USAT: Panthers Wire audio clip

USAT: Panthers Wire

Feb 16, 2022

When Ron Rivera moved up north to Washington, he took quite a few members of the Carolina Panthers organization with him. So, uh, Ron—maybe you’d like to give back a little, no? - Well, it looks like ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Matt Bowen think he should, as indicated in their latest collaborative effort to begin the offseason. While identifying the best fits for the NFL’s top 50 free agents, the duo links the Panthers up with Washington Commanders guard Brandon Scherff—who ranks out at No. 13 on the list. - Fowler, firstly, notes that Carolina may not have a ton of resources—particularly in the cap space department—to spare on such a notable name this spring. But their desperate need for interior line help and Scherff’s proven dominance in the run game could make the Panthers jump for the match. - “Scherff has the athletic traits to win on zone schemes, and he can also move defenders up front,” Bowen writes of the potential scheme fit. “The former Iowa Hawkeye is an immediate upgrade on the offensive line for a Panthers team that wants to run the ball under Matt Rhule.” - Rhule, perhaps to a sickening degree, has continuously expressed his desire to establish the run as his offense tries to find some sort of identity moving forward. And if that is still indeed the case with new offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo, then Scherff would undoubtedly help with that. - The five-time Pro Bowler and 2020 First-team All-Pro has consistently landed himself in the green for Pro Football Focus. The film buffs have given the 30-year-old a run blocking grade of at least 73.7 in six of his seven pro seasons. - While not as sexy as the quarterback or even the left tackle, the guard spots may very well be Carolina’s greatest needs (discounting positional value). Underwhelming campaigns from their starters in Michael Jordan on the left and John Miller on the right certainly have both jobs up for grabs in 2022. - - RelatedPanthers prepared to 'take a major swing' at QB positionDo Panthers, Ben McAdoo have a potential fit in Jimmy Garoppolo? - - List - - Who's out and who's in for the Panthers 2022 coaching staff - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Email - - - - - Sign up - - - - - - - - Like this article? - Sign up for the Panthers Wire email newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning - - - - An error has occured - - - Please re-enter your email address. - - - - - - Thanks for signing up! - - - You'll now receive the top Panthers Wire stories each day directly in your inbox.

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