Jump to content
  • Welcome!

    Register and log in easily with Twitter or Google accounts!

    Or simply create a new Huddle account. 

    Members receive fewer ads , access our dark theme, and the ability to join the discussion!

     


Jeremy Igo

Recommended Posts

Today's heat provided a good preview of Spartanburg and a reminder of how grueling practices can be. Chris Scott left early, presumably from the heat, after being limited to conditioning drills for the day. He was the only casualty.

 

Deangelo Williams summed up nicely how veterans feel about OTA's. When a fan asked for his autograph on the way to the practice field, Williams replied "After Practice. If I have to be here all day so do you!" This got many laughs.

 

Watching Kelvin Benjamin walk out and towering over his team mates never gets old. 

D04_0194.jpg

 

Benjamin has quickly learned to keep the fans happy, signing autographs before and after every practice.

D04_0201.jpg

 

Lots of tennis balls are being used this year on the field. The balls are tossed around by the players to help keep their hand eye coordination sharp. A fun game they play is a round robin of trying to make each other drop a ball. Thomas Davis was fond of looking one direction while tossing it another. This caught Jonathan Stewart off guard more than once.

 

D04_0296.jpg

 

The starting offensive line today was Bell, Silatolu, Folkerts, Turner, and Chandler. Kalil did not dress.

 

Bell and Chandler are still swapping left and right tackle positions throughout practice. After practice I asked Nate Chandler when he would know which side they decide to keep him at. "They haven't given us any indication. Everyday me and Bryon come out and say lets work. Lets get after these guys on defense." Chandler and Bell are treating this as healthy competition and are taking on the challenge with a positive attitude.

 

Trai Turner once again playing with the first unit furthers my belief he is the opening day starter at right guard. During individual drills Turner impressed with his ability to move his feet and pull quickly, getting him to the second level of blocking. This will open up running lanes for Deangelo Williams that were just not there last season.

 

Turner also held up very well against a Greg Hardy stunt. Turner kept his footing and his hands inside, an impressive rookie performance against one of the leagues fastest defensive ends.

 

D04_0333.jpg

 

I also asked Nate Chandler for his thoughts on Trai Turner.

 

"He is looking good, he is getting better every day" Said Chandler. "He is a young guy, a red shirt sophomore coming out. Thats pretty tough coming to the NFL. The steps he has made this far is excellent, you can tell he is a real fast learner."

 

If anything is for certain at OTAs, it is that the punt return job is wide open. It probably would be easier to list the skill players that did not return punts that did. Once again, however, Cason caught the first ball and seemed to be the front runner.

 

Tight End Brandon Williams got time with the first string offense in an H-Back role. While lining up out side, he is frequently motioned to the traditional fullback position on running plays. This could be a good sign that his blocking skills have improved over last season.

 

No one is talking about Jonathan Stewart, but they should be. This is the first time Stewart has participated in offseason workouts since I can remember. There is no sign of any hesitation in his running. A fully healthy Jonathan Stewart should be something all Panthers fans can get excited about.

D04_0370.jpg

 

Graham Gano is someone else rarely talked about, but he impressed a great deal today. He continuously was splitting the uprights, and each time they would move him back 5 yards. "That last one was a 62 yarder" Gano said to me in a nonchalant manner. Just another day at the office.

 

Coach RIvera remarked that De'Andre Presley showed flashes today, and I agree. The most memorable was on a reverse where he got out in front of LB Jason Williams and proceeded to immediately leave him in his wake for a touchdown.

 

Cam Newton did not practice, so QB Coach Ken Dorsey spent some extra time with QB Joe Webb, who had his best performance so far this offseason. His "Cam-Like" runs were a highlight for the offense today.

 

D04_0319.jpg

 

Kenjon Barner had a better day today. He returned punts and ran some with the first string. At one point Barner caught a nice ball out of the backfield for a TD, much to the dismay of Thomas Davis who immediately began telling the safeties about it. As fast as Davis is, he was not able to keep up with Barner.

 

Philly Brown had an off day today. He has a tendency not to keep his eye on the ball all the way into his hands which leads to a dropped ball. He has some ability, but will need to show more consistency if he hopes to make the roster. 

D04_0411.jpg

 

 

Kelvin Benjamin lived up to his @KBRedzone Twitter handle today with a nice catch in the end zone over Carrington Byndom. Byndom, at a respectable six feet tall, was unable to match Benjamin's altitude.

 

Kealoha Pilares made a few nice grands today as well as participating in punt returns. Pilares is one of those guys you just cannot count out due to his work ethic and motor.

