The Carolina Panthers were dealt a debilitating blow when Charles Godfrey was placed on the injured reserve after tearing his Achilles’ in Week 2 against the Buffalo Bills, and fellow starting safety Quintin Mikell also sustained an injury in Week 2. The Panthers secondary wasn’t good to begin with, and their overall depth has definitely been tested due to both injuries, especially the one to Godfrey.
Carolina Panthers helmet lays on the field during training camp held at Wofford College. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Although Drayton Florence is a corner, the Carolina Panthers needed depth at corner too, because they could convert D.J. Moore or another CB to free safety in the interim. Either way, the Panthers needed to add another defensive back, and they announced that they have decided to re-sign Drayton Florence today.
The Panthers signed Florence in free agency in March as veteran depth at corner, but Florence was not able to make the Panthers 53-man roster crackdown after the preseason. But he’s cheap, knows the game, and is somebody the Panthers are comfortable with from a scheme and talent standpoint. Carolina Panthers GM Dave Gettleman is a fan of Florence’s tackling and believes he still has some speed, and we’ll see how much the aging cornerback plays this season.
Florence played for the Detroit Lions last season, and he managed to break up seven passes in eight games last season.
You can follow Joe Soriano on Twitter for more NFL updates and analysis @SorianoJoe. Be sure to like us on Facebook here and follow our site on Twitter as well.