Jump to content

  • Welcome!

    Register and log in easily with Twitter or Google accounts!

    Or simply create a new Huddle account. 

    Members receive fewer ads , access our dark theme, and the ability to join the discussion!

     

Defense dominated today

NAS

By NAS,
in Carolina Panthers

Recommended Posts

NAS Grand Master

NAS

Posted
Posted

The Carolina Panthers weren’t tackling much in the second day of padded practices, but the crack of pads crunching against each other could still be heard. 

Alex Armah blocked someone so hard, the sound echoed more than 50 yards away. 

While Monday’s practice consisted of individual and positional drills, Tuesday’s practice was more game-like.

Head coach Matt Rhule said they ran nearly 90 plays in 11-on-11 drills. He said with a lack of a preseason, he felt it was important to see how his team would react. 

One side of the football reacted well. The other? Not so much. 

Here are some observations from training camp:

WR Keith Kirkwood (shoulder) is out several weeks, TE Temarrick Hemingway (concussion) is day-to-day. WR Omar Bayless (knee). LB Jordan Kunaszyk (ankle). 

Rhule said Bayless’ knee began to swell Monday night after practice.

Bayless, who has impressed his teammates in camp. and Hemingway and Kunaszyk wore red No. 1 jerseys to signify those players were injured. They road bikes during the half-hour portion of practice inside the bubble.

TOP PLAY

In 11-on-11 drills, the defense forced running back Christian McCaffrey to fumble on a rush attempt. Then they recovered the fumble. 

It was not clear who forced the fumble with so many players around the ball. But rookie defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos celebrated as if he caused it. The defense ran off the field and celebrated. It was the loudest they had been all camp. 

HIGHLIGHTS

▪ The Panthers’ defense forced three fumbles against the offense.

▪ Robby Anderson had a good day Tuesday. The 6-3, 190-pound receiver is as fast as advertised and has often got good separation against opposing cornerbacks. One of the biggest reasons the wide receiver room is noted for their speed is because of the addition of Anderson, who previously played for the Jets.

Bridgewater, who joked on Monday, that he was one of the fastest players the Panthers have, put Anderson in his top four fastest players on the team.

Anderson has had a few nice touchdown catches including one he caught from Bridgewater in the back of the end zone Tuesday.

▪ Jeremy Chinn was also impressive. During 11-on-11 drills, the 6-3, 221-pound positionless rookie, got into the backfield to tackle McCaffrey for a loss. His teammates Shaq Thompson and Tahir Whitehead were pleased. He also chased down Reggie Bonnfon on a rushing attempt for a short gain.

LOWLIGHTS

▪ The offense’s three fumbles. And this was after they worked on ball security inside the bubble.

“... which is great for our defense, but on offense it’s not good enough,” Rhule said of the fumbles.

▪ The offense also had the ball at the goal line twice with Teddy Bridgwater at quarterback and failed to convert. Whitehead broke up one of the passes.

OTHER NOTES

▪ Bridgewater showed off the relay speed he claimed he had. He scrambled outside the pocket and rushed for a first down before the defense touched him.

▪ Russell Okung practiced longer than he had in the past few days. Okung has been dealing with tightness in his back. Rhule said Okung wanted to get in some extra reps.

▪ P.J. Walker threw a nice back-shoulder touchdown pass to Seth Roberts in situational drills. He had been a little erratic with his throws throughout camp. But the touchdown seemed to settle him down.

▪ Will Grier, who has been solid throughout camp, made some nice throws Tuesday, including one with him rolling out of the pocket.

▪ Rookie Troy Pride nearly intercepted a Walker pass. The ball went right through his hands.

▪ The defensive backs have continued to look much better than they did on Sunday.

▪ On a third down play in team drills, Bridgewater missed Anderson high. It’s unlikely Anderson would have made the catch because he was blanketed by Eli Apple, who wagged his finger like Dikembe Mutombo after a block.

https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/carolina-panthers/article245044225.html

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • PMH4OWPW7JD2TDGWZKTOYL2T3E.jpg

