Reich Applauds Fitterer for Finding Luvu: 'The Steal of the Century'

Carolina's new head coach is a big fan of Frankie Luvu.

The New York Jets didn't think much of Frankie Luvu a couple of years ago as he went untendered as a restricted free agent. 

The Panthers signed him to a one-year deal and in his first year with the organization, he made his mark on special teams. He made the most of his opportunities by blocking punts, forcing fumbles, and recovering them as well. 

It got to a point where the previous coaching staff had no choice but to give him more reps on defense and in his first full year as a starter, Luvu totaled 111 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, nine QB hits, seven sacks, four pass breakups, one forced fumble, and an interception. Somehow, he was left off the NFC Pro Bowl roster. 

New head coach Frank Reich has only been around Luvu for a handful of months and has only seen him in pads once, but he can already tell how special of a talent the 26-year-old is.

"He's a unique guy. Frankie is so unique. He has so much energy. He's such a good player, so versatile. I was talking to Scott [Fitterer] the other day and I said, 'how did we end up with this guy?' I mean, this was like the steal of the century getting Frankie on this team. Love his leadership, love his play. His consistency, his aggressiveness...we're in a good place with Frankie."

Luvu is projected to play inside linebacker in Evero's 3-4 defensive scheme but we'll likely see him take some snaps at outside linebacker as well. If he builds on what he did a year ago, he'll be in line for a pretty nice pay day next spring.

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