Rodrigue: Panthers finding their identity

[Mr. Scot]

For her latest Athletic article, Jourdan Rodrigue asked Panthers players to talk about their teammates and the results are great.

As October approaches, the Panthers are finding a team identity (subscription required)

 

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Receivers DJ Moore, Curtis Samuel and Jarius Wright, on each other

Curtis: “I don’t even mess with (DJ).”

DJ: “First off, we’re not good friends. He just got the media fooled out here.”

Curtis: “J-K. JUST KIDDING. I don’t even like him anyways.”

DJ: “Don’t come to my baby shower, then.”

Curtis: “I wasn’t even invited, so.”

Jarius: “I’m the middle man. Curtis talks about DJ to me, DJ talks about (Curtis) to me.”

Curtis: “(Jarius) is the oldest instigator in the world.”

Jarius: “Well, Torrey (Smith) left, so I have to take his job.”

Curtis: “Hey, leave that old man out, leave Grandpa out of this one.”

DJ: “A play that would describe Curtis would be when he reversed the field like, twice. It was like a circus act. He’s always just happy. Even though I’m down sometimes, he just brings joy to the day.”

Curtis: “Well, since I bring joy to his day, he gives me strength. Every time he gets the ball, he lowers his shoulders and gets extra yards — he’s bullying through people. I see him do that, and it makes me want to go out there and do the same thing. My boy gives me strength.”

 

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Right tackle Taylor Moton, left tackle Daryl Williams and right guard Trai Turner, on each other, and more

(This conversation starts with Turner, who is asked to describe Moton. He can’t, because when he tries to think of something he just starts giggling. So Turner requests help from Williams, and ultimately, the two call Moton over to join them.) 

Turner: “He’s just Taylor, man, that’s why I laugh.”

Williams: “If you don’t know Taylor, like, you won’t get Taylor. It’s hard to explain Taylor. Taylor is just Taylor.”

Turner: “Taylor is a different dude.”

Williams: “In a good way.”

Turner: “Yeah. In a good way.”

Williams: “He’s weird. But that doesn’t describe his play on the field!”

Turner: “Yeah, he’s opposite. Put him on the field, and him (off the field), that’s two different people. fug, I don’t want to put him on blast like that! But Taylor is like a gentle Green Giant. Who’s the guy who said, ‘He broke-d my nose?’

(Turner is referring to Bob Sapp, who played the character Switowski in “The Longest Yard” remake. He and Williams burst out laughing.)

“Yeah, that’s T-Mote. Just a cool dude. Real chill, kind of quirky. On the field, he’s the exact opposite. I don’t know what it is, I guess the switch flips or something. That’s the best way I can explain it. He’s just like a big, nice guy. A real big, nice guy. But on the field he’ll kick your ass, though. On the field he’ll kick your ass. He’s strong.”

Williams: “Strong as poo.”

Turner: “But he’s cool. He’s kind of just like … It’s hard to explain it. He’s just Taylor. It’s crazy because on the field, he doesn’t really talk too much. But off the field he can’t shut up.”

(Turner and Williams laugh again, and call Moton over.)

Moton: “What did they say about me?”

Williams: “You can’t know until the article comes out.”

(Discussion about subscribing to The Athletic ensues.) 

Turner: “Yeah, I told her you were like a gentle Green Giant off the field. And then on the field you kick ass. But I told her on the field you don’t talk too much, but off the field you can’t shut up.”

Moton: “I’ll take it. That’s not bad.”

Williams: “Random-ass question.”

Moton: “So who do you have for me?”

(Moton is asked about center Matt Paradis — and Williams is informed that he will soon be asked about guard Greg Van Roten.)

Moton: “OK. Yeah —”

Williams: “Greg is a smartass. Can you put that in there? On and off the field.”

Turner: “He went to Penn! He’s an Ivy League guy!”

Williams: “Greg will tell me my job before I know what my job is.”

Turner, laughing: “Before he knows what his is!”

Williams: “He’s a hard worker, I’ll say that. Gets the job done, got good technique.”

Moton: “And Matt, off the field he’s very laid-back. Big personality.”

Williams: “We call him ‘Rooster.'” (Paradis has a shock of reddish hair.) 

Moton: “Very decisive. He really cares.”

Williams: “He’s a leader!”

Moton: “Yeah, you can tell it’s really important to him. He’s smart. Off the field, pretty chill guy.”

Turner: “OK, now this is off the record, but what would you say about me?”

(The recorder shuts off as Williams and Moton look at each other gleefully.)

 

Seriously folks, if this article doesn't show you why you should read The Athletic, I don't know what will.

[saX man]

We’re bonding awwwww

[Khyber53]

Might just have to get a subscription after that... We fill in a lot of blanks and create conflicts between players and coaches here because we don't know how things really go on the field and in the locker room. All in all, it does seem like the team really gets along and appreciates each other. There just don't seem to be any "trade me" divas in the bunch.

[Mr. Scot]

Lots of fun stuff in here, including takes from Luke Kuechly, Greg Olsen, Kyle Allen, Scott Turner and many others.

[Peppers90 NC]

2 hours ago, Khyber53 said:

Might just have to get a subscription after that... We fill in a lot of blanks and create conflicts between players and coaches here because we don't know how things really go on the field and in the locker room. All in all, it does seem like the team really gets along and appreciates each other. There just don't seem to be any "trade me" divas in the bunch.

Might still have the $36 year deal out there

[mc52beast]

I hope DW finds his identity somewhere besides LT

[EgoDogg]

Was very skeptical when I saw The Athletic going for a subscription-only model, but I have to say that I'm so happy to eat crow on this one. Proved that there can still be good sports reporting and that the subscription model works when you have quality original content. And I'm pretty sure I can say that The Charlotte Observer was the cause of Joe Person with all the clickbait / hot take articles. He's a completely different writer on The Athletic.

Definitely worth the subscription - And it's very easy to find a link to 50% off ($30 / Year).

[PantherBrew]

So good, worth every penny. 

[Wolfpack352]

I remember a time when the locker room was meshing so well and guys having good time off the field, it carries over to game time.  I believe the mentality and fellowship plays a big role in performance.

[bigpoppa]

Guys joking about someone 14 years younger than me being old

 

[Mr. Scot]

2 minutes ago, bigpoppa said:

Guys joking about someone 14 years younger than me being old

 

Understood 

[higgs]

This article was awesome and worth the price of admission for The Athletic. 

[saX man]

Joking aside, I also support the Athletic.  They have good writers and should be heard. 

[Jeremy Igo]

The fact that a team has to find an identity under a coach of 9 years is a horrible indictment.