D04_0436.jpg

 

Charles Godfrey was not very active today. He spent much of the day in conditioning drills, a step back from last week. Kugbila seems to have progressed though, this week doing a few individual sled drills where he showed his strength and why David Gettleman feels he has such an upside.

 

I really enjoy watching RB Darrin Reaves in team drills. He runs with an aggression that is obvious, often ending the run with a little extra contact to the defensive player. I can't wait to see him with pads on.

 

Jason Avant showed why the Panthers picked him up, with a sly veteran sideline push off and tip toe grab along the sideline. This earned him many cheers from the sidelines and high fives from his fellow receivers.

 

The most worrisome part of the day was the Panthers two minute drill. One the first play, Derek Anderson would have been sacked on a Melvin White cornerback blitz if contact were allowed. Then a stifled running play, followed by an Antoine Cason interception. It is apparent that it is still very much the offseason where the offense is concerned.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.


  • PMH4OWPW7JD2TDGWZKTOYL2T3E.jpg

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • In my view, the realistic expectation for this team to compete will start 2027.  At that time, I think we could be looking at the following (this is HIGHLY speculative):   QB:  You know, Bryce.  I am not a fan, but they don't ask me.  But there is reason for hope--and here it is.  Bryce will be entering his prime.  Since we are likely to pay him, there will be changes that I include throughout this exercise--I realistically speculate on what they are going to do with Bryce and then I realistically speculate on what means in terms of the cap and other positions. Bryce HAS IMPROVED.  The idea is that if you give him more weapons and protection, that will continue.  His career:   At this rate, if his growth continues, by 2027 we should expect nearly 30 TDs and about 12 Interceptions and a Rating of about 98.  His completion percentage should settle at 65-66% or so.  If that happens, you can win with it. The following stats demonstrate how the Panthers will be able to afford it (and re-sign Ickey) My guess is they will require about $60m per year. This is why rookies who can play are important.  It also helps us see the blueprint.  You may disagree, but this is the cruel realities of the salary cap. Robert Hunt:  Cut post June 1 and save $19m.  Who do you replace him with?  Ickey. Tershawn Wharton:  Cutting him saves nearly $15m.  We should all hope to see Aaron Hall (UDFA) make the roster and play well.  Regardless, this is a position we would likely have to address in the next draft. Trevin Moehrig:  Cutting Moehrig as the starting SS saves this team $16.5m.   Ransom will be on year 3 of a cheap rookie deal and should be more than ready to take the reins.  their styles are similar.  Furthermore, FS Wheatley (R, 4th round) will be starting. Taylor Moton:  So much depends on his knee, but I have an idea that he can play another 3 years.  extending him could save the team about $5m per year.  Cutting him outright would save the team about $21m. In the most drastic situation, we have to cut Moton and the other three players mentioned.   We would need (in all likelihood) a starting DT and RT.  It is possible that the DE would be addressed, but Wharton's production (so far) could be equaled by a rookie.  Look for a cut free agent and a 2027 draft pick here.  If you cut Moton, you save $21m, and that would be the only big hole to fill.  Having Ickey at RG gives you some depth at T, and Ickey could be the guy.  T could be pick in the 2027 draft (first round), fwiw.  It saves you $21m while costing you $5m, for example. We get younger, creating a core of Freeling, Hecht, and the RT first rounder in 2027) along with Ekownu (second contract in the $15m range, and Lewis, whose contract would be in the $16m range if not extended.)  The OL cuts (Hunt, Moton) would save $40m.  The OL would get younger and still solid with veterans at G.   By cutting Wharton (no brainer if his play stays the same) and Moehrig (good player--but we have Ransom on a rookie contract who would not be that much of a drop off--if any) in addition to Hunt and Moton, we would save over $70m in cap room. We would be able to give Bryce bag  and we would have enough to re-sign Ickey (if the knee is not too risky) to a Guard contract (probably at a discount, coming off that injury).  Furthermore, we could add a RT in the draft (or a RG if Ickey moves to RT) and that would be the only large hole to fill. Correct my logic if you see issues-- On defense, in addition to the aforementioned, Scott ($2m contract) is out, replaced by a 4th round rookie contract. CB Jackson's contract ($7.8m) expires and he is (possibly) replaced by a rookie contract.  At Edge, patrick Jones II's $10m contract expires and he is likely a reserve, and his role is absorbed by Phillips, Scourton, Princely, and possible an UDFA like Isaiah Smith or a 2027 draft pick.   These productive developmental players over the past 2 drafts will pay huge dividends.  On paper, I see the team getting much younger and possibly better while cutting nearly $100m and reallocating that money to get more production.          
    • If everything played out and that last thing happened, I probably just quit. 
×
×
  • Create New...