Carolina Panthers: 4 big takeaways from Matt Rhule’s virtual presser
By Dean Jones
Carolina Panthers: Takeaway No. 2 – Matt Rhule’s faith in Eli Apple
The Carolina Panthers bolstered their cornerback room with the signing of free agent Eli Apple. The former first-round selection spent last season with the New Orleans Saints. And it is clear that Matt Rhule has great confidence in the player to finally fulfill his potential.
Apple has been largely inconsistent during his first few seasons in the NFL. That being said, he has all the intangibles one is looking for in a starting corner. And this is something he will need to prove during his time with the Panthers.
"“I think the thing about Eli is he has elite, elite traits. He’s 6-1, he’s strong, he’s 4.3 (40-yard dash speed). He has all the traits to be a good player. Our job now is to put it all together with him. I don’t like to judge people based upon their experiences in other systems with other people. I love to see what they do for us — if, if, if — I think they have the traits that we need. That’s probably the college coach in me feeling like when you recruit, you recruit certain traits and you try to develop them.”"
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This statement echoed the sentiments of general manager Marty Hurney regarding Apple’s ability to make an instant impression. The Panthers are lacking quality depth at the position following the departures of James Bradberry, Ross Cockrell, and Javien Elliot. So it will be up to Apple and fourth-round pick Troy Pride Jr. to pick up the slack in the hope of turning around fortunes at the position.