4 glaring signs that Panthers current process is working wonders
By Dean Jones
Carolina Panthers have an identity
Matt Rhule talked a good game about his intentions and implementing an identity that could propel the Carolina Panthers back to relevancy. This failed to materialize, but Steve Wilks is a man of action and has achieved more in eight weeks than the previous head coach managed in three years.
Wilks knows what makes the Panthers tick. He was a fan before anything else and also formed part of the fabric when Carolina enjoyed some of their finest ever moments in the 2010s for good measure.
Being physical, winning in the trenches, and dominating the run game on both sides of the football. This is now the blueprint for Carolina and although other teams know full well what’s coming, preventing it is a completely different ball game.
D’Onta Foreman‘s emergence into a legitimate No. 1 running back option when he was rarely seen under Rhule is a testament to Wilks’ methods paying off in a big way. The former Texas star is supremely gifted when it comes to wearing down the opposition and when he gets 20-plus touches, good things happen.
Carolina is now a tone-setting team that goes looking for action with improved preparation and professionalism. Something that’s played a critical role in the team’s resurgence under Wilks.