Training Camp Wrapup - August 1

[Jeremy Igo]

After a delay due to rain, the Carolina Panthers put together a spirited practice that featured a couple of players making a name for themselves.

 

One thing I noticed early was wide receivers coach Ricky Proehl working out with his guys. Ricky is very much a hands on coach, he himself uses pads in the drills when he could easily have an assistant or player do so.

 

 

He also has the experience to really get detailed with players on their hands. Here he is teaching Bersin how to handle press coverage and keep the defenders hands off of him.

 

 

At one point RIcky was actually playing defensive back and challenging the receivers to beat him. I don't feel there is a better wide receivers coach in the NFL. We are lucky to have Ricky.

 

Practice started with Rivera and Gettleman keeping watch. These guys seem to have a mutual respect for one another.

 

 

Jason Avant continues to make nice grabs and assure his place on the roster. At this point, there is no question he will get a locker.

 

Tavarres King had probably the prettiest one handed catch in stride I have ever seen, but unfortunately shooting was not allowed at the time. King was hot and cold today, having a pretty bad drop later in the practice. He has a habit of looking at defenders when he hears footsteps.

 

The wide receiver who's stock went up today was the 6'2 Tony Clemons. Tony was able to haul in a few nice catches including a diving catch while being covered by 4th year man Tom Nelson. Nelson was recently signed to fill the open roster spot.

 

 

The catch got Cam pretty pumped up, even though he isn't the one that threw the ball. Its nice that Cam still gets excited about football. He genuinely loves the game.

 

 

Bersin continues to make nice grabs in tight coverage and I am still convinced he makes this team. 

 

 

Cam had a better day today. He threw the ball well and at one point even scrambled a bit. All things are pointing to a fully healthy Cam this season.

 

 

QB Coach Ken Dorsey put his unit through a new drill where large tackling dummies were pushed into the QBs as they make their progressions. Getting his guys to stay focused and shown proper mechanics even when being knocked around appeared to be the goal.

 

 

and yes, Cam and Kelvin are still #besties
 

 

Byron Bell had a rough day today. During offensive line / defensive line matchups Frank Alexander was able to get the upper hand. During team drills, Bell gave up more than one "would-be" sack to Charles Johnson while in at right tackle.

 

 

To be fair, Alexander was having a good day. Chris Scott didn't do any better against him.

 

However, undrafted rookie Andrew Norwell held his own against Alexander. No one is talking about Norwell, but don't be shocked when you see him make the practice squad this season. He may be another Gettleman undrafted gem.

 

The large Canadian tackle David Foucault is also coming along. During OTA's, I could not imagine him even making the practice squad. Now, I am not so sure. His feet are moving and he is actually doing a pretty decent job. The fact that he has tree trunks for legs is a bonus.

 

 

Those legs really help him stay anchored and get leverage against defensive ends, just ask Kony Ealy.

 

Amini Silartolu continues to have a solid camp and looks great in individual and team drills.

 

 

Ealy and Benjamin talked on the sidelines a bit and seem to be friendly with one another. I don't often get the chance to shoot the first and second round draft picks together, so why not.

 

Benjamin has been getting a lot of praise from the team, so Chase Blackburn figured he should take him down a few notches. Blackburn heckled Benjamin a bit in a good natured way. Blackburn is probably the most outspoken player on the team.

 

Thomas Davis remains a staple in the defense. There is no replacing his tenacity and experience. Running backs would be wise to cover up the ball is Davis is around, because he is constantly looking to cause a fumble.

 

 

Ron Harper left practice early, complaining of a foot injury to the trainer. It didn't appear serious but he was kept out as a precaution.

 

The hero of practice today, as I am sure you have heard by now, was Bene Benwikere. The Panthers fifth round draft pick looks like he may be the steal of the entire draft. I said yesterday that he is beating out Charles Godfrey for the nickel position, and today's performance only solidified that notion in my mind.

