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Carolina Panthers: 3 takeaways from first two weeks of OTAs

By Danny Jaillet

CHARLOTTE, NC - OCTOBER 30: Fans watch for players to emerge from the locker room during the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Bank of America Stadium on October 30, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - OCTOBER 30: Fans watch for players to emerge from the locker room during the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Bank of America Stadium on October 30, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 02: Curtis Samuel #10 of the Carolina Panthers runs for eight yards in the third quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on December 02, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Will Vragovic/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 02: Curtis Samuel #10 of the Carolina Panthers runs for eight yards in the third quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on December 02, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Will Vragovic/Getty Images) /

Samuel is finding his groove

Curtis Samuel looks to have a big year in 2019. However, it all starts on the practice field. He has been impressive by all accounts during OTA’s, and perhaps his biggest highlight of his time was a diving catch that had the team buzzing.

Seeing him being able to succeed is a great sign. He emerged as a key player at the end of the season last year. Now, it would be ideal for the Carolina Panthers if he was able to be that key player the entire way. He battled injuries before the opener against the Dallas Cowboys, and he just was not able to get into  a groove until he received more playing time. Unfortunately, the Carolina Panthers were beginning their freefall and not much was able to be done by that point.

Good OTA’s lead to good habits for the rest of the season. I would love to see Samuel become a 800-yard, nine-touchdown receiver, and I think this may be the year he can do it. He along with D.J. Moore, will have to fill the void left by the departure of Devin Funchess. Again, staying healthy is his biggest problem. If he can do that, I see no reason why he can’t be a main weapon for Cam Newton. He has the speed, he has the explosiveness. Now, he just needs to be able to put it all together.

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