Kevin Avery

With a temperature of around 72°, it was a rare cool morning in Spartanburg for the month of August. But the offensive players for the Carolina Panthers brought their own heat to the field. From 1st team drill to the last one, the offense dominated tempo today. A great sight was seeing WR Keith Kirkwood back at practice today. Unfortunately, he has been diagnosed with a concussion, so he was off on the sidelines. Also, CB A.J. Bouye, LB Shaq Thompson, and LB Denzel Perryman did not practice as indicated by all wearing the red jerseys.

11 on 11 Session Part 1

The offense came out with a determined purpose from the start.  The 1st team offense lead by QB Sam Darnold scored three TDs via the pass. Darnold was 4-4 passing with a TD pass each to WR D.J. Moore, WR Robby Anderson and RB Christian McCaffrey. The 2nd team offense was lead by QB P.J. Walker score two TDs via the pass. Walker threw both TDs passes to WR Brandon Zylstra.

Two Minute Offense Drill

It was during this session that the defense finally starting making plays. CB Jaycee Horn knocked away the ball thrown by QB Sam Darnold, intended for WR D.J. Moore.  DE/LB Brian Burns and LB Hasson Reddick both had back-to-back “sacks.”  The drive ended with K Joey Slye converting a 47 yard FG attempt. The 2nd team offense tried to get within scoring range but was overwhelmed by the pressure up the middle from DT Brayvion Roy and DT Daivyon Nixon that forced incomplete passes from QB Will Grier. S Kenny Robinson made a great pass deflection on WR Omar Bayless to force 4th down.

11 on 11 Session Part 2

RB Christian McCaffrey kept the offensive momentum going by scoring two TD runs during this period. His ability to run between the tackles is so amazing to watch. Once he reaches the 2nd level of the defense, he has yet to be stopped so far during camp. QB Sam Darnold threw another TD pass to WR D.J. Moore during this 2nd session. CB Jaycee Horn made a good pass deflection on TE Dan Arnold.  The first fight of training camp came when CB Troy Pride Jr. tackled WR Robby Anderson while out of bounds. Anderson then came up behind Pride Jr. and punched him in the back of the helmet. The altercation was quickly broken up, and Coach Matt Rhule made both players run laps.

Rush Review

The offensive line on both the 1st and 2nd teams stood out today, with solid performances by C Matt Paradis, RT Taylor Moton, LT Trent Scott, G Deonte Brown, and G John Miller. Also, RT Brady Christensen had a solid day as well. Overall, it was good to see a dominant effort by the guys in the trenches today.

After a steady rain overnight that carried over into early morning, the Carolina Panthers had dry weather for their 8:30 am practice.

CB A.J. Bouye and LB Shaq Thompson practiced but had red jerseys on. LB Denzel Perryman was riding a bicycle throughout practice but nothing of a severe nature at all. RB Darius Clark was injured and carted off the practice field towards the end of practice.

The biggest story of today’s practice was the vicious hit that S J.T. Ibe put on WR Keith Kirkwood during the 1st session of 11 on 11 in full pads. On that play, Kirkwood jumped up high to catch the ball. As he was coming down, Ibe hit him in the head/neck area. Medical staff quickly rushed over to attend to Kirkwood as he laid motionless on the field. After about 12 minutes, Kirkwood stabilized, and the training staff loaded him into a nearby ambulance which took him to Spartanburg Hospital. Rhule cussed Ibe out and threw him out of practice. About 45 minutes later, Ibe was released. The latest update on Kirkwood is that he can move all his lower extremities and has no pain in his neck area.

Here is the explanation J.T. Ibe gave Panthers beat writer Jonathan Alexander of The Charlotte Observer:

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Coach Rhule asked a couple of the players if they wanted to continue practice or call it off. The players said they wanted to keep practicing. However, the energy just was not the same after the Kirkwood injury. To give an overall summary, I will say that the offensive line held their own a little bit better today with pads.

RB Christian McCaffrey continues to have about three or four spectacular runs each session. At times the offensive line gave QB Sam Darnold, P.J. Walker, and Will Grier plenty of good pass protection. It was good to see the offensive line finally win some in the trenches. But overall, the edge still went to the defensive front seven. Speed and good pursuit angles seem to be early consistent traits that this defense is showing.  Coach Rhule is still making players who have pre-snap penalties run laps. Today it was QB Sam Darnold and TE Tommy Tremble.

