Glorified Walk-Through

 

It's always tough to glean much from the first practice of the Carolina Panthers' two-day rookie minicamp. Guys were out there in jerseys, but without shells or helmets. We should get a slightly better sense from the helmeted afternoon session, but let's remember it's best to curb enthusiasm or discouragement after just one day.

 

Solid Sandland

 

Because of the nature of their drills, receivers and tight ends have the best chance to stick out during these sort of practices. Seventh-round tight end Beau Sandland had probably the most impressive early session, catching every pass thrown his way.

 

Kid's Got Confidence

 

6-foot-3, 220-pound wideout Keyarris Garrett certainly looks like he's loaded with potential, but he went undrafted for a reason. Whether it's because of unrefined route running or that he played at a small school like Tulsa, Garrett didn't want to get into it.

"I don’t let it bring me down, but I think about it all the time," Garrett said.

"I'm trying to show these coaches why I should have been draft and why I was the best receiver in the draft."

Ok, this draft wasn't great at receiver, but you're saying you were the best at the position?

"Yessir," answered the 2015 NCAA leader in receiving yards.

"My numbers didn't lie. I had the best numbers out of any receiver in the draft."

 

Small Cash

 

Jeremy Cash was an All-America safety at Duke. He's now an undersized linebacker with the Panthers, who hope to mold him into a Shaq Thompson-lite.

"If you look at me and you look at the size of the other people, that's going to be a lot different," Cash admitted.

Currently listed at 6 feet and 205 pounds, Cash is 20 pounds lighter than Brian Blechen, who's now the second-lightest linebacker on the roster.

Cash flashed his explosiveness at times Friday, but his growth this summer — literally — is going to be interesting to watch.

 

Untimely Tweaks

 

UDFA tight end Jake McGee pulled up lame while running an out route about midway through practice. He spent the rest of the session with an ice pack on his left hamstring.

A bit later, UDFA receiver Jenson Stoshak appeared to injure his foot.

 

GM Recovering

 

Dave Gettleman rarely misses an entire practice, but the Panthers' general manager had a good excuse to sit this one out. Gettleman had knee replacement surgery earlier this week. It went well, but now he has some recovery time before he can get back out to his on-field office.