Manhertz Has Opportunity To Stand Out As Pass Catcher

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Over the last decade, the Carolina Panthers didn't have many question marks at the tight end spot with Pro Bowler Greg Olsen holding down the starting position since 2011.

However, Olsen was released this offseason, leaving tight end Ian Thomas as the expected starter. But with Thomas now dealing with a toe injury, a big opportunity arises for sixth-year tight end Chris Manhertz, who has mainly been used as a blocker in the run game for the last four years in Carolina.

It remains to be seen how long Thomas will be out, but even if it's for a short period, Manhertz, who only has six receptions in 52 games, might be relied on a lot more than just his blocking this season.

Chris Manhertz
Chris Manhertz at Panthers Training Camp this Offseason Photo credit Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images

"For a guy that was a basketball player, it (pass catching) should come naturally to him," head coach Matt Rhule said of Manhertz. "I think it's coming more and more natural to get open and win in space. I really like what Chris has done."

Manhertz was a Division 1 basketball player for Canisius College, before getting a tryout with the Buffalo Bills in 2015, and eventually signing with the New Orleans Saints.

He had never played football before that.

"Those are certain traits that I guess you can't teach, but just some traits that just transfer and become natural once you're really out there on the football field," Manhertz said. "I hope to use that and use it to the best of my ability."

Recently after the team's live All-Access practice at Bank of America Stadium, Manhertz was seen catching passes from quarterback Teddy Bridgewater late after practice had ended.

Bridgewater said he believes Manhertz could be an "effective red-zone target."

"As a tight end, we hear a basketball player, you think about a guy who will go up and rebound for you," Bridgewater said. "So, I just told Chris, man, I just want to continue to just try to add a little more to his game.

"Get them out of that mindset of just thinking that, 'I'm just coming in the game to block.' No, you're going to be catching passes, and this offense is going to rely on you in the red zone, on third downs, and things like that."

Manhertz appreciated the time Bridgewater made for one-on-one work.

"Just for him to take the time out to really show me how he wants routes to be run, and the timing, and the chemistry and things of that nature, I think that's definitely important, especially if you're trying to get a good base of chemistry with your quarterback," Manhertz said.

As Manhertz, 28, is working to get more experience receiving, Rhule still has high praise for his body of work.

"I think Chris Manhertz has the chance to be one of the best blocking tight ends in the National Football League, if not the best," Rhule said. "He's done a really nice job of improving as a pass-catcher. I think that tight end position is really critical."

Manhertz, says the key to being a good blocker is all about the mindset put forward, but he still hopes an opportunity to get more involved as a receiver will happen.

"I try to add a few things to my game," he said. "Just knowing that it's always a work in progress, it's good to know that there may be an opportunity to get in there.

"You have to take pride in your technique, but I would say more than most of it is just having that gritty, tough mindset, knowing that you're trying to dominate the person in front of you. For me, you would hope that doing that will allow you to see more snaps and play on the field, but also open more opportunities for you elsewhere as far as in the offense and the scheme."

In a season where there will be more questions than answers to start the year at the tight end position for Carolina, Manhertz will just continue to put in the same effort day in and day out that helped him convert from a basketball player to playing in the NFL.

"I think sometimes, you really can't control what opportunities you get. The only thing you can really control is what you do when you get them," he said. "We're working hard every day, and preparing so we can make the most of them."

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