Black and Blue Review
Kelvin, Act II
When first-round receiver Kelvin Benjamin went up between two defenders to corral a spectacular touchdown catch Wednesday, general manager Dave Gettleman had a great view right behind the end zone.
When Benjamin doubled-down with another WOW grab Thursday, reaching over cornerback Melvin White for a touchdown, Gettleman was just a few feet away again.
“What goes through your mind are the possibilities. If you can’t do it in practice, you’re not going to do it in a game,” Gettleman said. “It’s a confirmation of your college scouting and your evaluation process. It’s fun, obviously.”
Silent Stewart
When we talked to Jonathan Stewart in early May, the running back told us, “The positive right now is that last year at this time I wasn’t working out and right now I’m working out.”
He said he’d be restriction-free through OTAs and minicamp, and his body held up the promise, making him one of the silent stars the last few weeks.
“I feel like I’m back to my old, original self before all this ankle, knee stuff happened to me,” Stewart said, as he walked off the field Thursday. “The last time I felt this good was two years ago, right before my ankle injury in the preseason against the Jets.”
Kind of a Big Deal
The only true news about Cam Newton this offseason would have been if he had a setback. Of course, he’s on pace for a training camp return, as expected.
But the Panthers wouldn’t have ramped up the quarterback’s involvement Thursday if it didn’t mean something tangible. So while it wasn’t groundbreaking stuff, it was kind of a big deal.
“I’m feeling better than I thought I would at this point,” Newton said. “Anytime you can get back and make a step forward, and for me to have an opportunity to do 7-on-7 today is a step forward.”
Embrace the Brace?
Linebacker Thomas Davis told us Tuesday that he wouldn’t even think about not wearing a brace at practice if Panthers’ trainers thought it was a bad idea.
They don’t. The head coach does.
“I’d rather see him practice with it on,” Ron Rivera said.
Davis claims he moves faster without the brace. His coach agrees with that one.
“He really does. Don’t tell him,” the always-honest Rivera said. “He moves around very well, and it’s funny because TD missed three seasons basically. I think it’s going to add to his career.”
Mr. Versatile
Plenty of guys deserve credit for last year’s 12-4 record, but Nate Chandler hasn’t received as much as he perhaps deserves.
“We sat Nate down and we told him, ‘Listen Nate, we feel this is the best thing for you.’” Gettleman recalled.
Not only was Chandler moved from defense to offense, but he later had to shift from tackle to guard. He started nine games in an unsung role that helped patch up an injury-prone hole on the line.
The 2012 undrafted free agent will head into training camp as a heavy favorite to win one of the tackle spots, and on Wednesday he signed a three-year contract extension.
Chandler’s rise hasn’t been conventional, but that’s what makes it special.
“This kid wants it now. He’s completely bought in and he’s talented enough to get it done,” Gettleman said.
Hard to Do, Hard for Most to Listen
“The stuff we’ve done the last year and a half is about getting our cap back in shape.” — Gettleman
BBR NUGGETS
- ICYMI BBR posts from Thursday:
- Others:
- The Panthers’ quarterbacks have given themselves a nickname. — Twitter
- Thursday morning, the sign said, “America ium.” This was Thursday night. – Instagram
- Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher on Benjamin: “I don’t think he’s scratched the surface.” — ACC Digital Network
