Jeremy Igo

Garry Williams has not looked awful, but hasn't looked all too solid either. So I would say very worrisome.

What he says to the media and what he screams to the players are not always the same. Sent from my SM-N900P using CarolinaHuddle mobile app

Carolina Panthers training camp is in full swing. Practice began at 9:25 with cooler temperatures. As I made my way to the practice field, I finally ran into Jordan Gross. He ignored me. Star was warming up before practice. It is amazing how these guys his size can just explode into action. If I tried that I am fairly certain I would be at the chiropractor every day for a month. The punt returners today stayed the same. Cason, Barner, Brown. Punts were done by machine, so there was more predictability and less drops. Perhaps building the confidence of the returners? Ricky Proehl was on the sidelines catching a few passes. I am certain he could suit up tomorrow if need be. OIe Ricky still got it. With Deangelo Williams taking a veteran rest day, Kenjon Barner saw increased play time. I don't know what to make of Barner. In some ways he looks like he could really make an impact on this team. Then you see him get stifled behind the line and you question it all. It could go either way with him this season. I won't be shocked to see him on the final roster, and I wouldn't be shocked if he wasn't. Cam has decided to make things a little more challenging for the receivers in some of the passing drills. Every once in a while he will run up and scream at them just as the ball reaches them. Couldn't hurt, right? Mike Tolbert also had a good number of carries today. I still feel he is our best running back. I have noticed and increased burst at the line, possibly due to him shedding 12 pounds this offseason. There is one thing you absolutely cannot teach a quarterback, and that is height. Ed Dickson looks like a solid offseason signing. When I watch Dickson (and all of the Panthers tight ends for that matter) play, I am much less concerned about the turnover at wide receiver from last season. Between Olsen, Dickson, and Williams... the receiving talent is there. Nate Chandler once again spent a lot of time at left tackle next to Amini Silatolu. The more I watch them work, the more excited I get. I know there are many doubters out there, but I think they will be pleasantly surprised. These two are extremely athletic and seem to gel well together. Chandler matched up very well against Greg Hardy today. His feet seem to have gotten quicker since OTA's. Byron Bell also spent time at left tackle today, so the matter is far from settled. You have to wonder though, how much longer will it be before the coaches make a decision? Surely they want their new starting left tackle to have plenty of time to settle in to the position. Joe Webb does a good job of running the ball. He may be worth keeping around, if nothing more than a scout QB for the Panthers to practice against the shiftier running quarterbacks. Just as long as he is not counted on to throw the ball. He was either long or short all day today. Jason Avant had another solid showing today. On one sidelines throw he was able to reach and make the grab while dragging his toes out of bounds. I am not sure if he will be starting, but I do feel he is an upgrade over Hixon from last year. After practice, instead of heading in, Jason Avant decided to get in some extra work. The ball machine shot low passes to him, as he practiced bringing them in. You have to love that work ethic. Cam cooled down on the exercise bike. Until he learned that Peter King was at camp... and then it was... Poor Peter. Today's Rising Players - Jason Avant. Like I said, the guy keeps catching balls and making plays. It will be noticed eventually. A highlight of my day was watching him toss aside DT Linden Gaydosh in a special teams drill. - Carrington Byndom. Solid day for this undrafted rookie corner. Ball hawked most of the day and capped it off with a beauty of an INT. - Melvin White. The former undrafted rookie also had a solid day. Maybe Gettleman just has a knack for spotting undrafted corner talent? - Nate Chandler. Looking more and more confident as he gains experience at LT. As such, I become less and less worried. Today's Falling Players - Matt Blanchard. Blanchard has a habit of setting up his tight ends or receivers to be demolished in the middle of the field by the safeties. I really hope the coaches get him out of that habit before preseason. - Receiving Corps. Too many drops today to mention. Even the sure handed Bersin had a few. - The rest of the team. After practice, Ron Rivera gave the team a longer than usual speech away from the media. From what I saw, and judging by the bulging veins in his neck, he was not at all pleased with the effort put forth at practice today. I expect the team will show up tomorrow ready to work. I will be there, once again, to provide you with these photos and observations you have grown to tolerate. Click here to view the article

You have to do something good or bad to get my attention. Guys in the middle tend to just blend in.

