Panthers like growth of WR Moore
The Carolina Panthers are unveiling more weapons with a growing playbook and it seems to be working out.
They’ve won two games in a row to improve their record to 5-2 going into a game against visiting Tampa Bay on Sunday.
Rookie receiver DJ Moore emerged as a force in multiple ways last week against Baltimore, giving opponents something else to think about.
At times, Moore was paired with speedster Curtis Samuel, providing the offense a different dimension.
“There are so many different things that we can do with those two young men,” head coach Ron Rivera said. “(Offensive coordinator) Norv Turner and the offense will continue to devise things that fit what we can do.”
Quarterback Cam Newton has been playing at an efficient clip, but giving him more ways to spread the field is bound to benefit the Panthers.
With Moore and Samuel, there’s a dynamic aspect to what they can do.
“I think they look for each other to feed off,” Newton said. “They’re willing to learn and that’s the first step. I put the pressure on them and told them with (receiver Torrey Smith) being out, it’s going to be very important for them to come in and get in a groove.”
For Moore, a first-round draft pick, his production in the Baltimore game with 90 receiving yards and 39 rushing yards came at an ideal time. It also alleviated some concerns because it was two games after he fumbled twice against the Washington Redskins.
“I wasn’t too worried about it,” Moore said. “It was a learning lesson for me.”
Moore’s role has grown so much that he was involved in back-to-back plays that picked up key yardage in a 99-yard drive. One of those involved scooping a somewhat wayward pitch from Newton, aided by a convenient bounce.
“I just knew it could be a bad play,” Moore said. “Once it took a good hop, I just tried to make a play of it.”
That turned into a 28-yard pick-up. It also was another example of the confidence that Rivera has in Moore despite a couple of miscues earlier in the season.
“I’m not going to pull him out,” Rivera said. “This young man needs to play football.”
While the Panthers might have things clicking on offense, this week’s opponent has endured some turmoil on that side of the ball. Tampa Bay has turned back to Ryan Fitzpatrick as the starting quarterback, replacing Jameis Winston.
For the Panthers, they don’t want to change their approach much on defense.
“We’ll prepare for both quarterbacks,” Rivera said. “We’ll prepare for what they do.”
SERIES HISTORY: 36th regular-season meeting. Panthers lead series, 22-13. Carolina swept the season series last year.
