The Mini Camp Thread....(updated Sunday)

[Mr. Scot]

CONTINUED:

Other sayings over heard from Coach Baker:

“Gotta work hard. Gotta work hard to be a defensive lineman.”

“Hit and get. Hit and get.”

“It’s one...two…three. We have to hit the guy by three or the ball will be gone.”

“Kemo, I told you not to go lateral in your first step.”

“Hit that thing right in the crotch.” (referring to the blocking sled)

“This technique goes A…B…C. Not A…C.”

“Corvey, you ain’t fast enough to do all that gymnastics.”

“Hips are the most important thing for a D-Lineman.” (ugh, I don’t wanna think about Kemo’s hips)

“We are going to do this thing again because Marlon does not want to go forward.”

“Am I speaking a different language here? Will someone please come and interpret?”

“In this league, you hit a guy like that, they are going to look at you and do this.” (mockingly shakes his head)

“Eyes up, Tyler. Do not look at the ground. There is nothing on the ground but dirt.”

“Day two, and you guys are already killing me, but just remember I won’t die alone.”

OFFENSIVE LINE

Going over to watch Coach Dave Magazu is a very different experience. Magazu is quiet, but very focused. Don’t let that make you think he isn’t intense though. At one point today during a fire out drill, Magazu told the men running it “Guys, that is absolute horse s—t!” If you think it was rookies getting this ire, guess again. It was the starting five. Ryan Kalil and Keydrick Vincent got special attention at that point.

Noticed also that Magazu liked having a “tight end” at the end of the line during drills. Geoff Schwartz was the guy who spent most of his time in that spot.

I was told by another guy there that Duke Robinson drew some fire from Coach Magazu while I was watching the DL. Apparently, Magazu made Robinson run a drill repeatedly until he got it right. If you think that sounds like a common theme across today’s practice, you’re correct.

Not as much of note about the offensive line, though I imagine that’ll pick up once they’re allowed to hit. Magazu fielded what was arguably one of the best units in the league last season. He may not be loud or quotable, but he apparently knows what he’s doing.

QUARTERBACKS

Took some time and watched Rip Scherer coaching the quarterbacks too. Looks like he’s really stressing the fundamentals. Clear also that he’s a big believer in hard counts and quarterbacks finishing out running plays with pass fakes. And again, he’s no respecter of persons. After a bad pass by Delhomme that got picked by Sherrod Martin, and after that one Jake was called back to explain himself. Moore, McCown and Cantwell had similar moments. Looks like nobody is going to get off easy with Scherer.

SNAPSHOTS

Jake Delhomme’s first pass of the day was a nicely thrown strike to, of course, Steve Smith. Likely would have been a big play in a game.

Delhomme later threw a nice deep pass to Kenny Moore, who had a clear step on the DB covering him (Wilson, I think). Moore continues to impress me as I watch him (without pads, anyway).

There was also a nice play on a fake pitch which then went back to the other side as a pass to Gary Barnidge. Can’t recall seeing that play before. Might be a new wrinkle for the coming season.

Decori Birmingham fumbled during an early offensive drill. Rookie tackle Gerald Cadogan scooped it up and ran with it (maybe he’ll get a shot to be our big return man, filling the void left by Geoff Hangartner).

Matt Moore seemed a tad off to me early on, but got better as practice continued. He threw a beautiful strike downfield over a couple of defenders to Ryne Robinson during later drills.

Third string OL: Garry Williams, Jonathan Palmer, Keith Gray, C J Davis and Gerald Cadogan

Jason Carter made a nice reception on a pass from McCown that was tipped (by Charles Godfrey, I think).

Rookie LB Brit Miller made a nice one handed, falling down pick that would have made highlight reel material in season.

Nate Salley caught a ball as the defense was practicing pass coverage, which was followed by Ron Meeks yelling “Go Nate Salley. Go Nate Salley.”

Special teams again had only Robinson and Larry beavers catching punts (not doing much on returns really, just catching).

RANDOM THOUGHTS

Undrafted RB Jamall Lee runs with good pad level (even without pads)

Jake Delhomme has the loudest cadence among the QBs, with the quietest being backup Josh McCown. Even rookie Hunter Cantwell is louder (at least at practice).

Saw a new name on the field early, Manson. Later learned it was Markus Manson. Must have just been signed last night. I thought we were at the limit where someone would have to be cut if another player was signed, but I haven’t seen word of anyone being let go.

Heard DB Coach Ron Milus on a play yelling at C J Wilson to “get square”.

Gerald Cadogan was primarily on the right side today, although there’s speculation he could end up being this year’s Frank Omiyale (backup left tackle).

Saw Coach Fox have a brief chat with Dante Rosario and then high five him.

Marty Hurney was out watching today’s practice as well.

Kemoeatu is pretty fast for his size. When he really gets going he looks like a Mack truck.

And last, got to meet two guys from the online boards today. “Jack of all Trades” from the Huddle and “Meatpile” from This Board Rocks. Both were very cool. Also met Meatpile’s miniature horse (he claims it’s a dog).

That’s it for me. I didn’t get to attend the afternoon session due to work and won’t get to attend tomorrow per church and being out of town. Hope you enjoyed the info.

[ItsNotGonnaBeAlright]

Hope you enjoyed the info.

Good sir, I think its safe to say that, not only will we enjoy it, but you probably just made everyone's week.

We get to talk serious football this week. Thank you for your work.

[Fireball77]

Rookie RB Mike Goodson was practicing today, and boy is he fast. He took a pitch from Josh McCown and turned it into a really nice run. Also caught a pass over the middle from Delhomme and thoroughly burned a linebacker after the catch. If he stays healthy, there’s definitely the possibility he’ll contribute, and maybe not just on special teams.

