After a bit of a slow rookie season, Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey solidified himself as a legitimate NFL presence a season ago. As a result of his second season atop the highest level, McCaffrey proved not only that he could be an every-down NFL running back, but an effective one at that.
During a recent interview with ESPN, McCaffrey admitted that even he believes that he has already quieted some of his loudest critics.
“I just kinda let that pass, know what I mean? I get it, there's not a whole lot of white running backs out there. [Laughs] It's just the way it is. But every single NFL player has doubters. I've always fought the criticism that I can't run between the tackles, but I feel like I've kind of put that to rest. [McCaffrey ranked first last year in yards per carry between the tackles among backs with 150-plus attempts.]”
It is also worth noting that McCaffrey thinks that he can be part of the future of the game while contributing in a big way going forward.
“Yeah, I do. The league is shifting. It's becoming a smaller league, way more speed-dominant. So you're seeing more backs like me who can run between the tackles, pass-protect, catch and become matchup nightmares. You also have more receivers who are getting jet sweeps, doing different things with the ball in their hands. A lot of it stems from college offenses. There's very few pro-style college offenses nowadays, so you see NFL coaches adapting to the players that are coming in. That's why [Panthers offensive coordinator] Norv Turner has been huge for me. He's a guy who's been in the league so long, but you constantly see him adapting.”
Unfortunately for McCaffrey and company, though, the Panthers still play in the always dangerous NFC South division alongside the Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
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