Carolina Panthers offensive lineman Mike Remmers has been playing out of position because Michael Oher was in concussion protocol. This week the Panthers are hoping to get Oher back in the lineup, which means Remmers can return to his regular spot on the offensive line. The Panthers, who were preseason NFL picks to win the NFC, are 1-5, and need to start playing better if they want to keep their playoff hopes alive.
As far as Remmers is concerned, he is fine starting at any position on the offensive lineman because he is arguably one of the most versatile offensive linemen in the league. Unlike a lot of other players in the league, Remmers has worked hard for everything he has accomplished on the field, since entering the league as an unheralded player.
Unlike Remmers, Oher came into the league with a lot of hype after being selected in the first round by the Baltimore Ravens. Oher also had an award winning movie made about how he was able to overcome a tough upbringing and make the NFL thanks to a wealthy family that adopted him in high school.
In Oher’s case, he was talented enough to earn a scholarship to Ole Miss. Remmers on the other hand, was a walk-on at Oregon State before he became a starter and earned a scholarship. After graduating, Remmers was undrafted, and played for five different NFL teams before finding a home in Carolina.
Remmers said his career has been kind of an uphill battle, but he won’t have it any other way because that is how his entire life has been. Remmers said he takes pride in achieving what others don’t believe he is capable of. He added that he tries to get better every day because that is the only way you’re guaranteed of keeping your job in the NFL.
Since he worked so hard to get where he is today, Remmers isn’t about to let up now. Last season, Remmers was the only Carolina Panthers offensive player that participated in all of the team’s 1,056 offensive plays.
This season, he has participated in 406 of the team’s 408 offensive plays, with the two plays he missed were due to him getting checked out on the sidelines for injuries. Remmers said the knee that was getting checked out is feeling great, but he was upset about being taken out because he played all offensive snaps last year.
Panthers coach Ron Rivera is a big fan of players who exceed expectations because he considers them to be hard workers that will put everything on the line to help the team win, which something other players in the locker room gravitate towards.
Despite his outstanding work ethic and dedication, Remmers still has regrets about the Super Bowl, where he was badly outplayed by Von Miller, who went on to win the Super Bowl MVP award.
Remmers also had a tough time adjusting to Oher’s position, and had three penalties in four plays in his first start at the tackle position. Despite his early struggles, Remmers, who becomes a free agent after this season, said the experience will be valuable down the road if he is asked to switch positions again.