When he was drafted, I had posted that Davidson has his Kevin Faulk now. Mayyy-beee. TEs aren't the only pass catchers who can burn LBs over the middle. Faulk has done that for years.

Fatigue came partially because anybody that messed up had to go again, and if they were working as a unit and one guy messed up, the whole unit had to go again. This happened a lot as they were hitting the blocking sled. Baker especially got on to Kemo, Irvin and Brown during this part, getting down and showing them exactly what he wanted in a first step and fire out. At one point, he even demonstrated a movement and smacked Everette Brown across the gut (and here I thought these practices were non-contact). He was clear in this bit, telling them in no uncertain terms “That’s how I want it done.”

LOVE THIS. May also be a military influence, as you had pointed out in another example.

“Corvey, you ain’t fast enough to do all that gymnastics.”

“Eyes up, Tyler. Do not look at the ground. There is nothing on the ground but dirt.”

“Day two, and you guys are already killing me, but just remember I won’t die alone.”

:rofl:

I like this guy already!

Great stuff as per usual Mr. Scot. Your eye (and ear) for detail is amazing. Love to read that the tempo is great and the guys are still having fun but being coached hard.

[scpanther22]

what happend to gary gibson

[Mr. Scot]

what happend to gary gibson

He wasn't re-signed.

No one else has him either. He still could be back if one of the current guys doesn't work out.

[Squirrel]

Placido (Tony) Fiammetta caught a nice pass out of the backfield from Jake McCown in offensive drills

Did we merge them together in the offseason?

Thanks for the writeup.

[monstercat]

I can tell you folks from first hand experience that Mr. Scot's account of practice actually does remind me of basic training at Ft. Sill; especially the part about making the whole unit do things over when one guy screws up.

It sounds like there is some good old fashioned whip cracking going on at BOA, and I'm glad.

Mr. Scot, you are the man!

[frash.exe]

finally...

some discipline being instilled in the Panthers.

two areas of the game that suffered monumental collapses in the postseason (QBing, Defense) are being gone over with a fine-toothed comb.

[Mr. Scot]

Did we merge them together in the offseason?

Only in my brain

(apparently I need an editor)

[Squirrel]

I can tell you folks from first hand experience that Mr. Scot's account of practice actually does remind me of basic training at Ft. Sill; especially the part about making the whole unit do things over when one guy screws up.

It sounds like there is some good old fashioned whip cracking going on at BOA, and I'm glad.

Mr. Scot, you are the man!

Coach Baker sounds like a Drill Sargent too.

[nagai]

Man this Brian Baker guy sounds intense . I want to laugh but I'm afraid he might beat the crap out of me .

It definitely sounds like an upgrade though. Who knows if pep will play for us again, but at least it looks like the rest of the line will step up in his absence. I agree that technique was lacking on the D line last year, we just weren't consistent with even an average pass rush. Don't mind having multiple pass rush threats for once .

From what I can read from Mr. Scot's reporting, I think Brayton will start at DT this year. They were really high on him coming out of college in Indy. I think with proper training, he can be a good pass rushing DT.

I wonder if Pep will return. On one hand I think he'll get some fantastic training from Meeks and Baker, pushing him to a whole new level of dominance. On the other hand, if I were holding out, I wouldn't really want to return to a Nazi regime .

I'm actually excited about our D line now! Can't wait! Either way, I think the panthers have more chips than Peppers now. In terms of leverage, we don't necessarily need him as much as I thought we would. If he comes back this year, we'll be a top defensive unit for sure. If he doesn't, that's too bad but we'll cope.

[hdevonxz]

If he has so much control why isn't Brown working with the first team then? If this is Ron Meek's prototypical defensive end and he's already in the size range Meeks looks for in a DE I can't imagine why he wouldn't be starting over BRAYTON at least. I think oppositely from you, the fact that we traded so much to get an undersized DE, yet he's NOT working with the first team shows that Fox still exercises a fair amount of control over the personnel he wants in his defense.

I hope maybe he can be one of those rare defensive ends that are undersized but still play outstanding against the run (See Michael Strahan) I just wouldn't bet on it.

Bro its MINI CAMP, the depth chart at this point means absolutely nothing.

I haven't read anything about him being a prototypical Cover 2 corner except from posters here who are doing so to suit their belief that we're changing to the Cover 2 full time.

But I'm done arguing. I want to see what Mr. Scot says!

Pay attention to draft coverage man, Martin screams cover 2 CB, and that's what all the scouts were calling him.

[rayzor]

finally...

some discipline being instilled in the Panthers.

two areas of the game that suffered monumental collapses in the postseason (QBing, Defense) are being gone over with a fine-toothed comb.

the two biggest weaknesses on the team may not have gotten a ton of help in regards to personnel (though i have huge hopes for brown) but the coaching that we are now getting on those two fronts is going to cause a huge difference that we are going to be seeing equally huge results because of.

i love what meeks is doing with the whole defense. i really do believe that the change in coaching staff was the best thing that could have happened to the team this offseason. i see them giving us a couple more wins that we otherwise wouldn't have had. any doubts that we are going to have a winning season in spite of what many think one of the most difficult schedules in the league should be dissipating.

people may still be upset that we didn't have any big FA moves this offseason and consider us to have done very little to improve this offseason compared to other teams but all i have to do is think about the impact that this new coaching staff is having to know that we have done much more than people think.

[Fox007]

I definitely like the sound of things so far.