Training Camp Day 2 My thoughts

[SOJA]

Been a huge fan since I was a kid and have wanted to go to training camp since 07, due to work and various other commitments I have never been able to. My wife and I moved to Charlotte last month and had the time to go so I made the trip down 85. 

First thing is if you're planning on going bring water/electrolyte beverages of your choice, sunscreen and a nice hat. The hill is directly in the sun. I didn't do autographs but they have a new section set up for children which I think is great.

Here are my observations from today's practice 

- A cowboys fan who was a caricature of a cowboys fan was jawing with Shaq and Luvu before practice. This guy, I poo you not, was wearing a two tone Sean Lee jersey, cowboys cowboy hat, had a cowboys umbrella and completed the outfit with jorts. He was like SCPanther wrote him up in one of his famous pregame posts. 

- Saunders was again either the first player out or one of the first. Bryce came jogging onto the field not long after. Overall Saunders is a very smooth athlete. 

- Jaycee and Donte are good friends. They joked around and danced during stretches and were basically at either other's hip the whole practice. 

- Donte looked as springy as a person possibly could after an achilles tear, remarkable because that injury can derail a career, particularly for a guy whose game is based on speed. We will see how he looks once the real football starts, but so far so good. 

- Jaycee stands out amongst the other CBs immediately for his size alone. He's just on a different level physically than other NFL caliber CBs.

- Chinn warmed up with and spent most of his time with the CB unit during the beginning of practice. He would intermittently do stuff with the safeties but he spent a lot of time around the corners. I think they are going to use him as a big NB. As far as I could tell he didn't spend any time with the LBs.

- Burns, just like Jaycee, immediately stands out for his physical presence. He's taller and more built than any other edge on the team. Before practice he was getting individual attention from a coach I didn't recognize on how to pass defend a receiver. 

- I got a pretty good look at the edge positional drills as they were practicing close to the hill. Burns is just a phenomenal athlete. He performs each drill with grace, ease and finishes with power. Yetur looked pretty good in the drills as well. 

- The coaches are invested in DJ Johnson, before practice a coach worked with him individually on a sled. 

- Duce Staley continued his loud trash talking during stretches and I'm sure continued the rest of practice though he was further away from me. He's hilarious. 

- The 11 on 11 and 7 on 7 drills took place on the far field today (rookie mistake on my part) so it was harder for me to see everything but in general: Bryce looks phenomenally poised for a rookie. He is going to earn a reputation for having Ice in his veins. The practice started very well for the offense as Bryce was slinging short to intermediate routes and a collection of WRs were making plays. 

- Jonathan Mingo made a nice snag over the middle with the 1s

- Chuba had a really nice RAC that initially I thought was Miles Saunders from afar, hopefully he continues to develop this year. 

- The defense however, as I'm sure you have seen by now, had a great day. It started on an errant throw which I think was a miscommunication or misread by Bryce as he threw it directly to CJ Henderson who looked shocked at first to have the ball hit in the chest. To CJ's credit however, he caught it and would have scored a pick six in a real game. 

- Dalton also had a rough day and threw two picks. The first appeared to be a tipped ball in which Brandon Smith made a great play and would have housed it in a real game. The second pick was more difficult to see who made the play. 

- Bryce took a couple "sacks" during practice and missed on a few deep balls. 

- After practice Bryce stayed awhile throwing with Mingo working on some posts. Terrance Marshall staid on the field to catch some more balls as well. 

- Overall I left very reassured by Bryce most importantly he seems to have 'it'. I think he is remarkably poised for a rookie and am excited to know that he is only going to get better from here. I still think that edge across Burns may be an issue. I think this WR corps will be better than people expect by committee. 

- Finally for you Matt Corral fans out there he didn't look bad today but you can just tell he doesn't have nearly the poise Bryce has, I wouldn't be surprised if he has a poor preseason but am hopeful I'm wrong. 

[SOJA]

Forgot to add, the Panthers aren't bluffing when they say they want Viska to be in a Deebo type role this year, he was lined up in the backfield, got multiple looks in the passing game and while they botched the play had a designed end around called for him. 

Edit: keep remembering more stuff. 

I would keep an eye on Blackshear as our punt returner, with Shi Smith looking like he may be on the way out somehow has to return them not sure if Viska was practicing them as well. 

Edited July 27, 2023 by SOJA

[SOJA]

Remembered two more nice offensive plays, Mingo had a diving catch that was impressive and Chark did catch another long ball today.

[PantherKyle]

31 minutes ago, SOJA said:

- After practice Bryce stayed awhile throwing with Mingo working on some posts. Terrance Marshall staid on the field to catch some more balls as well. 

Love this.

Thanks for the post and hope you enjoyed the experience for us out of towners!

[Wolfcop]

Thanks @SOJA

[SOJA]

11 minutes ago, Wolfcop said:

Thanks @SOJA

You're welcome! Been reading other fans recounts for years and am happy to contribute with my very non professional recap

[Mr. Scot]

Nice writeup

[SOJA]

Last thing saw David newton and kept my mouth shut but really wanted to ask him if he knew where CMC was just to see how he would react 

[OnlyPantherFaninMaine]

Appreciate you! This is great content for those of us from afar. 

[PantherFanInPhilly]

Thanks for the rundown!

[CLG]

2 minutes ago, SOJA said:

Last thing saw David newton and kept my mouth shut but really wanted to ask him if he knew where CMC was just to see how he would react 

 

Just going to leave this here for you when something else sparks up in your mind. Lol! Thanks for the write up, very interesting stuff!

[Proudiddy]

Great write up.

But just to let you know, when I saw your blurb on Miles Sanders, but you called him "Saunders" I almost went into an PTSD Episode I couldn't pull myself out of.  Rhule did so much irrepreable damage.

[thefuzz]

Thank you sir!

[SOJA]

5 minutes ago, Proudiddy said:

Great write up.

But just to let you know, when I saw your blurb on Miles Sanders, but you called him "Saunders" I almost went into an PTSD Episode I couldn't pull myself out of.  Rhule did so much irrepreable damage.

Lmao