Max Henson day 7 observations

[top dawg]

While we await a new write-up by Jeremy Igo, here are some observations by Max Henson of Panthers.com.  

Just a few thoughts:

Brandon Wegher and Damiere Byrd made plays today with the second string.  I think that any talk about Wegher being on a bubble is decidedly premature. Some dudes are just ballers, and Wegher is one of them.  I haven't heard too much about his blocking in pass-pro, so I am going to assume he is adequate. An RB with his skill set is coveted, much like a receiver with speed! Damiere Byrd has it in spades. Don't count Byrd out quite yet. He is putting in the work, and making plays. Some may have short memories, but Byrd made a few plays last year during preseason when his number was called. 

Keep an eye on the punters. They've had problems with shanks from the left hash. Ron Rivera basically told us that the battle is going to come down to preseason games, but I also get the sense that if Mike Scifres and Swayze Waters don't get their acts together, both of them could eventually lose out to someone else altogether. 

Quote

"I thought they both punted well, but there’s a little something I see. Every time they get to the left hash, they both seem to shank the punt," Rivera said. "We are a directional punting team, so we’ve got to find somebody that gets on that left hash and is comfortable. I want to spend a little time and examine where we are as far as the competition is concerned. It looks like it will go right down to the wire.

"I’ll say this about any position: You’re always looking," Rivera added. "You never know, but I think we have two guys who have the ability. Mike is working himself back in shape after having surgery in the offseason, and Swayze is a young guy who shows a very strong leg. I believe the competition will come down to the end of August."

There's nothing quite as deflating as a shank. Sure interceptions can be devastating, but they a regular occurrence, and sometimes you can even see them coming, but a shank comes out of nowhere. Shanks shouldn't be a normal part of the game, but it's not like Brad Nortman didn't have his fair share. Hopefully one of them will be an improvement, but I must say that I really don't feel confident when the HC doesn't really sound too confident.

 

On an off note, The Panthers (fans) set an attendance record for training camp (79,804 as of today)

 

 

 

 

 

[redbuddha]

28 minutes ago, top dawg said:

On an off note, The Panthers (fans) set an attendance record for training camp (79,804 as of today)

Damn 79,000 to watch preseason practice! Nice!

[Jeremy Igo]

Max is a really good dude. Be sure to click through and give him some love. 

[tiger7_88]

30 minutes ago, top dawg said:

On an off note, The Panthers (fans) set an attendance record for training camp (79,804 as of today)

A Panther's record?

Or an NFL record?

[CPcavedweller]

Don't remember Byrd "making any plays" in preseason last year. The infatuation for him comes from him going to USC. Hell, if Brenton Bersin went to USC instead of Wofford I feel like he would be given far more leeway than he receives from fans. 

[Jeremy Igo]

2 hours ago, CPcavedweller said:

Don't remember Byrd "making any plays" in preseason last year. The infatuation for him comes from him going to USC. Hell, if Brenton Bersin went to USC instead of Wofford I feel like he would be given far more leeway than he receives from fans. 

I seem to remember a touchdown and a nice punt return from Damiere. 

[Proudiddy]

Surprised to hear that about Scifres.  Thought he was considered one of the best in the league for many years.  I figured maybe he lost some distance at this point, but didnt expect him to have problems with the fundamentals.

[top dawg]

4 hours ago, CPcavedweller said:

Don't remember Byrd "making any plays" in preseason last year. The infatuation for him comes from him going to USC. Hell, if Brenton Bersin went to USC instead of Wofford I feel like he would be given far more leeway than he receives from fans. 

He wasn't in a whole lot, but he made 6 catches for 67 yards (long of 18), with an 11.2 upcoming. Not that it means much, but for what it's worth, his production was greater than DF's, Philly's, Ginn's and J-Co's just to give you a relative comparison.

As far as going to USC, the college doesn't really matter for most mature fans. Who really cares? I guess it's something for alum to talk about. 

I appreciate Brenton Bersin, and more than a few do.

It's all about fielding the best team, so I don't see why people would harbour disdain for anyone at this point. The name on the jersey is not the most important measure of success.

[Riverboat Ron]

Tom Hackett

[O-Ther]

3 hours ago, Jeremy Igo said:

I seem to remember a touchdown and a nice punt return from Damiere. 

Pics or it didn't happen

Oh, wait

[aussiePanther]

10 hours ago, tiger7_88 said:

A Panther's record?

Or an NFL record?

Panthers.

Teams like the Pats get a lot more.

5 hours ago, Riverboat Ron said:

Tom Hackett

Oh please, please, please, please, please, PLEASE!

[CPcavedweller]

14 hours ago, top dawg said:

He wasn't in a whole lot, but he made 6 catches for 67 yards (long of 18), with an 11.2 upcoming. Not that it means much, but for what it's worth, his production was greater than DF's, Philly's, Ginn's and J-Co's just to give you a relative comparison.

As far as going to USC, the college doesn't really matter for most mature fans. Who really cares? I guess it's something for alum to talk about. 

I appreciate Brenton Bersin, and more than a few do.

It's all about fielding the best team, so I don't see why people would harbour disdain for anyone at this point. The name on the jersey is not the most important measure of success.

I just don't see a difference between Byrd and any other smaller receiver who isn't able to make it here. Most of his skills at the position can be filled by someone who is able to be more physical. If he shows out when given the opportunity I will be convinced however until then I don't see a way in which he isn't easily interchangeable with someone else. 

Personally, I'd rather have Bersin because the one thing lacking on the list you provided on Byrd's path to the roster is a true possession receiver from receivers 3-5. I wouldn't consider Benjamin or Funchess to be in that mold due to the coverage they will attract in the situations where that is needed. 

[top dawg]

18 minutes ago, CPcavedweller said:

I just don't see a difference between Byrd and any other smaller receiver who isn't able to make it here. Most of his skills at the position can be filled by someone who is able to be more physical. If he shows out when given the opportunity I will be convinced however until then I don't see a way in which he isn't easily interchangeable with someone else. 

Personally, I'd rather have Bersin because the one thing lacking on the list you provided on Byrd's path to the roster is a true possession receiver from receivers 3-5. I wouldn't consider Benjamin or Funchess to be in that mold due to the coverage they will attract in the situations where that is needed. 

I respectfully disagree. The only one that has a similar skill set in my opinion is Ted Ginn, and even he isn't as fast as Byrd, and Byrd has better hands which may make him a more consistent threat in the future. Not too many guys run a 4.28 40 (on grass, no less). If we can harness that speed into our regular game plan, then with Cam's exceptional long ball, that isn't easily duplicated. 

On an off note, just think about how difficult it is to stop Luck and T.Y. Hilton.

[Razeyfingers]

Thanks for the article OP!