Week 1 - Panthers @ Jaguars (practice tweets, news articles, videos, etc)

[RumHam]

apparently they're not starting Hunter at corner? That's a bonus. 

[TLGPanthersFan]

8 hours ago, CPF4LIFE said:

That 2015 team was also coming off a playoff run the year before, this team is coming off 5 wins my guy.

This year definitely feels more 2002 then 2003.  
It was considered a big deal we went 7-9 after going 1-15 the year prior. 
 

[CRA]

4 minutes ago, TLGPanthersFan said:

This year definitely feels more 2002 then 2003.  
It was considered a big deal we went 7-9 after going 1-15 the year prior. 
 

I don’t know….2002 featured one of the greatest defensive turnarounds of all time.  Doesn’t feel like we are about to unveil the #2 D in the NFL.  

[TLGPanthersFan]

12 minutes ago, CRA said:

I don’t know….2002 featured one of the greatest defensive turnarounds of all time.  Doesn’t feel like we are about to unveil the #2 D in the NFL.  

True but I am still hoping the defense will be top 20 at the least. Offense is where I hope to see the most stride. 

[PantherChris]

9 hours ago, CPF4LIFE said:

That 2015 team was also coming off a playoff run the year before, this team is coming off 5 wins my guy.

Cute how you did that while knowing the "playoff" team you speak of was a 7 win team my dude.

 

 

[CRA]

24 minutes ago, PantherChris said:

Cute how you did that while knowing the "playoff" team you speak of was a 7 win team my dude.

 

 

2013 and 2014 still featured NFCS Championships, top 10 defenses and postseason appearances both years.  While a playoff winning team in 2014 didn't have a good regular season in terms of wins, the Panthers had been on top of the division for a couple years heading into 2015.    

It wasn't a surprise we could be the best in the division or make the postseason in 2015.  The surprise was the undefeated streak and final record. 

[LinvilleGorge]

1 hour ago, RumHam said:

apparently they're not starting Hunter at corner? That's a bonus. 

It really seems like they're going to at least attempt early on to make him a legit two way player as a sub-package type guy on both offense and defense. That seems like the absolutely dumbest path forward not just in the present but in terms of his development. Sometimes you have to save guys from himself. I know he sees himself as a full time two way player but dude... not in the NFL. You're drastically shortening your career and hampering your development trying to do it. IMO, the way to manage that is just tell the guy listen, you're playing CB. We're going to have a package of plays for you on offense and we'll see how it goes. The better it goes the more we'll expand it as long as your playing well in your primary role as CB.

[csx]

I think the hope would be to get to 7-8 wins. Hence 7 being the median of the predictions.

I hope they try to play Hunter both ways and wear him out. Run right at him.

Edited September 5, 2025 by csx

[CRA]

4 minutes ago, LinvilleGorge said:

It really seems like they're going to at least attempt early on to make him a legit two way player as a sub-package type guy on both offense and defense. That seems like the absolutely dumbest path forward not just in the present but in terms of his development. Sometimes you have to save guys from himself. I know he sees himself as a full time two way player but dude... not in the NFL. You're drastically shortening your career and hampering your development trying to do it. IMO, the way to manage that is just tell the guy listen, you're playing CB. We're going to have a package of plays for you on offense and we'll see how it goes. The better it goes the more we'll expand it as long as your playing well in your primary role as CB.

I think he would just be my starting WR and then at MOST make him a dime package DB for those very rare looks in big moments.  Jags already got a decent slot DB

[L-TownCat]

1 hour ago, TLGPanthersFan said:

This year definitely feels more 2002 then 2003.  
It was considered a big deal we went 7-9 after going 1-15 the year prior. 
 

Started 3-0, lost 7 in a row, went 4-2 down the stretch.  Reporter asked a young Steve Smith what the late season turnaround meant going into the next season.  He told them next year we’re gonna be good.

That stuck with me as the best prediction in franchise history.

[LinvilleGorge]

9 minutes ago, CRA said:

I think he would just be my starting WR and then at MOST make him a dime package DB for those very rare looks in big moments.  Jags already got a decent slot DB

I just think he's better suited at CB and it's a lot easier to create a special set of plays to get him on the field on offense versus defense. Offensive skill position players can be a bit autonomous where a defense has to function much more as a unit. 

[OldhamA]

1 hour ago, csx said:

I think the hope would be to get to 7-8 wins. Hence 7 being the median of the predictions.

I hope they try to play Hunter both ways and wear him out. Run right at him.

I'd play him primarily at CB, his money position, and sprinkle him in at WR. 

[Icege]

Updates from Canales today after practice:

• Icky was in uniform today but is doubtful for Sunday. BC or Nijman to start.
• DB Damarri Mathis, who the Panthers had picked up off of waivers, tore his ACL this week on a non-contact play which is why he's been on the injury report. It occurred on Wednesday and he'll be getting surgery for it.
• DLew + Hunt were listed as limited during the week but are not on the injury report for today
• No game designation for A'Shawn as well

Edited September 5, 2025 by Icege

[MHS831]

1 minute ago, OldhamA said:

I'd play him primarily at CB, his money position, and sprinkle him in at WR. 

Yep.   I guess it depends on your existing needs, but ideally, this is spot on.  He could be used as a third WR on passing downs and a third CB---which would get him probably around 50-60 snaps per game.  However, I think he is a long CB--and to me, a shut down CB is more valuable than a #1 WR--lotta folks might disagree with that, but I do not see him as a #1 WR in the NFL-a stud #2 perhaps--along the lines of a Tee Higgins at best.