P.J. Walker: Grading the Panthers QB’s debut in win vs. Lions
By Dean Jones
Grading P.J. Walker vs. Lions
It’s hard not to look at P.J. Walker’s performance against the Lions and not be impressed. He didn’t look overawed by the occasion whatsoever and the offense didn’t seem to miss a beat with the No. 1 option Teddy Bridgewater on the sidelines.
Things even opened up a little bit from a scheme perspective having Walker on the line of scrimmage. Joe Brady called more downfield throws and played to the strengths of his backup signal-caller, which obviously brought around some tremendous results.
Yes, there were a few throws that Walker would like to have back. But show me a quarterback that doesn’t come out of a game with some semblance of regret about certain decisions.
B+. . QB. Carolina Panthers. P.J. WALKER
This was better than the Carolina Panthers probably hoped for. It’s clear that head coach Matt Rhule has a lot of faith in his former college quarterback and while it might not be enough to contest Bridgewater for the starting job, Walker proved he belongs in the NFL after seemingly waiting for an age to get an opportunity.
It’s been an eventful road to this point for Walker and he didn’t want to let this opportunity pass him by. This is a nice security blanket for the Panthers to have, at the very least. And the player can look back at his first-ever NFL start with an enormous sense of pride.