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Carolina Panthers Banking on Rookie’s ‘Never Fade’ Mentality

Carolina Panthers rookie offensive tackle Monroe Freeling enters the NFL with the athletic ability to play. However, according to Joseph Person of The Athletic, Freeling believes his big game profile at the University of Georgia should give him an advantage. In return, that should make life easier for quarterback Bryce Young.

“I can’t go in without the mentality to not start,” he said the night of the draft. “I’m going to go in there, I’m going to want to give it my (all). But I want to go in there, and I want to start.”

Despite just 18 starts, the quality of opponents places Freeling in an enviable spot. The University of Georgia remains a perennial playoff team. Moreover, competing in the SEC brings a different level of competition, one that is higher than most Power 4 conferences. Freeling, seemingly on every Saturday, lined up against a future NFL player, presumably a Day 1 or Day 2 selection. As a result, that experience should eliminate any nervousness.

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Young’s Future Tied to Line’s Performance

After a season in which the Panthers won the NFC South and instilled panic in the Los Angeles Rams, Young needs his bookend tackles to provide support. In the playoff game, starting left tackle Ikem Ekwonu ruptured his patellar tendon. The recovery time for the injury is around 12 months, not including dedicated rehabilitation.

GettyCarolina Panthesr QB Bryce Young

Last season, despite a Pro Football Focus grade of 67.8, which rates him as slightly above average, the former first-round pick allowed five sacks. Considering Young’s smallish stature (5’10”, 204 pounds), keeping defenders off him looks like the smartest course of action.

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Mental Toughness Opens the Door to a Strong Rookie Season

Panthers regional scout Corey Fuller, who played five years in the NFL, described an interaction between Freeling and his college head coach, Kirby Smart.

“Kirby has a great program down there, and he was just ripping (him),” Fuller said. “I felt like he was attacking Monroe the entire day. And Monroe, he never faded. He never went into his shell. He rose up to the challenge every single time. When I can go back and talk about somebody that loves the game, you can see that in Monroe.”

Stern coaching will not break Freeling. In fact, that could serve as the impetus for success. Moreover, UGA’s practices were as competitive as the games. Freeling battled 29 future NFL draft picks in practice during his UGA tenure.

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Versatility Helps Freeling at the Next Level

As a swing tackle, Freeling played both spots, with 1,600 snaps at left tackle and 300 on the right side. Depending on where a team’s best rushers start from, Freeling could meet him there. Additionally, getting downhill to block on run plays could also see a switch to the right side.

His 10-yard split time of 1.71 means that while weighing 318 pounds, Freeling possesses enough burst to get around on screens and meet linebackers and defensive backs. Instead of just occupying space, he can make solid blocks.

The Panthers need blocking, not just for Bryce Young’s safety, but for the overall health of the offense. Carolina made positive strides, and the addition of rookie talent could keep them in contention.

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This article was originally published on HEAVY


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