The Panthers secondary had a odd look to it during this Sunday practice, the first after a day off and only the second afternoon session of Panthers training camp thus far.
With Eric Reid getting a vet day, Rashaan Gaulden rehabbing a tight back, Tre Boston still running with the second team after signing Thursday and Kevon Seymour reduced to stalking the sidelines while battling a leg injury suffered last week, the back half of the defense look decidedly different than usual. Add in Donte Jackson getting light work – Rivera was adamant after practice in saying they were simply exercising caution for an important defensive cog that has taken a lot of reps over the first eight practice sessions – and the starting lineup consisted of James Bradberry and Corn Elder at outside cornerback with Ross Cockrell and Colin Jones at safety.
Cockrell – whom Rivera revealed after practice that his nickname was ‘pro’ because he was such a professional – will likely end up as a backup on the outside and Elder has seen a lot of reps at nickel corner – a spot where newcomer Javien Elliott spent with the first team during today’s practice. But mixing players together in unusual circumstances makes a ton of sense during training camp – see what you have because you never know what’s going to happen come the regular season.
But there were moments when the secondary shined, like when Cam Newton drifted to his right and tried to fire a pass to Curtis Samuel in the right side of the end zone with Bradberry draped all over him. The ball hit Bradberry’s hands and was almost intercepted by Jones before falling harmlessly to the turf – perhaps Eric Reid or Tre Boston would have picked it off.
Or when Elliott, who shot up the depth chart with Elder moving from the inside to the outside, had a spectacular pass breakup to pair with an acrobatic interception during one-on-ones. Or Tre Boston bypassing blockers and firing into the backfield to meet Cameron Artis-Payne on a sweep or pulling the ball away from DeAndrew White in the back of the end zone one what would have been a touchdown.
There were flashes – and in training camp, flashes of brilliance can be molded into four quarters worth of stout defense over the next few weeks. Or so the Panthers hope.
DB Javien Elliott with the sideline pick!
Here were some other storylines I noticed during today’s afternoon practice session:
- Efe Obada wasn’t at practice today, given a personal day by the team. Eric Reid and Tyler Larsen had the day off while Jordan Scarlett and Gaulden rehabbed to the side with trainers. Rivera said after practice that Scarlett “took a hit” – that allowed the team to take a look at Elijah Holyfield, Reggie Bonnafon and Cameron Artis-Payne, who are all in the thick of the race for backup – and third-string – running back.
- With Larsen out, Greg Van Roten took the second-string reps at center and Norman Price got some guard reps with the second team.
- Cam Newton continues to look sharp on days when he’s throwing, hitting DJ Moore along the sidelines and dropping a dime to a wide-open Greg Olsen for 25ish yards. Newton continues to throw without limitations during practice and is putting the ball exactly where he wants to put it when he does throw it – my favorite throw was actually an incompletion that Olsen didn’t get his head around in time for, but Newton put it between two defenders and between Olsen’s arms up the seam from 20 yards away – reminded me of the throw that beat Seattle in 2015. A pretty ball that unfortunately fell incomplete.
- Speaking of the QBs, Will Grier has clearly taken a step forward from where he was in the spring. He looks confident and sharp, whether it’s a laser on a slant to Terry Godwin or a deep ball to DeAndrew White when he gets behind the defense; the coaching staff is alternating Allen and Grier – who took reps with the second team today – and both have looked impressive. I’m excited to see how each look against a live defense during both the preseason and joint practices next week with the Bills. It’s truly hard to pick who’s ahead in the competition to backup Cam Newton.
- That competition unfortunately leaves out Taylor Heinicke, who Rivera said after practice gets less reps because he’s a veteran, but it seems as if the race for backup has only two arms competing in it.
- After leaving Wednesday’s practice, sitting out Thursday and only competing in individual drills at Fan Fest, Luke Kuechly took a larger role today, seeing action during 7-on-7s and team drills late in practice. The team was overly cautious in bringing the All-World LB back, but it’s still refreshing to see him on the field. I wouldn’t expect him to play this Thursday at Chicago, but it will be interesting to see if he’s a full-go next week when Buffalo comes to town. With Kuechly taking a backseat, I’ve been impressed with Jermaine Carter, Jr, who has picked up where he left off last preseason, flashing on a pass breakup in the end zone and earning yelps and celebrations from the sidelines, including linebackers coach Steve Russ.
- Jaydon Mickens continues to get reps at punt returner and was listed there on the Panthers first unofficial depth chart – the first depth chart of the season traditionally isn’t important – but for someone who was signed the day before camp started, being listed as a starter is certainly a good sign. Speaking of a good sign, the amount of work Aldrick Robinson has gotten during camp makes me think the team wants to take a long, hard look at him. Don’t be surprised if he sees a lot of the field during the preseason while Moore and Samuel are used sparingly.
- Moore had an unbelievable catch near the sidelines, raising high into the air with Corn Elder draped all over him and somehow pulling in the catch at the top of his jump – it looked like he had Stickum on his gloves as he hung on before crashing to the ground.
Catch of the day goes to #12
