Panthers Sprint Game Ball of the Week Goes to RB Mike Goodson

Was raw coming out of college and did not put up great numbers, but you could tell the talent was there. I knew he had the skills and speed to succeed, especially as a returner/receiver out of the backfield, but he really has impressed me with his ability to run inside and break it out. He finally has put it all together and has motivated himself to learn and be the best play he can be.

I look forward to him being our starting RB the rest of the season, and he should be a check down weapon for Jimmy as a great safety valve.

Add Goodson to the great late round steals by Hurney (Gettis, Munnerlyn, Hardy, Pugh, Anderson etc)

Is typically the “filing out” stage of a young ball carrier’s career. Most guys at this level have the ability to run the ball. What separates them is maturing and developing their body to withstand the punishment, learning the playbook to become more instinctive in their running, trusting the play call and defeating the desire to break it outside (most of these guys have been able to break it outside their whole lives and just outrun the competition), for some catching the ball and running routes must be learned, but the next big step is pass protection which is the downfall of many. IMO the final stage (although I’d say it should be something that has been worked on this whole time, but seems to be the last thing that sinks in) is ball security.

Goodson, I think, once he manages ball security and rounds out his game will be a legitimate top flight threat in the backfield.

But Stewart is back next week, right? Will be interesting to see how this combo works out!