Let Young Guns Loose
The Panthers have historically not given much playing time to younger players under Ron Rivera, especially for those drafted outside the first couple of rounds, and while there are definitely risks associated with starting younger players, this has at times meant that players are nearly out of their rookie contracts before they are able to contribute to the team in any meaningful way. However, with the Panthers now realistically out of playoff contention, the risk associated with starting younger players are largely immaterial, and so the benefits should mean that a number of the players who have stuck a place or two back on the depth chart get a chance to play.
With Shaq Thompson headed to IR, Jermaine Carter, Jr. seems likely to see a number of snaps on defense and, given how well he played in the preseason, there should be some hope that he plays well enough that the Panthers can view him as a significant piece moving forwards. To a lesser extent, the Panthers may also give Andre Smith some snaps, as he struggled to get game time during the preseason due to injury. This could also mean a share of the nickel snaps for Corn Elder and a larger part in the defensive end rotation for the likes of Efe Obada, Marquis Haynes and Bryan Cox.
On offense, Ian Thomas is likely to continue to see more game time with Greg Olsen out, but it would also be nice to see Alex Armah be given some snaps at tight end, as there may well come a point next season where the Panthers are forced to pick between him and Chris Manhertz – two specialist blockers on the roster is somewhat of a luxury. Not all of these players are going to look like stars, it may even become clear that the Panthers need to move on from one or two, but the only way the Panthers will get a full idea of where their roster stands is by giving some of these young players a real chance to get meaningful NFL reps and seeing how they do. If even three or four of the players mentioned look like legitimate NFL starters, that would be good – five and the Panthers front office would likely be jumping with delight.
Actually Give Artis-Payne An Honest Look
I don’t think Artis-Payne will be with the Panthers next season, not because he’s not a good running back – all of his numbers suggest he is much better than his playing time indicates – but because he simply doesn’t fit well with Christian McCaffrey as a one-two punch. Artis-Payne was drafted to be the replacement for DeAngelo Williams, and does make a lot of sense from that point of view. He isn’t the most physical runner and he’s not a third-down receiving guy, but what he can do is offer a compliment to a physical inside runner who can stretch the defense laterally. With Jonathan Stewart as the Panthers’ main running back at the time this made a lot of sense, as he offered a very different set of skills to Stewart and with Fozzy Whittaker at the third back, he also wasn’t going to be called upon in obvious passing situations.
However, when the Panthers drafted Christian McCaffrey all of that changed, the Panthers now had that more nimble back as their main option; with McCaffrey also taking all of the running back receiving snaps, both Artis-Payne and to a lesser extent Whittaker, were made largely redundant. Everything they did well, McCaffrey does better; given that, neither are likely to amount to anything more than depth for the Panthers. So why does it matter than Artis-Payne gets more snaps?
There are two reasons: this will take pressure of McCaffrey, who has already been worked to death at times this season, and second, the more appealing Artis-Payne is as a free agent, the better things are for the Panthers. If Artis-Payne plays well through the next two games in combination with his good career efficiency numbers, some team might offer him a decent contract. He is unlikely to be a star anywhere, but he might get more than the peanuts and change that some other third running backs will be hoping for. This will help the Panthers by improving their chances of getting good compensatory picks in 2020, will take cap space away from competitors and will potentially mean that a more suitable free agent running back for the Panthers is available at an affordable price. The 2019 running back free agent class looks to be absolute chaos, and it would probably serve the Panthers to throw some more fuel on that fire, especially if it comes with a chance at a compensatory draft pick to boot.
Let Vets Go Out With Dignity
Ryan Kalil has already said he’s going to retire after the season, it would be something of a shock not to see Julius Peppers join him and Mike Adams is also more likely to walk away than not. Even Thomas Davis, who has strongly hinted that he wants to be back in some capacity, is far from a certainty to be with the Panthers next season, and while there is little place in the NFL for sentimentality, it would be better for everybody involved if the last two games of the season are at least respectable. This doesn’t mean that a 6-10 finish to the season would be a disgrace to these players’ legacies, but that if this team looks like it just doesn’t want to be there for the past two weeks, that would certainly not be a favored lasting memory.
There doesn’t seem to be a sense that that is likely, but if the Panthers do find themselves trailing in a significant way, it would be nice to see this team at least try and play through to give some positivity to these players’ farewell.
The Panthers’ season in terms of playoff chances is essentially over, but there are still things the Panthers can gain from these next two games. It is still very unclear whether Ron Rivera will be back in 2019, but with Cam not playing against the Falcons, the indications are that even if he is not coming back, he is insistent on doing the right things for the Panthers in the long run, and for that he really deserves some credit. Far too many coaches go out burning all that is behind them, and if this is to be Ron’s last season in Carolina, then it should at least be a final two games for him to be proud of.
