Charles Godfrey – Unsung Hero
December 16, 2008
You won’t hear his name in many national news stories. You won’t see him interviewed on ESPN. But the fact is, the Panthers would not be where they are in the standings without Charles Godfrey.
Drafted in the third round, Godfrey was a projected NFL project. He played corner at Iowa for most of his college career, but because of his size ( 5′11 205) was projected as a prototypical NFL Safety. If he was to succeed in the NFL, he would not only need to adjust to the increased speed of the pros, not only learn the exponentially increased complexity of professional offensive schemes, but learn an entirely new position as well.
Carolina Panthers draft picks have struggled with these tasks in seasons past. First rounder Thomas Davis for example took two years before he settled in from safety to linebacker.
Charles Godfrey has done it in less than a season, at a third rounders salary.
Free Safety has been an Achilles heal in most of the seasons under John Fox. Opposing offenses could usually count on going deep a few times a game, or hitting the tight end on a deep seem route at will. These days are gone, largely thanks to Godfrey.
Yes, Jeff Otah is a monster of a tackle. Yes, Jonathan Stewart is a good runner and important in the running game. But let me ask you this, if the Panthers had drafted a wide receiver in the third round that had started every game this season and performed well, wouldn’t he get plenty of appreciation?
Godfrey’s free safety position is not as glamorous, but every bit as important.
