With the return of prolific kick blocker Julius Peppers the Panthers could really put pressure on kickers this season. Peppers has thirteen career blocks to his name, nine of those coming in a Panthers uni.
As a rookie DT Vernon Butler tied the league lead with 2 in 2016. His big paws came close to a couple more. The big kid could well lead the league in blocks in 2017. Who can forget this one?
That penalty sucked! One rookie makes a big play and another nullifies it. So went our 2016 season. But I digress...
A blocked kick here and there can make a big difference in a game and even a season. Butler has the size and wing span to be a factor on every kick. The word is he is getting even better at it:
NFL | Panthers DT Vernon Butler expects big jump in second year | Charlotte Observer
Butler, the first-round pick in 2016, joined Julius Peppers last season as the only players in franchise history to block two field goals in a season.
The two blocks – against New Orleans and Atlanta – were among the few highlights for Butler during an injury-plagued rookie season in which he missed five games with a high ankle sprain and was inactive another game.
The kid just has to stay healthy and I think he will shut up the naysayers in his second year. Few people outside of the Panthers staff expressed positive things about Butler’s rookie season. I think the criticism was unfair.
DT is one of the tougher positions to make the jump from the college ranks. Many rookies could use sheer brute strength in college to disrupt plays. Everyone is strong in the NFL. Technique instead wins the day.
“If they’re sleeping, I’m going to wake them up,” he said. “This year is going to be way different than last year, I can tell you right now.”
Butler wants to make more of an impact on defense this year. Butler has been busy during the first week of training camp as the Panthers work nose tackle Star Lotulelei back slowly from offseason shoulder surgery.
“It’s been really good for Vern,” Panthers coach Ron Rivera said. “Because he’s getting an awful lot of reps with the 1s and the 2s.”
I’m excited about the Panthers front seven this season and it has a lot to do with the depth at DT. Being able to go 40 snaps or more with three different, starter quality DTs is huge. This is assuming new DC Steve Wilks keeps the same type of rotation. It’s works well if you have the players so I see no reason why he wouldn’t.
The Panthers beleaguered special teams play needs a shot in the arm. If the Panthers keep Peppers fresh enough as they have suggested, they could put him in on the block team. Having both Peppers and Butler up the middle could be quite the combo.