Carolina Panthers: Add Two Players on Defense
The Carolina Panthers signed two defensive free agents.
The Carolina Panthers brought in reinforcements today. These newly signed players are not meant to solve any outstanding problems from the Vikings game so much as they are to offer some more depth as the Panthers continue the season.
The first guy brought on board is Kyle Love, the defensive tackle. Love was part of the Panthers cuts during training camp. He was brought in so the Panthers could temporarily replace rookie defensive Vernon Butler. Butler got hurt in the Minnesota game and will miss the next couple of weeks.
While Love is not a new face, the Panthers also brought in safety Michael Griffin. Griffin will be expected to provide veteran support to Panthers safeties Tre Boston and Kurt Coleman. He was formerly with the Titans until being released this past off season. Griffin is a two time Pro Bowl safety, but like Panthers punter Andy Lee those awards were some time in the past.
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The Panthers released Marcus Ball to make room. Ball was a safety brought off the practice squad in an attempt to replace injured backup Dean Marlowe. It is assumed that Ball could return to the practice squad if he clears waivers.
Of the two, Love will have the least trouble fitting in. Love was part of last year’s Panthers roster. Griffin will have to show that he can still play. It does not help that the Panthers have already tried the previously injured veteran safety route before. They cut Stevie Brown after one preseason game.
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Meanwhile the Panthers need to find a way to get more pass rush. They were beaten by Sam Bradford and Kyle Rudolph last weekend. This weekend sees Matt Ryan and Julio Jones on the field, and giving Ryan time to find Jones is a bad idea. Particularly with it being the first divisional game for the Panthers.