CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Panthers are expecting big things this season from tight end Greg Olsen.
With the departure of fellow tight end Jeremy Shockey and the arrival of fullback Mike Tolbert, coach Ron Rivera envisions Olsen doing less blocking and catching more balls.
In fact, Rivera believes “it’s possible” Olsen could put up numbers similar to what New England’s Rob Gronkowski and New Orleans’ Jimmy Graham did last season. Gronkowski caught 90 passes for 1,327 yards and 17 touchdowns, while Graham had 99 catches for 1,310 yards and 11 scores.
Olsen had 45 catches for 540 yards and five TDs last season for Carolina (No. 20 in the AP Pro32) while splitting time with Shockey.
Rivera says Olsen can “fit right into that group” with Gronkowski and Graham.
