Zod

Here are a few thoughts and musings from the practice I attended yesterday. Again, can't get too specific about some things due to team media policies.

- Daley spent most of his time at LT with the ones. If he can stay healthy he is the most exciting prospect we have there. However, I'm starting to give up hope.

- The Darnold to CMC connection is real. Sam already has an amazing safety blanket he never really had at NYJ. Could really help boost his confidence.

- Backup RB Rodney Smith had a great day and received praise from the coaches. He may be second string this season even with a RB drafted.

- WR Ish Hyman flashed last week and again this week. Dude really is trying to make the team even if it means running full speed into a wall, which he did yesterday.

- Plenty of false starts thanks to loud music and crowd noise. Good to get used to it and get it fixed now.

- The defense feels like far and away the more cohesive and aggressive unit. They are well ahead of the offense when it comes to swagger, and it isn't close. The offense could really use a vocal leader stepping up.

- Coach Rhule is a tale of two people really. He can be calm and understated for most of the morning but then with a flick of the switch turn into one of the more aggressive and vocal coaches I have seen. 

- Will Grier ran the threes all day with PJ running the two's. PJ performed much better than Grier again.

- Most of the day yesterday was football. 11 on 11 in various situations both time and field positions. This is my favorite type of practice, by far. Rhule promised more of the same next week at mandatory minicamp. 

Here are some observations from yesterday's OTA session that I attended. Keep in mind that due to team policy I cannot get into specifics on some specific things as to not give lurking opponents a heads up. 

Jaycee Horn is the most physically impressive corner I have seen in a Panthers uniform. It is hard to imagine this guy plays the same position as Donte Jackson. Horn is as fundamentally sound as any of the vets out there. Guy just moves his feet and hips like a 5 year vet. Good lord this kid is going to be good. 

Here he is smothering 6'3 210 Kirkwood. 

Shi Smith passes the NFL eye test. He made some really nice grabs (example below). I am not quite sure yet who I compare him to. He was also working as a returner which would up his value exponentially. Will be keeping an eye on him throughout the offseason. So far, I would say he has a better chance than not of making the team. 

Coach Rhule talked up Ian Thomas yesterday but I honestly don't know what to read into that. Rhule tends to use his words to the media for his own purposes and usually has additional motives that go along with them. Could be he just wanted to send Thomas some additional encouragement. 

I hope Thomas can develop into who we all wanted him to be, but at this point I need to see it to believe it. 

Who I was most impressed with yesterday at Tight End was Tommy Tremble. From the way everyone talked about him post draft you would think he has rocks for hands. But he caught the ball as well or better than Ian Thomas. I didn't see a single Tremble drop ( to be fair its impossible to see every snap.) Tommy turns his body nicely to the ball and has soft hands for a bruising tight end. 

Will Grier had a very rough day. I am not sure he makes the team at this point. For a guy that worked out with some of the team all offseason I expected him to be sharper. More bad throws than good. He has a long way to go to be on the roster I think. 

Sam Darnold looked as good as any Panthers QB in OTAs I have seen. Throws were mostly good and on target. Not perfect, but they never are at this point in the season. There is a giant drop off between him and the next man up. Panthers could use an adequate backup me thinks. Keep an eye on that. 

I cannot really comment on the DL or the OL. Without any contact allowed I might as well just concentrate on how well they fill out their jerseys. 

Safety Sean Chandler made a couple really nice plays on the ball. Absolutely no one is talking about him, and he is a long shot to make the squad. But if he strings together more days like yesterday, that could change. Plus, he is one of Rhule's Temple guys, so he has that going for him. 

Got a photo of them together. Miller looks like he is in excellent shape despite opting out of 2020. If he can make any impact at all this season and with the addition of Gross-Matos last season, ooh whee mayne that is a good young edge rotation. 

1 minute ago, Ja Rhule said:

It become extremely popular worldwide. Everyone was doing it after Cam dabbed on everyone.  I stick with my #1 assessment.

No one here says it now. They would get laughed at and made fun of. No lasting power. 

ICE UP SON is a forever classic and will always be used. 

Just now, Ja Rhule said:

No…. “Dab on them folks” is better

Whats that bear doing beats this.