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Mike Tolbert | Running Back

Team: Carolina Panthers
Age / DOB:  (27) / 11/23/1985
Ht / Wt:  5'9' / 243
College: Coastal Carolina
Contract: view contract details
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Latest News

Recent News

Mike Tolbert believes the Panthers' offense under new OC Mike Shula will remain the same, and the "basic scheme of things probably won't change much."
"It’s big for Cam [Newton] not having to start new, start over. It's a good transition for Cam," added Tolbert. NBC Sports analyst and former Shula pupil Shaun King offered his thoughts on the offense, saying, "I think the offense should be based off power running game, the passing attack should be play-action based and sprinkle in some zone-read stuff." According to Pro Football Focus, Cam Newton posted a 109.4 QB rating on play-action passes in 2012. Jan 20 - 10:05 AM
Source: Charlotte Observer

Highest Searched Players over the last 7 days


Player News

Date:
Mike Tolbert - RB - Panthers

Mike Tolbert rushed 10 times for 25 yards with three touchdowns in the Panthers' Week 17 win over the Saints.

All three of Tolbert's scores came from one yard out. He wraps up his first season in Carolina with just 54 carries for 183 yards, but did record seven touchdowns. He'll be back next season as Jonathan Stewart's backup and goal-line vulture.
Sun, Dec 30, 2012 05:19:00 PM
Mike Tolbert - RB - Panthers

Mike Tolbert rushed five times for 28 yards in the Panthers' Week 16 loss to the Raiders.

Cam Newton led Carolina in rushing (12-60-1) against Oakland while Tolbert was third in line for carries behind Cam and DeAngelo Williams. With Jonathan Stewart (ankle) seemingly likely to return for Week 17 at New Orleans, Tolbert will continue to be an afterthought in the Panthers' rushing attack.
Sun, Dec 23, 2012 04:12:00 PM
Mike Tolbert - RB - Panthers

Mike Tolbert rushed nine times for 40 yards and two touchdowns as the Panthers smeared the Raiders in Week 15.

He added two catches for 24 yards. Tolbert was the goal-line battering ram on two first-quarter plays, executing on each from a yard out. He also showed some burst on runs up the middle. Tolbert won't be much of a fantasy option in Week 16 against the Raiders, but the Panthers seem committed to increasing his role with Jonathan Stewart out of commission. Just keep in mind Carolina had more rushing attempts than usual Sunday after grabbing an early 21-0 lead.
Sun, Dec 16, 2012 07:31:00 PM
Mike Tolbert - RB - Panthers

Mike Tolbert (concussion) returned to a full practice Thursday.

Tolbert was held out of Wednesday's practice, but apparently passed the NFL's concussion protocol. Barring any setbacks, he's expected to be cleared for Sunday's game against the Broncos.
Source: Charlotte Observer
Thu, Nov 8, 2012 04:59:00 PM
Mike Tolbert - RB - Panthers

Mike Tolbert (concussion) was absent from Wednesday's practice.

He can be ruled out for Week 10. Although the Panthers have toyed with a more traditional rushing attack in recent weeks, Tolbert is a wasted roster spot in fantasy leagues.
Source: Steve Reed on Twitter
Wed, Nov 7, 2012 03:17:00 PM
Mike Tolbert - RB - Panthers

Mike Tolbert only received one carry for two yards to go along with three catches for eight yards Sunday against Tampa Bay.

Tolbert actually had a long screen pass of 20 yards, but a few catches behind the line of scrimmage lowered his total. His role was slightly altered with the subtraction of Jonathan Stewart, but Tolbert should continue to see a handful of targets each game out of the fullback spot.
Sun, Sep 9, 2012 08:33:00 PM
Mike Tolbert - RB - Panthers

Coach Ron Rivera explained on NFL Network Friday that the Panthers view Mike Tolbert as Jeremy Shockey's replacement on offense.

Rivera said Carolina leaned on two-tight end sets last year because they didn't have a "true fullback." Tolbert can fill the latter role while also lining up at times at tailback and as an H-back. The Panthers believe they have upgraded on outgoing Shockey, who is a free agent and won't be brought back. We wouldn't expect Tolbert to touch the ball more than 60 or so times this year.
Fri, Aug 3, 2012 02:51:00 PM
Mike Tolbert - RB - Panthers

According to the Charlotte Observer, the Panthers view Mike Tolbert as an insurance policy in the event they're unable to re-sign Jonathan Stewart.

