Training Camp Photos and Observations - Day 1

[Pejorative Miscreant]

Forgive me if this has already been posted, but it's worth copying the starting lineups as posted by Bill Voth:

• Offense — QB Newton, RB Jonathan Stewart, FB Mike Tolbert, WR Benjamin/Brown/rotation, LT Michael Oher, LG Andrew Norwell, C Ryan Kalil, RG Trai Turner, RT Mike Remmers

 

• Defense — DE Charles Johnson, DT Star Lotulelei, DT Kawann Short, DE Frank Alexander (rotation), SLB Thomas Davis, MLB Luke Kuechly, WLB A.J. Klein, CB Josh Norman, CB Charles Tillman, NCB Colin Jones, SS Roman Harper, FS Tre Boston

I know it's been said before but it's great to look at this lineup and see what coaching and scouting does. Remmers, Norwell and Colin Jones all starters (I know it's only day one of camp, but still) on this team says a lot. I don't expect the starters to shift too much except for maybe RT, WLB and Bene making a push once healthy although there may be a surprise here or there. I do think some of the depth battles will be intriguing as it's likely that guys like Cotchery, Bersin White, etc... are battling for a roster spot.

[DaveThePanther2008]

Carolina Panthers training camp 2015 kicked off on Friday night to a good sized crowd, anxious to see what their 2015 squad had to offer. 

To help get the crowd excited, Mike Tolbert and Cam Newton had a contest of sorts. Which player could get the crowd louder. Tolbert may have won, in my opinion. 

Cam Newton continued to look very sharp throughout the day. I remarked in OTAs that this may be the best I have ever seen him. One can only hope this development continues when the pads are on. 

Newton and new left tackle Michael Oher have a special hand shake they do before each series. It is important that these two develop a trust quickly if the Panthers offense hopes to improve on last season. 

Colin Jones could possibly be the most improved defensive player of the offseason. He may not let go of that buffalo package roster spot as quickly as some think. Jones is the fastest defensive player on the team and a real asset against those offenses that like to spread the ball around. 

Stephen Hill practiced and improved on a lackluster June performance. My only concern remains his propensity to catch the ball with his body and not look it into his hands. He has a tendency to take his eye off the ball more than any other receiver I have photographed. 

Ted Ginn, on the other hand, nearly always is looking the ball into his hands.... observe...

Fozzy Whitaker showed the explosiveness that the fans grew to love last season. He has some new competition this year in Jordan Todman and rookies Artis-Payne and Wegher, but Fozzy does not appear to be going anywhere anytime soon . 

Even though he is on the sideline, Cam Newton doesn't take a break. He continues to go through mental reps that helps him prepare. Cam's growth as a player has as much to do with what he does on the sidelines as what he does under center. 

Brenton Bersin made a few nice catches much to the delight of the Wofford crowd. "Here we go Bersin, here we go" was the chant of the day. 

Josh Norman had a mixed day. While he did may a couple of nice plays on the ball....

He also let Jerricho Cotchery get behind him for a long completion from Cam Newton (would have been a touchdown.). 

Ted Ginn was first team punt returns, and quickly impressed. 

As he bolted up field and to the sideline, he received from praise from new Panthers safety Kurt Coleman who exclaimed "Oh, he is fast". 

Speaking of Coleman, I liked what I saw out of him on Friday. He had an interception and a really nice break up on a Cam Newton to Ed Dickson connection. Note the ball coming out below.... 

Former Panthers safety Chris Harris is back in a Panthers uniform, this time coaching up the defensive backs as an assistant. He and Peanut Tillman spent a lot of time going over the finer points. 

Damiere Byrd got in a few snaps late. While he was able to get behind the defenders, he was then slowed by contact that probably would not have drawn a flag. Byrd needs to learn the finer points of playing through such contact on a pro level. He has time, and I feel the Panthers are impressed enough with him to keep him in the mix and see if he improves. 

Overall, it was a solid first practice. I was happy with the tempo and enthusiasm. The Panthers are looking less like a young team in search of an identity and more like a veteran team on a mission. 

 

 

 

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Jeremy,  It is always a pleasure to read your write ups.  Many of us can't get down to Spartanburg to watch our beloved Panthers.  Your talents with the Camera have been mentioned many times here.  But, I never get enough of your pictures.

 

Thanks for all you do, your site, your pictures and your briefs.  Football season will never be as good as it is with you.

Thanks

[Chauncey Ellerbee]

Man Ginn looks juiced up in that pic' arms are tight and cut up!!

[Clicheking]

TY It by. Couple thoughts

I did know we signed Chris Harris as a coach, must of been sleep

Hopefully Coleman can replace Harpercas a starting safety

Great news on Cam

Great to see Ginn back in the black and blue

 

 

 

 

 

[CoastalCat]

Is it bad that I kind of thought Chris Harris was still playing, and was the defensive back for the Broncos Chris Harris? I know, I'm an idiot. But our Chris Harris left when John Fox left, right? So when a Chris Harris ended up on the Broncos...I'm retarded.

[GRWatcher]

Now I know who the coach was that stood watching from the sideline way behind the secondary during the defense v offense drills, Chris Harris. Players like Tillman & Coleman & a few others kept coming up to talk to him after coming off the field & now I know why. Very glad he's here.

Good to hear about Colin Jones. He's one of my favorite Panthers. Besides STs, McDermott threw him in on some disguised defenses & would find a way to get him out there when offenses ran no-huddle. 

[top dawg]

Looks like I was right not to count out the golden-haired boy. I can't wait to see what comes of Berse, Brown, Hill and Boykin.

I'm more disappointed that Hill isn't looking the ball in than the pot charge.

[beastson]

Can somebody tell me has C.J look like he gained his weight back?

[Udogg]

Love Collin Jones.  I was wondering how that was going to play out, because he played very well in the slot at the end of the year.  He made plays on the ball and tackled well.  Good play recognition too.  Wish he could play FS tbh.

 

 

[davos]

I've heard good things about Tony Hills for how far along his technique is at tackle. 

Any word on that Martin Wallace guy?  We scooped him up right around when we found Remmers but was injured early on if I'm not mistaken. 

[Montie_0123]

Awesome write-up and thank you for the pictures they always help bring things to light.

[ickmule]

Super Bowl! And I'm not being a smart ass.