 

Bene is a ball hawk, plain and simple.

 

 

If the ball is coming his way, more times than not he is challenging the intended target for it.

 

 

He has the attention of David Gettleman. After practice, Bene joked with Gettleman that he should be given a shot at wide reciever. His two interceptions today proof that he has the hands for the job.

 

A star in the making?

 

After practice, Cam and his receivers once again put in extra time.

 

Cotchery is not only a good mentor for the young wide receivers, but also to Cam. Cotchery does a great job of explaining the finer details of the receivers routes and how they react in coverage situations. Remember, Cam is only in his 4th year. There is still much for him to learn, which is kind of scary to think about (for other teams).

 

 

One really great surprise after practice was Cam calling "Benji" over to run a few routes, which he did without any noticeable physical pain.

 

Benji is ready to pick up where he left off.

 

I have to tell you, after each practice I am more and more optimistic for this season. My early concerns of the wide receiver and corner back positions are turning to excitement. I am still concerned about the offensive tackle position, but I have a feeling the roster is still not set in that department. I still feel tackle is absolutely the weak link on this team, and Gettleman must know that.

 

If we only knew what Gettleman was thinking....

 

 

[raleigh-panther]

Awesome

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[the_philosopher]

Very fun. I agree that Dave will be watching cuts on tackles closely. At the very least, he's got to be thinking we need a better backup.

[WhoAmI?]

Look at our thug QB. It is obvious that he is the most arrogant and selfish player in the league. I mean, who does he think he is celebrating with his teammates and staying after practice? Great job as always! It always makes me feel like I was there with the awesome pics.

[Jmac]

I was at camp today also and both Hardy and Johnson (and Alexander)would have planted our QB's a few times.... Bell is trying hard but caved a few times and our DE's where running around in the backfield. Chandler did better but wasn't fully leak proof either. D.G was always watching the lineman drills so don't think he doesn't see this. Sure they are up against some of the best DE's in football.......but almost every team we play this year have stout lineman. With Williams always knocked up ( and nicked up again), they may have to grab the best they can at cut down time cause this is our Achilles heel.

[lola]

You spoil us and we like it! Excellent photos and information as always. Thanks for making the trek in the rain, as I'm sure that the grandmas in the left hand lane were driving extra slow today.

I love, love, love hearing all the good things about Bene! A ball hawking secondary? Yes please! I think this team just may prove a lot of people wrong. I cannot wait for the season to start!

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[t48]

Man I love the way you concluded what I consider a great report! Keep this up and we could loose you!!!

[Navy_football]

We really need to temper our expectations regarding our Tackles and how poorly they do against Hardy, Alexander and Johnson. They may be the best DE tandem in the NFL, and I have seen them completely dominate games. 

[stirs]

I have never been to a more comfortable training camp practice.  It felt like early October out there.

 

I will say that the D is well ahead of the offense at this point.  I am very happy about the DB's coming along.  They will end up being as good or better than last years crew in my opinion.  LB's are the best unit on the field.

 

Several hot and cold throws today, Oline still a work in progress.  Coaches yelling, man what a good day to be in Spartanburg, bet you've not heard those words uttered that often.

 

Great pics Zod.

[TheAmericanDream]

Damn Harper looks old.

[ctrcat]

I knew when we traded up for Bene we had a *. GMan said we needed a cornah. Awesome.

[ctrcat]

Damn Harper looks old.

Ha! You ain't kidding!

[TheAmericanDream]

Thanks like always Zod.

Only thing disappointing is no Stewart on his bike. I kid I kid!

[RelaxImaPro]

Awesome as always, Zod.  Man... I'm loving what I'm hearing out of Bene.  I actually liked the pick when we drafted him after researching him a bit.  I've honestly liked most of Gettleman's picks since he got here.

 

Only picks that have made me scratch my head so far were the Ealy and Gaffney picks (yes, I was one of the few that actually liked the Short, Klein, and Barner picks last year).