Carolina Panthers: Three Ian Thomas facts to put fans’ minds at ease
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Thomas played over half of the offensive snaps for Carolina as a rookie in game one. It wasn’t by design, but Rivera obviously feels comfortable putting him on the field despite his relative inexperience.
By comparison, first-round pick D.J. Moore played only one-fourth of the Panthers offensive snaps and recorded just one “catch”. Obviously, one was forced into action but Manhertz carries three more years of experience and he wasn’t the immediate response to Olsen being sidelined.
Thomas is a raw talent but as he builds a rapport with Newton, earns experience and becomes familiar with new offensive coordinator Norv Turner’s system, the sky is the limit. No one wants to see an injury – especially one to a veteran captain nearing the end of his career – but the team must move forward.
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Thomas provides the Panthers that opportunity.