Archives for August 2020

At this point in every training camp the enemies of progress are: Time, Health and Fatigue.
Coach Rhule and his coaching staff have identified a fourth adversary: Monotony.

On Tuesday August 25 the team was separated into two groups by the assistant coaches; first-string offense
and second-string defense versus the first-string defense and second-string offense. To
simulate in-game action, the session began with a kickoff complete with artificial crowd noise.

On Wednesday August 26 the team once again took the field inside Bank of America Stadium. Unlike the
Saturday session on August 22 though, this session served as a faux Panthers Fan Fest, which allowed fans across North Carolina, South Carolina and parts of Virginia to get their first 2020 Panthers broadcasting experience.

The team even went as far as rotating jerseys on Friday with the offense dawning the white, and the
entirety of the defense took on the black that has signified starters throughout camp.
They seem like small adjustments, but Coach Rhule mentioned the importance of not just going
through the motions.

Here are the takeaways from the second week of training camp……

TRANSACTIONS-

Signed/Claimed:

• CB (#45) James Houston– (former Baylor Bear, Rookie)
• DE (#96) Austin Larkin– (1 year NFL experience; Atlanta Falcons)
• WR (#81) Cam Phillips– (former Houston Roughneck, led XFL in catches, receiving
  yards, and TDs)
• WR (#9) Darrell Stewart Jr.– (Rookie, was released 8/15 by the Green Bay Packers)

Released/Waived:

• CB Cole Luke
• CB Derek Thomas
• DE Devonte Lambert
• LB Andre Smith

POSITION BATTLES-

Quarterbacks:
● PJ Walker (QB #6) seems to have moved into the second string QB role this week. During Tuesday’s session, he appeared to lead the second-team offense and when starter Teddy Bridgewater (QB #5) sat some Friday 11-on-11 sessions out, Walker was under center in his place.

● Will Grier (QB #3) flashed the ability to throw the deep ball all week, but he did turn the ball over twice during Friday’s practice session.

Running Backs:
● It seems as though Mike Davis (RB #28) has all but secured his spot as the second string running back. For the second week he has received carries with the second-team offense.

● Myles Hartsfield (RB/S #38) is still getting snaps at running back and appears to be in a battle for snaps with Reggie Bonnafon (RB #39). The team has provided Hartsfield with an extra penny jersey for when he changes positions, so it is fair to say they want to continue to see him at both spots.

Offensive Line:
● The starting unit for this past Wednesday evening’s practice sessions appeared to be Russell Okung (LT #76), Dennis Daley (LG #65), Matt Paradis (C #61), John Miller (RG #67), and Taylor Moton (RT #72).
● Tyler Larsen (OL #69) had a tough go with injuries this camp, as he sat out multiple days of practice this week. He looks to be the teams’ back-up center and has experience playing guard for the Panthers as well.

Tight End:
● Chris Manhertz (TE #82) was recognized for his blocking by Coach Rhule last week, but Teddy Bridgewater looked to help diversify his skill set. The two found a bond over the game of basketball, according to Manhertz, and the duo practiced extra on Wednesday after the conclusion of practice working on routes.

● Temarrick Hemingway (TE #84) started his week fast with a beautiful one- handed snag on Monday. He was nursing a head injury that kept him out of practice but appears to now be full-go.

Wide Receiver:
● Omar Bayless (WR #17) was stashed on the injured reserved list and underwent a minor knee procedure on Wednesday. The expected recovery time is two weeks.

● Cam Phillips (WR #81) reunited with his XFL quarterback PJ Walker this week. The dynamic duo held the leagues most passing yards, receiving yards, receptions, and touchdown receptions. Their chemistry can aid Phillips in getting acclimated to the new offense.

● Marken Michel (WR #83) and Ishmael Hyman (WR #13) both saw their fair share of targets all week. Both offer solid speed and chunk-play ability that is nice to have from deep on a depth chart.

● Brandon Zylstra (WR #16) has emerged as one of Will Grier’s favorite targets over the past few weeks. They have shown stable timing and chemistry.

Defensive End:
● The team seems to be bringing in more players into the defensive end room and it could be because Marquis Haynes (DE #98) is in concussion protocol. Coach Rhule mentioned wanting to give Austin Larkin (DE #96) a chance to show what he can do for the team.

● Veteran Zach Kerr (DE #92) continues to mix into different personnel groupings. The veteran also offers the position flexibility that the coaching staff loves to see.

Defensive Tackle:
● Derrick Brown (DT #95) got a bit chippy with offensive lineman Dennis Daley on Wednesday. Daley won the rep handily.
● Coach Rhule mentioned a minor ankle injury for Brown. He should be OK withsome rest.

