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Panthers Rookie Camp Wrapup

Jeremy Igo

By Jeremy Igo,
in Carolina Panthers

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Jeremy Igo Newbie

Jeremy Igo

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The Carolina Panthers 2016 Rookie Camp has come and gone. Just in case you were not tethered to your phone or laptop over the weekend, here is a summary of the main points you need to know. 

Defensive Backs Impressed

panthers-rookie-camp-10.jpg

The Panthers season hinges on at least one of the drafted corners rising to the occasion and becoming a quality starter. The good news here is they all looked the part over the weekend. 

James Bradberry and Daryl Worley showed the athleticism that GM Dave Gettleman sought after in the draft. Throw in the fact that both also have long arms and a nose for the ball and you may have yourself a real solution zone corner. 

 

Injuries at Tight End

The Carolina Panthers currently have more tight ends on their roster than tackles. Clearly, upgrading that position is a priority this offseason. The Panthers drafted Beau Sandland in the seventh round and also brought in a solid undrafted rookie prospect from Florida Jake McGee 

The bad news? Both of these players had hamstring injuries on the first day of practice. 

Sandland did manage to get in a few reps on Saturday, but McGee was out for the duration. This left an opening and Charlotte's own Braxton Deaver out of Duke filled the void. Deaver now has a training camp invitation as a tryout player. Good for him. 

 

Damiere Byrd bulked up

Last year Damiere Byrd beat the odds and make the Panthers pratice squad as a very very small wideout. This year, he is not so small. 

Damiere has put on some muscle and is anxious to tell anyone that will listen. 

 

No news is good news on DT Vernon Butler

You probably will not hear much about first round pick Vernon Butler in the coming days, and that is a good thing. It is easier to assess a NASCAR driver on a pace car lap than it is a defensive tackle in non contact drills. 

The good news is that Vernon was completely healthy, participated in all drills, and looked the part. That is the best we can all hope for until training camp and the pads come on. Then, we will know what kind of disruption this young man is capable of. 

Wide Receiver Keyarris Garrett stood out. 

Keyarris Garrett is as close to a sure thing as any undrafted free agent in Panthers history to make the final roster. Garrett, the leading NCAA receiver, showed over the weekend he belongs on the field as a professional. 

Keyarris was heavily recruited by several NFL teams, but he chose Carolina. 

panthers-rookie-camp-11.jpg

Garrett is 6'3 with decent speed and good hands. His role would probably be that of a slightly taller Jerricho Cotchery, a sure handed possession receiver when it matters most. 

Garrett will need to beat out guys like Bersin, Norwood and Hill to make the cut. A tough task, but this kid is as determined as anyone I have ever seen in rookie camp. Don't count him out. 


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Catufb85 Newbie

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a "Taller Cotchery"  lol really?  Garrett is 6'3 and ran a 4.53 at the combine.  Cotchery prolly was in the 4.6-4.7 range last season for us.  Garrett is going to be a beast.  I could see Garrett splitting time with Philly and Funchess by mid-season.  Dude is going to surprise a lot of people. 

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Jeremy Igo

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3 minutes ago, Catufb85 said:

a "Taller Cotchery"  lol really?  Garrett is 6'3 and ran a 4.53 at the combine.  Cotchery prolly was in the 4.6-4.7 range last season for us.  Garrett is going to be a beast.  I could see Garrett splitting time with Philly and Funchess by mid-season.  Dude is going to surprise a lot of people. 

Just talking about the role he will play, not the speed and such. 

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Catufb85

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16 minutes ago, Jeremy Igo said:

Just talking about the role he will play, not the speed and such. 

Ah understandable.  IMO he will be an upgrade to Cotchery once he gets those routes down. Being Long-legged like that does take some time to get that big body moving.  In the highlights ive seen about 85% of his balls hes caught where deep 20+ yarders for big gains.  I love the way he high points the ball and lays his body out like a shorter receiver.  Probably one of the UDFAs I've looking forward to seeing in preseason the most.  Dude is gonna make the 53.

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KB_fan Proficient

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28 minutes ago, carolina-chuck2 said:

Can you tell me why Bersin is still on this team. Be honest really. I'm not dumb, so don't try to fool me with the ST stuffs.

Serious answer.  From what I've read about the guy and heard other players mention in interviews, etc:

Apparently very smart.... known as "the Principal" in the locker room / meeting room, he's the one who helps Cam et al figure out if a play call is too obvious, something they've used before.

Sounds like he has the playbook memorized.  He's been a very good mentor to the rookies, especially UDFAs, since he was one himself.

Knows all the WR positions.  More or less plug & play at any of the WR positions, which makes him good depth in the case of injury.

Solid possession receiver with a history / very high percentage (albeit on limited snaps) of clutch 1st downs.  (He was one of the league leaders in 1st down % in 2014...  Again, it was limited snaps, but he could be trusted to move the chains.)

Cam likes him, has good rapport with him....

The past two years that made him a very serviceable WR #5.   Not saying he will or should make the team this year.  I understand that it doesn't look like there's much more upside for him, and he doesn't have the speed or YAC we'd like.   But in terms of backup depth, Bersin has been solid.

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CWORS Newbie

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I have a feeling there will be a few UDFA making the team this year. Ben Jacobs, Ed Dickson, Bersin, and Byrd might be gone by June 1st.

This UDFA rookie class DG has brought in is filled with potential! Garrett, Cash, Richardson, and Norris will make the team and 1 of the 3 will make an impact this year in some capacity.

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KSpan Grand Master

KSpan

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1 hour ago, CWORS said:

I have a feeling there will be a few UDFA making the team this year. Ben Jacobs, Ed Dickson, Bersin, and Byrd might be gone by June 1st.

This UDFA rookie class DG has brought in is filled with potential! Garrett, Cash, Richardson, and Norris will make the team and 1 of the 3 will make an impact this year in some capacity.

If by "make the team" you're including practice squad then yes, that seems likely. I don't see 4 UDFAs making the final 53, particularly not 2 LBs on a team that has historically only carried 5 or 6.

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