Panthers Training Camp - Final Thoughts

[Jeremy Igo]

Now that camp is over I wanted to take a few moments to reflect on the past few weeks with a just a few of my thoughts.

 

 

Overall Tone

 

As I have stated many times, the overall tone of camp was more relaxed and less intense than years past. Some see this as a good thing, as injuries are being prevented. Some see it as a negative, possibly responsible for the slow starts to the season in the Ron Rivera age. Rivera mentioned in yesterday's press conference that he was not happy with the conditioning of the team. An increased pace at practice could have been the answer. A sense of urgency was no where to be found. Only time will tell if it will have any effect when it matters. Lets hope not. 

 

Byron Bell

 

Byron Bell has done pretty well so far in camp and preseason. He gets more negativity than he deserves. Byron has gone up against guys like Greg Hardy, Charles Johnson, and Frank Alexander and has held his own. I dare say he won't see a more difficult task all season long.

 

Some fans point to a specific play in the preseason game where at first glance it appears Byron is badly beaten. The problem is the play called for slide protection, in which case Amini Silotolu was actually the player responsible for the bad read. The point is, it is easy for us as armchair quarterbacks to pass judgment on players when sometimes we should just trust the coaches.

 

I don't feel Byron is headed for the pro bowl, but I do feel he is good enough to be a starting tackle in this league.

 

Ricky Proehl

 

 

I know I am repeating myself, but it is something worth repeating. Carolina is lucky to have Ricky Proehl. I have never seen a wide receivers coach be as active and involved within the intricacies of the position as Proehl. He is a hands on coach that instantly gets the respect of his men. I have a feeling this season the young receivers will begin to flourish, thanks mainly to his leadership.

 

Kelvin Benjamin

 

Probably the most impressive rookie I have ever seen in Panthers camp. Not just rookie receivers, mind you, but all rookies of any position. I am still scratching my head, trying to figure out how he dropped to the Panthers in the first round. I would wager if the draft was held again even today, just after camp and one preseason game, he would be a top 10 pick. If I have noticed his maturity and dominance, I am sure NFL scouts have.

 

Kelvin will break all rookie receiving records for the Panthers this season and be a ROY nominee.

 

The Friendship

 

 

This offseason Cam Newton lost somewhat of an adversary in Steve Smith, and gained a friend in Kelvin Benjamin. Many gloss over this as a side story, but I feel it is more important than that. Anyone that watched Jim Kelly and Andre Reed at the Hall of Fame inductions this year saw what a real bond can do for a team.

 

Cam and Kelvin are not co-workers, they are genuine friends. This is going to do more for team chemistry on offense than you can imagine. Have you ever had a job alongside a great friend? Wasn't it tremendously more enjoyable?

 

The Specialists

 

 

These guys are seldom discussed, but remain an extremely important piece of the puzzle in terms of success this season. Kickers and punters are never discussed, unless they do something wrong. It is nice to know that the Panthers have a couple of guys they can rely on... and continue to not hear about.

 

Luke Kuechly

 

 

The Panthers have never had a more dominant defensive player. His skill is matched only by his humility and kindness. I have gained a new found respect for Kuechly this season, after watching him always stop for one more kid who was calling his name. The guy just gets it.

 

The Defensive Line

 

 

I am extremely excited to see these guys play this year. Hardy, Johnson, Lotulelei, all amazing players. But this season Frank Alexander and Kawann Short look as though they have upped their game. What a luxury to have so many players on the line that could start elsewhere in the league. How many NFL teams would like the luxury of rotating these guys in and out and having a well rested line the entire game? Answer: All of them.

 

Cam Newton

 

 

I believe Cam Newton will make a run at league MVP this season. With the addition of Kelvin Benjamin and Ed Dickson, Cam finally has large targets to throw to not named Greg Olsen. Just wait until you see those two tight end sets with Benjamin on the out side as a major piece of the offense. Cam never had it so good. 

 

The Rookies

 

Kelvin Benjamin isn't the only impressive rookie. This year at training camp featured some of the most impressive rookies I can recall in any camp over the past decade. From Trai Turner to Philly Brown, so many of the guys look like they can step in and contribute immediately. The dividends may not be paid this season... but next season and many seasons from now we will look back at this draft class as one of the best in Panthers history.

 

So, there are just a few of my final thoughts. Of course, there are many more players and stories worth mentioning. I will be sharing them in the days and weeks to come.

[KissMyConverse]

Seriously man thanks for these. Makes guys like me who are stuck inside and can't get away a chance to feed the beast. 

[lola]

I've been waiting all day for this and, as usual, it was worth the wait.

Sent from my iPhone using CarolinaHuddle

[trera26]

Great read

Sent from my iPhone using CarolinaHuddle

[RelaxImaPro]

Saved the best for last I see.  Seriously, those pictures go along perfect with the write ups that follow them.  You just might have a future in this whole photography thing, Zod. ;)

 

As always, great stuff, and you've got me hyped as all hell for KB.  Hope Trai Turner is as good as advertised too with the addition of a healthy Stewart, a more explosive Tolbert, and Amini coming back to the form he was before he went down.  Our run game could really do some damage with KB, those TEs, and a beefed up interior line.

 

Cam, from what I've heard, seems sharper than ever this camp... so stack the box and make em pay... don't, and run it down their throat.  Our offense has to be better this year than it was last.

[BelgianPantherFan]

Gettleman is setting this team up for years tot come.

Sent from my Nexus 10 using CarolinaHuddle mobile app

[Jeremy Igo]

 Hope Trai Turner is as good as advertised too

 

He is, but he is a rookie lineman. He is going to make a mistake here and there. Not very reasonable to expect otherwise. I think he will be fine though, especially towards the end of the year.

 

I just hope the huddle doesn't go ballistic and give up on him too early... they wouldn't do that... would they?

[jarhead]

Great stuff!

 

Every season seems so different than the one before. I hope for once we can put together two winning seasons.

[Montie_0123]

Live games just don't come fast enough so that we can watch them. I like to see growth I can't wait until Sunday.

Sent from my iPhone using CarolinaHuddle

[BigBoss]

Bit of a fluff piece honestly. That said, an effort was made to be present at every single camp session, capture pictures, learn about the team and share some of what was seen with others who did not make that same effort. Thank you for taking the time to do all of these, they were enjoyed, even if I'm a bit caucus towards your work at times. You honestly do a great job for your site.

[CarolinaCoolin]

He is, but he is a rookie lineman. He is going to make a mistake here and there. Not very reasonable to expect otherwise. I think he will be fine though, especially towards the end of the year.

I just hope the huddle doesn't go ballistic and give up on him too early... they wouldn't do that... would they?

Yes yes of course they would.

They've given up on countless players before they have even taken a snap what would make this any different

Sent from my iPhone using CarolinaHuddle

[TheRed]

You've done an impeccable job, I don't think there has been any better training camp coverage in all of the NFL. Thank you.

[RelaxImaPro]

He is, but he is a rookie lineman. He is going to make a mistake here and there. Not very reasonable to expect otherwise. I think he will be fine though, especially towards the end of the year.

 

I just hope the huddle doesn't go ballistic and give up on him too early... they wouldn't do that... would they?

 

Nah, not the huddle.

[PantherFeez]

Great work as always Jeremy. I've looked forward to each of these after every practice.

 

From all that you've seen at camp, what order would you rate King, Bersin and Brown? It's a shame Underwood seems to be on the outs after giving him 300k to come here.