Panthers running back update - Mike Davis hype

[Jeremy Igo]

As you know, Christian McCaffrey had one heck of a work load last season. It would be nice to see him not take quite as much of a pounding this year. 

Enter Mike Davis. The Panthers signed Davis last November. He saw very limited action last year (2 carries). 

This year, however, he seems to be making a real impression in training camp, more so than Reggie Bonnafon.

Matt Rhule spoke on this very subject. 

Quote

“We want Christian on the field as much as possible. But at the same time, we also understand that we have other good players. Mike Davis has had one of the best camps of anybody, and we want to utilize the players that we have available, and we also understand that we don’t want Christian to take on excess wear and tear. He’s going to take on wear and tear, but not excess wear and tear.”

Then there is this from offensive coordinator Joe Brady

Quote

 

I’ve loved what I’ve seen from Mike Davis. He came in focused. He came in in shape and ready to go. I think he’s taken off from there."

“I have no issues with giving him the ball and putting it in his hands, doing what he does. He’s started football games in this NFL. He’s not a young football player. I feel confident that if we call a play and it’s going to Mike Davis, that he’s gonna get the job done.”

 

It is interesting that this coaching staff has taken a shine to Davis more than the past regime.

 

[The Huddler]

Is like we have a coaching staff that recognizes talent, and wont just put them on the field, but will scheme for their success...   strange. 

[kungfoodude]

4 minutes ago, The Huddler said:

Is like we have a coaching staff that recognizes talent, and wont just put them on the field, but will scheme for their success...   strange. 

I mean the last staff just flat out wouldn't put them on the field.

[DCR]

If they have confidence in other players ,

They can put McCaffery in the slot or out wide to get a favourable match up ,or a as a decoy

 

 

[Waldo]

Great to hear. With what he is being paid it would be swell to allow him to actually play some snaps.

Lots of praise out of camp this year. Any confirmation this guy is looking this good from a non-Panther employee? 

 

[CLG]

I remember watching him play with the Seahawks... wasn’t bad at all. 

[Peon Awesome]

Yeah it makes too much sense to have McCaffrey in the slot while Davis is in the backfield, at least for a handful of snaps every game. Davis' presence, assuming this isn't all smoke and mirrors, would legitimize the possibility of a run in those lineups and either force the defense to respect that or go all out for a passing play and open up a big lane for Davis to burst through. Let that happen a few times and suddenly they're playing more to stop the run, leaving CMC on a mismatch in the slot. It would keep McCaffrey an every down threat but save him from getting bruised up running up the middle a dozen times per game. 

[Mr. Scot]

Talent evaluation was never exactly Ron Rivera's strong suit.

Here's hoping the current staff is much better at it.

[Devil Doc]

4 minutes ago, Mr. Scot said:

Talent evaluation was never exactly Ron Rivera's strong suit.

Here's hoping the current staff is much better at it.

He was a 3rd string LB for the Bears.. of course he wouldn't know talent. 

[kungfoodude]

4 minutes ago, Mr. Scot said:

Talent evaluation was never exactly Ron Rivera's strong suit.

Here's hoping the current staff is much better at it.

He reminds me of a guy who ran a business in Wilmington(thankfully went tits up when COVID hit) that would always hire people 55+ with experience no matter if they were completely incompetent or not. Didn't matter if young, intelligent and far better employees wanted the jobs, he'd always give preference to his older guys. Didn't matter that they would go to jobs, fug them up and clients would ask they not be sent back. Those were "his guys." 

That's Ron Rivera.

[Mr. Scot]

2 minutes ago, kungfoodude said:

He reminds me of a guy who ran a business in Wilmington(thankfully went tits up when COVID hit) that would always hire people 55+ with experience no matter if they were completely incompetent or not. Didn't matter if young, intelligent and far better employees wanted the jobs, he'd always give preference to his older guys. Didn't matter that they would go to jobs, fug them up and clients would ask they not be sent back. Those were "his guys." 

That's Ron Rivera.

Accurate...

[kungfoodude]

1 minute ago, Mr. Scot said:

Accurate...

Also refused to admit he was the problem. Sound familiar? 

[Mr. Scot]

13 minutes ago, kungfoodude said:

Also refused to admit he was the problem. Sound familiar? 

Unfortunately...

[Moo Daeng]

3 hours ago, Jeremy Igo said:

As you know, Christian McCaffrey had one heck of a work load last season. It would be nice to see him not take quite as much of a pounding this year. 

Enter Mike Davis. The Panthers signed Davis last November. He saw very limited action last year (2 carries). 

This year, however, he seems to be making a real impression in training camp, more so than Reggie Bonnafon.

Matt Rhule spoke on this very subject. 

Then there is this from offensive coordinator Joe Brady

It is interesting that this coaching staff has taken a shine to Davis more than the past regime.

 

He was only on the team a month and a half or so last season. Its a different situation.