Dave Canales sends clear message on Panthers' cornerbacks after clutch plays
The Carolina Panthers cornerbacks had a great showing in Week 7 and head coach Dave Canales took notice.
The Carolina Panthers improved to 4-3 with a win over the New York Jets. It was a tough game, which has been described as an ugly win. Those who love defense, however, wouldn't agree. They would have loved the way Carolina held New York in check, especially their defensive backs.
Justin Fields and Tyrod Taylor combined for 139 yards on 16-of-34 passing, with Taylor throwing two picks. Both of those were hauled in by Jaycee Horn, who had arguably the best game of his career.
Head coach Dave Canales was thrilled with what he saw from Horn, saying his performance fired up everyone on the team.
Dave Canales praises Carolina Panthers' cornerbacks following Week 7 win
The second-year head coach didn't stop at praising Horn, though. While he started answering a question about the former first-round pick, Canales also made sure to applaud Mike Jackson for his work.
"It was huge just from the standpoint of guys expecting their teammates to show up and make big plays. Just the excitement and the energy that it brought to the sideline for him to come up with both of those interceptions in critical situations," Canales said.
"And Mike Jack had a couple really beautiful plays, on a one-on-one go ball down the field in the end zone."
He also said Jackson nearly picked off a pass later in the game, making sure to highlight how well both of his cornerbacks performed.
Carolina has won three in a row now, but has a tough test in Week 8 when they host the Buffalo Bills who are coming off their bye week.
Steelers Make Troubling Decision With Rising Star
The Pittsburgh Steelers made a bizarre decision and need to fix it.
PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers had a good thing going, but that only seemed to last one game. Now, they're trying to change things, and it's not working. So much so, that they find themselves with another loss, and fans worried about the future.
The Steelers seemed to have found their next star in outside linebacker Nick Herbig, who replaced Alex Highsmith as the starter while Highsmith dealt with a sprain ankle. This season, Herbig has recorded 4.5 sacks and six tackles for loss, while recovering a fumble and batting down two passes.
Pittsburgh and their fanbase were thrilled to see the former third-round pick explode onto the scene in his short opportunity, and with Highsmith back in the lineup, it looked to continue. But only for a one-game sample size.
Steelers Make Strange Nick Herbig Decision
In Week 6 against the Cleveland Browns, the Steelers had Highsmith back in the starting lineup, but announced a 12th man in Herbig as the team ran out of the tunnel.
"I wasn't expecting that at all," Herbig said after the Cleveland game. "DY and Mike T. told me before the game, I just wear that with great pride and an honor because I know all the great legendary players that have come through these buildings and walked the same halls as me. Just the fact that they have their belief in me, that respect for me to allow me to run out of the tunnel with all the guys, you know, I'm truly blessed."
Herbig played 50 snaps against the Browns, logging 61% of the defensive snaps.
Against the Bengals, that vanished. Herbig played just 29, logging 40% of the team's defensive total and basically removing him from the starting role he was in a week ago when he logged two sacks.
Steelers Need More Herbig
The Steelers defense needs more Herbig. This isn't a situation where they're trying to find their best pieces, it's very obvious he's one of them and needs to remain on the field. That doesn't mean taking Highsmith or Watt off, it means utilizing the three-man rotation and three outside linebacker packages.
If Pittsburgh wants to get back to their ways of making the quarterback's life miserable, their edge rushers are the key. Herbig has also found success as a run stuffer this season, meaning there is no weakness in his game. So, he should be a large part of the mix.
Something the Steelers need to adjust to and utilize before they continue to struggle defensively.