It was an exciting day at training camp. Getting to see the guys in pads for the first time this season revealed a few new things you just cannot see without contact. Unfortunately, photos were not allowed to have been taken during the full team drills. As such, many of my observations will be without images. Most players did not sign autographs while coming on to the practice field. Kelvin Benjamin, Luke Kuechly, and Antoine Cason made at least some time for the fans, so big ups to them. Some players made time for mosquito repellant. Those things will eat you alive in the shady areas. But I digress.... The day started with the usual drills. Then, the passing drills started. Kelvin Benjamin had a great day. I am not sure it is possible to overthrow the man. He made catches on the sidelines and over the middle. I didn't see him drop a single catchable ball all day. I am telling you all right now that he is the real deal and will have an immediate impact on the offense as a rookie. At this point, and I know its early, I would be shocked if he is not a day 1 starter. He looks better right now than Brandon Lafell ever did. Bersin also continues to impress. I spoke to a Panthers staff member who told me he would be shocked if Bersin did not make the squad. I enjoy watching Cotchery play. He does all of the little veteran things to gain advantage. A little grab here, a little push there, but never enough to draw a flag. It quickly becomes obvious the guy just knows hot to play the game at the highest level. Bene Benwikere flashes from time to time. He has a knack for closing quickly in and getting a hand on the ball. The coaches spend quite a bit of time with Bene. That tells me they see real potential in him Ken Dorsey ran the QB drills on the far field where I was the only one to look on. I am glad I did. Included in this year's drill selection is a heavier emphasis on moving in the pocket and avoiding contact. While having to hi step over obstacles, Dorsey would rush in and grab a shoulder. I think getting these guys accustomed to improvising in the pocket is a great thing, especially considering the question marks surrounding the Panthers offensive line. Speaking of offensive line... today we saw the offensive line vs defensive line, full contact, for the first time this season. Lyndon Gaydosh has a size advantage over Brian Folkerts, but was unable to take advantage. Star won the battle between he and Amini Silatolu. Amini did fairly well though and in all fairness not many guys could go one on one with Star and do very well. Kawaan Short versus free agent offensive tackle Oscar Johnson went ... well... the picture says it all. Nate Chandler took on Charles Johnson and Chandler actually had the upper hand. It is unclear if Johnson had poor footing or if Chandler actually dominated him. The most interesting matchup was Trai Turner versus the veteran Dwan Edwards. During the first round, Trai Turner easily won. For round two, turner was outmatched by Edwards and was pushed back about 10 yards. Apparently, Edwards did not appreciate being handled by the rookie in round 1. At that point Turner was pulled aside and coached up. Turner bounced back and did very well all day long in the team drills, at one point pushing Edwards several yards up field. It appears, folks, that Turner really is the road grader he was billed as. Brief intermission... here is a picture of Ryan Kalil. I am not sure I have ever seen him smile on the practice field this year, and I am OK with that. Players Rising: - Kelvin Benjamin. So far he appears to be everything he was supposed to be, and more. - Trai Turner. Playing with the first string and already looking competent. On one particular play he was able to pull right and seal off the block for a Kenjon Barner screen. Pretty advanced stuff for a rookie. - Philly Brown. Has made key plays two days in a row now in the passing game. If he can learn to hang on to punts a roster spot could be secured for him. - Tight Ends. Probably the most impressive offensive unit the Panthers have. Brandon Williams caught a beautiful long bomb today, catching it over his should, in perfect stride. Possibly the best catch of training camp so far. A;l of the tight ends made plays today. Four Tight End set anyone? - Bene Benwikere. Really like this kid's game, I think he could potentially contribute quickly. - Nate Chandler. Chandler is still getting a lot of time at left tackle and looks very solid. At this point, I think the job may be his to lose. Players Falling: - 2nd and 3rd string offensive line. These guys are getting obliterated out there. The Panthers have little depth in this area, pray for a healthy season. - Punt returners. At this point Cason looks to be the best of the bunch, but he has only returned 2 punts since 2011. The Panthers may need to look for an experienced hand here or once again special teams may cost them a game (or two). Click here to view the article

