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Carolina Panthers: C.J. Anderson adds to rushing attack

By Raphael Garcia

DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 31: Running back C.J. Anderson #22 of the Denver Broncos runs with the football against cornerback Kenneth Acker #25 and defensive back Darrelle Revis #24 of the Kansas City Chiefs during the third quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 31, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. The Chiefs defeated the Broncos 27-24. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 31: Running back C.J. Anderson #22 of the Denver Broncos runs with the football against cornerback Kenneth Acker #25 and defensive back Darrelle Revis #24 of the Kansas City Chiefs during the third quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 31, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. The Chiefs defeated the Broncos 27-24. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /
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The Carolina Panthers added a key player in C.J. Anderson who will help out the running game in 2018.

It’s well documented how important the Carolina Panthers run game for this team to succeed. In recent years Carolina has boasted one of the best rushing attacks this decade. While 2017 was still a strong year, it wasn’t up to past performances. With that in mind, the Panthers made a big signing this week when they brought in C.J. Anderson.

News broke on Monday that Carolina signed the 27-year old after Anderson was released by the Denver Broncos. Anderson was a part of the Broncos roster since 2013 where he made the team as an undrafted rookie. During that time he bloomed into quite the catch for that organization. In 2017 he gave the team 1,007 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. While this was his best production overall, he was a consistent member of the rushing attack for the Broncos.

It’s that consistency that makes Anderson a key pick-up for the Panthers. Christian McCaffrey has stepped into the starting position after the Panthers officially released Jonathan Stewart a few months ago. Stewart was a vital member of the Panthers running game for a decade and that left a huge space in the Panthers game. As he now joins a new team in the New York Giants, it is time for the Panthers to get younger across the board.

Cameron Artis-Payne has been a question mark for this organization in recent years. The fifth-round draft pick has struggled to remain on the field since being picked up in the 2015 NFL Draft. His production has dwindled year of year. Bringing in Anderson creates some competition in the backfield and another weapon that Carolina can lean on if the injury bug comes attacking once again.

“The style that Carolina likes to play definitely fits my style and my game,” Anderson said on a conference call as reported by David Newton of ESPN. ”As far as ground and pound, the ‘Keep Pounding’ slogan Carolina uses fits well. My game is breaking tackles and finding ways to use that and make long plays.”

Anderson had two years remaining on his deal when he was released by Denver. This came after the organization matched an offer from the Miami Dolphins in 2016 that was worth four years, $18 million dollars.

The addition of Anderson gives Carolina a new weapon to a rushing attack that was fourth in the league in total yards and average per game with 2,102 and 131.4 respectively. This is the most prominent move that Carolina has made at the running back position during this postseason.

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The Carolina Panthers have long been a run-first organization. The team has multiple options that can move the ball with their legs, and that unit just became stronger with the signing of C.J. Anderson. While he’s expected to be the backup to McCaffrey, the Panthers signed a strong insurance option that gives the team another member that can produce in the running game when his number gets called.

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