Carolina Panthers: Alex Armah has a defined, important role

The Carolina Panthers will need him a lot next season.

Alex Armah has been an interesting player for the Carolina Panthers. The third-year player out of West Georgia originally was looking to be a part of the Panthers solution for lack of depth at running back.

However, it seems like he has been on the outside looking in to this point. Nevertheless, last season showed he had a particular niche. In a way, he was helping with the running game, as he was focused on clearing lanes for Christian McCaffrey. Blocking was the name of the game for him.

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According to statistics from Pro Football Focus, Armah had had an 81.3 pass block rating and a 59.4 run-block rating if anything, it was fair to say that he was one of the Carolina Panthers most consistent blockers in 2019. He showed toughness and the ability to hang in there and do whatever it took to protect the quarterback. Admittedly, he had a tall task ahead of him as the makeshift offensive line could only do so much.

This year however, that should not be the case. With the team retooling their line, that should allow Armah to truly focus on blocking duties again. Having played linebacker and defensive end at West Georgia, he knows a thing or two about being physical and having the ability to shed blocks. His physicality is probably the reason why he is still on the Panthers roster to begin with. On a team as talented as the Panthers, you need role players, and players who will do the gritty, and sometimes dirty, work. Armah certainly can fill that role.

As he told the Charlotte Observer a couple of weeks ago, Armah is willing to do whatever it takes to help the team. If that means he is a blocker, then that’s what he is going to do. Personally, I think that’s the role he is best suited for. That is not a knock on him at all. Rather, he is willing to do a job that not many players would want to do. You have to admire his toughness and his want to do whatever he can to make the team better.

"“Whatever they ask me to do, I try to do 100 percent,” he said. “(Now we need) a known, able blocker that’s gonna dominate his block.”"

He is doing something that many players in the league today would be willing to do. He is filling a spot that the team needs him to be in. He is willing to take a lesser role just to help the team. That shouldn’t go unnoticed, and I don’t think it is. Now, he will be tasked with blocking what should be a powerful offense as the Carolina Panthers look to keep pace with the pass-friendly National Football League.

Alex Armah’s career may be a bit unorthodox, but it’s working for him. Hopefully, he can see the field a lot this season and be effective. He has certainly had to work his way to the National Football League. Now, here’s to hoping he can continue that journey in style.

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