Christian McCaffrey, Dave Gettleman, Ron RIvera - notable quotes

[Jeremy Igo]

Some notable quotes from the press conference and conference call yesterday...

Christian McCaffrey

RE: What Carolina players he met during his visit to the team facility

I saw Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis and the first thing I did was try to imagine was blocking them so I’ve got to get ready. That’s all I’ve got to say. I’m going to do everything that I can. It’s one of those things where you see these guys play every Sunday. You see guys like Luke Kuechly, Thomas Davis and all of these great players that Carolina has, Cam Newton – being able to now say that I’m a part of the same team as them is a blessing. These are guys that I watched growing up, 20 years young so I’ve been watching these guys for a long time. To be on the same team as them is a blessing. I just can’t wait to learn from them.

RE: First thoughts on playing with Cam Newton

I smiled. I just knew that it was going to make all of our jobs easier. He is the most talented quarterback in the NFL, hands down. I just think to be able to line up in the backfield with him, I hope we can do some special things.

RE: His discussions with offensive coordinator Mike Shula on the role he would play in the offense

We touched the surface a little bit. A lot of the similar stuff as how they used me at Stanford. They have such great backs there already, just to kind of fit in with them and just to utilize all of us in the package is going to be a lot of fun for all of us. Once again, learning from Coach Skipper who is a legendary running backs coach and Coach Shula as well, we touched it a little bit on how I would be used, but I’m just excited to get in and learn.

RE: What Carolina can do for him and his NFL career

I haven’t had a whole lot of time to think of that right now. I’m just excited to be a part of the organization. What an explosive offense. You have Cam Newton back there, you’ve got some great backs and you have a fantastic offensive line and some great leadership there. I can’t tell you how excited I am to help this team score points and win games.

 

 

Dave Gettleman

RE: Why Christian McCaffrey was the right choice for Carolina

DG: There are a number of things. He’s a young man who has a pro’s approach already. He knows what it takes. He understands the game. He has elite skills in terms of running, his vision, his run-patience, his receiving skills and he can step on the gas and go. On top of that, he’s a big-time punt returner. There’s just so much value there that he was a guy we targeted and were hoping to get him. The Good Lord was smiling down on us.

RE: The moment Gettleman knew that he wanted to draft McCaffrey

DG: I think it’s when you spend time talking to him. He’s got a great family background. He’s been around the NFL his whole life. He just gets it. He understands it. That right there is huge. Like I said, he’s been around NFL locker rooms his whole life. I was with his dad in Denver and his dad was a pro. The acorn didn’t fall far from the tree.

RE: McCaffrey’s skillset

DG: What I think is very unique about Christian is – the best tackle-box runner I’ve ever seen is Curtis Martin when he came out of Pitt. Christian is right there with him. Running in that tackle box takes unique vision and unique foot quickness and he’s got it. Curtis Martin had it. He had a great career, a Hall of Fame career. This kid has that kind of skill.

RE: How often running back prospects catch the ball as well as McCaffrey

DG: It doesn’t happen very often. It really doesn’t. He has suction cups on the end of those wrists, I’m telling you right now. He’s just unbelievable. He’s got soft hands. You don’t hear the balls hit his hands. There aren’t very many cats that can do what he does.

RE: If they worried that the Chargers had interest in McCaffrey with the No. 7 pick

DG: I can’t tell a lie. I was anxious. I was concerned. Yes, we were anxious.

 

Ron Rivera

RE: How big of a role wide receivers coach Lance Taylor played in drafting McCaffrey

RR: I think that’s a big part of it. I know in terms of talking with Mike about the ways that they used him and the things that they did with him, that was very beneficial to us. When you look at the different things that he’s capable of and how he will fit, we’re excited about it. Again, there are some matchup situations that can occur. He’s going to allow guys like Greg Olsen to do what he does best. He’s going to allow Jonathan Stewart to be a better runner. He’s going to help the receiving game. Again, the threat of him coming out underneath is going to create some opportunities for other guys. We’re very excited about how he’s going to fit us and the things he can do for us.

RE: The role McCaffrey will play in the Carolina offense

RR: Well it’s going to be about position flexibility more so than anything else. He’s going to be used a lot in a way of how they used him at Stanford. When you watch the tape, break the tape down, you see him line up sometimes in the backfield as a running back. Sometimes he’s a quarterback in their wildcat offense. Sometimes they motion him out and put him out to the slot. Sometimes they motion him out and put him wide. So we’re looking at opportunities to create opportunities for him to make plays for us. That’s the biggest thing more so than anything else. He’ll be a great change-of-pace back. As far as Jonathan Stewart is concerned, here’s a guy that touched the ball over 30 times per game and was very productive. His last two seasons at Stanford were about as productive as anybody has had in several years in college football. So we’re very excited about it. I know Mike Shula is extremely excited. We’re very fortunate too, in Lance Taylor who was there with him at Stanford. He gave us tremendous insight into his skillset, what he’s capable of doing. We had an opportunity to visit with him on several occasions in terms of getting an understanding and feel as to the type of young man he is. As Dave said, that this young man is a pro. He’s going to fit in very well to our culture and our locker room. It’s one of those things that this is the kind of young man that can help make an impact very early for us.

