Shaq Thompson deserves some love

[LinvilleGorge]

I've been hard on Shaq. Not that I've ever considered him a "bad" player, just that I've never felt he was the type of player who should've gotten the contract Hurney gave him. I guess that's not really being hard on Shaq, it's more being hard on our historic poor cap management with Hurney.

Anyway...

Shaq IMO had by far his best game as a Panther today. Led the team in tackles. Had a sack. Had an INT. Very nearly had a second INT. Broke up three passes with excellent coverage all day long.

This is the type of performance the Panthers have always clearly thought him capable of having. Keep this up and all of a sudden that contract starts to look like a bargain.

[Harbingers]

Agreed. He was on point today, let’s hope this is the floor and he just keeps going up this season. 

[therealmjl]

I don't know if it was just the number switch or what, but he looked like a different player out there today. I've been just as tough on him but I'm hoping today was a sign of things to come.

[electro's horse]

dropped an easy pick

[TheCasillas]

I think the weight gain helped quite a bit. The last couple of years he was focused on getting quicker and leaner. He was hitting people off their feet today.  He was shedding blocks, and powering through the opposing team. I love what I saw.

[LinvilleGorge]

4 minutes ago, therealmjl said:

I don't know if it was just the number switch or what, but he looked like a different player out there today. I've been just as tough on him but I'm hoping today was a sign of things to come.

It looked like he finally played like he had the confidence in himself that the Panthers have always had in him.

[mav1234]

Shaq was all over the field. It was really good to see.  He looks much, much bigger, but I dunno if that was just my perception.

[Coheed]

23 minutes ago, therealmjl said:

I don't know if it was just the number switch or what, but he looked like a different player out there today. I've been just as tough on him but I'm hoping today was a sign of things to come.

In his post game press conference he actually talks a lot about the number switch making him feel like himself and even attributed it to him having his best game so honestly might be on to something lol

Edited September 13, 2021 by Coheed

[LinvilleGorge]

Just now, Coheed said:

In his post game press conference it actually talks a lot about the number switch making him feel like himself and even attributed it to him having his best game so honestly might be in yo something lol

Hey, whatever works.

[therealmjl]

Just now, Coheed said:

In his post game press conference it actually talks a lot about the number switch making him feel like himself and even attributed it to him having his best game so honestly might be on to something lol

Yeah I just watched that as well. I mean - I doubt it was the number switch but I'll take it lol

[ChuckWag78]

Loving the 7 look as well.  

[Scott12345]

I’ve been big time down on Shaq but he sure played well today

[Dave Gettleman's Shorts]

not having whitehead next to him makes his job easier

[TrevorLaurenceTime22]

2 minutes ago, Dave Gettleman's Shorts said:

not having whitehead next to him makes his job easier

Not having whithead next to him and Boston behind him can make anyone better.

 

But in all seriousness he balled out today.