Carolina Panthers Training Camp - Sunday Morning Thoughts and Musings

[Zod]

Now that we have seen the Carolina Panthers in training camp for a few days I thought I would throw together some thoughts and musings I have about the 2021 squad. 

Sam Darnold

From what I have seen, Darnold has the arm talent to be a solid starter in this league. This means the coaching staff can truly own their decision to trade for Darnold and try to make something of him. Darnold hasn't thrown more picks than any other Panthers QB in history at this point, they all threw some here and there. Apples to Apples, he looks as good as any QB has for the Panthers at this point in the process. Now let's see what happens when he can't hold onto the ball for more than 3 seconds. Pads go on tomorrow. 

Left Tackle

I am discouraged when it comes to the offensive line in general and left tackle more specifically. When I see the Panthers media pumping up the idea of "we have versatile guys so there is no problem," I cringe. NFL left tackles play left tackle because they are good at it, not because they are versatile. If you want to put Moton there, fine, do it and keep him there all of camp and preseason. It is all about repetition and muscle memory. Pretending like they have an adequate line with the luxury of time to experiment will cost this team in the long run. It would have been nice to have seen a plan and have it implemented in a better fashion. 

Jaycee Horn

One of the positions you can really get a feel for even with the pads off is corner. I can tell you right now that Horn is probably the best corner the Panthers have ever drafted. Yes, even better than Gamble. Horn will make his presence felt immediately and will be a big reason why Brian Burns will take a huge step forward in stats this season. 

Terrace Marshall

Marshall not only passes the eye test for a rookie, but hell he passes the eye test for a veteran acquisition. He is a big guy that plays even bigger than his body. This is a start contrast to Funchess and Lafell, who always played much smaller than their stature. Mashall looks as good as Kelvin Benjamin did his first training camp, just not as many targets so far. Cam loved KB that first year and really have few other options. Darnold has Moore and Anderson in the mix as well. 

Defense, Defense, Defense

This is probably what I am most excited about this season. It isn't difficult to see how the defense is so much more comfortable this year than last. Their is a swagger now that indicates the players are more confident in their roles and that only comes from experience and understanding. By the end of this season, Brian Burns, Derek Brown, Jaycee Horn, and Jeremy Chinn will be big talking points with media heads on why the Carolina Panthers have the premier up and coming defense in the league. All of these players have all pro potential in the years to come. 

 

 

[Moo Daeng]

It's far common for tackles and all OL to take snaps around the line in camp. They are pros. The coaches know a thing or two about what they are doing. I'm not concerned about their muscle memory.

 

 

Edited August 1 by Moo Daeng

[Mr. Scot]

I like having versatile guys along the line.

With that said, I really want to see a starting lineup establish itself and gel before the season starts. 

[Zod]

4 minutes ago, Moo Daeng said:

It's far common for tackles and all OL to take snaps around the line in camp. They are pros. The coaches know a thing or two about what they are doing. I'm not concerned about their muscle memory.

 

 

On established lines, sure, they play around to get guys experience. Problem is, they don't even have an established line yet and won't get one anytime soon if they keep dicking around. 

Those same coaches kept whitehead in the lineup last season. lol

[frankw]

If you want Sam to elevate his game and not revert to old habits out of the gate you should be just a tad concerned about left tackle. With each day that passes it looks more clear Moton isn't keen on making the switch and I can't honestly blame him.

[LinvilleGorge]

We'll see how it pans out but I was concerned this off-season that we seemed to be focusing more on versatility on the OL than actual talent and skill. Versatility is only a positive if you're actually good. I don't really care about your versatility if you're roughly equally bad at multiple positions. That doesn't exactly help matters. We still seem stuck in this versatility mindset when we need to be identifying our best five and giving them as many snaps as we can to work together.

[Zod]

Just now, LinvilleGorge said:

We'll see how it pans out but I was concerned this off-season that we seemed to be focusing more on versatility on the OL than actual talent and skill. Versatility is only a positive if you're actually good. I don't really care about your versatility if you're roughly equally bad at multiple positions. That doesn't exactly help matters.

Bingo.

 

Yeah, so and so is average at all positions. Great for a backup, but if he is a starter thats a problem. 

[Harbingers]

Haven’t seen any word on it yet, where is Chinn predominately lining up so far? 

[Zod]

Just now, Harbingers said:

Haven’t seen any word on it yet, where is Chinn predominately lining up so far? 

Strong safety and joker

[Captain Morgan]

sounds like a lot of progress is being made compared to last year.  Could you tell if Brady C was getting more reps at G or RT?

[jayboogieman]

1 hour ago, Zod said:

Left Tackle

I am discouraged when it comes to the offensive line in general and left tackle more specifically. When I see the Panthers media pumping up the idea of "we have versatile guys so there is no problem," I cringe. NFL left tackles play left tackle because they are good at it, not because they are versatile. If you want to put Moton there, fine, do it and keep him there all of camp and preseason. It is all about repetition and muscle memory. Pretending like they have an adequate line with the luxury of time to experiment will cost this team in the long run. It would have been nice to have seen a plan and have it implemented in a better fashion. 

[Mr. Scot]

36 minutes ago, frankw said:

With each day that passes it looks more clear Moton isn't keen on making the switch and I can't honestly blame him.

Really?

So...maybe he was just kidding?

[joemac]

5 minutes ago, Mr. Scot said:

Really?

So...maybe he was just kidding?

Why do people take anything that is said in the media by players and coaches seriously? They give the company line in public and say a lot without actually saying anything. 
 

Wash. Rinse. Repeat.

What did you expect him to say? “Nah, fug that, I’m strictly a right tackle”? 

[vorbis]

FYI thanks to new rules this year, pads go on on Tuesday, not tomorrow. probably not the worst thing in the world to have a gradual ramp up of training camp intensity, and I think the coaching staff has embraced that in multiple ways.