RE: How McCaffrey can help quarterback Cam Newton

RR: I think this is a guy that you can get the ball into his hands in many different ways and quick. So we’re pretty excited about that. He’s going to take a lot of pressure off of him. I think doing some of the things that we want to do in terms of the matchups we can create with him – again, moving him around and watching how the defenses will react to him, it’s going to be big thing that will really help our quarterback and help the rest of our offense. Again, a lot of things get told when you start moving backs in and out of the backfield.

RE: McCaffrey’s impact returning kicks

RR: He’ll start off as a punt returner. I know you guys saw some of the tape on him, he’s very dynamic. If you can pick up 10-12 yards on a punt return, that’s one less first down you have to worry about as an offense. I think his ability to return is going to be big for us. It’s one of those things I learned from one of my really good friends in the league, Dave Toub who is the special teams coach for Kansas City – if you get a guy that’s dynamic back there, get the guys in front of him to buy him. All you need to do is give this guy a little bit of room, that’s what they’re going to work for is give this guy a little bit of room. He can make good things happen for us.

[Jesse]

I think the front office and coaching staff saw the same thing a lot of people saw with McCaffrey. The kid's got a great durability, versatility, vision, etc. Let's be real too, he's a smart guy who won't jeopardize the team by putting himself in a bad situation. I think this was the best possible scenario with LF/Adams off the board. 

[mc52beast]

Ladanian Tomlinson said he was the best pick in the first round... just sayin

[chknwing]

"You have Cam Newton back there, you’ve got some great backs and you have a fantastic offensive line and some great leadership there. I can’t tell you how excited I am to help this team score points and win games."

 

I guess he kinda has to say that.

[pantherclaw]

I'm not disappointed with the kid. 

Hope he lines up in the slot more than not.

[Ship]

Here's another interesting one from RR:

Lance Taylor had extra "special" tape from Stanford practices and things that other teams didn't have. We were able to see a fuller picture of him as a player.

[Guest Barry McCaulkinor]

Lol can't wait to see this pick fail. Ready to get rid of this poo coaching staff and front office. 

[Wolfpredator]

I am super excited for the pick.  I know there is a lot of disappointed people on the board and I really wanted LF but after he was off our radar, I wanted CMC.  When was the last time we had someone like McCaffrey on our team?  Always wanted an offensive play maker like him and now we got one.  Like the pick or not, he is a panther now and we should all rally behind him.  Welcome aboard Christian!

[TylerVagyler]

I haven't seen Gettleman this excited about a pick. I can't wait to see CMC in action. Shotgun formation with Stew and CMC beside Cam will be a lot of fun. 

[caatfan]

I know a lot of fans will be kind of half hoping he's a bust so they can say 'told you so', but he's an exciting player and I'm looking forward to seeing him in action. If he can stay healthy he can be a big boost to the offense, not to mention the return game. 

[Snake]

1 hour ago, mc52beast said:

Ladanian Tomlinson said he was the best pick in the first round... just sayin

That's extremely high praise. 

[Confined9991]

13 minutes ago, Barry McCaulkinor said:

Lol can't wait to see this pick fail. Ready to get rid of this poo coaching staff and front office. 

we'd rather get rid of shitty fans like you

[SeoulPanther]

Exactly. I'm wary of the pick but its time to stop looking for downside and be positive. It forces Shula's offense to evolve or he's toast. And if Cmc and Shula come through we're gonna be a much better team.

5 minutes ago, Wolfpredator said:

I am super excited for the pick.  I know there is a lot of disappointed people on the board and I really wanted LF but after he was off our radar, I wanted CMC.  When was the last time we had someone like McCaffrey on our team?  Always wanted an offensive play maker like him and now we got one.  Like the pick or not, he is a panther now and we should all rally behind him.  Welcome aboard Christian!

 

[caatfan]

11 minutes ago, Barry McCaulkinor said:

Lol can't wait to see this pick fail. Ready to get rid of this poo coaching staff and front office. 

Pulling for your team, coaching staff, and FO to fail is pathetic IMO. Why don't you go find a team you actually like. Geez.