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The Carolina Panthers had the worst defense in NFL history last season. At this point, that is pretty well documented. It's also known that the Panthers have taken great strides to address the issue over the last couple of months.
However, Carolina still has one major issue that has not been totally addressed this offseason: the secondary. Most notably, the cornerback position.
The Panthers have added a couple of safeties, signing Tre'von Moehrig in free agency and also landing Lathan Ransom in the NFL draft. But outside of signing Jaycee Horn to an extenson and re-signing Mike Jackson, Carolina has done nothing to repair its cornerback situation.
Fortunately, there is still one very impressive corner remaining on the free-agent market: Asante Samuel Jr.
Samuel remains unsigned probably due to the fact that he played in just four games with the Los Angeles Chargers last season due to a shoulder injury. When healthy, however, the 25-year-old has proven to be a very solid player.
Is Samuel an elite defensive back? No, but he definitely has the potential to get better, and he would absolutely improve a Panthers backfield that surrendered some pretty big plays in 2024.
Carolina choosing not to select a cornerback in the draft was certainly odd given the team's lack of depth at the position and considering that Horn is incredibly injury prone. Maybe the Panthers are planning on making a move there sometime soon?
If they are, Samuel would represent the perfect fit, and if Carolina does ultimately come to terms on a deal with the Florida State product, it would cap what has been a wildly successful offseason for a Panthers team that may very well contend for an NFC South division title next fall.
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Green Bay Packers: Jordan Love’s ‘Fiery’ Response to Wife’s Take on Franchise’s Timeless Tradition
Green Bay Packers star quarterback Jordan Love and his wife, Ronika Stone Love, are truly in, well, love. The couple just got married in June, and with the Packers deep into their preparation for the upcoming 2025 NFL season, Ronika shows full support for her husband. In a social media post on Instagram, Ronika shared a series of photos from last Saturday’s Packers Family Night at Lambeau Field. The first photo on the post shows a happy Ronika in the arms of the former Utah State Aggies star signal-caller. “My version of a Lambeau Leap,” Ronika wrote as a caption. Last season, Love played in 15 games, throwing for a total of 3,389 passing yards to go along with 25 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. That year was considered a down one for Love, but many expect him to come up with a bigger performance in 2025, as Green Bay looks to surpass its 11-win total in 2024. Fans react to Jordan Love’s wife’s Green Bay Packers Lambeau Leap Apart from Love, many others reacted to Ronika’s heartwarming post. Here are some of them: “Two Green Bay 10’s right there,” said a fan. Another one said: “Hair looks amazing” From a commenter: “Awhhhh y’all are so cute!! And I’m obsessed with the hair it’s giving SZA!! ” “Love the Loves!,” a social media user posted. Via a different commenter: “your outfit is adorable” Said another: “I love the fit! Both of yall ”
Tiger Woods Sends Strong Message to Retiring CBS Broadcaster on Sunday
At Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro, North Carolina, Sunday’s final round of the 2025 Wyndham Championship closed out the PGA Tour’s regular season. It also marked the end of an era for one of golf’s most revered broadcasters. For the last time, Ian Baker-Finch manned the hole-announcing microphone for CBS Sports, capping 30 years in the booth following a playing career that peaked with his victory at the 1991 Open Championship. Before the day was over, Tiger Woods took to X to salute "Finchy." "Congrats Finchy for 30 incredible years behind the microphone. You brought insight into things that the viewing audience could understand and relate to. From all of us—thanks for the memories." The message joined tributes from Jack Nicklaus, Jason Day, Adam Scott and others, underscoring Baker-Finch’s standing among champions past and present. Ian Baker-Finch: From Major Champion to Broadcast Mainstay Baker-Finch turned pro in 1979, winning 17 professional tournaments worldwide. His lone major title came at Royal Birkdale in 1991, where he secured the Open Championship by five strokes. After retiring in the mid-1990s, Baker-Finch transitioned smoothly into broadcasting. He cut his teeth as an analyst on Australian television before joining ESPN and ABC in 1998. In 2007, he became CBS Sports’ dedicated hole announcer, a role he held through 2025, calling golf’s defining moments with a blend of technical acumen and warm delivery. Over 19 seasons with CBS, he covered five Masters and contributed to countless PGA Tour telecasts. Throughout Woods’ five green-jacket haul (1997, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2019), Baker-Finch was a trusted on-course voice that helped demystify championship golf for television audiences. As a player, Baker-Finch remains one of only seven Australian men to win a major championship and is one of a select few to dominate links golf on British soil. As a broadcaster, Baker-Finch’s voice guided generations of fans through golf’s signature moments, shaping how millions understand the game’s subtleties. When the G.O.A.T. of professional golf uses his platform to honor your contribution to the sport, it signals a broadcast career worth remembering.
