On a day where Cam Newton didn’t throw at all aside from two short passes immediately after warmups, the energy at Carolina Panthers training camp seemed a touch muted compared to other days. Even head coach Ron Rivera noticed the difference. “It’s a different kind of energy level, ” Rivera said after practice. “I think the energy level’s pretty good, but it’s a different kind when Cam is out there.” Newton was involved in practice in every way he could, entering team drills to hand the ball off to Fozzy Whittaker or Christian McCaffrey, and calling plays in over the radio to the rest of the quarterback contingent in the huddle. Backup Derek Anderson said after practice, “I think he hates it. He wants to be out there, yelling.”
While the team practiced on the field closest to the hill for the first time in five days and provided excellent views for the fans who attended on a Wednesday morning, even relatively cool temperatures and an overcast sky couldn’t muster many loud cheers from the crowd. Only during redzone drills, which included an interception from linebacker Zeek Bigger and a spectacular one-handed grab by Greg Olsen, did the crowd and players start to perk up. Even cornerback De’vonte Johnson, just signed this morning, had a great pass defense in which he closed quickly and batted a pass down near the end of practice. As always, here were the storylines we noticed from today’s practice:
Special Teams
The third aspect of the game can often give insight into which players are heading towards the active roster; more importantly for many Panthers fans, whether or not Christian McCaffrey will be involved in the return game is a question that has yet to be answered. While the rookie has been part of the group returning punts, he seems to be locked in a battle with Damiere Byrd, who not only gets the first reps when the punt teams are out there, but has been staying after practice to catch more balls. His work ethic may keep him on the team, especially if Curtis Samuel’s hamstring continues to bother him; Samuel was expected to compete for the punt return spot as well. Running back Fozzy Whittaker was the main kick returner last year, averaging 22.9 yards per return, and has been taking those reps in practice, but McCaffrey said on WFNZ this morning that he would like to play on all four special teams (both return and coverage), so it’s something to keep an eye on, as the speedy running back was the primary returner of both kicks and punts his last two years of college and had two return scores. How they return balls in preseason games may swing the roles from one player to another, and who starts the season as returner may not finish it that way. Neither player has made a mistake yet, at least not the way that Trevor Graham did today by muffing a punt.
On the kicking front, it was Graham Gano’s turn today (the kickers switch off days, tomorrow will be all Butker), and the kicker was erratic, missing two kicks from over fifty yards. The veteran still appears to be leading the competition over the seventh round pick Harrison Butker, who seems to have missed more than he’s made.
Nagging Injuries
Captain Munnerlyn is back on the practice fields. The diminutive running back took part in some team drills as the inside cornerback, but gave way to undrafted free agent Cole Luke for most of the session. Kawann Short missed his second straight day with a tight back and hamstring, but said after practice that he felt good, so he is expected to rejoin the team soon. TE Scott Simonson was held out as well, but is expected to return tomorrow as well. Kyle Love, Toby Johnson, Zack Sanchez and Jared Norris were held out, but it was not clear the reason. Safety Travell Dixon was spotted in a walking boot. Matt Kalil’s groin has been acting up and while he dressed yesterday, he sat out today’s session in full; the groin injury is not thought to have anything to do with his offseason hip surgery; veteran off days were granted to running back Jonathan Stewart and Mike Adams. Of course, Cam Newton didn’t throw and cornerback Corn Elder was still on the sideline with the patella stress fracture.
Safety Dance
LJ McCray
Ron Rivera mentioned L.J. McCray when talking about the safety group yesterday, and it has us wondering if the team plans to keep five safeties on the roster in Mike Adams, Kurt Coleman, Dean Marlowe, Colin Jones, and McCray. Colin Jones is a special teams standout and his spot is all but assured as a backup, and with starter Mike Adams getting a veteran’s day off today, Marlowe got some time with the first team, and while he didn’t have many balls thrown his way, seemed to have a good day of practice. Ron Rivera said he is a player that “has to ascend,” describing him as an energetic, physical player who has the tools of an NFL safety. McCray also played well, albeit against the third-string offense. This will be an interesting storyline going forward, as it would appear the top four safeties are set, but if McCray makes the team, it will take a spot from someone else, perhaps a cornerback like Zack Sanchez.
CAP vs Fozzy
Cameron Artis-Payne
This battle seems to go back and forth, and while I thought previously that the Panthers might be leaving both fullbacks off the active roster and keeping both Artis-Payne and Whittaker, both Armah and Young had some touches today, so if that continues, it looks as if the Panthers will only keep one running back behind Jonathan Stewart and Christian McCaffrey. While Fozzy Whittaker has the upper hand as a special teamer, and looked good early today, Artis-Payne has been playing well the past few practices, taking two goal line carries into the endzone during today’s session, and having some hard runs in which he’s looked strong and decisive.
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