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Ekwonu is not exactly dog sh¡t, and is actually in the top half at his position in pass pro, but he's close to middle of the pack. This gives a little more clarity. In my opinion, Icky is a sidenote, the bigger takeaway is that Princely basically says he's not gonna be stopped by anybody.

Well, you get the picture. https://catcrave.com/veteran-redemption-arc-stealing-show-panthers-training-camp-hunter-renfrow

That's right. @t96 @mrcompletely11 and some others are selectively discounting Renfrow's healthy seasons. Renfrow was diagnosed with his illness in 2022, so one would expect production to fall (and fall drastically). Now I'm not saying that ulcerative colitis can't return, because it can, and that must be considered, but when Renfrow is healthy, he's a legit WR3, so it is very realistic that he could be third in receptions.

More praise of Renfrow from Tim Weaver (formerly of USA Today's Panthers Wire, now SI.com), and also what I told some of you, my Huddle friends, from the start: keep it all in perspective, and don't conveniently---and perhaps unfairly, discount and label Renfrow as a JAG when it was a very debilitating illness affecting his play. "It's understandable to be skeptical about Renfrow's abilities at this late point in his career. After all, he missed all of last season due to a bout of ulcerative colitis that also took a serious toll on his production in 2022 and 2023." When Renfrow is healthy, he's an above average guy. Being 29 may hurt or help his chances depending upon perspective, but 29 for receivers generally means that there's still (sometimes plenty) gas in the tank. Renfrow also obviously has plenty of motivation and has come with his game face. "Then agan, seeing is believing and by all accounts Renfrow has been very impressive since joining the Panthers a few months ago... Where Renfrow will fit in Carolina's new-look receiver corps remains to be seen, but at this rate it's going to be hard to exclude him from the initial 53-man roster." https://www.si.com/nfl/panthers/hunter-renfrow-sick-route-panthers-training-camp Read the room, ladies and gentlemen. And don't get it twisted; Renfrow isn't the most talented receiver on the team, but we have seen his ceiling, when healthy, in a Raiders offense that wasn't necessary replete with talent. Consider what he can do, especially in the slot, in a Panthers offense primed with young talent (no pun intended). From sick to "sick routes," eh?

Many National NFL types, like Brett Kollman, already lauded the Panthers draft and free agent acquisitions. Kollman also said that he had a "buddy in coaching" that observed the practices that said the players were "night and day" better, and other local reporters from Charlotte and The Triangle, who aren't afraid to be critical, have noted the change as well. Moreover, I've always appreciated PFF and its analytics. I've also said many times that there's a difference between PFF's business of grading of players (which all 32 NFL teams use to some extent) and team/player rankings on the Internet (basically for clicks). So, yeah, "2 light practices" or not, I think the PFF link to the Panthers is fully positive. So yeah, you may be laughing...until you're not.

From Darin Gantt: Play of the day: Hunter Renfrow keeps making plays "Panthers head coach Dave Canales almost shrugged when asked about the sequence and Renfrow's first week in camp..." "I mean, it's just the Hunter Renfrow I remember," Canales said. "So he looks healthy, and I think everyone who's watched football over the last four or five years remembers what he looks like. And he's really playing at top form right now. I'm really excited to have him here and to have his family, which is right down the road here after this practice to be able to just connect with him. "And it's a great story that's unfolding right in front of our eyes, so it's really exciting to see him playing out there." https://www.panthers.com/news/play-of-the-day-hunter-renfrow-keeps-making-plays More and more evidence. But you non-believers keep thinking what you're thinking...

The prince talkin' that talk. He better back it up. Failure is not an option.

Oh, my...

I don't mind going all-in, because people are already noticing a difference from just two practices (and that's without DB).

Well, might as well keep throwing against the wall to see if it sticks. I love bottom of the roster churn. Barno had a couple of years to distinguish himself, and unfortunately he didn't really do it. He'll probably stick on somewhere though, maybe, but gotta respect Dan for keeping it moving.