Steelers have 'connection' issues between Aaron Rodgers and receivers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are seeing some concerns surface in training camp on offense. Per Mike DeFabo of The Athletic, the Steelers defense has been the dominant unit in camp so far, as new quarterback Aaron Rodgers becomes accustomed to the new scheme. Pittsburgh has had issues with running the ball and with deep passes. One of the major concerns with the offense is the lack of connection between Rodgers and any wide receiver not named DK Metcalf. "The most noticeable receiver not named Metcalf? Scotty Miller," DeFabo wrote. "The 28-year-old, 5-foot-9 receiver had another strong day Sunday, winning several two-on-two reps during a competitive receivers-on-DBs period. "While that’s good news for Miller, it’s not so much for an offense that was counting upon development from Calvin Austin III and Roman Wilson. On Sunday, Rodgers looked for Wilson on a corner route. The uncatchable ball skipped well in front of the receiver. Either the throw was errant or they weren’t on the same page. "It was a similar story last week, when Rodgers looked for Wilson along the sideline and threw it well out of bounds. After that misfire, Rodgers walked Wilson through how to run his route the way the QB wants. Meanwhile, Austin missed his second consecutive practice with an injury. If defenses game plan to shut down Metcalf, someone needs to step up and start forming chemistry with Rodgers." The Steelers took a risk when they traded away George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys. They knew the No. 2 receiver would be a significant downgrade from the team's leading pass-catcher in 2023 and 2024. So far this summer, the Steelers have not had a No. 2 receiver who is on the same page with Rodgers. To make the all-in season with Rodgers work, Pittsburgh should try and be aggressive in adding another veteran receiver before Week 1. General manager Omar Khan should call the Washington Commanders about Terry McLaurin and see if a deal could be struck.
Raiders change around depth options ahead of preseason
The Las Vegas Raiders are giving their offensive weapons a minor makeover before their first preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday. On Sunday, the team announced that they had signed wide receiver Kawaan Baker and tight end Albert Okwuegbunam. In corresponding roster moves, the Raiders have waived tight end Pat Conroy and wide receiver Kyle Philips. Baker was a seventh-round selection of the New Orleans Saints in the 2021 NFL Draft, appearing in two games for the team. Prior to that, he shined at the University of South Alabama, recording 126 catches for 1,829 yards and 16 touchdowns in his four years there. Okwuegbunam was a fourth-round pick of the Denver Broncos in the 2020 NFL Draft. He spent three seasons in Denver, followed by stints with the Philadelphia Eagles and Indianapolis Colts. With 30 NFL games under his belt, the Missouri product has recorded 54 receptions for 546 yards and four touchdowns. The two add depth to the offense, but both are going to face uphill battles to make the 53-man roster. Baker is likely competing for the last receiver spot on the roster with fellow veterans Collin Johnson and Alex Bachman. Meanwhile, Okwuegbunam has a loaded tight end room in front of him, with Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer locked in and veteran Ian Thomas providing a unique skillet to the room. Both could impress the Raiders coaching staff enough, however, to warrant practice squad spots. Both moves are little more than a restructuring of depth, but the injury to safety Lonnie Johnson Jr. on Sunday could mean bigger moves are on the horizon.
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