Panthers Training Camp Thoughts and Musings - Monday Edition

[Zod]

Hello and welcome to my thoughts and musings on today's practice. 

 

I thought today would be a padded practice, as historically it is. But apparently Matt Rhule felt differently. I was told that it was possible that Rhule doesn't want padded practices immediately after days off. He would rather ease the guys into it for better recovery after. Duly noted. 

Taylor Moton took all of his reps at right tackle as far as I can tell. Cam Erving took all his reps at left tackle. Once combo I think that has potential is Erving at LT and Dennis Daley LG. Daley has the size and athleticism to be a top notch guard in this league ( IF HE CAN STAY HEALTHY ). 

Sam Darnold has a long way to go in this offense before he will be very effective. Today, Darnold held on to the bar far too long. Even though they were not in pads, it was easy to see how many sacks or broken plays would have resulted. Holding on to the ball for 4+ seconds ain't it. The ball must come out quickler. 

Christian McCaffrey looks as fast as he ever has, which is great news considering his injury issues last season. McCaffrey can still shake any defender 1 on 1 with ease. There haven't been that many plays for him ran, but I think that is a good thing. Let Sam improve with the other guys, CMC plays are effective from the get go because of who he is. 

At the start of practice Matt Rhule gave the entire team the longest ass chewing I have ever witnessed in my many years doing this. It was spectacular. Apparently he is not happy with the effort in general, or he just wanted to set the tone for the week. Break them down, then slowly build them back up. Works with the ladies too. 

I spotted Brady Christensen at right tackle with the second string today. I have yet to see him on the left at all. 

I like Jermaine Carter at middle linebacker, and I think he will be ok there. At least, he will be much better than Whitehead was. But I do think middle linebacker will be on the wish list of next year's draft. Carter is an average linebacker and in Carolina that just won't do in the middle, not with our history. 

 

[TheSpecialJuan]

Boss Baby 

[MHS831]

One thing we know about the OL--somebody who is drawing a pretty decent check is going to sit or get cut. 
LT:  What do we have, 6 people who could land the gig? (Moton, Christensen, Erving, Scott, Little, Daley)

Darnold may have some trauma he is fighting through--more than his California surfer dude approach is letting on.

TE is more important than we realize... I like our TEs right now--potentially speaking. 

[BurnNChinn]

Was the oline breaking down quick or was there time for Darnold to throw? Who is to blame?

[Jon Snow]

3 minutes ago, MHS831 said:

One thing we know about the OL--somebody who is drawing a pretty decent check is going to sit or get cut. 
LT:  What do we have, 6 people who could land the gig? (Moton, Christensen, Erving, Scott, Little, Daley)

Darnold may have some trauma he is fighting through--more than his California surfer dude approach is letting on.

TE is more important than we realize... I like our TEs right now--potentially speaking. 

A few padded practices will sort out the OL.  It's hard to get a read on the offense until they sort out the missed routes and miss timed throws. It will take a while for it all to start clicking on the offense.

[Khyber53]

It may be that Darnold is one of those Rhule is targetting with that ass-chewing. If Zod is calling him out for holding onto the ball too long, you know the coaches have seen it and discussed it at length among their meetings.

This was a reclamation project at QB. It's going to take more than a spot of paint and some landscaping to make him viable again. Hope Rhule can get Darnold repaired before September. 

[L-TownCat]

How do you weigh the variables?  How much of Darnold’s issues are because of good coverage?  Bad line play?  Indecision?

[Zod]

6 minutes ago, L-TownCat said:

How do you weigh the variables?  How much of Darnold’s issues are because of good coverage?  Bad line play?  Indecision?

I am hoping he just doesn't know the playbook well enough yet and is slow on his progressions. If so, that will get itself worked out with reps.

[hepcat]

I'm surprised to see Erving starting at LT, thought they'd roll with Trent Scott. Bet he gets some looks with the 1st team at LT very soon.

[uncfan888]

Were they in shells? I know the CBA says they can't be in full pads until the 6th or 7th practice. Can't remember when exactly

[KB_fan]

1 hour ago, Zod said:

thought today would be a padded practice, as historically it is. But apparently Matt Rhule felt differently

I think only 3 teams have had padded practice. Saw that 29 are scheduled to tomorrow.  Definitely something to do with CBA, not just Rhule.

 

 

 

Edited August 2, 2021 by KB_fan

[ForJimmy]

53 minutes ago, Zod said:

I am hoping he just doesn't know the playbook well enough yet and is slow on his progressions. If so, that will get itself worked out with reps.

I would think it’s some what expected with a young QB in a new offense. Hell Brady looked rough early in Tampa (relatively speaking). He started off with a QBR of 40.3 against the Saints in week 1, 44 against us in Week 2.

[SBBlue]

40 minutes ago, hepcat said:

I'm surprised to see Erving starting at LT, thought they'd roll with Trent Scott. Bet he gets some looks with the 1st team at LT very soon.

Scott did pretty good last year in the 4 games he started at LT, 2 of them we won.

Scott started in the Bucs, Lions, Packers and WFT games.  Bucs and WFT have nasty fronts too.

[Zod]

48 minutes ago, hepcat said:

I'm surprised to see Erving starting at LT, thought they'd roll with Trent Scott.

My god this depresses me.