Overall, training camp is only 1/3 of the way completed. Patience to let the players make mistakes and learn from them would be the best stress-free advice for fans. The talent is there on both sides of the ball, but the process of gelling together takes time.

The start of a new week had the Carolina Panthers players coming out in their helmets, shoulder pads, and shorts. Today was the final “ramp up” acclamation practice before fully padded practices tomorrow, August 3. The results of today’s practice were heavy in the defense’s favor.

Instead of the usual drills of 1 on 1, 7 on 7, and 11 on 11, I will break down today’s practice like this.

#1. The attention to detail by the Panthers coaching staff to each positional group is unlike any I saw during the Ron Rivera era. They are actually teaching and thoroughly breaking down why it works this way and why it does not work the other way. Discipline and technique will be their signature.

#2. Outside of WR Omar Bayless, RB Christian McCaffrey, and most of the TE group, everyone else on offense stunk up the place all around. DJ Moore caught a slant pass in stride but had it knocked out from the back by LB Hassan Reddick. LT Cam Irving had two false starts. WR Shi Smith has one as well. WR Robbie Anderson had a drop along with TE Ian Thomas. These mistakes were followed by doing laps around the practice field. Coach Rhule had to call multiple team huddles to get the players back focused, but the struggle was real today.

#3. For what it is worth, without full pads, the defense looks like it will be capable of being a Top 10 unit. The defensive line looks unlockable more times than not. The linebackers were filling gaps quickly on RBs not named McCaffrey. The secondary had a field day with making 3 INTs and several pass deflections. Rookie CB Jaycee Horn had 2 of those INTs in 7 on 7 drills. S Sean Chandler had the other INT.

Overall I am not in panic mode because the team has yet to go full pads. But enough concerns have been pointed out during this acclimation period to have some reservations. Stay tuned for more updates.

On a muggy, humid night in Spartanburg, SC, almost 6200 Carolina Panthers fans got to go inside Gibbs Stadium on Wofford College to have the annual Kickoff Party. During the Ron Rivera era from 2011 – 2019, this event was the opening practice of training camp. However, with this being the 1st summer during the Matt Rhule era, this took place on the 4th practice of camp. A couple of Panther legends were also in attendance, with Hall of Honor Steve Smith Sr. in the press box doing commentary and former All-Pro linebacker Luke Kuechly stopping by to get a glimpse for himself.

1 on 1 Drills

WR DJ Moore vs. CB Donte Jackson: Moore ran an “8” aka post route. Jackson slipped slightly and had to recovery. Moore hauled in a low pass with Jackson all over him.

WR Robby Anderson vs. CB Keith Taylor: Anderson ran a “7” aka corner route. Taylor covered well step for step. Pass incomplete.

WR Terrace Marshall Jr. vs. CB Keith Taylor: Marshall Jr. ran a “5” aka comeback route along the sidelines. Taylor was initially beat at the line of scrimmage but recovered. This was the 1st of two drops by Marshall on the night.

7 on 7 drills

TE Dan Arnold was being covered by LB Shaq Thompson. Arnold got free with a stutter-step move and hauled in a nice catch.

TE Tommy Tremble was being covered by LB Jermaine Carter Jr. and Tremble made a nice leaping grab over the outstretched arms of Carter Jr. near the sidelines.

TE Colin Thompson was being covered by LB Paddy Fisher. Thompson ran a nice crossing route and made an easy reception in stride.

11 on 11 drills

QB Will Grier throws a deep TD pass to WR Robby Anderson, who made a tremendous one-handed catch. S Sean Chandler was covering him. Grier also threw a pretty deep ball to WR Omar Bayless on the next play, but he dropped the ball.

QB Sam Darnold was either hot or cold with his passes. He hit TE Ian Thomas on an option route. He also connected with WR DJ Moore on a couple of quick hitters. However, he underthrew WR Robby Anderson, who broke free. He threw a perfect pass to WR Terrace Marshall Jr., who dropped it again for the 2nd time.

