Panthers investing in Miles Sanders, bucking recent NFL trend
When the Carolina Panthers forked over a four-year, $25 million contract to Miles Sanders, they were moving in the opposite direction of the NFL. It was a move that Panthers general manager Scott Fitterer praised when he arrived at team training camp, stating that, unlike most NFL teams, the Panthers believe and invest in their […]
When the Carolina Panthers forked over a four-year, $25 million contract to Miles Sanders, they were moving in the opposite direction of the NFL.
It was a move that Panthers general manager Scott Fitterer praised when he arrived at team training camp, stating that, unlike most NFL teams, the Panthers believe and invest in their running backs.
"All I can say is the way we look at it, and obviously, we still value the running back," Fitterer said. "In Frank's offense, the running back is a very important position, not only a guy that can run the ball but a guy that can catch the ball. And you couple that with having a rookie quarterback, you need a good running back. We think we have three that can really support a quarterback.
"We still value the running back position."
Sanders is joining a crowded but capable running back room. Chuba Hubbard and Raheem Blackshear have proven themselves. But adding Sanders — to Fitterer — was like adding Marshawn Lynch into the mix. Sanders has the every-down capabilities to make the Panthers' ground game more dangerous than initially thought.
And Sanders showed last year what he could do as a traditional ball-carrying running back. He tallied a career-high 259 carries while also collecting a career-high 1,269 yards.
With the Panthers, it will be more of the same as Sanders represents the veteran presence that will help rookie quarterback Bryce Young and the rest of the offense find stable footing in a season full of expectations.
And currently, Sanders hopes he can live up to how the organization views him and his work ethic.
"We've got to go through camp and see how we look," Sanders said. "We can't base it on OTAs; there's no pads or anything serious going on. We just have to take it day by day and see how everything turns out."
Miles Sanders ready to ‘get back to work,’ eager to show what he can do and be for the Panthers
Miles Sanders arrived for camp Tuesday, he appeared eager to prove the team’s investment in him worth it.
Feature image via Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports.