Philly is a practice squad player most likely Sent from my SM-N900P using CarolinaHuddle mobile app

As consistent as any of the other guys except maybe Bersin Sent from my SM-N900P using CarolinaHuddle mobile app

Impossible to say without pads on. Today will be better for evaluation Sent from my SM-N900P using CarolinaHuddle mobile app

I'm sure u can figure it out captain spelling bee Sent from my SM-N900P using CarolinaHuddle mobile app

Hopefully they will do some all out 1 on 1 Dline vs Oline in pads today. I've been itching to see Star or KK vs Turner

Camp opened up in Spartanburg in the sweltering heat. Attendance is said to have been 17,000 but I am not so sure of that number. It was a decent crowd, but did not seem as large as last season. Curious, after a playoff season that it was not more crowded. As the players warmed up I noticed Kuechly and Deangelo talking. Sometimes I think players talk to Deangelo just to check themselves out in his helmet shield. Kugbila was at practice. He has yet to be claimed off of waivers, and will probably not be. In all likelihood he will be on the Panthers IR list this season. Tiquan Underwood is looking better in camp than in the OTA's. While he doesn't appear to have the speed that Ted Ginn did, he does know how to run routes well enough to get some separation. His hands seem to be pretty good as well. I feel he is a lock to make the team. Rivera looks as relaxed as he ever has in camp. Its amazing what job security can do for your stress level. Cam wears a helmet shield in practice. It is unclear why, but once could imagine a stray lineman finger in the eye would be devastating for this team, so why not wear the shield. Charles Johnson is probably one of the more under appreciated players on the team. Not only is Charles one of the better defensive ends in the league, but he also can return punts. Although, to be fair, he waived for the fair catch. What is the point of a defensive lineman returning the ball if he isn't going to run with it? Bene Benwikere had a few technical miscues in drills and was quickly coached up by defensive backs coach Steve Wilks. Bene has looked pretty good overall, and the occasional miscue early can be expected. Defensive line coach Eric Washington is a big guy in his own right. He isn't afraid to get in and grab the guys to get their attention either. The crowd got excited when passing drills began. Cam looks like he does at every camp in his career. Mostly sharp, but has the occasional overthrow. One quick fix for the overthrows could be to throw to Benjamin more. I ran into Kelvin in the media room yesterday and was reminded how tall he really is. Sometimes rosters fluff the height numbers a bit in favor of the player, but Bejnamin is every bit of 6'5. One thing I noticed was how perfect his hands are when catching. He really does wrap those huge hands around the ball. It is textbook fundamentals every dad teaches his son. I will be showing this image to my boys before our next round of football toss. Greg Olson is also having a great camp so far this year. He has made some acrobatic one handed grabs. Greg isn't the most talkative guy on the practice field, instead he lets his play do the talking. However, I have seen him really help out the younger tight ends on their route running. Greg fits the wise veteran mold well. During blitz drills, Derek Anderson connected with Pilares deep on badly blown pass coverage by the defense. No safety was anywhere close to Pilares. However, before you get too excited... Derek Anderson would have been sacked long before the throw was made by a blitzing Jason Williams. I noticed a curious thing Cam has been doing lately that I did not notice last season... or at least that I can remember. In a play action drill he squats down, seemingly to hide behind the line. Could this be a way to compensate for his height? Nate Chandler was at left tackle for the majority of the last half of practice. I felt Chandler would end up at left tackle this season during OTA's, and my opinion has not changed on that matter. Nate can get off the ball and into position very quickly. Below he has Greg Hardy matched up right off the snap. Byron Bell was in at right tackle with Nate at left.... ...but then did get some more time at left tackle before the practice was over. While Byron is larger and takes up more room, his feet are heavier. It is a trade off that the coaches will have to decide on. Mike Tolbert had a few more carries at running back with Stewart and now Tyler injured. Tolbert somehow gets lost in all the running back talk sometimes, which is a shame. In my opinion, he is the most talented and effective guy we have that can run the ball. Cam also targeted Tolbert in the passing game. Tolbert caught every ball. Philly Brown made a really nice grab at the end of practice. He was able to get behind and out leap Cason, who is a starting defensive back in this league. This is great news for Philly Brown fans. I hope you enjoyed these photos and will share this link on your social media sites. Sharing the link is the single most important thing you can do to keep the Huddle plugging away. Today is the first practice in pads. I will be there covering the action. Follow @CarolinaHuddle for updates on twitter.

