raleigh-panther

Could this be real or smokescreen or Warren, come on down Panthers’ Canales putting emphasis on versatility as Carolina looks to evolve TE spot BY MIKE KAYE [email protected] 11hrs ago Dave Canales doesn’t want one-note tight ends in his offense. As the second-year head coach continues to evolve his playbook in Carolina, he’s prioritizing versatility at a key spot on the Panthers’ depth chart. While wide receiver upgrades have become a popular topic in the Queen City, especially on social media, the folks on Mint Street might have a better shot at improving their overall offensive attack with a facelift at tight end. With Tommy Tremble and Ian Thomas headed to free agency later this month, Ja’Tavion Sanders — last year’s fourth-round pick — is the only notable player under contract at the position in 2025. And the lack of solidified players on the depth chart offers up an opportunity to further craft the position in Canales’ image. The offensive play-caller painted a crystal-clear picture of that image last week at the NFL Scouting Combine. “Versatility and toughness, first and foremost,” Canales said. “We’re going to run the ball, so we certainly can’t just take receiving tight ends who give you no value in the run game. At a minimum, this has to be a guy that’s really tough. It doesn’t mean that he’s got to be the 260-pound bruiser that plays in-line. Those guys are cool, too, but if he’s going to be 235 pounds, he has to play with the level of violence because we are going to run the ball a lot. So the versatility is really important for me at the tight end.” While the veteran free agency class isn’t particularly stocked with notable names that fit that standard, the NFL Draft, according to most media evaluators, has a plethora of those versatile talents, most notably Penn State tight end Tyler Warren. Canales sees a Swiss Army knife of sorts when he watches film the 6-foot-6, 261-pound playmaker. “I think he’s an incredible player,” Canales said. “I think speaking of versatility, here’s a guy that can play close to the interior and play physical because of his sheer size, but then, he does create some mismatches in the pass game, you can hand him the ball. So if you look at some of the teams that are using tight ends for QB sneak — that would be a weapon for somebody in a short-yardage situation to utilize him. So, he’s a very interesting prospect.” Warren — who is currently projected as a top-10 prospect by Pro Football Focus — produced 1,233 receiving yards, 218 rushing yards and 13 total touchdowns (including a passing score) last year for the Nittany Lions. He might be gone by the time the Panthers pick at No. 8 in the first round, or Carolina might prioritize another position with that selection And if the Panthers pass on Warren, they’ll still have plenty of strong options during the rest of draft weekend. Michigan’s Colston Loveland, Texas’s Gunnar Helm, and Miami’s Elijah Arroyo are all projected as top-100 picks. All three would add a playmaking threat to Canales’ offensive play-calling concoction. There’s also Tremble, whom both Canales and general manager Dan Morgan openly expressed desire in bringing back during their time at the combine last week. Tremble dealt with nagging injuries throughout last season, but still produced a career-high 234 receiving yards. He also has the blocking and receiving versatility that Canales craves. But the Panthers want to make sure they get a fair deal done for both sides. Sometimes, that’s not as easy as it sounds. “Yeah, it’s a challenge, right? Because you want continuity,” Canales said. “Talk about a guy like Tommy Tremble. We’re going through all of our film and he does such a great job. So, now it’s all of a sudden it’s like, in all fairness, like, ‘Let’s let Tommy see what’s out there from a free agency standpoint.’ But for me it’s like, ‘OK, we have these guys that we’ve trained for a year, and you’d love to have them back.’” Sanders set a new franchise rookie record with 342 receiving yards last season. He also improved as a blocker from his college days. While he has shown he can be a key cog in the Carolina offense, the Panthers aren’t going to just settle for continuity, even if that’s seemingly a foundational priority for Canales. Bringing back Sanders and Tremble with minimal enhancement otherwise would be a disservice to the offense’s evolution. Canales knows that and Morgan knows that.

Listing a few positions Panthers need

I was surprised as well free agency will tell the tale of what they are going to do

Panthers have too many Problems to solve all at once and safety isn’t the main priority when 1. if a NFL QB continually has more than 3 seconds to throw 2. and the front 7 can’t stop the run, not just bad, historically bad a safety isn’t going to help any of that huddle is funny Draft playmakers, and they say draft defense draft defense for the worst line in the league and they are worried about a safety if I had my way, these would not be my choices, but the truth is, and always will be, nfl games are won on the lines….and the panthers D line is atrocious and the oline is an injury away from showing how little depth there is with an undersized qb

We can agree to disagree yes Evero’s defense needs strong safety play. But I suspect they will upgrade in free agency football is won in the lines.

https://walterfootball.com/draft2025.php Rd 1 M Williams DE Bryce Young improved late in the season, so the Panthers might give him another year. If so, they could use this pick to replace Brian Burns or strengthen the interior of their defensive line. Mykel Williams has an incredible first step and was terrific down the stretch for Georgia. Rd 2 57 Shemar Stewart DE The Panthers had severe issues stopping the run and getting to the quarterback last year. Shemar Stewart is a big, fast and strong defensive lineman, but is very raw. Rd3 74 Seth McLaughlin, OG, Ohio State The Panthers upgraded both guard spots last offseason, but they forgot to find a center. Seth McLaughlin is a tough, intelligent technician. Rd 4 107 Davison Igbinosun, CB, Ohio State Carolina was extremely weak against outside receivers last year. Davison Igbinosun has nice size and ball skills. rd 4 110. Carolina Panthers: Donovan Edwards, RB, Michigan Jonathon Brooks tore his ACL again, so the Panthers may want to find another running back. Donovan Edwards has a great combination of size and speed.

