Zod

Good day ladies and gentlemen. Here are a few observations from minicamp after watching yesterday. Again, some things cannot be said due to team policies. - The two positions that you can get the best feel for in OTAs are the receivers and corners. Those guys have very little contact to begin with. If I had to choose a group that won it would be the corners. This group is much improved over last season. Of course, Terrace Marshall and Shi Smith were not practicing, that may have helped. Coach Rhule remarked after practice that the corners also are better than advertised this offseason. - TE Dan Arnold looks like the most fluid route runner and pass catcher since Greg Olsen. The guy just knows the soft spot of the zone and anticipates the ball being there with great hands to match. So much to be said for a player like that. I have no idea how well he blocks, but at the very least he could add something interesting to third downs. - I don't believe enough has been said about DaQuan Jones and Derek Brown playing next to each other. These dudes are big and athletic. I have a feeling once the pads are on they are going to create some havoc. - Jeremy Chinn is turning into the leader of this defense. He is a different guy on the sideline this season. Much more relaxed, talkative, and amped at the same time. - Sam Darnold has thrown some really nice quick passes on crossing routes. He has looked good overall, but I've noticed just the right amount of zip and great placement on those passes in particular. Nice, because those are some of the most difficult to defend. - Grier had a better day. His only pick thrown was because the perfectly placed ball went right through the hands of the receiver. - Pretty much the entire day was team situational work. 11 on 11, here is the situation, now go score (or stop them from scoring). These are the most fun practices to watch, imo. There was a whole lot of killing the clock and getting the field goal off very quickly. Was actually pretty impressive. If you have any specific questions I'll try to answer if I can.

Ball wasn't tipped by the defense. Hit WR Bryant in the hands and proceeded to go right through them.

The norm ie what most teams will be doing.

They had him rated as a second round guard. I think that is where he ends up for a few years then moves to RT. Basically he is Travelle Wharton.

Boner alert.

My lady (former topcat) says the dudes that made this squad are amazing dancers and she is really excited to watch them perform. A lot of emphasis on dancing ability has always been a thing in Carolina, unlike other places that concentrate on looks first and foremost.

That is twice in two weeks he has mentioned length being required on the left side. I think he means it.

Dan Arnold was by far the best TE today.

Yep, its been around for like 5 or 6 years. slowly becoming normal.

LA was the first team to have male cheerleaders I believe.

Christensen played a whole lot of RT today with the ones. They may be looking to get him experience there in case a deal can't be reached with Moton long term.

Not at this point in the offseason .

Good stuff here. Defense still ahead of the offense and will be for a while. I'll be there tomorrow for first hand observations.

It is weird reading these types of articles from places with zero access to watch the practices.

I am loving all this Marvel content. Now if I could only get the girlfriend up to speed quickly without days worth of movies.

This is accurate. He looks fine. Looks like a NFL QB. But the defense isnt allowed to get within 6 feet of him so I'm not sure how valuable that info is.

I also saw Thomas either run the incorrect route or not sit in the zone like he should have for a wide open ball.

Cam, Greg, Ryan, Steve, Jordan, etc etc

I don't pay too much attention to the lines other than lineup. Impossible to say how any of them look until pads are on. I didn't see him take any first string reps though.

Here are a few thoughts and musings from the practice I attended yesterday. Again, can't get too specific about some things due to team media policies. - Daley spent most of his time at LT with the ones. If he can stay healthy he is the most exciting prospect we have there. However, I'm starting to give up hope. - The Darnold to CMC connection is real. Sam already has an amazing safety blanket he never really had at NYJ. Could really help boost his confidence. - Backup RB Rodney Smith had a great day and received praise from the coaches. He may be second string this season even with a RB drafted. - WR Ish Hyman flashed last week and again this week. Dude really is trying to make the team even if it means running full speed into a wall, which he did yesterday. - Plenty of false starts thanks to loud music and crowd noise. Good to get used to it and get it fixed now. - The defense feels like far and away the more cohesive and aggressive unit. They are well ahead of the offense when it comes to swagger, and it isn't close. The offense could really use a vocal leader stepping up. - Coach Rhule is a tale of two people really. He can be calm and understated for most of the morning but then with a flick of the switch turn into one of the more aggressive and vocal coaches I have seen. - Will Grier ran the threes all day with PJ running the two's. PJ performed much better than Grier again. - Most of the day yesterday was football. 11 on 11 in various situations both time and field positions. This is my favorite type of practice, by far. Rhule promised more of the same next week at mandatory minicamp.

They won't begin to have any idea what they have in Christensen until the pads are on.

Daley had more first team reps at LT yesterday than Moton.

At this point there is only one media day a week. Next one is Wednesday.

He isn't a NFL QB.

If he doesn't show up for mandatory minicamp then I have nothing to do with the fallout that will happen. He is the only player to have missed everything so far. Hopefully he does show up, and no one will remember OTAs.