Stewart is open to a long-term extension, but it's questionable whether the Panthers can afford both him and DeAngelo Williams. Tolbert led San Diego with eight touchdowns last season as a part-time starter. He'll play fullback and special teams in 2012, but could have a bigger role if Stewart leaves in 2013.
Source: Charlotte Observer
Sun, Jun 3, 2012 07:31:00 PM
Mike Tolbert - RB - Panthers

Mike Tolbert says he took $1 million less than the Chargers were offering to sign with the Panthers.

"I just wanted to raise my daughter in the South," Tolbert said Friday. "I just think this is a better place to raise a family." It was reported when Tolbert signed that he took less money to return to his native Southeast, but it's still hard to believe a 26-year-old fullback would leave $1 million on the table. Tolbert has been focusing on "a lot of fullback stuff" at Panthers OTAs, and will have a much smaller role on offense than he did in San Diego.
Source: Associated Press
Sat, Jun 2, 2012 02:35:00 PM
Mike Tolbert - RB - Panthers

Mike Tolbert confirmed that he is focusing on "a lot of fullback stuff" at Panthers offseason practices.

Tolbert doesn't sound like a player anticipating much of a carrying and catching workload, barring injury to DeAngelo Williams or Jonathan Stewart. "You never know what's going to happen," Tolbert said. "Guys get hurt every day –- Stew might get hurt or I might get hurt or DeAngelo. I'm not wishing that on anybody, but it's always better to have three than two or four than three."
Source: panthers.com
Wed, May 23, 2012 07:23:00 PM
Mike Tolbert - RB - Panthers

Panthers coach Ron Rivera insists Mike Tolbert's primary position will be fullback in Carolina.

"Everybody keeps saying he’s a tailback. But he's a fullback to us," said Rivera. "Because again, we saw how we had used him in San Diego. We just thought this is a guy we’d love to have. ... If you can put an athletic, play-making fullback there, I think it helps you." The Panthers plan to keep the DeAngelo Williams-Jonathan Stewart rotation intact, with Tolbert as a lead blocker and situational third-down back. Tolbert's touches are sure to dwindle in Carolina.
Source: Charlotte Observer
Sun, Apr 1, 2012 02:24:00 AM
Mike Tolbert - RB - Panthers

The four-year, $8.4 million contract signed by Panthers FB Mike Tolbert was lower than the Chargers' offer.

This signing is perhaps the most bizarre of the past week. Tolbert is from the area and starred at Coastal Carolina, but he's taking a hit in offensive playing time and salary to return home in his football prime.
Related: Chargers
Source: Kevin Acee on Twitter
Mon, Mar 19, 2012 11:06:00 PM
Mike Tolbert - RB - Panthers

The Panthers announced Mike Tolbert as a fullback in their official release for the signing.

After originally guessing that Jonathan Stewart would go on the trade block, ESPN's Pat Yasinkas now concedes the Panthers "are trying to quickly get the word out" that Tolbert's signing doesn't affect Stewart's future with the club. The signing had as much to do with Tolbert's versatility and dynamic special teams ability as his running-game contributions.
Related: DeAngelo Williams, Jonathan Stewart
Source: ESPN.com
Mon, Mar 19, 2012 04:15:00 PM
Mike Tolbert - RB - Panthers

Panthers signed RB Mike Tolbert to a four-year contract.

Let the Jonathan Stewart trade speculation begin. Tolbert is an adept short-yardage runner and big contributor in the passing game, but his signing is curious for a team that already has Stewart, DeAngelo Williams and Mike Goodson under contract. Regardless of whether or not Stewart is retained, Tolbert should be in for far fewer snaps than he played in San Diego, and may not even be a consistent goal-line option with QB Cam Newton thriving in the role last year. A fringe fantasy option outside of PPR leagues last season, Tolbert could have a hard time finding value in 2012.
Related: Chargers
Source: Jason La Canfora on Twitter
Mon, Mar 19, 2012 11:22:00 AM

Depth Charts

Skill Players
PosRoleName
QB1Cam Newton
2Derek Anderson
3Jimmy Clausen
4Colby Cameron
RB1Jonathan Stewart
2DeAngelo Williams
3Kenjon Barner
4Armond Smith
5Tauren Poole
GLB1Jonathan Stewart
2Mike Tolbert
3RB1Jonathan Stewart
2Mike Tolbert
FB1Mike Tolbert
2Michael Zordich
WR11Steve Smith
2Ted Ginn
3Kealoha Pilares
4Joe Adams
5Lamont Bryant
WR21Brandon LaFell
2Domenik Hixon
3Armanti Edwards
4David Gettis
5James Shaw
WR31Domenik Hixon
TE1Greg Olsen
2Ben Hartsock
3Richie Brockel
4Nelson Rosario
5Logan Brock
K1Graham Gano
2Morgan Lineberry