RB Christian McCaffrey’s ability to run between the tackles continues to look better as he ripped three impressive runs. RB Chuba Hubbard also made two nice runs off outside zone plays. RB Reggie Bonnafon had the best-looking run of the night with a couple of juke moves and a spin move that got him free on the left side of the offensive line.

DT Derrick Brown continues to break through for multiple tackles for loss each session. DT DaQuan Jones does an outstanding job taking on double teams to keep the LBs free. DL Morgan Fox showed a couple of quick penetrating moves to get upfield.

DE Brian Burns trying to be blocked without full pads is truly unfair to the OTs trying to block him. In four practices so far, he looks unblockable. DE Marquis Haynes looks like he has improved his ability to maintain gap integrity against the run. LB Denzel Perryman not being blocked is a cheat code for the defense. He fills the gap with aggression and solid technique.

FS Kenny Robinson got his 1st INT of camp off of a tipped pass by QB PJ Walker to WR Ishmael Hyman.

Other Observations

RB Christian McCaffrey RB Trenton Cannon RB Chuba Hubbard WR and David Moore took turns returning kickoffs. K Joey Slye made all of his FG attempts. LB Shaq Thompson felt tightness in his lower body towards the end of practice and was sent in early by Coach Matt Rhule to begin getting treatment. Also, Coach Rhule called the team in for a huddle during the last team period because players were getting too physical with each other. He reminded them to stay consistent with the same way they had been practicing all along.

Despite a heavy cloudy overcast this morning, the humidity dominated this Friday morning’s practice. WR Robby Anderson returned after missing Thursday’s practice with an illness. Rookie DT Phil Hoskins worked on the sidelines as he remains on the PUP list recovering from a foot injury. LB Frankie Luvu was back at practice after being taken off the reserve/COVID-19 list. He was able to do some individual drills but not any team drills. He should be a full go for Saturday night’s practice. RB Trent Cannon continues to practice with the WRs for the 2nd day in a row.

1 on 1 drills

WR Robby Anderson vs. CB Jaycee Horn: Anderson beat Horn with a very nice double move to get wide open. But the pass was slightly underthrown, so Horn’s recovery speed allowed him to make a pass deflection.

TE Ian Thomas vs. SS Jeremy Chinn: Thomas was running a drag route across the middle. Chinn stayed close in the hip pocket long enough to extend his hand and knock the ball away.

RG John Miller vs. DT DaQuan Jones: Miller initially got leverage on Jones the first few seconds. Jones got free by doing a swim move to his left.

LT Trenton Scott vs. DE Yetur Gross-Matos: Gross-Matos did an up and under move that allowed him to get to the outside quickly. Scott kept his feet moving and hands intact to ride him out wide.

7 on 7 drills

TEs Tommy Tremble and Colin Thompson made some tough catches against tight coverage by LBs Hasson Reddick and Jermaine Carter Jr., respectively.

FS Kenny Robinson and Sam Franklin made nice pass deflections on back-to-back plays while covering RBs Reggie Bonnafon and Chubba Hubbard, respectively.

11 on 11 drills

WR DJ Moore got a step on CB Jaycee Horn, but the underthrown pass allowed Horn to recover to make a leaping INT catch.

WR Terrace Marshall Jr. made a nice catch over CB Jaycee Horn. This was the case of good coverage being beat by a better pass.

WR David Moore shook free from CB Donte Jackson and made a big catch about 30 yards down the field. Moore’s footwork on that route was textbook execution.

RB Christian McCaffrey continues to show how elusive he can be in defensive traffic. Even when it seems defenders have the right angle on him, somehow he makes them miss.

TE Ian Thomas was able to break free of coverage and catch a nice long TD. It caused the biggest cheers of the day for the offense by the fans on the hill watching.

DE Brian Burns would have had four straight sacks on consecutive plays had it been live contact. He was moving around on both the left and right sides of the defense. He looks like a man on a mission.

DE Marquis Haynes came up with a tackle for loss and a sack on back-to-back plays. His moves seem effortless and fluid.

RT Taylor Moton split his reps evenly at LT and RT during this session. When he is at RT, Cam Irving plays LT. When he is at LT, Brady Christensen plays at RT