If you weren't aware, we picked up another waived CB from the waiver wire, basically swapping M.J. Devonshire for Mello Dotson. Yeah it's not overly exciting stuff, but I'm just chilling. Anyway, I noticed Dotson on a PFF draft list that ranked the best remaining after day two was complete. He wasn't the only one though. https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2025-nfl-draft-top-5-remaining-players-at-every-position-after-day-2 3. Mello Dotson, Kansas Dotson is a steady, experienced cornerback with an adequate build for the position. His lack of true stickiness in coverage may limit him to more of a rotational or spot-starting role, but he has a place in the league, especially for teams that play more press and man coverage. 3. Mitchell Evans, Notre Dame Evans doesn't have the rare movement skills to set him apart as a potential top-60 pick in the NFL, but his floor is balanced and high as a TE3 with the potential to move into a contributing TE2 role due to reliable blocking and hands through contact. 5. Cam'Ron Jackson, Florida Jackson's massive 6-foot-6 and 328-pound frame is designed to clog the A-gaps and free up linebackers to make tackles. He's earned at least a 76.0 run-defense grade across the past three seasons. Teams in search of a late-round run stopper should be interested in Jackson, even if he is likely to be just an early-down player. 1. Lathan Ransom, Ohio State Toughness and tenacity are Ransom's calling cards, which he makes good use of in all facets of the game. While he may lack the tools some other prospects have, he has the instincts and awareness to make up for it. I just found it interesting, is all. Some want to downplay PFF, and in many ways, it should be taken with a grain of salt. But I've always said that it's a tool, and obviously it's very much in the minds of the Panthers now that Eric Eager is part of the the franchise, and the importance of PFF's analyses extends beyond the first and second rounds. It goes deep, all the way through---thorough!

Certainly not a lot, and certainly not a lock.

Now that he has some dudes, he has less and less excuses. Other than Bryce, I'd say that he has the most to prove. I'm not expecting a top 10 defense or anything, but I am expecting marked improvement from the past couple of seasons. Hopefully the new acquisitions will play up to at least second string level. Last season we had some starters, particularly on the D-line, whom I expect won't even make it onto the roster this season. Evero was basically put in a bad position last season, and that's the only reason I'm giving him more latitude than I'm giving Bryce. In my estimation, it's time for Bryce to succeed and Evero's defense to improve. On an off note, I would put Xavier Legette third on that list, as he has to stop leaving balls on the field.

I thought this event used to be free. That said, I wish I would take my hard-earned money to see some fluffed-up practice. I'd rather watch a scrimmage on the practice field. I ain't paying outrageous prices for a preseason game, much less Fan Fest. The nerve of these people.

Not "really."

I agree with you there. All I'm saying is that we should just keep things in perspective (different circumstances, ages and all that). My hot take (which I guess it is considering the responses) is purely based upon Bryce's comments. I don't think he was talking out of his ass.

I don't think anyone said that they would. He's young, has some pop, can help on special teams, but he's going to have to play his way up the depth chart (over several guys, including Renfrow) due to the pecking order. He has a lot to learn and a lot to prove, the primary thing being that he belongs in the league. The next month is important for him.

But why chop off career stats and not look at respective circumstances in general? It's really convenient to support a decidedly negative narrative to begin at 2022 when 2021 was a career year, 2023 was a "sick" year and 2024 doesn't count due to the same sickness. Moreover, there's a pretty big gap between 29 and 34 in regards to a football career and how it relates to production and even expectation. There's an argument that Renfrow still has a few years left in his prime. Thielen? I don't know about that. All I'm saying is that keeping everything in perspective is perhaps the wisest path.

Not a whole lot after the first day of camp, but it's more than we've had for the last few weeks. Didn't realize Jewell did us a solid.

I mean, it was a different time and different place under different circumstances with different surrounding players. It's extremely difficult, if not essentially disingenuous at the end of the day, to project what Renfrow can do this season based upon that. Moreover, you also have to realize that he was diagnosed in 2023 with ulcerative colitis.

I disagree. He is an experienced veteran and past Pro Bowl receiver who is a very adept route runner. Is it really a stretch to think that he could see the third most targets and receptions in a decidedly super young WR corps (minus one old guy who has one foot in retirement)? Renfrow certainly saw the most targets on day one of camp.

Here's more evidence for you non-believers. "Adam Thielen, Jalen Coker, Xavier Legette, Tetairoa McMillan, and Jimmy Horn Jr. all figure to be central pieces of the offense, and that doesn't even include David Moore. But among all of them, none of those names were the most targeted by Bryce Young on Wednesday. "According to Mike Kaye of the Charlotte Observer, Bryce Young has developed "notable chemistry" with the veteran wide receiver who was out of the NFL just last season due to an illness. In fact, Kaye reported that no wide receiver saw more targets." https://www.si.com/nfl/panthers/news/surprise-panthers-wr-most-targets-bryce-young-training-camp Don't downplay chemistry, and don't downplay good and practical NFL experience.

I already basically said why, but here is some more food for thought: Yes, a "harmless" strip sack can lead to some bad outcomes, and we don't need unnecessary possibilities of unnecessary problems.