Sir Purr
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- Mar 16, 2019
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Thompson's effectiveness will be connected to his partnership with new middle linebacker Tahir Whitehead. While the two haven't practiced together yet, they've communicated throughout the offseason to establish chemistry.
"Wherever we found out that we picked him up, I actually asked for his number and just to try to build a relationship, and I think it just popped off right off the bat," Thompson said. "We know that the relationship has to happen quick and we know that we can do that.
Whitehead said last month he's excited to play alongside Thompson and wants to make Thompson feel like he has the freedom to make plays just as he has in the past.
"He's a great guy," Whitehead said. "He was one of the first ones when I signed, between him and (Christian) McCaffrey, to hit me up and welcome me to the team. And that was major for me. No matter if you're a vet or not, whenever you're going to a new place, you want to feel welcome."
The Panthers do have a young team getting ready to play in an unprecedented situation. But Thompson is betting with veteran leaders like himself, Carolina will be able to navigate through the obstacles by falling back on what they know.
"They've just got to know, and we've got to teach them, that the game's going to move fast," Thompson said. "But just settling down like, 'Man, it's just football, you've been playing football your whole life. Just go out there, play your game, play your technique, your assignment in the defense and you'll be alright.'"