My OTA Observations

[Zod]

Here are some observations from yesterday's OTA session that I attended. Keep in mind that due to team policy I cannot get into specifics on some specific things as to not give lurking opponents a heads up. 

 

Jaycee Horn is the most physically impressive corner I have seen in a Panthers uniform. It is hard to imagine this guy plays the same position as Donte Jackson. Horn is as fundamentally sound as any of the vets out there. Guy just moves his feet and hips like a 5 year vet. Good lord this kid is going to be good. 

Here he is smothering 6'3 210 Kirkwood. 

 

Shi Smith passes the NFL eye test. He made some really nice grabs (example below). I am not quite sure yet who I compare him to. He was also working as a returner which would up his value exponentially. Will be keeping an eye on him throughout the offseason. So far, I would say he has a better chance than not of making the team. 

 

Coach Rhule talked up Ian Thomas yesterday but I honestly don't know what to read into that. Rhule tends to use his words to the media for his own purposes and usually has additional motives that go along with them. Could be he just wanted to send Thomas some additional encouragement. 

I hope Thomas can develop into who we all wanted him to be, but at this point I need to see it to believe it. 

 

Who I was most impressed with yesterday at Tight End was Tommy Tremble. From the way everyone talked about him post draft you would think he has rocks for hands. But he caught the ball as well or better than Ian Thomas. I didn't see a single Tremble drop ( to be fair its impossible to see every snap.) Tommy turns his body nicely to the ball and has soft hands for a bruising tight end. 

 

Will Grier had a very rough day. I am not sure he makes the team at this point. For a guy that worked out with some of the team all offseason I expected him to be sharper. More bad throws than good. He has a long way to go to be on the roster I think. 

Sam Darnold looked as good as any Panthers QB in OTAs I have seen. Throws were mostly good and on target. Not perfect, but they never are at this point in the season. There is a giant drop off between him and the next man up. Panthers could use an adequate backup me thinks. Keep an eye on that. 

I cannot really comment on the DL or the OL. Without any contact allowed I might as well just concentrate on how well they fill out their jerseys. 

Safety Sean Chandler made a couple really nice plays on the ball. Absolutely no one is talking about him, and he is a long shot to make the squad. But if he strings together more days like yesterday, that could change. Plus, he is one of Rhule's Temple guys, so he has that going for him. 

[PantherPhann89]

Great read and great info on the players. Me thinks the Panthers are on the way up...

[Tbe]

I think Grier has ‘moved on’ mentally.

He prob isn’t fully accepting it yet, but his comments the other week tell me he knows he’s not going to make it at this level. 

[CarolinaLivin]

Great post! 

Regardless of what rhule says about Ian... i agree with you, gotta see it to believe it. I hope he can become a viable option in the TE room but I am definitely keeping an eye on the Z. Ertz possible release. Not sure if we will make any more moves unless guys just aren't showing any progression. 

[top dawg]

Man, I'm telling you again in a different way: there is zero chance that Shi Smith is cut. Zero! Stop hedging and just accept that he's a Panther and be happy!

[CarolinaLivin]

I was playing madden the other day and downloaded an updated roster (with all the new additions) and the guy that created it had D. Jackson at FS. Obviously this would be with Bouye taking his spot at the CB2 position (after his suspension).

This is probably unlikely, but I wanted to know what some people think about this idea. 

[Pup McBarky]

2 minutes ago, CarolinaLivin said:

I was playing madden the other day and downloaded an updated roster (with all the new additions) and the guy that created it had D. Jackson at FS. Obviously this would be with Bouye taking his spot at the CB2 position (after his suspension).

This is probably unlikely, but I wanted to know what some people think about this idea. 

[Jon Snow]

5 minutes ago, top dawg said:

Man, I'm telling you again in a different way: there is zero chance that Shi Smith is cut. Zero! Stop hedging and just accept that he's a Panther and be happy!

I wouldn't say zero but it's a very slim chance he doesn't make at least the practice squad.

[top dawg]

Darnold and "best"! Someone's probably thinking you're availing yourself of mental gymnastics...

[Stingray3030]

8 minutes ago, CarolinaLivin said:

Great post! 

Regardless of what rhule says about Ian... i agree with you, gotta see it to believe it. I hope he can become a viable option in the TE room but I am definitely keeping an eye on the Z. Ertz possible release. Not sure if we will make any more moves unless guys just aren't showing any progression. 

I hate to say it but I don't know that anything outside of a monumental improvement will save Thomas' career with the Panthers at this point.  Didn't we sign Dan Arnold to replace him and then sign Tremble as the 2nd TE/FB?  With McCaffrey, Anderson, Moore, Moore, Arnold, and Marshall getting 98% of the passes I can't see him making a difference.

[Stingray3030]

10 minutes ago, CarolinaLivin said:

I was playing madden the other day and downloaded an updated roster (with all the new additions) and the guy that created it had D. Jackson at FS. Obviously this would be with Bouye taking his spot at the CB2 position (after his suspension).

This is probably unlikely, but I wanted to know what some people think about this idea. 

From a Madden perspective that is a great idea - the game basically just takes skills and assumes the guy can play the position and apply them.  In reality I don't know if he knows how to play FS - it is very different than CB.  He has the speed no doubt but instinct and development takes time he hasn't spent.....he would need to start 2 years ago.

[top dawg]

3 minutes ago, Jon Snow said:

I wouldn't say zero but it's a very slim chance he doesn't make at least the practice squad.

I didn't stutter. I know "it" when I see it. He's too good of a football player and underappreciated route runner with sticky hands.

[BurnNChinn]

Wow we have no backup qb that’s not good at all. We have to go after someone right?

Edited June 3, 2021 by BurnNChinn

[Jon Snow]

3 minutes ago, top dawg said:

I didn't stutter. I know "it" when I see it. He's too good of a football player and underappreciated route runner with sticky hands.

I like your confidence.  Kids got to carve out a role for himself but he's got the talent.  If he can stay healthy throughout camp I would say the odds are good he sticks.