Sorenson talks with Barner (who was just a little sore today is all)

[top dawg]

Well, as we all know by now, Kenjon Barner bulked up a little bit over the summer.  I must say that I was surprised he was at 180 pounds last year.  At least he had the sense to realize that he was a little bit light in the ass for an NFL running back.

Last October the Panthers played Tampa Bay and Barner got his first NFL carry. He avoided 6-1, 233-pound linebacker Lavonte David and took on 6-2, 213-pound safety Mark Barron.

 

“Barron met me in the hole,” says Barner. “And I thought, ‘Oh, I need to gain some weight.’ ”

 

 

 

Per Tom Sorenson's latest, Garner put on 14 pounds (though I believe that he tweeted 198).  In any event, Barner made it his mission to bulk up, but it's a struggle for him being that he has a very high metabolism as Sorenson reports.

 

Barner feels that the weight has made him more explosive, even noting that he made a good accounting of himself during camp in a collision with Luke ("quietly noting", that is...LOL). 

“I tried Luke (Kuechly) in practice,” says Barner. “I met him in the hole and I was kind of happy with the outcome. I didn’t obviously run him over or anything, but I was OK with it.”

 

Barner talks quietly as he describes the collision. Kuechly is at the next table.

 

 

 

Barner didn't know much about pass protection as a rookie, but apparently he has been making strides in that department as well, as Rivera gave him a little praise.  One thing that none of us probably knew is that Jonathan Stewart gave him a crash course in blocking...at the club.

“People don’t believe me when I say Jonathan taught me part of our key protection in a night club,” says Barner.

 

Stewart and Barner did not go to the lounge to talk about how best to thwart a blitzing safety.

 

But starter DeAngelo Williams was injured, which meant Barner could play. Stewart asked Barner if he was ready. Barner said he didn’t know key protection.

 

“So Jonathan started taking glasses and putting them on the table in a defensive formation, a 3-4 or a 4-down front,” says Barner. “He was grabbing empty glasses. Here’s the offensive line, the tailback, the quarterback.”

 

While the rest of the patrons undoubtedly drank from paper cups, Stewart taught Barner protection concepts.

 

 

 

I wish that I could have been a fly on the wall for that lesson. It's nice to know that Barner has made a leap in protection because most have not been reporting on Barner, much less his improvement in the trenches (so, kudos to Sorenson). It's not only way too early to forget Barner, but also to write him off.

[PantherPhann89]

Great job by Stew. I hope Barner finds his way on the 53. I don't think that he's a every down back but I also don't think that we have used him correctly. I'd like to see us use him in a Sproles type of role, out in space...

[FattyFatFat]

Getting Kenyon in space is the key with him. That has to fall to Shula. Give the man5 yards of untouched space to utilize his skills.

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[UpstatePanther]

as long as Stewart doesnt teach him how to operate an exercise bike, im okay with this

[Beast_3000]

I am rooting for anyone that can handle kickoff and punt return duties. If it's Barner I am his #1 fan if it is Reaves or Pilares...... #1 fan over here.

[Rise of The Hive]

That is a reliever.

[weyco2000]

Hmmm... Doesn't know a lot about pass protection but has time to go out clubbing?

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[csx]

Maybe try to pay attention at practice and in meetings. It's literally your job to know these things.

[King Schit]

Hmmm... Doesn't know a lot about pass protection but has time to go out clubbing?

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Peter King? Is that you? Adam Schein, maybe?

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[caatfan]

Hmmm... Doesn't know a lot about pass protection but has time to go out clubbing?

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Well at least it was during his rookie season. He was probably busy trying to figure out how to avoid getting knocked down by a strong breeze. 

[bleys]

Hmmm... Doesn't know a lot about pass protection but has time to go out clubbing?

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surely you jest..

[rmoneyg35]

He needs to put on some weight but he still is a project and has a lot to learn to make it in the nfl.

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[OnlyPantherFaninMaine]

He needs to put on some weight but he still is a project and has a lot to learn to make it in the nfl.

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I read somewhere that he is up over 15lbs. Last year he was right around 180 and right now he's around 197-200.

[Dex]

Still gonna be cut.