Kamu Grugier-Hill ready to replace Shaq Thompson at LB

TROY HULL | THE CHARLOTTE POST

Carolina Panthers linebackers Kamu Gruiger-Hill and Frankie Luvu celebrate a defensive stop during their 20-17 loss to New Orleans Monday. Gruiger-Hill replaced Shaq Thompson, who suffered a broken leg in the first half and is expected to miss the remainder of the season.

On third-and-2 play early in the fourth quarter Monday, Carolina Panthers linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill analyzed the play and reacted. Derek Carr dropped back to pass, but the Saints’ quarterback was engulfed by a blitzing Grugier-Hill, initiating a 7-yard loss.

Stepping off to the side, Grugier-Hill and fellow linebacker Frankie Luvu executed a “sack dance.”  

Defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero on Thursday claimed he “didn’t see it” and, with a wide smile, conveniently declined to analyze the players’ moves.   

Grugier-Hill, however, acknowledged he and Luvu worked on choreographing the dance routine since training camp.

“Yeah, we’ve been working on that for a while now,” Grugier-Hill said. “It’s a little Haka dance. It’s just fun.”    

Filling the void  

The Haka is a traditional Mäori dance originating from New Zealand, often honoring distinguished visitors and offering tribute to an achievement or an occasion.

At the time of Grugier-Hill's sack, the effort was both. With rookie quarterback Bryce Young struggling to spark the offense, defense kept the Panthers in the showcase event, until eventually losing 20-17. The effort also, for a moment, helped ease the concerns of losing Shaq Thompson for the season with a broken ankle in the first half.

After most of the team gathered to greet Thompson after he was lifted onto a medical cart, Grugier-Hill entered the game and immediately assumed play-calling responsibilities. He finished with six tackles (five solo).

"When Shaq went down, unfortunately, there, we're always making changes and adapting as the game goes, and that's what we did," Evero said. "The other guys, they stepped up.”  

To add positional depth, the Panthers elevated ex-Pro Bowler Deion “Deebo” Jones from the practice squad to the 53-man roster. Evero declined to commit to a starter for Sunday’s matchup at the Seattle Seahawks.

“We’re still trying to work through all of those different things,” Evero said. “We felt really good about how Kamu played in the game. Deebo’s obviously going to be up now. He’s going to provide some depth, and we’re working throughout all this rotational thing. Chandler Wooten is in play. So, we’re kind of considering everybody.”

Hawaii fires still affect native son

Grugier-Hill continues to deal with a lot professionally and personally. A native of Hawaii, parts of Maui’s western peninsula remain in ruin following a devastating fire in August. A reported 97 died in the fires.
His close relatives on Oahu, an adjoining island, weren’t affected, but Grugier-Hill’s attention turned to helping restore burned communities.

“It’s a long process as we’ve said from the beginning,” he said. “More and more support is coming in. Now, we’re just working with other foundations, trying to find the best possible way to go about all this.
“We actually have a call next week to get more information. Some people are on-ground and building some temporary schools and houses. I think it’s going to be such a long process.”  

Attempting to keep his focus on the 0-2 Panthers, Grugier-Hill understands the challenges the athletic Seahawks could present on Sunday.

“(Quarterback) Geno (Smith) is a good player,” he said. “They have a bunch of skilled players over there. We gotta contain those guys, right? Contain Geno and keep him in the pocket.”  

During his eight-year career, Grugier-Hill has compiled 37 starts and 282 tackles. Against the Saints, he received a 76.7 rating, the team’s fifth-highest grade, according to Pro Football Focus.

If he gets a call to replace Thompson against the Seahawks, Grugier-Hill is confident he can handle it.

“I feel good … I feel good,” he said. “It helps having support from Shaq and the other guys, but, yeah, I’m ready.”  

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