PANTHERS START TRYOUTS FOR NEW KICKER...

The word on the street.....

The Panthers have agreed to take a look at two new kickers. This after losing K Zane Gonzales in Friday's 3rd and final pre-season game. Gonzales suffered a "significant long-term injury" Friday night while warming up on the sideline at B of A stadium. Gonzales reportedly "slipped" while kicking into the net. It occurs to me that the new "turf" on the home field may be at least partially to blame...????  I'm sure we haven't heard the last of the slippery turf issue.

So, on Monday the Panthers will bring in Kicker Eddy Pineiro for a workout. This according to Joe Person as reported by The Athletic and quoted by Panthers Wire. Pineiro will join Kicker Brian Johnson in vying for the Kicker's job with the Panthers. Both Pineiro and Johnson have ties to Panthers ST Coordinator, Chris Tabor.

 I suspect we will hear more on Monday or Tuesday.

PANTHERS WIRE:  Panthers Bring In Two Kickers For Tryout...

We definitely need at least an average kicker. I saw where one kicker was released over the weekend after a bad outing in the preseason finale, but I can't remember who it was. Those types are the ones I hope we DON'T bring in.

We definitely need at least an average kicker.  I saw where one kicker was released over the weekend after a bad outing in the preseason finale, but I can't remember who it was.  Those types are the ones I hope we DON'T bring in.

Yep...a fairly well known (name..) kicker it was. I have it bookmarked, I'll find it....

OKAY.... The kicker 007 mentioned was Matt Ammendola. At first glance you think, "I know that name."  YES, EXCEPT......Kicker Matt Ammendola (with two (2) "M"s) is NOT related to WR (retired..) Danny Amendola (with one (1) "M"). Another reason we may be familiar with Kicker Matt Ammendola is..... He was with the Panthers briefly in 2020 (I think..??).  Nope... It was last year-- 2021. He came here in March and left in May. Went to the Jets where he stayed for the season (I guess..??). Then left. he was picked up by the Texans earlier this year then was cut last week after a mediocre showing in the 3rd pre-season game.

During a time of stress over cuts and making a 53 roster, the Panthers continue to work toward solving a Kicker dilemma. Starting yesterday, the panthers have been "working out" Kickers. Two names were previously announced. Those being Eddie Pineiro and Brian Johnson. In addition to those two guys, the Panthers have also decided to take a look at three more Kickers.  Those names include Chase McLaughlin, Matthew Wright, and Taylor Bertolet. These five guys are all pretty young, none of them being in the league more than two or three years.  Pineiro and McLaughlin have the most kicking experience, but all of them have pretty limited experience kicking in the NFL. Chase McLaughlin is well-traveled though. He has been with six teams over the last three years.

PANTHERS WIRE:  Panthers Work Out Five Kickers On Monday..

Eddie Pineiro signed

Eddie Pineiro signed

Yep... He was one of the two best who "tried out". Not as effective as our IR guy, Zane Gonzalez, although he has been slowly improving.
Fingers crossed.!!