Game Telvin Smith Jersey Perhaps the NFL regular-season schedule for 2017, released in April, is your primary concern as the season approaches, followed closely by your team’s training camp schedule.
One of the Panthers’ starting second-year corners, James Bradberry, now has to deal with a broken left wrist from OTAs. But other than that, he has high expectations for a breakout year in coverage. While Bradberry has some shutdown potential, Daryl Worley can complement him with more impact plays on the ball from the other side.
The Panthers’ biggest and most needed change was bringing back Captain Munnerlyn, who wasn’t re-signed by the Vikings. After a mess of trouble covering slot receivers, the now-more-seasoned Munnerlyn (29) will lock down that spot and provide great mentorship for the young corners, much like he did in Minnesota for Xavier Rhodes and others. Behind Munnerlyn, Corn Elder makes for the ideal nickel/dime backup ahead of players such as Teddy Williams and Zack Sanchez. It didn’t take long for the Panthers to recover from their decision not to spend too much on Josh Norman.
Game Jacob McQuaide Jersey An even older new presence is 36-year-old former Colts free safety Mike Adams, who went to his first two Pro Bowls with Indianapolis (’14 and ’15) late in his career and has something left in the tank as a roaming playmaker vs. run and pass. He’s much like Roman Harper from ’14 and ’15, except with more on-ball pop in coverage. With a blend of rising youth and reliable wisdom, these Panthers more resemble the 24-interception group from two seasons ago.
The Panthers went from 39 takeaways and plus-20 to 27 takeaways and minus-two, providing the most telling stat of their hangover. Everything adds up to them making more big plays offensively and defensively again this season.