Black and Blue Review
Benjamin Suffers Bone Bruise
T he Panthers promised an update on Kelvin Benjamin’s MRI sometime Monday afternoon. At 3:3o, word came head coach Ron Rivera would address the media.
Gulp.
If the MRI was negative and everything was a-ok, usually a member of the PR team would roll through with the news, or they’d drop an email. So there was a good amount of tension in the room when Rivera walked in.
Then he began: “Well, we got a bit of good news.”
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Why Take a Risk With Gaffney?
A guy who may have been a part of Carolina’s post-’Double Trouble’ future was suddenly packing his bags.
What happened?
“This is business,” Panthers’ general manager Dave Gettleman told BBR Monday night. “We’re in a competitive business. We’re all looking to improve. They made a business decision.”
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How the Panthers Suddenly Lost Gaffney
*Including Jonathan Stewart’s injury, the Panthers are down two running backs with a month to go before the cut to 75. They need to bring someone in to help take reps. In order to stash Tyler Gaffney safely at the end of August, they could release one of their 16 offensive lineman or 12 defensive backs. Instead, Gaffney’s on waivers.
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Players of the Day
OFFENSE
T Byron Bell – The guy most fans don’t want around had a solid day on the line. Even though he was nicked up a bit near the end of practice, he spent about 10 minutes signing autographs afterward.
DEFENSE
CB Melvin White – Made a number of plays in a defensive backfield missing SS Roman Harper (rest day) and Thomas DeCoud (left early with a lower leg injury).
Photos
Quotes to Note
Click on a name to reveal quotes
“We decided that with the way we were rolling, we extended the no-huddle period today to three more sets. I was very pleased. If you’re going to practice with that kind of tempo and you’ve got a good rhythm, then you go with it.”
After receiving Kelvin Benjamin’s MRI results
“We got a bit of good news.”
“Just a replacement for me running around. I’ve got a semi-flat tire that I am trying to get pumped back up.”
On his recovery from ankle surgery
“It’s just a work in progress. One day it feels better than the next, and that’s the only thing I’m striving to do.”
When asked about DE Greg Hardy
“We don’t need to have this conversation about Greg Hardy. I will refuse to have a conversation about Greg. Greg understands, he’s a grown man. And I don’t need to remind everybody how important he is to this team.”
When asked how his life has changed after winning the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award
“There’re a couple things I had to do this offseason. Other than that its football time and everything’s the same.”
After finally springing for cable, what he watches on TV
“Discovery Channel, AMC movies, History Channel, and flip on ESPN every once in a while.”
“The sky is the limit for that kid.”
On WR coach Ricky Proehl
“One of the best I’ve come across up this point in my career. He’s played the game at a high level for a number of year. He can relate to us and we can related to him. I can see how a guy’s numbers can jump after working with Ricky Proehl for a year.”
Panthers Poll
Live Feed Replay
Camping With the NFC South
- We’re not even halfway through the first week of training camp, but who says it’s too early for roster predictions — ESPN.com
- Now that Roddy White has signed a contract to more or less make him a Falcon for life, a look at what to expect from the 33-year-old receiver. — The Falcoholic
- One of the oldest churches in Atlanta will be torn down to make room for the Falcons’ new stadium. — The New York Times
- What’s better than one super early roster prediction? Two super early roster predictions, of course. — ESPN.com
- In the last “Go Camping,” quarterback Drew Brees said he wanted to play until he was 45. Alert the drug testers. — Twitter
- What’s better than two super early roster predictions? Three super early roster predictions, of course. — ESPN.com
- Safety Mark Barron’s knee is still not 100 percent after offseason surgery. — Tampa Tribune