[vc_row_inner no_margin=”true” padding_top=”0px” padding_bottom=”0px” border=”none”]GREG HARDY was Friday’s biggest story, even though he has nothing to do with the two-day rookie minicamp. After Friday’s morning session, Ron Rivera said “Greg’s a heck of a young man,” but the head coach answered most questions about his defensive end with a “no comment.”Speaking to the media as the afternoon session got underway, general manager Dave Gettleman added, “They’re allegations that he’s got to deal with. It’s in the legal system. I certainly can’t comment, and we are concerned for all parties.”

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KELVIN BENJAMIN, the Panthers’ 6-5, 240 first-round draft pick, towered over the other receivers. Working with the “first-team offense,” he certainly made a good first impression.”He’s everything we thought he would be,” Rivera said. “We’re not in pads but watching his route running, watching him catch the ball, and some of the adjustments he makes are really good to see.” Friday was the first time Benjamin had gone through a practice since he ended his college career with a national championship-winning touchdown catch for Florida State in January.“I wasn’t a big believer in the combine and the pro days,” Benjamin said with a laugh. “It felt real good to be back playing the game that you love.”

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KONY EALY, as expected, faced a number of questions about his former Missouri teammate Michael Sam. The Rams made Sam their seventh-round pick last Saturday, making him the first openly gay player to be drafted in the NFL.“Congratulations to him. That’s my teammate, my brother,” Ealy said. “I know now he can put a lot behind him and focus on his career.”As far as Ealy is concerned, Gettleman assured his second-round defensive end is “Going to be in the rotation really quick.”

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OTHER NOTABLES NUGGETS from Friday:

• Trai Turner looked the part of an imminent starting guard, despite his young age. “I had forgotten that he was only 20-years-old,” Gettleman said of his third-round pick. “They reminded me. I said, ‘holy smokes!'”
• The biggest man on the field was David Foucault, a 6-8, 320 Thor look-alike who was the fifth-overall pick in this week’s CFL draft. The Quebec native worked with the “first-team offense” at left tackle, but his only experience at the position was his final season at Montreal College.

• Quarterbacks James Vendenberg (Iowa) and Cody Stroud (McNeese State) both struggled, making it tough to get a truly accurate gauge on receivers and defensive backs.
• Former West Virginia star Noel Devine has been unable to catch on with an NFL team, and it’s easy to see why. He’s as fast as-advertised, but at 5-7, 180, his lack of size is a big problem to overcome.
• Philly Brown, the former Ohio State receiver, is the most popular name on the Panthers’ undrafted free agent list, but a couple tryout wideouts had noticeable moments in the afternoon session. Iowa’s Keenan Davis made a number of nice catches, while Malcolm Beyah made perhaps the play of the day. The Middle Tennessee State product, going against fifth-round cornerback Bene Benwikere, made a diving grab near the sideline. He then bounced back up and sprinted into the end zone while Benwikere heard an earful from one of his coaches.
• A couple minutes later, Benwikere came back strong, jumping a route for an interception.

BBR NUGGETS

• Sandra Hill, Mother of DeAngelo Williams, Loses Cancer Battle
• A Few Pictures to Help Cure Your Panthers’ Offseason Blues
• Greg Hardy Turns Over Weapons to Sheriff’s Office

COMING UP

Complete coverage from day two at rookie minicamp.

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