So….you care about the title lol ok would you draft him in rd 1

Why bother with someone in rd 1 that has injuries or allegations either way it is a distraction and time off the field in body or mind when on it yes, we all know allegations aren’t criminal charges but we also know how history of previous players in similar situations end This franchise’s history,of all franchises, does not need another one of these …even a hint of it

From the athletic. INDIANAPOLIS — Marshall edge rusher Mike Green told reporters at the NFL combine that there have been two allegations of sexual assault against him, both of which he denies, saying that he’s “done nothing wrong.” Green was dismissed from the Virginia football team in September 2022 before transferring to Marshall, where he played the 2023 and 2024 seasons.

I believe Morgan mentioned Warren in his presser …could be bobbing for a trade down with that bait…who knows

Yeah but the next thing you know lisfranc and or turf them and or ankle…that’s a whole other kettle of fish, one thing leads to another

Thank you. Finally got to listen to it on youtube i guess no excuses for drops this year heres hoping as he has many positives but gotta get better for pro game

Anything on Legette wrist surgery

https://youtu.be/mAdj18_mVsg?si=MHTfYv5vDcVEOR8B

I’m not sold on Tevin No offense to anyone, but to me, he was a 3rd rd and he plays like it Yes I get it is a team sport but I honestly do not see anything about this young player that is more than just a guy then again, Evero’s defense does seem to have that impact on players

As my Momma used to say ‘you can make your life hard or you can make it easy based on the choices you make, so chose wisely’ what he does is on him and between he and his wife publicly, it is a poor look… Many things are these days and life goes on in any case

Agree id like to know but it seems the Panthers PR is not talking and the press isn’t asking i would’ve had him in surgery the day after the season ended these lingering injuries don’t get better with time…even if it delays his raccoon hunting

Listened to it the other night some truly stupid personnel poo from Rhule on this team never learns…strong lines …that is pro football

Dan should know, as a former player, what winning pro teams know Football begins and ends with the lines and quality backups for them XL, and certainly Brooks, reaches when you know you have gutted the defense …and you have a young guy who could have set your center position for 10 years sitting there for the taking yes he brought in OGs for Young, but until those lines were finished, that should have been the focus if they want to start winning for the next decade. That needs to be the focus on WRs, for whatever the reason, franchise sucks at drafting them. Just dont do it

He is. ‘Hurt’ a lot

Is this happening if it is..why wait he seemed to be hurt with something from OTAs on

What is there to disagree with? every poor performing team in the NFL has extenuating circumstances No matter the owner or actions, players get paid well to perform no different then the fortune 500 companies i worked for no one cared that we had a shitty CEO..we had to perform go look at the 2011 roster You will find it pretty hard to disagree with what he says 10 players out of 52 performing is poor he has a right, earned the right probably more than any of us where the Panthers are concerned, to say what he feels I sat and watched a lot of half assed effort we all did My fault i did i bought into the nfl hype To say otherwise, is not being honest

I have no issues or concerns with what he said. He says what he means and means what he says….he always has, listeners can do what they want with it. He has never been an apologist and ever will be having owned PSLs, well I agree with him I sat through a whole lot poo shows…could see the business decisions being made…a lot of us did…. In any case, this is ‘Murica. He can say anything he wants Who knows where his story ends or how but he has a few things other players don’t MVP Heisman Collegiate championships etc

The 2011 roster wasn’t exactly playoff material https://www.footballdb.com/teams/nfl/carolina-panthers/roster/2011 I saw several interviews with Newton over the past couple of weeks in which he said he ‘wasn’t a good teammate in year 1 and 2 and he had to learn to be’ Of course, those don’t make headlines nor did his roundtable last week with Jonathan, Greg and coach Rivera and his time with Luke I love Steve Smith but he and Newton go way back…and the reason he got traded to the ravens had a lot to do with his attitude with Newton that Gettleman didn’t care for

I didn’t hear the clip …but is it really so out of context to say a team that had the number 1 pick was a room full of losers…given that they didn’t trade up I mean as Parcells said ‘you are what your record says you are ‘ …If the team didn’t trade up and they had the number one pick well…ergo they collectively aren’t winners extenuating circumstances of course but the truth is via the record, losers