Linebacker
● Andre Smith (LB #57) made an excellent play on the ball to intercept Will Grier’s pass on Friday. However, he was was released by the Panthers this week.
● Veteran Tahir Whitehead (LB #52) had a veteran day off. It was an opportunity for some of the teams’ younger linebackers to get a shot at some snaps.
● Shaq Thompson’s (LB #54) groin injury has lingered and Coach Rhule hinted at a possible abductor issue that could take time to heal.
● Coach Rhule mentioned Smith and Jordan Kunaszyk (LB #43) explicitly as two players he would like to see more. Do not be surprised to see Kunaszyk get morereps in the coming week because of this.

Cornerback:

● Joe Person reported on Saturday that the Panthers have been shopping for assistance in the defensive back room. It is somewhat troubling that the second corner job has gone unclaimed. The team could be looking to find something more stable at cornerback while the young guys develop.
● Eli Apple (CB #41) was listed as ”questionable” with a tight hamstring on Wednesday. Coach Rhule did not mention him with the other injured players when asked on Friday, though.

● Donte Jackson (CB #26) and Corn Elder (CB #29) had a solid showing in Practice on Friday as they intercepted one pass each.

Safety
● Jeremy Chinn (S/LB #21) continues to impress coaches with solid and safe contact in practice and good coverage against the teams’ receivers.
● Rookie Kenny Robinson (FS #27) was able to grab an interception in practice on Friday. Robinson is in a deep group of Safeties, so it has been challenging to stand out.

Special teams:
● Kaare Vedvik (K/P #8) continues to kick field goals and punt. Coach Rhule did comment on the idea of keeping an extra leg on the enlarged practice squad for insurance.

● Joey Slye (K #4) nailed the kick to end Wednesday’s scrimmage in Bank of America Stadium.

● Alex Armah (FB #40), Ian Thomas (TE #80), and Colin Thompson (TE #86) continued to do long snapping work with longtime snapper JJ Jansen (LS #44).

 

IMPORTANT DATES-
● Saturday, September 5th @ 4 pm:
○ Teams must cut their rosters down to 53 players.
■ Practice squad spots increased from 12 to 16
■ Teams may go into the game with a 55 man roster by calling up practice
squad players on game day.

● September 10th:

○ 2020 NFL Season officially begins
● September 13th:
○ Raiders @ Panthers 1 p.m.

The 2020 Carolina Panthers training camp is one with many unique circumstances.

For the first time in franchise history, the Panthers training camp headquarters is not located at Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Instead, it makes its Queen City debut at the confines of Bank of America Stadium and the Atrium Health Dome aka The Bubble. For the first time in NFL History, the Preseason schedule of games will not commence.

The circumstances are blatant as first-year Head Coach Matt Rhule takes the podium at team meetings, leading a vastly new coaching staff and players, all of whom are spread across a large open area, six feet apart. The team’s first game is less than a month away.

Here are the takeaways from the first week of Camp.

 

TRANSACTIONS-

Signed/Claimed:

DE (#73) Jalen Jelks– (former Dallas Cowboy: 7th round pick from Oregon)

K/P (N/A) Kaare Vedvik– (2-year NFL experience)

LB (#46) Julian Stanford– (8-year NFL veteran, former Buffalo Bill)

WR (#83) Marken Michel– (2 years CFL experience: Calgary Stampeders)

WR (#18) Tommylee Lewis– (former New Orleans Saint, 4-year NFL veteran)

 

Released/Waived:

LB Kyahva Tezino

LB Jason Ferris

LB David Reese

RB Jordan Scarlett

TE Cam Sutton

TE Andrew Vollert

WR DeAndrew White

 

POSITION BATTLES-

 

Quarterbacks:

 

• Teddy Bridgewater (QB #5) proved his status as a leader and top QB on the roster. During practices, he’s shown his accuracy and touch as a passer.

 

• Coach Rhule has said that PJ Walker (QB #6) had the edge over Will Grier (QB #3) at the start of camp, but commended Grier for closing that gap. The backup QB spot is still fair game.

 

Running Backs:

 

• Christian McCaffrey (RB #22) Coach Matt Rhule has mentioned McCaffrey as a potential punt returner. Christian returned punts extraordinarily well at Stanford, but ideally, you do not want your cash cow RB on return duty.

 

• Mike Davis (RB #28) appears to be getting reps with the second team mixed in with the first team. Make no mistake about it, though; the battle for RB spots continues. An outsider to the RB room is even getting reps.

 

Offensive Linemen:

 

• Russell Okung (OT #76) appears to be a starter along with Taylor Moton (OT #72) as starting tackles.

 

• Greg Little (OT #74) appears to be having a rough time when it comes to 1-on-1 drills, but Coach Rhule has pointed him out as a guy that will get better with experience.

