Carolina Panthers training camp opened Wednesday evening to a crowd of over 10,000 fans eager to get past a tumultuous offseason and watch their favorite team actually get back on the football field at Wofford College in Spartanburg, SC. After the team struggled through an injury-plagued 6-10 season in 2016; and an offseason that saw general manager Dave Gettleman shockingly fired a week before training camp and replaced by his predecessor Marty Hurney, dedicated Panthers fans still drove many miles and waited in the hot sun for hours to cheer on their team in a relaxed practice session. Quarterback Cam Newton and rookie running back Christian McCaffrey were the biggest attractions, but Greg Olsen garnered a huge cheer as he sprinted towards the crowd near the beginning of practice, and Kelvin Benjamin (who did not look overweight in the slightest) had his fair share of admirers throughout the practice.
While most fans were satisfied simply to see their favorite players actually wearing their uniforms, there were multiple storylines that came to the forefront even at this early stage in camp and will continue to evolve over the next three weeks.
Cam Newton’s Shoulder
Cam Newton’s surgically repaired shoulder was on full display, as the quarterback threw multiple routes with a fair amount of zip on them, including a 35-yarder to Russell Shepard that was particularly pretty. However, in the team drills, Newton didn’t put enough on an out route and James Bradberry jumped it for an interception. Not something to overreact to, but certainly something to keep an eye on as we move through camp. Especially important will be how his shoulder bounces back for practice tomorrow after a full day of work, even though he was on a “pitch count”. “I thought he did a good job of not trying to do too much. I think all of us are pretty pleased,” offensive coordinator Mike Shula said, “For the most part, he was pretty good…..I think Curtis Samuel, at the end, found out how strong his arm was.” Samuel had the only blemish of a strong practice from the wide receiver group, dropping a ball that hit him right in the numbers.
Run CMC
Christian McCaffrey was the second-most popular player in the crowd, his #22 jersey front and center at the merchandise stand on the main concourse. And McCaffrey did not disappoint, showing quickness and speed every time he touched the ball, appearing to make linebackers and safeties miss in the open field. During team drills, Newton looked to McCaffrey on a screen, and as the crowd drew in breath to scream, David Mayo appeared next to the rookie running back. Had tackling been allowed, McCaffrey may have been swallowed up; but on the first day of practice, he slipped by Mayo and sped down the sidelines. The trick plays won’t be seen until the season starts, but McCaffrey is making even the mundane plays exciting.
Nagging Injuries
Pro Bowl center Ryan Kalil won’t participate in full practice until later in the preseason due to lingering shoulder issues from his surgery which put him on IR late last season, and his backup Gino Gradkowski isn’t fully healthy, so third stringer Tyler Larsen took most of the snaps with the offensive line tonight, only acquiescing to newly signed Greg Van Roten for rest. Devin Funchess exited with what appeared to be severe cramps and was carted off. Fluids will cure him, but hydration will be an ongoing issue throughout camp. Captain Munnerlyn was held out and worked on a bike on the side with trainers, a precautionary measure for a sore hamstring. As he worked on the bike, Dean Marlowe razzed him, “Don’t get hurt, old man. We need you!”
Austin Duke
Austin Duke was once again one of the stars of the show. He laid out for a long throw from Joe Webb, hanging on for what would have been a fifty-yard touchdown. As he got up, Cam Newton came streaking down the field roaring his approval, and the two met in the middle for a celebratory jump-bump. Duke also made some tough catches during the team drills, and was on the field for slants with the first-team offense. The receivers starting quarterback Cam Newton was throwing to? Starters Kelvin Benjamin and Devin Funchess, roster locks Russell Shepard and Curtis Samuel–and Duke. The undrafted rookie is making a strong case to make the team.
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