Former Raven Oher Steals From Panthers

What better way to shake off yesterday’s ‘Case of the Mondays’ then starting your Tuesday with a good laugh?

While you were busy over Father’s Day weekend pampering your dad (justifiably so), the Carolina Panthers were busy pampering former Ravens Offensive Tackle, Michael Oher (unjustifiably so).

The #Panthers have signed LT Michael Oher to a three-year contract extension!

More Info » https://t.co/g7tY7p85pm pic.twitter.com/Tzy5FntqUA

— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) June 17, 2016

So how bad was the damage?

Try three years, $21.6M with a whopping $9.7M guaranteed.

How can the Panthers feel justified in this decision? Oher was ProFootballFocus’ 30th-ranked offensive tackle in the NFL last year. Sure, he helped keep Cam upright on his way to the Super Bowl (10th in pass block per PFF), but his run blocking was off-the-charts horrendous (26.3 grade) and once he faced an actual formidable and fearsome front seven in SB50? He was manhandled with ease.

Walter Cherepinsky of Walter Football compiles a Free Agent Grade Report and hit the nail on the head with his analysis of this move, given the signing of the oft-offsides Oher:

When he signed with the Panthers last offseason, it seemed as though they were bringing him on as a backup with experience, which made sense. Oher started, however, and as I pointed out prior to the Super Bowl, he and right tackle Mike Remmers were never challenged all year. The Panthers seldom played teams with a strong edge rush, but that was about to change against the Broncos. As expected, Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware absolutely humiliated Oher and Remmers to the point that I thought it was a lock that Carolina would address the position this offseason. 

Walter goes on to recognize the Panthers schedule in ’17 proves to be much more difficult in terms of defensive fronts, thus exposing Oher’s weaknesses, and likely ending with Panthers fans finally understanding why Baltimore had no qualms waving goodbye to Oher on his way out the door back in 2014.

Sure, our Baltimore Ravens just cut left tackle Eugene Monroe. And sure, we lost out on retaining Kelechi Osemele who opted for a Brinks truck and Oakland over Baltimore and a slightly smaller Brinks truck.

But thanks to the Panthers, Ravens fans should realize it could be worse. Much worse.