Why does it matter Sent from my SM-N900P using CarolinaHuddle mobile app

Got it without reference Sent from my SM-N900P using CarolinaHuddle mobile app

You've read the announcement. You've seen the schedule. Now, I will give you the inside scoop on the Panthers Training Camp. I have seen a lot of rookie fan mistakes out there, and I aim to clean it up. Camp begins with the Back to Football festivities at Gibbs Stadium. Be sure to arrive early, there are lots of great things to see and hear before practice begins. Typically there is live entertainment including a band as well as an appearance by a few select topcats. This takes place in front of the stadium close to the parking areas. Practice takes place inside of Gibbs Stadium. Most people head for the seats closest to the parking. However, I feel like the best seating for Gibbs Stadium is on the east side of the field, especially if you are looking for player autographs. These bleachers are adjacent to where the players enter and leave the practice. The lower corner of these bleachers are prime autograph real estate. You will be in the sun a bit more, but as the practice is later in the evening, that may not matter much to you. Most of the practices at Training Camp are done on the three practice fields adjacent to Gibbs Stadium. There are a few key things here you should know... AUTOGRAPHS The autograph area is along the fence near where the players enter and exit the locker rooms (pictured below). The key here is to position yourself in the right area. Typically the closer to the locker rooms the better. A you move farther away from them, the likelihood of an autograph decreases. Even farther away and you chances of getting an autograph drop to zero, as this would force the players to go far out of their way to get to you. Preferential autograph treatment is given to kids, as it should be. My advice is to stand next to a kid, wait for that kid to get his or her autograph, then also get yours signed as well. If a player stops to sign once, he typically will sign a few within the same group of people. DO NOT push a kid out of the way or try to get yours first, you will be chastised by other fans, and probably me. Players/Coaches I have seen give the most Autographs: Cam Newton, Deangelo Williams, Ron Rivera, Luke Kuechly. Practice Viewing Once you arrive at camp, take note of where the blue lifts with the video cameras are situated. Take note on where the video cameras are pointed. This will give you a heads up on which field the main action of the day is located. Most fans will simply sit on the hill. This is a convenient way to watch all of practice in a leisurely manner from an elevated location. The only downside to the hill is the limited shade, so consider bringing an umbrella, and don't forget your sun screen. In the morning, if practices are on the two conjoined fields, my advice is to head to the trees after applying your mosquito repellant. You will be in the shade for a good part of the practice and also will have a great view of the action. I am not kidding on the mosquito repellent. You have been warned. Photography If you are interested in taking photos at camp, I recommend a digital SLR camera with a lens that is capable of 300mm shooting at least. Quarterbacks are easy to photograph, they are stationary and predictable. Other skill positions can be much trickier. During wide receiver drills, the players will typically all run the same route, one after another. Watch the first route, then use that to determine and plan ahead the angle you would like your capture to be. Etiquette There are a couple things that fans do that tend to bother me at practices. Don't yell at the players during practice. They are there, in many cases, fighting for their job. They will not respond to you. Not because they don't hear you, but because they are working. Know the players names if you want an autograph. Yelling "Hey 88" will likely annoy more than impress, making a signed jersey unlikely. Where to Eat Most people will tell you to stop by the Beacon for a burger and fries. This is fine and something everyone must do at some point. My favorite.place, however, is closer to the training Camp. Wade's is a smorgasbord type restaurant. The best thing about it is the fact that when you purchase an entree, you get as many sides as you like. They are all amazing. The Pizza Inn is also a great place to go, especially if you grew up in the 80s. It is a virtual time warp including table top pac-man and 19 inch picture tube televisions, The chocolate pudding typically has a half inch skin on it, roll it up as a snack on the way home.

