Panthers have the 3rd leading rusher in NFL

[Gapanthersfan]

Someone correct me if I’m wrong but isn’t Chuba far superior with blitz pickup compared to Rico? Maybe this was DC’s rationale? 

[electro's horse]

Just now, Gapanthersfan said:

Someone correct me if I’m wrong but isn’t Chuba far superior with blitz pickup compared to Rico? Maybe this was DC’s rationale? 

maybe. in rico's two starts they didn't really have to worry about picking up the blitz because of who the opponents were. 

Chuba looked like he whiff'd on a blitz pickup yesterday but that was actually just a really good stunt from the jets and he was blocking where Bryce told him to. Defense gets paid too. 

[Gapanthersfan]

DC may have anticipated the Jets to send the house early and often, necessitating the better blitz pickup back in the game. Wilks was never afraid of dialing up a good blitz, especially with a banged up O line. 

Edited October 20, 2025 by Gapanthersfan

[Shotgun]

1 hour ago, toldozer said:

Rico has more burst, id like to start seeing this from Hubbard.

Stewy dribbled him like a b ball.

[SCO96]

25 minutes ago, PNW_PantherMan said:

Well Chuba is interesting because he's kind of just a jack of all trades.  He's not really a power back.  He's not really a speed back.  He's not really a receiving back.  He sort of does it all at an acceptable level.

 

That's a good analysis. He's not a RB that you can really build an offense around. But, if he was starting behind a solid O-line,  and on a contending team,  he'd be a perennial 1,000 yard back during his prime with 16-18 carries per game.

[PNW_PantherMan]

1 minute ago, SCO96 said:

That's a good analysis. He's not a RB that you can really build an offense around. But, if he was starting behind a solid O-line,  and on a contending team,  he'd be a perennial 1,000 yard back during his prime with 16-18 carries per game.

Yeah I feel like he's more limited in a committee style system because of this.

If you think about it, the tandems are supposed to cover each other's weaknesses.  You get two different kinds of specialist with opposing weaknesses, and they cover each other.  You get a guy who's a jack of all trades, master of none.  He's just kind of an underwhelming rotational guy (based on contract) once you get some other talent at RB rotating in.

[Zaximus]

I don't think it matters who "starts" but this stupid "one drive for you, one drive for you" is moronic.  Split carries, put them on the field at the same time, etc.  This is not the way to handle it.  

[PleaseCutStewart]

2 hours ago, Shotgun said:

The only guy in the NFL that can stop Rico is Canales. 

And Bryce - when he has multiple turnovers in the 1st Q and we abandon the run (see AZ, NE games)

[toldozer]

1 hour ago, Shotgun said:

Stewy dribbled him like a b ball.

Yeah I had 3 or 4 gifs to pick from of him absolutely putting a guy on his back

[Shotgun]

1 minute ago, toldozer said:

Yeah I had 3 or 4 gifs to pick from of him absolutely putting a guy on his back

Didn't he get Ronde Barber pretty good with one of those?

[Jon Snow]

4 hours ago, Shotgun said:

Didn't he get Ronde Barber pretty good with one of those?

Twice.

[CRA]

8 hours ago, jtm said:

Chuba is a key leader on this team and he needs to give Chuba an opportunity to keep the starting job and this is the right way to handle this.  We can all see that Rico is a better back at the moment and he's going to win the starting job, but he needs to win if fair and square with both backs battling it out and not when a guy is injured.  Two backs going 110% to be the starter is a good thing.  

He already won it fair and square.  Canales just refused to do the right thing 

[frankw]

The only question now is how long does it last. Rico is a hell of a runner but staying power for RB's just isn't what it used to be anymore.

[Jon Snow]

2 minutes ago, CRA said:

He already won it fair and square.  Canales just refused to do the right thing 

Dave should be smart enough to get all he can out of Rico as he is auditing and on a hot streak. You don't mess with a hot streak. Ask any successful gambler.