Carolina Panthers special teams: During field goal drills K Joey Slye went 5 for 8 on making successful kicks. Those three misses looked bad too. Prior to Elliott’s successful attempt at gunner all of the other Panthers players were stifled by Bills blockers which got their sideline hyped for most of the period.

#10. Panthers G Norman Price was down on the ground for a few moments then helped up by teammates. He was then carted off by trainers. LB/DE Bruce Irvin and Bills rookie OT Cody Ford had to be separated after Irvin took exception to a really low chop block by Ford. WR Chris Hogan also got into a shouting match with Bills DT LT Walton but both players were quickly separated. DL Bryan Cox Jr. was pulled over on I-85 North near Kings Mountain NC which is about 30 miles west of Charlotte NC. State troopers gave him a ticket for speeding from doing 90 m.p.h in a 65 m.p.h zone, possession of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia. The preseason game between these two teams starts at 7:00 PM EST at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte NC.

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Rush Review: Training Camp Day #13

Camp Wofford

#1. Cam Newton was giving practice off as a scheduled rest day. Player missing practice due to injury: TE Ian Thomas (rib contusion) and C Tyler Larsen (unknown). Players returning to practice from injury: DT Kawann Short (shin kicked) and RB Jordan Scarlett (back).

#2. The little league softball team that was coached by TE Greg Olsen was the special guests allowed to be on the sidelines today.  The faces these kids had as they interacted with the players were a joy to watch. There was also several members of the military here as well. They spoke with players like LB Luke Kuechly, RB Christian McCaffrey and LB Shaq Thompson during special teams drills.

#3. The team came out in shells again for practice. It was said on yesterday that today’s practice was going to be full pads. With Tuesday and Wednesday being joint practices with the Buffalo Bills it will be full pads worn for the final two days at Camp Wofford.

#4. Players who got first team reps: QB Kyle Allen, S Tre Boston and CB Javien Elliott (small nickel CB). Players who got 2nd team reps: OL Dennis Daley (LG), OT Greg Little (LT) and DB Ross Cockrell (outside CB). WR Jaydon Hickens, WR Rashad Ross. WR Terry Godwin and WR Chris Hogan did all the punt return work.

#5. These are the highlights from team drills: CB James Bradberry got a pass deflection in the end zone on a pass intended for WR DJ Moore thrown by Allen. Olsen caught a TD pass from Allen during red zone period. WR Curtis Samuel had a huge catch on a deep ball over CB Javien Elliott from a pass by Allen. Moore gets revenge on Bradberry by making an awesome catch on the sideline that included him tip toeing both feet before going out of bounds. WR Aldrick Robinson caught a TD pass from Allen while being covered by CB Josh Thorton. Olsen also caught a TD from Allen while beight tightly guarded by LB Shaq Thompson. McCaffrey caught a screen pass from Allen then took it all the way to the end zone.  Jackson bounced back by making a nice pass deflection will covering Hogan on a pass by QB Will Grier. CB Corn Elder made a perfect break on the ball to knock down a pass to WR Torrey Smith on a Grier pass. DB Cole Luke jumped up high and made a spectacular pass deflection on a QB Taylor Heinicke ball in the end zone meant for Hogan. Hogan made it for it by catching a TD over DB Rashaan Gaulden and S Colin Jones on a Grier deep ball. TE Chris Manhertz catches 2 TDs from Grier passes with one being over Kuechly and the other being over S Eric Reid. Boston got a pretty pass deflection while covering Samuel on a deep pass by Allen. LB Antoine Williams drop into coverage and made a pretty smooth INT on a Grier pass intended TE Jason Vander Lean.

#6. After practice was over Reid told every player in the secondary that they need to get the JUGGS machine out because they dropped several interceptions in practice today. This turned into a 30 minute session. LB Jermaine Carter Jr. left practice early with what seems to be a leg issue. Head coach Ron Rivera made it very clear that he will throw out any player who tries to fight during the joint practices with the Buffalo Bills.

 

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Rush Review: Training Camp Day #12

Camp Wofford

#1. The team practiced today in just their shells (helmet and shorts). The heat index on the field peaked at 115 degrees. The water breaks were more frequent today.

#2. These players did not practice today: TE Ian Thomas (rib contusion), CB Kevon Seymour (hamstring), RB Jordan Scarlett (back) and C Tyler Larsen (unknown). These players returned to practice from injury: K Graham Gano (sore leg) and LB Luke Kuechly (head precaution). Today was the first practice for newly signed C John Yarbrough who is wearing #64.