Sounds right. Sent from the Carolina Huddle App

Not what I am hearing. Its vague, I don't think it will be a traditional practice, but there will be some football to watch.

Historically, Fan Fest has always taken place well into the start of training camp. Not this year. The Carolina Panthers are having their annual Fan Fest at the start of training camp this year. On July 25, the Panthers will open their doors to thousands of rabid Panthers fans. The Panthers are anxious to unveil their awesome new stadium upgrades to Panthers fans. Fans will see new scoreboard/video boards, 360-degree ribbons boards and hear the new sound system. The boards, which dwarf the previous video screens, will provide a much more enjoyable visual experience during the games. The sound system, which we learned from Vinny Esposito in the Huddle Podcast Episode 2, will feature an ability to "move sound around the stadium". The Panthers will practice, but whether or not they will be in full pads is unclear. In all probability, you can expect highly entertaining drills such as 7 on 7 and WR/DB match ups. This will provide plenty of excitement for the fans and their quest to quench their football thirst. The reason for moving Fan Fest to the start of camp is simple, the Carolina Panthers wanted their own fans to be the first to witness the new stadium upgrades. On August 2, there is a Guinness International Championship soccer match scheduled between Milan and Liverpool, whose fans will also enjoy the new upgrades. So, the date has been moved up and now Panthers fans, not soccer fans, will be the first to see the new diggs. Smart move. Fan Fest will take place July 25 at 6:30pm at Bank of America Stadium. Admission is free, but there will be a charge for parking around the various lots. Historically, parking has run 5 to 10 dollars depending on the proximity to the stadium. The South side of the stadium fills up quickly as more shade is available there. North seats will be in full sun for the start of practice. Autographs are signed after practice. Make your way down to the bottom of the seating where players will be walking around the stadium and signing whatever fans bring. I have noticed in the past that those closest to the south tunnel have the highest chance of getting something signed. Click here to view the article

I found him to be a really bright guy from talking to him. I don't see how there could be a problem "between the ears" Sent from the Carolina Huddle App

He didn't get much time. We have a log jam at RB. Its going to be tough for Gaffney to make an impression with such limited carries. Missing OTA's probably didn't help.

He had an amazing catch today in the end zone, and Rivera listed him as a guy that had a good day in his presser. He looks better than last season. More confident. He just might catch on. Sent from the Carolina Huddle App

Last season, Brandon Williams entered training camp as a long shot. Williams was signed to the Panthers roster in April of 2013 after having been out for football for two years. In 2011 he was diagnosed as having a narrow spinal canal and bulging disk that prevented him from continuing at Oregon. Instead, Brandon played basketball for a small bible college. What a difference a year makes. This year in offseason workouts Williams, or "Swole" as his teammates call him, is spending a good amount of time with the starting offensive unit. This is a big leap from last season when he mainly spent time with the third string units. It appears one of David Gettleman's gambles could be paying off again. I caught up with Brandon after practice to get his thoughts on his progress. "I feel a lot more relaxed. Having that year of experience under my belt, everything is starting to slow down for me. I also know the play book a lot better. Whatever the coaches want me to do, I am going to do what I can to get comfortable doing it." Williams understands that the more versatile he can make himself, the more likely he will be again earning a roster post this season. This means not only performing on offense, but special teams as well. After practice, Williams spend a long while with Special Teams Coordinator Richard Rogers. They were going over his stance and tweaking the things Williams needs to do in order to excel. Not many players stay after practice to put in extra work, and even fewer stay to practice special teams. But Brandon seems determined to do whatever is necessary to succeed as a Panther. Click here to view the article