 

• Dennis Daley (OL #65) spent time at both RG and LG with the first two units.

 

• John Miller (OG #67) looks to be the starting RG. Coach Rhule praised his humble and hardworking demeanor, and dubbed him “the type of player we are looking for.” He was also a former Louisville teammate of Teddy Bridgewater.

 

Tight Ends:

 

• Ian Thomas (TE #80) is getting more first-team reps as each day passes. He has won match-ups against the teams’ best safeties and shows up in offense vs. defense drills.

 

• Coach Rhule recognized Chris Manhertz (TE #82) as one of the best blocking TEs in the league, likely for his tremendous efforts blocking last season.

 

• Giovanni Ricci (TE #85) was praised by all-time Panthers great Wesley Walls for making his former number “look good,” as well as “moving around fluidly” in drills. He has also won his fair share of matchups in 1-on-1s.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wide Receivers:

 

• Curtis Samuel (WR #10), DJ Moore (WR #12), and Robby Anderson (WR #11) have all contributed to the Panthers team official social media highlights with fantastic grabs and crisp routes.

 

• Tommylee Lewis (WR #18) was praised for his precision on routes early last week by Jake Delhomme, who attributed that to the Saints’ emphasis on attention to detail concerning routes. He will likely battle with pro-bowl returner Pharoh Cooper (WR #14) for kick returning reps.

 

• Keith Kirkwood (WR #19) and Omar Bayless (WR #17) were both having impressive performances until injuries set them back. Reports expect them to be out at least several weeks.

 

• Coach Rhule has said he plans on keeping 6 or 7 receivers on the roster. It is shaping up to be a fierce battle for the last few WR spots.

 

Defensive Ends:

 

• Brian Burns (DE #53) has shown his speed for the position. Also, Panther’s all-time great Julius Peppers has passed the proverbial torch to him via social media.

 

• Stephen Weatherly (DE #91) worked with the first team DL for most of the week. He provides a veteran presence as a member of a reasonably young position group. Even if he doesn’t start, he will be a key rotational player.

 

• Rookie Yetur Gross-Matos (DE #97) ended the week as a starter in the team’s Saturday scrimmage.

 

Defensive Tackles:

 

• Rookie Derrick Brown (DT #95) has garnered his teammates’ praise for being able to move as he does with his size. Also, we are pretty sure the dummies used in DL drills dread when he has next.

 

• Kawann Short (DT #99) seems to have the respect and the ear of Coach Rhule, as he suggested that the head coach mix in some 2nd and 3rd string guys in with the first team to see who is ready for the challenge.

 

 

 

Linebackers:

 

• Coach Rhule praised Shaq Thompson (LB #54) for his work ethic. He missed a day of practice with some groin soreness, but it does not seem severe.

 

• Tahir Whitehead (LB #52) and Shaq Thompson put in some extra work on the side with Christian McCaffrey this week in pass coverage. Thompson and Whitehead appear to be the starting duo at LB.

 

Cornerbacks:

 

• Donte Jackson (CB #26) was challenged by Coach Rhule to be an “everyday corner; difference-maker.” His hands have been full of tough matchups against the WRs.

 

• TJ Green (CB #24) began the week as the starter opposite Donte Jackson. He has the size and speed Coach Rhule loves.

 

• Eli Apple (CB #41) ended the week as a starting corner.

 

• Corn Elder (CB #29) and Rookie Stan Thomas Oliver (CB #23) have had solid efforts in 1-on-1s. Coach Rhule previously identified Oliver as someone he wants to “develop and build around; has a chance to be really special.”

 

 

Safeties:

 

• Tre Boston (FS #33) has been called the new CEO of “Thieves Avenue” by former panther Kurt Coleman and was praised by Roman Harper for being the veteran leader and tone-setter for the back end.

 

• Juston Burris (SS #31) ended the week as a starter. Coach Rhule looks forward to helping him develop and improve.

 

• Rookie Jeremy Chinn (S/LB #21) has spent time with the safeties, linebackers, and nickel corners, as promised.

 

• Myles Hartsfield (S/CB #38) Has been taking snaps at DB and RB for the team. He ended Saturday’s scrimmage with an interception and a rushing touchdown. Coach Rhule has said he is looking for position flexibility and recalls Hartsfield’s’ high school film at RB.

 

 

Special Teams:

 

• Joey Slye (K #4) received praise for his physique and his kicking power. He ended Saturday’s practice early by nailing an awkward kick through the uprights from the sideline.

 

IMPORTANT DATES-

 

• August 17th-September 6th:
  • Contact integration period. The team can have a maximum of 14 padded practices. The team has 13 days left in this period.

 

• September 10th:
  • The first games of the 2020 season

 

• September 13th:
  • Raiders @ Panthers – 1 p.m.