#3. The following players got first team reps on defense: CB Corn Elder at small nickel CB, S Ross Cockrell at free safety and DB Rashaan Gaulden at big nickel CB. The following players got reps as returners: RB Cameron Artis-Payne, WR Terry Godwin and WR Jaydon Mickens.

#4. During 1 on 1 individual drills for DL vs. OL a few players stood out. LB/DE Bruce Irvin used his hands in various ways to disengage from his blockers. LB/DE Mario Addison displayed elite quickness with spin moves and push & pull techniques to win his battles. LB/DE Marquis Haynes really showed that his ability to get a really low bend underneath his blocker is something he can do consistently. C Matt Paradis and OT Daryl Williams appear to be getting into full strength as they more than held their own against NT Dontari Poe and DT Kawann Short in consecutive reps. LG Greg Van Roten made it difficult for DT Gerald McCoy to get past him on multiple attempts.

#5. During 11 on 11 team drills the defense mostly dominated all the periods. CB Donte Jackson got a timely pass deflection on a ball intended for WR Torrey Smith from a pass from QB Cam Newton. CB James Bradberry made a great leap to knock the ball away from WR Curtis Samuel on a Newton pass. Cockrell almost had an interception on a deep pass for WR DJ Moore that was thrown by Newton.  CB Lorenzo Doss almost intercepted a ball thrown to Godwin on a pass from QB Will Grier. Elder made a great pass deflection on a ball thrown to TE Olsen from a pass by QB Kyle Allen. The offense made only a couple nice plays. Samuel caught a deep pass from Newton on the right sideline while being covered by Jackson. WR Hogan made three exciting catches on passes from Grier and Allen. RB Christian McCaffrey continues to run quick and fast between the tackles while making several defenders miss. RB Reggie Bonnafon was able to get several reps with the 1st team offense. He broke off two nice runs of at least 10 yards and made about 3 nice catches too.

#6. DT Kawann Short left practice early after getting kicked in his left shin. Head coach Rivera said it was more precaution than anything to be concerned about. S Damian Parms also left early with right leg pain. RG Trai Turner left practice for about 30 minutes but came back and finished up. The team will practice in full pads for the last three practices this week. Monday will be the last day to practice before the Buffalo Bills come for joint practices on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings.  Cockrell is making plays at FS throughout the last several practices. S Tre Boston is still working with the second team defense.

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Rush Review: Training Camp Day #11

Camp Wofford

#1. Vet day off for the following players: RB Christian McCaffrey, TE Greg Olsen, C Matt Paradis, DT Gerald McCoy, DT Kyle Love and LG Greg Van Roten. Players not practicing due to injury: RB Jordan Scarlett (took a shot to the head during Fan Fest). Players practicing after missing time with injury: LB Luke Kuechly (precaution reasons), LB/DE Brian Burns (left leg cramps) and DB Rashaan Gaulden (lower back tightness). Players returning to practice for personal reasons: LB/DE Marquis Haynes and DE Efe Obada.

#2. The players practiced in their shells (helmet & shorts) again today. This is the last practice before their 1st preseason game at Chicago on Thursday evening. Wednesday will be the team travel day. QB Cam Newton, LB Luke Kuechly, RB Jordan Scarlett and CB Kevon Seymour will not play at all.

#3. The following players got first team reps on offense: RB Cameron Artis-Payne, RB Reggie Bonnafon, TE Ian Thomas, OL Dennis Daley. These are the players that got first team reps on defense: DT Vernon Butler Jr., CB Javien Elliott and DB Rashaan Gaulden.

#4. The individual group periods that normally do the 1 on 1 battles were all about going over technique and preparing for the tendencies of the Chicago Bears. Defensive coordinator Eric Washington was coaching the DTs while Assistant Defensive Line Coach Sam Mills III coached up the DEs. Head coach Ron Rivera made his way around to each group to watch how the players were receiving the detailed instructions and teachings. Offensive Coordinator Norv Turner was speaking with the RBs and the TE groups.

