Panthers Training Camp Wrapup - July 31

[Jeremy Igo]

The first rainy day of training camp brought out the best in some, the worst in others.

 

 

Kelvin Benjamin was participating in warmups, although still in shorts. Benjamin had no brace or protection on his knee and appeared to go through the stretches without any discomfort. He may not be far from suiting up again.

 

 

Charles Johnson put in extra work with his hand positioning before practice began. Charles knows a defensive lineman's hands are one of the more important aspects of the game to master.

 

 

Even though Chandler and Bell are in competition for the same position, they still manage to practice and get along without any negative feelings towards one another. We are lucky that is the case, on many teams it would not be.

 

 

Amini Silatolu is quietly putting together a solid camp after having been out with an injury most of last season. The combination of Turner and Silatolu may be the best guard duo the Panthers have had in quite some time. The future looks very bright along the offensive line interior.

 

 

 

Deangelo Williams was once again taking first team snaps.

 

 

Apparently Deangelo is so familiar with his role he doesn't need to participate in the huddle, and didn't most of the day.

 

 

Mike Tolbert also received plenty of carries. Ball security is rarely a concern with Tolbert. He covers up well and tends to drag any players who reach for the ball along with him.

 

Antoine Cason and Melvin White are most likely the starting corners this season. In my opinion, Cason is a significant upgrade over Captain Munnerlyn. The Panthers are better off this year at corner.

 

Rookie UDFA Carrington Byndom is a guy I would like to see make the team this year. He has made enough plays on the field to at the very least be considered for a practice squad.

 

 

James Dockery, the 4th year CB out of Oregon State, had a pretty interception today on a Derek Anderson pass. He was able to cut off Marcus Lucas and make a play on the ball before Lucas could react.

 

 

Charles Godfrey again had a rough day today. Godfrey, who missed most of the 2013 season with a torn Achilles, now finds himself struggling to learn a new position. Not many players come back from an Achilles tear in a single year. The added stress of learning a new position may be too much for him. Rookie Bene Benwikere may end up starting in the nickel position. Bene had a "would be touchdown" after interception today on a Derek Anderson throw.

 

 

When matched up against Tavarres King, Godfrey was taken out of position and no longer showed the kind of speed it takes to recover from the mistake. It is unclear if Godfrey is going to be able to make this team at all.

 

 

 

 

Speaking of Tavarres King, King had the best camp day so far of any receiver. The goal for him is to try to separate himself from the lower tier wide receivers who are on the bubble. King's performance today, which included a long TD, should help him reach that goal.

 

 

Denicos Allen is another player that is struggling early. Allen, at 5'11 and only 225, is pushed around by the tight ends and full backs quite a bit. Today Brandon Williams gave him an elbow that lifted him off the ground and took him out of the play.

 

 

I like what I am seeing out of second year man AJ Klein. Klein has been working on his covering skills and it may pay off into a starting role, replacing Chase Blackburn.

 

Luke Kuechly remains the field general of the defense. Kuechly is more vocal this season than he has ever been. He appears to be settling into his leadership role.

 

 

It is obvious everyone on the team respects Luke and follows his lead. In some ways, he may just be the most important player on the team.

 

 

 

Nate Chandler once again spent quite a bit of time at left tackle and performed well against Greg Hardy. Chandler is very quick off the snap and rarely gives up the first step to a defensive end, including the speedy Hardy.

 

Trai Turner also had a positive day today and did well in pass protection, even against defenders like Star Lotulelei. Turner, an already formidable run blocker, needs to perfect his pass protection skills to become a well rounded player.

 

Jericho Cotchery had a really nice TD today from Cam Newton, but what was more impressive to me was what Cotchery did just after. Along the sidelines he went over with Brenton Bersin what he did and the intricacies of the play. I won't tell you the number of times I saw Steve Smith do this in camp, but it rhymes with Nero.

 

We are lucky to have Cotchery.

 

 

 

Cam Newton had a rough day today, presumably because of the wet conditions. Many of his passes were thrown high.

 

 

Cam looked frustrated often, not happy at all with his performance.

 

When balls are being overthrown by the quarterbacks, the receiver that it effects the most is 5'10" Kealoha Pilares. The overthrows may not be as big an issue with Kelvin Benjamin back on the field.

 

 

Pilares did manage to get the most praise from the coaching staff on kick return duties. This may be his best path to making the team.

 

After practice, the quarterbacks and receivers put in extra time with passing drills. Once that was completed, Cam was the last player on the field. He began to do conditioning drills.

 

QB coach Ken Dorsey then went to him with encouragement. Dorsey has a quiet cool about him that gels very well with Newton. Soft spoken and sincere, Dorsey is easy to like.

 

I spoke with Dorsey after practice and asked him about the extra conditioning Newton was doing. Dorsey told me that is something Cam does when he is not happy with the performance he left on the field. Cam takes it upon himself and has the discipline to enforce extra work, a reminder to do better the next day.

 

I'd say that is admirable.

[SuperJTheGreat]

The gifs are wonderful!

[h0llywood]

Thanks for delivering Christmas in July. IT IS ALMOST HERE!

[Dex]

Another fantastic write up. Denicos comment is disappointing. :(

[Jeremy Igo]

Another fantastic write up. Denicos comment is disappointing. :(

 

Sorry, I am pulling for him too, but its not looking good. But its early still.

[Cary Kollins]

Pilares' dreads are awesome.

 

 

Great observation of Cotchery and his mentoring.  Have we had anyone like that since Moose?

[Vader704]

WOW, I really feel like I'm at the practice after looking at these pics!  Great Work

[frash.exe]

If Chandler and Bell continue developing into a solid tackle tandem, I'm going to send Matsko a bottle of Lapostolle.

[PandaPancake]

Pilares' dreads are awesome.

 

 

Great observation of Cotchery and his mentoring.  Have we had anyone like that since Moose?

 

 

Didn't you know dreads add +3 to your NFL skill?

[Cary Kollins]

Didn't you know dreads add +3 to your NFL skill?

 

 

Exactly. I sense a probowl for the young hawaiian

[h0llywood]

The gifs are wonderful!

 

If you hit ALT+F4 the GIF's come to life. 

[t96]

I love what Cotch is doing. Makes Smitty's departure seem OK to me. And I can't tell you how glad I am to have KB. Even before seeing him in a game, I can tell he is going to be very special. Him and Cam will have a chemistry that rivals Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall's (probably the best QB/WR chemistry in the league right now).

[PantherDC]

Any update on DJ Smith the backup to Kuechly once had promising career in GB before tearing his ACL? Have not heard much out of camp

[Peppers90 NC]

 

 

 

 

this photo doesnt need words to tell us about the hight throws, his shoulder is pointing straight up.