The Carolina Panthers opened up their annual mini-camp in the blistering heat. That heat, however, did not keep them from participating in one of the most impressive mini-camps I have seen. It felt less like a June mini-camp and more like an early August Spartanburg practice. This is not to say the day didn't have some light hearted and even touching moments... Cam Newton rolled up flashing an award winning smile, and he had good reason. Cam was playing host to rising first grader George Gring who attended practice through the efforts of the Make A Wish foundation. George, who was diagnosed with Burkitt’s Lymphoma ,wished to play football with Cam Newton. Cam went the extra mile and acquired matching gold cleats for George. As Cam was stretching, he was having his fingers taped up. This got jeers from the Panthers defense, who were taunting him with "Does Cam have a boo boo?" I spotted Kelvin Benjamin on the sidelines learning how to juggle. Tennis balls have been a common theme this year. Time will tell if they had an impact on hand eye coordination. Practice started with punt returns. The punt returners in order were Antoine Cason, Kenjon Barner, and Philly Brown. Of the three, Cason continued to look the most promising and reliable. While no balls were dropped, Barner did have a bobble. Byron Bell and Nate Chandler again split time at left and right tackle throughout the day. Garry Williams was also thrown into the mix. Ron Rivera after practice describes Williams as a "Jack of all trades", indicating he will be used everywhere along the line this season. One area where Chandler has an all too obvious edge is getting off the ball quickly. Notice the difference in body positions in the above picture. Chandler, while giving up a bit of bulk to Bell, has much lighter feet. Offensive line drills began and were very physical. They worked on a variety of techniques under harsh criticism. Then, the practice really began. The day was filled with spirited offense versus defense play with a bit of contact. Stock Rising: Brandon Williams. Williams saw extended time with the first string today. He grabbed a couple of nice throws over the middle and on a quick out. He was also used as a lead blocker at times.Bene Benwikere. Benwikere abused Underwood on an extended pass play, blanketing him and helping to cause what would have been a sack.Trai Turner. Turner continues to impress and has the most nimble feet of any guard in recent memory. His pulling to the left to block for Deangelo Williams got me very excited.Chris Scott. Scott made it onto the practice field today and participated fully. That is a win for him.Mike McNeil. Mike had the best grab of the day in the end zone, leaping over Colin Jones who could not make the play.Stock Falling:Byron Bell. Bell struggled most of the day today. On one play in particular, Mario Addison was able to get low and gain the outside edge on Bell with ease, resulting in a would be sack. Bell also struggled in blitz pickup, allowing blitzing linebacker DJ Smith to get the the quarterback. Which leads us to the next falling...Blitz Pickup. Head coach Ron Rivera remarked after practice "Sean put in some new blitzes today, they were new and different for our offense to try to pick up". There needs to be much improvement in this area if we want Cam Newton to stay healthy.Marvin McNutt. While McNutt did make a few routine catches, he missed a ball that he had to extend for that did hit him in the hands. You have to make those plays if you want to make the roster.Overall, it was a solid practice that both showcased what the Panthers can do but also a few opportunities for improvement. Click here to view the article

The Carolina Panthers have shown interest in Iowa TE C.J Fiedorowicz.If I were you, I would be extremely excited if the Panthers select him in the middle rounds of the 2014 NFL Draft. The Panthers could potentially pick him up in the 4th round, where would would offer tremendous value and upside. With safeties getting bigger and more aggressive every year in the NFL, the Panthers would be wise to invest in Fiedorowicz. At 6'5 (closer to 6'6) and 265lbs, he has the size to dominate his opponents on jump balls. He displayed reliable soft hands at the Senior Bowl where he impressed NFL coaches and scouts. At he combine he ran a 4.76 40 despite his hulking size. His greatest value for the Panthers, however, may come in the run game. Fiedorowicz is as polished a blocking tight end as you will find in any NFL draft. Should the Carolina Panthers decide to move back to more two tight end sets, Fiedorowicz would immediately improve the Panthers 28th ranked offense. Watch the video, this kid shows a real knack for finding the soft spot of the defense and sitting in it. This is an extremely underrated ability in the media chatter. Also, always catches the ball with his hands, many blocking TE's have a bad habit of bringing it into the body. NFL Comparison - Rob Gronkowski Click here to view the article