Panthers TC Preview...NFL.com

[DaveThePanther2008]

So this online.  This is pretty much most of us have been talking about.

Carolina Panthers

 

Training camp report date: rookies and veterans (July 25).

Location: Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

Most important position battle: Left guard. The cornerback position warrants attention as the Panthers look for a starter opposite James Bradberry. But arguably the biggest unsettled battle surrounds left guard and finding a replacement for 2017 first-team All-Pro Andrew Norwell, who signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars during free agency.  Carolina doesn't lack for options and candidates, including Taylor Moton, a second-round pick in 2017, Jeremiah Sirles, Amini Silatolu, Greg Van Roten and Tyler Larsen. Moton, in particular, provides plenty of intrigue. In addition to his status as the 64th overall pick in last year's draft, the second-year pro measures 6-foot-5 and 325 pounds and possesses the versatility to play guard and tackle.  The Panthers would likely prefer to settle the left guard position early in training camp, to give the eventual starter valuable first-team repetitions ahead of the regular season.

Newcomers to watch: WRs Torrey Smith and D.J. Moore. After finishing the 2017 regular season ranked 28th in passing (192.3 yards per game), the Panthers upgraded the receiving game with the additions of the veteran Smith and Moore, the 24th overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft. Smith, who has averaged an impressive 16.4 yards per catch on his career, provides the deep threat the Panthers have consistently lacked in recent seasons, while Carolina will look to utilize Moore's versatility and 4.42 speed in a variety of ways. Smith and Moore combine with Devin Funchess to provide quarterback Cam Newtonwith a formidable trio of wide receivers, in addition to tight end Greg Olsen.

Looming camp question: How will offensive coordinator Norv Turner deploy his backfield? Turner raised some eyebrows in late May when he declared Cam Newton is capable of posting a "mid- to high-60s" completion percentage. But the signal-caller position aside, Turner is well-known for his history with running backs. Hall of Famers Emmitt Smith and LaDainian Tomlinson, plus Stephen Davis, Adrian Peterson and Darren Sproles, are among the high-profile rushers to have thrived under Turner, and the offensive coordinator now has a quality one-two combination in Carolina, with C.J. Anderson and second-year pro Christian McCaffrey. Coach Ron Rivera added to the offseason hype when he indicated McCaffrey, who had 117 carries in 2017, could see 200 carries in 2018. Anderson, of course, will command his fair share of touches, and McCaffrey is a dynamic receiver out of the backfield. But if anyone can figure out a way to utilize the duo, Turner certainly qualifies.

[shaqattaq]

4 hours ago, DaveThePanther2008 said:

Most important position battle: Left guard. The cornerback position warrants attention as the Panthers look for a starter opposite James Bradberry. But arguably the biggest unsettled battle surrounds left guard and finding a replacement for 2017 first-team All-Pro Andrew Norwell, who signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars during free agency.  Carolina doesn't lack for options and candidates, including Taylor Moton, a second-round pick in 2017, Jeremiah Sirles, Amini Silatolu, Greg Van Roten and Tyler Larsen. Moton, in particular, provides plenty of intrigue. In addition to his status as the 64th overall pick in last year's draft, the second-year pro measures 6-foot-5 and 325 pounds and possesses the versatility to play guard and tackle.  The Panthers would likely prefer to settle the left guard position early in training camp, to give the eventual starter valuable first-team repetitions ahead of the regular season.

Can't argue with this. It's obvious that the longer a O-line plays together, the better they get. The sooner Moton/Sirles/Larsen gets named #1, the better. Every snap counts, especially wedged between the Kalil brothers. I think CB will be filled by committee, depending on our coverage scheme. Cockrell in zone, and Jackson/Seymour in man. In fact, I think Safety is a bigger position battle in TC/ pre-season than CB. I want to know if Parms/Southward/Cox have improved with a year in the system. Is Gaulden going to make a smooth transition? I think Adams and Searcy start against Dallas, but I really want to see how the line up behind them pans out.

[Snake]

It's going to be extremely important to secure a good LG for our run game to succeed. Amini isn't what you want going into the season. 

[LinvilleGorge]

Secondary, OL, and WR are definitely the units I'll be watching most closely in TC, probably in that order.

[mc52beast]

Everyone will be watching the o-line, wr’s and secondary... I’m also interested in how Thomas looks, hoping this kid can claim the #2 tight end behind Olsen. 

[RumHam]

I think backup QB is worth watching. Also watching LG so long Amini doesn't start. If Moton/Larsen aren't starting, we're in trouble. What i'm hoping is that Larsen pulls it out with his experience from last year and Moton can sit and start getting work at RT so we can let Daryl leave.

[XOBlackxJokerOX]

The DE competition should be pretty interesting as well.

[Shocker]

Haven't heard much about backup QB...wonder if Allen has a shot?  Might be interesting to see what happens there.

[panthers55]

By the end of this season our Oline is going to ranked top 10.

[DaveThePanther2008]

6 hours ago, panthers55 said:

By the end of this season our Oline is going to ranked top 10.

I have a feeling you will be right.  I think the biggest thing that will help them improve will be Cam getting the ball out quicker. 

I am an optimist so I believe that M. Kalil will have a better 2018 than 2017.  The points that were made that last year he spent the off-season on the training table instead of in the weight room.   This year he will be better than last year.

[SetfreexX]

I can't see anyway Moton isn't starting at LG by the time TC wraps up. Amini as, and has shown he's just depth, Sirles is a bit of an unknown but doesn't come in with much pedigree. Larsen in my opinion is too valuable as a back to Kalil to expose at LG as we head into the season.