Carolina Panthers tight end Chris Manhertz is mostly known as a blocking tight end but is ready to help the team in the passing game if that's what is needed. Last season Manhertz picked up a new nickname “Martinez” when he caught a 50-yard pass from Christian McCaffrey on Monday night football against the New Orleans Saints.
QB22 to Chris Manhertz 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/Slb5CTFeAt
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) December 18, 2018
As he was running down the field, Joe Tessitore called him Martinez instead of Manhertz and the nickname has stuck with him heading into the season.
“I guess now I’m Martinez when I catch passes, and I’m Manhertz when I’m run blocking,” Manhertz joked via the Panthers team website.
Manhertz is a big-bodied tight end, so it makes sense he would work on his catching skills so he can be weapon catching the ball.
“Every year I try to add bits and pieces to my game, both in the run game and the pass game,” Manhertz said. “Every year my goal is to get better in some way, shape or fashion. It’s a matter of getting the opportunity and taking advantage.”
One guy who has taken notice of the change is Greg Olsen, who has been impressed with all the improvements Manhertz has made.
“He’s big, he’s physical. He’s really developed on his receiving stuff,” said Greg Olsen, who currently ranks fifth all-time among tight ends with 666 receptions. “Chris is a smart kid. He’s tough. Considering he had never played before, and the fact that he’s been able to build his career up to this point is really impressive. It’s a credit to him buying in and really wanting to do this. It’s not for everybody, but he’s done an amazing job.”
It's still to be seen if this will transition during the regular season, but if it does, that's just another weapon that Cam Newton can use.
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