{"id":182193,"date":"2024-07-22T11:00:36","date_gmt":"2024-07-22T15:00:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=182193"},"modified":"2024-07-22T11:05:52","modified_gmt":"2024-07-22T15:05:52","slug":"shaq-thompson-providing-panthers-people-what-they-want","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2024\/07\/22\/shaq-thompson-providing-panthers-people-what-they-want\/","title":{"rendered":"Shaq Thompson Providing Panthers, \u2018People What They Want\u2019\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Absorbing probing questions following a mandatory minicamp practice on June 11, <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/category\/nfl-teams\/panthers\/\" target=\"_self\">Carolina Panthers<\/a> inside linebacker Shaq Thompson laughed about his upbeat attitude. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The 10-year veteran hasn\u2019t always been as media-friendly.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">So why the change?\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cJust trying to give the people what they want,\u201d Thompson said with a wide grin. \u201cI want to leave y\u2019all with a good impression, whether I\u2019m here or not.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Entering the <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.spotrac.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/16749\/shaq-thompson\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">final season of his contract<\/a> and healed from a broken fibula, Thompson understands the often-harsh business side of the NFL. Believing he has \u201cfive (more seasons) in me,\u201d Thompson admitted to his primary professional desire.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cI would love to retire here, you know, but that\u2019s in my fate,\u201d he said. \u201cWhen I say that, I control what I control. I control myself on that field. If I play well, I\u2019ll stay here. If I\u2019m not, I\u2019m not, you know what I mean.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Thompson pinpointed one aspect he can help the defense improve next season: Creating turnovers.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\"><a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Panthers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@Panthers<\/a> linebackers worked recovering fumbles during mandatory minicamp. Entering the start of training camp July 24, creating turnovers will continue to empathized. The defense created an <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NFL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@NFL<\/a> low 11 last season \u2026 <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/XQS1WQgBtv\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/XQS1WQgBtv<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Jeff Hawkins (@WriterHawkins) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/WriterHawkins\/status\/1811109034927477175?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">July 10, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h2><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Shaq Thompson Enters Year 10 More Jovial\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Injured during the first quarter of the Week 2 matchup against the New Orleans Saints last season, Thompson watched the Panthers slog their way to a league-worst 2-15 campaign.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The offense, under the direction of rookie quarterback Bryce Young, failed to orchestrate long drives consistently, placing 32nd in yards per game (265.3). The defense didn\u2019t help much by <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.thecharlottepost.com\/news\/2024\/07\/12\/panthers\/panthers-developing-disruptive-defensive-dimension\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">creating an NFL-low 11 turnovers<\/a> last season.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Entering the start of training camp on July 24, first-year coach Dave Canales said the Panthers will continue working on turnover drills during the individual drill segments. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cAnother thing I was really excited about this spring is the defense&#8217;s focus on attacking the football,\u201d Canales said. \u201cYou see the mentality,\u201d Canales said. \u201cYou see guys getting ready to punch the ball &#8230; ripping at it when the running backs are coming through the line.\u201d <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The Panthers recovered just three opposing fumbles in 2023. Considering that NFL teams that capture the turnover battle win approximately 75 percent of the games, Thompson continues to utilize his veteran status to help install a new defensive mental attitude. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cThat\u2019s the biggest mindset, right?\u201d Thompson said, throwing out his arms for added emphasis. \u201cIt&#8217;s all about the ball. Offense or defense, it\u2019s all about that ball.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cOffense, you\u2019ve got to hold the ball. Defense, you\u2019ve got to get the ball out for the offense.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">\u2066<a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Panthers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@Panthers<\/a>\u2069 ILB Shaq Thompson discussed the \u2066<a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NFL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@NFL<\/a>\u2069 \u201cenergy\u201d during offseason practices \u2026 <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/3EXEj4qEye\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/3EXEj4qEye<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Jeff Hawkins (@WriterHawkins) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/WriterHawkins\/status\/1809464272906293365?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">July 6, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h3><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Could Panthers Go From Last To First?\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The <a  href=\"https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/nfc-south-predicted-tight-race-140724818.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">NFC South remains a wide-open division<\/a>. Could the Panthers go from last place to first? During the past 21 seasons, 19 teams have completed the last-to-first transformation. The Houston Texans were the latest franchise to accomplish the feat last season. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">For the Panthers to have a shot at improving upon last season\u2019s two-win debacle, let alone challenge for a title in a division the Tampa Bay Buccaneers captured with a 9-8 record, Thompson centered on one defensive aspect that needs to improve.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cWe\u2019ve got to get two, three turnovers a game,\u201d he said \u201cIt\u2019s a must. I think the teams that are consistent are the ones that you see consistently in the turnover margins, the Buffalo Bills, the Kansas City Chiefs &#8230;. etcetera &#8230; etcetera &#8230;\u00a0 <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cWhether it\u2019s a pick &#8230; whether it\u2019s a fumble &#8230; whether it\u2019s a punch out, whatever, we have to get those or else we\u2019re just going to keep being at the bottom.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">When the Panthers drafted Thompson with the 25th overall pick in 2015, it proved to be a luxury pick. During his opening four-plus seasons, the ex-Washington standout bid his time behind Thomas Davis Sr. and Luke Kuechly, two of the franchise\u2019s all-time top inside linebackers. During Thompson\u2019s rookie season, the Panthers played in Super Bowl 50, but since 2018 the team has fallen on hard times, going 29-59.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">To aid the turnaround, Thompson remains confident time is on his side.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cI think I\u2019ve got about five (more seasons) in me,\u201d he said. \u201cI spent four behind TD and Luke, broke my leg last year to add an extra year &#8230; that\u2019s five right there.\u201d <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">While competing for a new contract, Thompson appears to be exuding a new energetic persona.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">\u2066<a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Panthers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@Panthers<\/a>\u2069 ILB Shaq Thompson, wearing a <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Nirvana?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#Nirvana<\/a> shirt June 11, responds to how he feels about the 1990s grunge band \u2026 \u2066<a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NFL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@NFL<\/a>\u2069 <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/FqF4zJO1Sn\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/FqF4zJO1Sn<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Jeff Hawkins (@WriterHawkins) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/WriterHawkins\/status\/1810879818340135063?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">July 10, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Main Photo: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Coming back from a lost 2023 season, Carolina Panthers inside linebacker Shaq Thompson will play for a new contract with new energy.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4299,"featured_media":182492,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[36,30],"tags":[7661,2518],"class_list":["post-182193","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nfl-news","category-panthers","tag-panthers-featured","tag-shaq-thompson"],"modified_by":"Will Koshover, Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/182193","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4299"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=182193"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/182193\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/182492"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=182193"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=182193"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=182193"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}