Let’s get the most important news out of the way from Carolina Panthers training camp today. Cam Newton didn’t throw. While it may have seemed like a setback after a productive day yesterday, head coach Ron Rivera said that today was actually a scheduled day off for the quarterback as a part of his rehabilitation from offseason shoulder surgery. Newton is expected to throw tomorrow and the goal is still for him to start in Week 1. Again, his throwing in practice is not as important as ensuring that he is 100% for September 10 in San Francisco. Even without Newton, today’s practice was a good one for the Panthers offense, which they sorely needed after being dominated by the defense during yesterday’s session. During a red zone drill during the final period of practice, the offense scored on five consecutive plays with everyone from Fozzy Whittaker to Kaelin Clay getting in the endzone; Devin Funchess added a spectacular catch along the sidelines when he bobbled the ball twice to himself with one hand before securing it for a score.
With both owner Jerry Richardson and general manager Marty Hurney on hand to watch a majority of the practice, players who may be fighting for a roster spot worked extra hard to impress the decision makers, trying desperately to make an impact. Dezmen Southward and Teddy Williams were both again playing with the second team defense, Williams even managing to come down with an endzone interception off an errant Joe Webb pass. With small scuffles between Gino Gradkowski and Jeremy Cash or Andrew Norwell and Bryan Cox breaking out during blocking drills, perhaps it was the heat index hitting 107 degrees or the thought of only one more day in Spartanburg firing up the players for this well-attended practice session. Either way, here are some storylines we noticed:
Cornerback Conquest
James Bradberry and Daryl Worley again had a nice day, with Bradberry taking a one-handed interception back for a touchdown; it seems as if Bradberry makes at least one play every practice. Worley and Bradberry have made a clear jump this offseason and can be true assets on the outside after struggling to adjust to the speed of the NFL to start the season in their rookie season. Both players have stood out throughout their stay in Spartanburg, but when it comes to corners, no news is good news. The fact that Funchess and Benjamin have been held in check (for the most part) is a testament to the job Worley and Bradberry are doing. As the NFC South arms race continues to accelerate, the play on the outside from “Bruce Wayne” and “The Silent Assassin” will be imperative to the Panthers success.
Funchess on Worley/Bradberry: “They’re going to be special.” pic.twitter.com/8NO8uJsGkh
— The Riot Report (@RRiotReport) August 12, 2017
Scary Defensive Line
When the Panthers made the move to bring in future hall-of-fame defensive end Julius Peppers, the signing made it clear that pressure up front was going to be a focal point of the defense in the 2017 season. Peppers and Johnson are the top sack artists in Carolina Panthers history; rotating between Peppers, Addison, Johnson, and Horton throughout the game will ensure that opposing offensive tackles don’t get a break on the outside throughout the game. Peppers had multiple “sacks” today in practice, and Horton wreaked havoc on the Texans on Wednesday night in the short time he saw on the field. While the defensive ends seem extremely deep, with Butler, Love and Toby Johnson all on the shelf, after starters Lotulelei and Short, the defensive tackle position is fairly depleted at this point. There is a chance for a player like Gabriel Mass or Eric Crume to make a run at a roster spot, but they are on the field so much that they can tire out easily, playing well at the beginning of practice or a game, but fading quickly towards the end. The rotation on the defensive line is incredibly important, as these players put out so much energy from play-to-play that the backups end up playing about 20% of the snaps throughout the season. As long as Butler and Love are out, Mass or Crume have a real opportunity to shine during these last three weeks of the preseason.
Greg Olsen – Blocker
One underrated aspect of all-world tight end Greg Olsen’s game is as a run blocker, and Olsen had a chance to show those skills off during one-on-one blocking drills in which he was able to hold off Shaq Thompson and Ben Jacobs in a drill where it seemed as if the advantage went to the defender. Olsen continues to show how valuable he is not only from a pass catching standpoint, but in all facets of the game.
Be sure to follow us on twitter at @RRiotReport for constant updates as they happen. Have questions or want us to focus on a specific player or matchup? Let us know in the comments!
Previous Training Camp Reports:
- July 26, 2017
- July 27, 2017
- July 28, 2017
- July 29, 2017
- July 30, 2017
- August 1, 2017
- August 2, 2017
- August 3, 2017
- August 4, 2017
- August 6, 2017
- August 7, 2017
- August 8, 2017
- August 11, 2017
