{"id":187113,"date":"2024-08-27T09:00:05","date_gmt":"2024-08-27T13:00:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=187113"},"modified":"2024-08-27T06:19:58","modified_gmt":"2024-08-27T10:19:58","slug":"panthers-ikem-ekwonu-pushing-aside-2023-showing-2024-leadership","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2024\/08\/27\/panthers-ikem-ekwonu-pushing-aside-2023-showing-2024-leadership\/","title":{"rendered":"Panthers\u2019 Ikem Ekwonu Pushing 2023 Aside, Displaying Leadership Potential"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/category\/nfl-teams\/panthers\/\" target=\"_self\">Carolina Panthers<\/a> tackle Ikem Ekwonu witnessed Buffalo Bills cornerback Te&#8217;Cory Couch taking liberties with exposed wide receiver Jonathan Mingo, slamming the second-year wide receiver to the Highmark Stadium field.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Ekwonu hustled over to the aggressive opponent and shoved his overly aggressive opponent to the ground as he rose and celebrated the tackle.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Attempting to reshape the rebuilding squad\u2019s chemistry, <a  href=\"https:\/\/athlonsports.com\/nfl\/carolina-panthers\/all-panthers\/news\/new-panthers-hc-dave-canales-has-energy-and-optimism-for-days\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">first-year coach Dave Canales preaches<\/a> tough but team-first actions.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Ekwonu put the practice on display.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Thought this protective reaction by <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Panthers?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#Panthers<\/a> OT Ikem Ekwonu off the spiking of Johnny Mingo stood out on Saturday from a vibes and culture standpoint.<\/p>\n<p>Almost like a retaliation pitch in baseball. Next play was the Young-Johnson connection on fourth down scramble drill. <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/NTsNSgvgKK\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/NTsNSgvgKK<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Mike Kaye (@mike_e_kaye) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/mike_e_kaye\/status\/1828095811957256253?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">August 26, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h2>Ikem Ekwonu Pushing 2023 Aside, Displaying Leadership Potential<\/h2>\n<h3><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Ickey Ekwonu Sparks Panthers&#8217; Preseason Win<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">On a third-and-six play from the Bills\u2019 49-yard-line, <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.panthers.com\/team\/players-roster\/bryce-young\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">quarterback Bryce Young<\/a> hit Mingo on a pass in the flat for a 3-yard gain, capped by Couch\u2019s extra-curricular body slam. In rushed Ekwonu, internally policing the situation.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">On the next play, a risky fourth-down call by Canales, Young scrambled out of the pocket and hit new wide receiver Diontae Johnson on an improvised 17-yard gain. That was the type of play that simply didn\u2019t exist during last season\u2018s NFL-worst 2-15 campaign.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Four plays later, Young completed Saturday\u2019s opening possession with an 8-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jordan Matthews. In his lone preseason series, Young capped his first scoring drive since the fourth quarter of a Christmas Eve loss to the Green Bay Packers, a span of 244 days.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The offensive spark helped the Panthers (1-2) end the exhibition season with a <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.usatoday.com\/story\/sports\/football\/nfl\/bills\/2024\/08\/24\/buffalo-bills-vs-carolina-panthers-score-updates-highlights-odds\/74906340007\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">31-26 victory over the Bills<\/a>.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Few players on the Panthers roster have more to prove than Ekwonu, a 2022 sixth-overall draft pick. As a rookie, the former NC State standout fronted a run-first approach and displayed future All-Pro potential, failing to surrender a sack over his final 10 outings. <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">As a sophomore starter, however, the supposed franchise left tackle struggled in a new system under former coach <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.thecharlottepost.com\/news\/2023\/11\/27\/panthers\/frank-reich-fired-by-the-panthers-chris-tabor-takes-over\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Frank Reich, who was fired following a 1-10 start<\/a> last season. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Participating in all of the Panthers\u2019 1,149 plays, Ekwonu surrendered 11 sacks and failed to generate consistent running holes.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">As a unit, the Panthers\u2019 offensive line surrendered 65 sacks. The offense produced a league-low 265.3 yards per game.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cA pretty humbling experience,\u201d Ekwonu, a Charlotte, N.C., native, said May 30.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\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\/hashtag\/panthers?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#panthers<\/a> LT Ikem Ekwonu said he will rebound in 2024 and \u201ctake advantage of the resources\u201d available to the 3rd-year <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/NFL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#NFL<\/a> pro \u2026 <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/kTjoTIksNH\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/kTjoTIksNH<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Jeff Hawkins (@WriterHawkins) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/WriterHawkins\/status\/1796001846361837889?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">May 30, 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\">Ekwonu Anticipates Quick Rebound<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Absorbing Canales\u2019 new run-first, quick-pass offensive approach during the offseason program and training camp, Ekwonu sounded confident in a quick, personal turnaround under <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.panthers.com\/team\/coaches-roster\/joe-gilbert\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">new position coach Joe Gilbert<\/a>.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The line of communication opened immediately.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&#8220;We met the second he got to Charlotte,\u201d said Ekwonu, who prepped at local powerhouse Charlotte Providence Day School. \u201cHe just told me his expectations for me and the things that he wanted me to do. Think it was more clear when I just took a step back and looked at the whole body of work.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A coach with 37 years of experience, including 12 in the NFL, Gilbert recalled the college scouting he did on Ekwonu before the 2022 draft. He was impressed then. He\u2019s out to unlock his potential now.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&#8220;I think the biggest thing with Ickey is obviously consistency, and he&#8217;s a guy that wants it,&#8221; Gilbert said. &#8220;He works hard. And that&#8217;s the biggest thing for me that I&#8217;ve been working with him is just trying to be more consistent on a daily basis. He&#8217;s fun to work with, he&#8217;s got a great personality, and that&#8217;s part of it. But it&#8217;s the every day of just being consistent and telling him, hey, the great ones do the same thing over and over again, and they get really good at it. And I think that he&#8217;s starting to buy in.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&#8220;Are we there yet? No. &#8220;But I think he&#8217;s getting there for sure.&#8221;<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">With more efforts like sticking up for Mingo against the Bills, Ekwonu continues establishing himself as a growing locker-room leader.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Charlotte Providence Day School football coach Chad Grier speaks on former player Ikem Ekwonu\u2019s second-year struggles with <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/NFL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#NFL<\/a>\u2019s <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/panthers?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#panthers<\/a> \u2026 <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/QRqQqBIjHg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/QRqQqBIjHg<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Jeff Hawkins (@WriterHawkins) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/WriterHawkins\/status\/1798141774357029246?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">June 4, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Main Photo: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Fresh off a sub-par second NFL season, Carolina Panthers left tackle Ikem Ekwonu remains poised for a breakout campaign under the new system.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4299,"featured_media":187125,"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":[30,36],"tags":[9162,7661],"class_list":["post-187113","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-panthers","category-nfl-news","tag-ikem-ekwonu","tag-panthers-featured"],"modified_by":"Will Koshover, Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/187113","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=187113"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/187113\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/187125"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=187113"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=187113"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=187113"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}