Ross Cockrell

[WarPanthers89]

I really appreciate the work of Jourdan Rodrigue. I cannot post the entire article but wanted to share a few sections of her fantastic post on Ross Cockrel, his return from injury, and what he means to the 2019-2020 Panthers. He is very underrated, and I hope that we are able to sign him to an extension at some point soon. We have so many free agents after this season, (it will make your head spin looking at the list) and he is a player that can be signed to a reasonable contract, and can start/be great depth for multiple positions in the secondary.

 

On his injury in training camp last year:

 

“Last summer, Cockrell suffered a gruesome injury at training camp that sidelined him for almost a full year. As he was running through a routine play in the back of the end zone, he went down as a loud crack ominously rang out across the field. A receiver had landed on his leg, by accident. Cockrell screamed. Teammates immediately knelt in horror, and some sprinted to Cockrell’s aid. He was carted off the field and directly into an ambulance, then rushed to the hospital.

 

“Because all of those emotions, all the work that you have done is gone in an instant,” he said. “And you’re sitting there, and your leg is like, in half. 

 

He lived with his parents while he recovered, so they could help care for him while he couldn’t walk. Cockrell’s wife, Kia, had to administer shots into his hip to prevent blood from clotting in his leg.

 

All year, head coach Ron Rivera said at the time, Cockrell was engaged and bright within the team’s film room despite going through hours of treatment and rehab, at times painful and always mentally draining, every single day.

 

*Fast forward to this season:

 

“Then, the Panthers’ coaching staff threw him a curve: Would he mind filling in at safety?

Cockrell accepted without a second thought.

 

Cockrell, who played a little safety in college but switched to cornerback upon entering the NFL, spent the entire summer at training camp working into reps at free safety. It was not a simple adjustment.

 

“It’s one thing to (go between) strong safety and free safety, because they’re kind of the same thing,” Reid said. “But free safety to corner? Two completely different positions. It’s been impressive to see.

 

“I’ve heard of guys transitioning from safety to corner (over time), but to play both at any given moment when coach needs you to, I think this might be the first time I’ve seen it,” Reid said.

 

That adds value to Cockrell’s own standing on the roster — and is much appreciated by the coaching staff, which must juggle roster spots more tightly than ever now with cutdown day rapidly approaching.

 

“He’s special,” Rivera said. “Ross can play any corner position, play any safety position. … You feel really comfortable with a guy like that, and it helps you with your numbers. It’s position flexibility. … That type of skill set is special.”

 

Article written by Jourdan Rodrigue 

www.theathletic.com

[LinvilleGorge]

I really hope he bounces back string. That would be a big bonus for us as a team. But, before we start discussing extension, we need to see what he looks like on the field. If you can't win a significant role in this secondary, then you might no longer be an NFL talent. I hope that bad leg break doesn't ruin him like Bene's did.

[Dex]

It's a great story but will he contribute this year?

[WarPanthers89]

6 minutes ago, LinvilleGorge said:

I really hope he bounces back string. That would be a big bonus for us as a team. But, before we start discussing extension, we need to see what he looks like on the field. If you can't win a significant role in this secondary, then you might no longer be an NFL talent. I hope that bad leg break doesn't ruin him like Bene's did.

I believe he will be the main backup at safety, outside and inside CB

[BrianS]

It's easy to be drawn in by a great comeback story . . . see Davis, Thomas.  But let's make sure that he is actually back.  With any major injury, there's always the chance that he never regains the edge that made him an NFL caliber player.  The margin between a great player and an NFL player is really thin, and I hope Cockrell is still on the NFL Player side of the line.

If he plays for us this year and looks good, then sure, absolutely you want a guy with that kind of flexibility in your back end.

[bababoey]

Thanks for the post in large font so us old people can read it 

[WarPanthers89]

2 minutes ago, bababoey said:

Thanks for the post in large font so us old people can read it 

[steven8989]

8 minutes ago, WarPanthers89 said:

[Black&BlueBubba]

I think he is really good depth.  Can fill in everywhere.  And from what I remember we are paying him only about 2 mil.  Decent value.  Especially since the rest of our younger, cheaper corners haven’t stepped up.  

[Captain Morgan]

guys I'm really worried about our secondary depth.  I've been telling myself that Russ is gonna first up CB guy.  I really hope he is.  

[KSpan]

That picture is brutal.

[morgan55]

39 minutes ago, KSpan said:

That picture is brutal.

That beard is brutal.

[SBiii]

3 hours ago, morgan55 said:

That beard is brutal.

Agreed, looks awful.

That said, i'm pulling for Ross.  He's a very smart guy and a class act for sure.

[LinvilleGorge]

Not even gonna lie, that beard looks like he's gonna get "randomly selected" for additional screening at the airport.