#5. During team drills these were the plays that stood out: RB Artis-Payne made a very nice TD grab in the corner of the end zone from QB Taylor Heinicke pass. TE Thomas also had two TD catches during red zone drills from both QB Kyle Allen and QB Will Grier. WR Rashad Ross caught a deep pass along the sideline from QB Taylor Heinicke. RT Taylor Moton took a hit to his right knee and sat out the rest of the team drills. OT Daryl Williams moved over to play RT and LT Greg Little took over 1st team LT reps. FB Alex Armah broke off a very nice run right up the middle. TE Temarrick Hemingway caught a underthrown pass by Allen. WR DJ Moore made a huge leaping catch on a Newton pass. TE Jason Vander Laan was able to get wide open to catch a TD pass from Allen. TE Chris Manhertz also got a TD grab from Grier. Artis-Payne gets a TD run to go with his TD catch from earlier. The defense was able to make some stand out plays as well. CB Corn Elder intercepted a Newton pass for a Pick 6. S Tre Boston made a nice deflection on a pass meant for WR Terry Godwin that was thrown by Grier. CB Javien Elliott made back to back pass deflections that got Defensive Backs coach Perry Fewell fired up. Gaulden made a huge hit to dislodge the ball from Artis-Payne right at the line of scrimmage. LB/DE Brian Burns got free quickly to blow up a deep playaction pass by Heinicke who would have been sacked.

#6. Today’s practice gave the impression that the team expects to play well at Chicago. What matters the most is seeing consistent execution, all out effort and finish with no serious injuries. In a post practice press conference Rivera said that the hit to the right knee of Moton was no issue at all. He also said that Allen will start at QB on Thursday. His decision to sit out Newton and Kuechly is to see the younger players get plenty of reps. He looks forward to see how the team looks against an opponent.

Rush Review: Training Camp Day #9

Camp Wofford

#1. The Carolina Panthers practiced lighter today by wearing their “shells” which is just wearing a football helmet and shorts. NFL Network is also here doing live updates on the team. Reporting was Maurice Jones-Drew, Andrew Siciliano and Tiffany Blackmon.

#2. The following players sat out today’s practice due to injury concerns: DB Rashaan Gaulden (sore lower back), CB Kevon Seymour (hamstring) and RB Jordan Scarlett (head). Vet day off was granted to S Eric Reid and OL Tyler Larsen. DE Efe Obada was given a personal day off to handle affairs. RB coach Jake Peetz is back at practice after his wife gave birth to their son on Friday night.

#3. Here are the players who got first team reps today: LB Jermaine Carter Jr took the place of LB Luke Kuechly. CB Corn Elder took the place of CB Donte Jackson. S Colin Jones took the place of S Eric Reid. S Ross Cockrell took the place of DB Gaulden at S. LG Greg Van Roten took the place of OL Larsen at C on the second team. So OL Norman Price played second team reps at LG. CB Javien Elliott got first team reps at nickel CB.

#4. During 1 on 1 DL vs. OL drills, I was impressed with LB/DE Bruce Irvin using pure speed and low angles to beat RT Taylor Moton. I heard defensive coordinator Eric Washington scream out loud “Speed!” LB/DE Brian Burns, once again, is displaying how elite his get off timing is, along with taking the best angles low enough to beat his blocker. Today, it was fellow rookie and long time high school friend LT Greg Little who struggled keep Burns in check. I have noticed that Burns dominates Little during 1 on 1 drills, however in team drills Little does much better against him. C Matt Paradis and OT Daryl Williams finally did 1 on 1 pass rush drills today. Williams got lost on a spin move by DE/LB Mario Addison. Paradis got bull rushed quickly by NT Dontari Poe who has quietly had a very nice camp so far.  They did decent, but you can tell they need time to get up to expected levels of production.

#5. During 11 on 11 team drills, these were the plays that stood out to me as the defense had a strong day: CB James Bradberry made an excellent pass deflection on a ball thrown in the back of the end zone by QB Cam Newton to WR Curtis Samuel.  LB Carter Jr. made a big pass deflection in the end zone on a Newton pass to WR DJ Moore. S Tre Boston got his first pass deflection at Camp Wofford on a pass from QB Will Grier to WR DeAndrew White in the end zone. CB Elliott got an interception on a Grier pass to WR Andre Levrone. Later on Elliott got a pass deflection on a Newton pass to WR Jarius Wright. Now the offense did make some nice plays as well. TE Greg Olsen caught a wide open 25 yard pass from Newton. TE Ian Thomas also caught a nice intermediate pass from QB Kyle Allen. RB Christian McCaffrey had a strong day running between the tackles. It looks like he is hitting the holes faster than the defense can converge on him. RB Elijah Holyfield continues to improve as he displayed some nice cutting abilities to get free on a couple of decent runs.

#6. My impression overall from today is that the players are really focused on perfecting their individual crafts. Whenever a player rotated out, he would either seek coaching or seek advice from another player. One thing that has been constant throughout camp is plenty of communication between the players on both sides of the ball. It is definitely not quiet before the ball is snapped. Always nice seeing several players stay after practice to get extra work in as well. Not just rookie and long shot players, but starters and veterans.

 

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