Jordan Senn is quietly making a name for himself with the Panthers, despite not having the size, speed or quickness of most NFL linebackers.
In fact, Senn, in his fourth season, is playing so well in the first starting opportunity of his career that coach Ron Rivera said he's considering making him a full-time starter next season.
"He's become one of those guys where if he continues to play like this it's going to be hard to justify not having him on the field," Rivera said. "Shoot, he could come back next year and be the starter."
That's big news for a guy who has been told throughout his football career he's too small to be an every-down player in the NFL.
Senn, 5-foot-11 and 224 pounds, has long been touted for his solid special-teams play, the primary reason the Panthers kept him as a restricted free agent this year. He'll be an unrestricted free agent in the offseason, but the Panthers have already said they would like him back in the fold.
It's easy to see why.
Since taking over five games ago as the team's starting weak-side linebacker, Senn has been outstanding. He's coming off his best game, last week against the Texans, when he made 14 tackles, an interception and forced a fumble in a 28-13 victory.
He will be back in the starting lineup Saturday when the Panthers (5-9) play Tampa Bay (4-10) in Charlotte.
Granted, it took the Panthers awhile to get to Senn on the depth chart. The Panthers went through three other linebackers on the weak side before turning to Senn.
"We only keep 53 guys, and the guys that are on this roster we keep for a reason," Rivera said. "We do tend to believe that these guys can play, and play well, when called upon. That is what Jordan has done. Each week he's stepped up and made plays and been very consistent."
Last week, Senn forced an Arian Foster fumble on the second play of the game. Later on he intercepted a T.J. Yates pass, keeping the momentum on Carolina's side.
"I think he's a very smart and talented young man," Rivera said. "And I think he has a lot of football savvy and he's a great athlete, so that's a good combination."
What isn't good is his size.
NFL scouts tend to look at his physical stature and think there's no way he can hold up against offensive linemen when they get to the second level of the defense. His size was the main reason he went to Portland State rather than a more prominent school and why he went undrafted.
"I've always had people say I was too small my whole career, in college and the NFL, as well," Senn said. "I just made do with what I have and just try to play a different way."
Rivera said the key for Senn is to initiate contact rather than try to wait to take on blockers.
"If you get hesitant or stay back, the big offensive linemen engulf you because of his lack of size," Rivera said.
"If he's downhill, he's always delivering the first blow."
Notes: Cornerback Captain Munnerlyn (left hamstring) and safety Charles Godfrey (right shoulder) are still battling injuries. Rivera is mostly concerned about Munnerlyn. ... The Panthers have extended the contracts of offensive tackle Garry Williams and tight end Gary Barnidge by a year. Both are on injured reserve. Rivera said the team won't extend contracts of anyone who is playing until after the season ends, including wide receiver Legedu Naanee, who can become an unrestricted free agent, and tight end Jeremy Shockey.
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