  • Posts

    • jfra78
      Post Draft Luke and JJ Podcast

      By jfra78 · Posted

      Thank you
    • GamecockSmitty4
      Post Draft Luke and JJ Podcast

      By GamecockSmitty4 · Posted

      Here’s a summary of the JJ and Luke podcast transcript. Opening / Bryce Young Fifth-Year Option     •    JJ: Breaking news — Panthers picked up Bryce Young’s fifth-year option at $25.9M, guaranteed, coming in 2027. Combined with his 2025 salary of ~$6M, that’s $31M over two years — called it a “no-brainer.”     •    Luke: Enthusiastic about the move. Highlighted Bryce’s improving TD/INT ratios (11/10 → 15/9 → 23/11) and the value of entering year three with Dave Canales. Noted $25M is a bargain relative to the $60M top of market. Luke’s Personal Update — Charlotte Christian Football     •    Luke: Working with Charlotte Christian school football program, which hired a new head coach. Coaches include Greg Olsen, Luke, and Greg’s dad Chris Olsen (a New Jersey State coaching Hall of Famer).     •    JJ: Jokingly quipped that Charlotte Christian’s coaching staff is “the world’s greatest” — a Fox analyst, a Hall of Famer, and the best Panthers RB ever — all coaching middle school football.     •    Luke: Praised Chris Olsen’s deep football knowledge spanning decades and his ability to connect with kids. Round 1, Pick 19 — Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia     •    JJ: Panthers were on the clock and submitted their pick almost immediately — a sign of confidence and preparation. Freeling is 6’7”, 320 lbs, played in the SEC in a pro-style system.     •    Luke: Loved the pick. Emphasized you can never have too many quality offensive linemen. Noted Freeling’s size, athleticism, and arm length as key traits. Said the pick also reflects team’s philosophy of drafting great people, not just great players.     •    JJ: Noted reporter Darren Gantt compared Freeling favorably to Jordan Gross — bigger, heavier, and faster — as a potential franchise left tackle.     •    Luke: Pointed out that young players like Freeling still have physical development ahead of them, comparing the trajectory to Christian McCaffrey’s growth from age 20 onward. Round 2, Pick 49 — Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech     •    JJ: Panthers traded up from 51 to 49 (pick swap with Minnesota) to grab Hunter. Played audio from Panthers area scout Kaden McLuhan, who scouted Hunter.     •    Scout Kaden McLuhan (audio): Said Hunter’s size is immediately striking, and that everyone around him spoke glowingly about his character, energy, and love for the game.     •    Luke: Praised Hunter as a massive (6’3”, 320 lbs, ~34” arms) two-gap nose tackle who fits perfectly in the Evero defense. Compared his prospect profile to Akiem Hicks. Said having Derek Brown, Bobby Brown, Derrick Brown, Terson Wharton, and now Hunter creates varied body types that stress offensive linemen.     •    JJ: Noted Hunter ranked third among all prospects in run-stuff rate and sixth in interior pass-rush win rate — addressing a perception that he couldn’t rush the passer. Rounds 3–7 Highlights     •    Luke: Highlighted WR Brazle (3rd round, 6’4”, 437 speed, 1,000+ yards at Tennessee) as the vertical threat the offense needed. Also praised OL Sam Heck (5th round) as a technically sound player whose “short arms” caused him to fall but who has proven himself.     •    Luke: Mentioned CB Will Lee (6’1”, 33” arms) fits the Panthers’ DB prototype — big, long corners.     •    Luke: Praised S/LB hybrid Zaki Wheatley (5th round, 6’3”) as a big nickel similar to Trayvon Merek.     •    Luke: Excited about the linebacker competition between Devin Lloyd, Trevvin Wallace, and Claudin Cherless.     •    JJ: Noted Panthers had the #1 “steal/overreach” rating in the entire draft — drafting players lower than consensus big boards projected. Around the League     •    Luke: Admitted being “a little jealous” that the Miami Dolphins drafted LB Jacob Rodriguez (Luke’s favorite LB in the draft). Has personal connections to Miami’s coaching staff (Jeff Hafley, DC Shawn Dugen — a childhood teammate).     •    Luke: Also noted Miami’s selection of OT/G Kaden Proctor out of Alabama, who will likely move to guard. League Trends — Bigger Tight Ends / 12 & 13 Personnel     •    JJ: Observed the NFL saw its highest run rate in ~11 years (~52%) and a notable pivot toward big blocking tight ends in this draft.     •    Luke: Explained the cyclical nature of NFL offense/defense evolution — as defenses get smaller to match spread offenses, teams counter with bigger personnel (12/13 formations), which then forces defenses to get bigger at the nickel/“big nickel” spot. Called it an ongoing arms race.
    • hepcat
      NHL 2026 Playoff Thread

      By hepcat · Posted

      Dan Vladar is their best player and that is going to be the difference in the series 
×
×
  • Create New...