BBR’s 2016 Panthers Training Camp Awards

After spending the better part of the past three weeks in Spartanburg, it’s tough to think of something more rewarding for a member of the Carolina Panthers than winning one of these 13 awards.

So without further ado, we start with …

 

BEST PLAY

 

WR Kelvin Benjamin vs. CB James Bradberry 1-on-1

 

Bradberry later revealed Benjamin was out of bounds, but this moment was big for a couple reasons: 1.) Benjamin’s back; 2.) Great coverage by the rookie.

 

 

BEST DRAMA

 

CB Bene Benwikere’s Blowup

 

Considering it was the most heated moment at camp, this really deserves a “drama.” It took RB Jonathan Stewart and LB Thomas Davis to calm Benwikere down, but it’s not like there was a fight.

Except for a couple brief shoving matches, this camp was free of any truly notable drama.

Sure, QB Cam Newton talked. And talked. And talked. But there was a method to the madness.

 

 

BEST PERFORMANCE BY A GUY YOU PROBABLY HAVEN’T HEARD OF

 

DT Robert Thomas

 

Less than 24 hours after the Panthers made Vernon Butler their first round pick in this year’s draft, they added another DT. The waiver claim on Thomas came and went without much fanfare, but the 6-foot-3, 325-pounder has quietly impressed coaches since the spring.

Because DT is arguably the deepest position on the roster, Thomas isn’t a lock to stay around, but Kyle Love’s spot isn’t exactly assured, either.

 

Photo: Carolina Huddle

 

BEST INTERVIEW

 

WR Ted Ginn Jr. 

 

If these awards existed last summer, Ginn is likely a repeat winner. A fine interview when standing next to his locker, there’s something about sitting at a table at Wofford that makes Ginn especially interesting.

From his new role as the ‘OG’ to the “goose bumps” he gets while watching the Olympics, you can see Ginn’s entire camp interview here.

 

 

BEST HAT

 

Ginn certainly had the best backpack, but Best Hat wasn’t as easy to judge.

So here are two winners.

 

For players, it’s:

QB Cam Newton

 

And for media, it’s:

ESPN.com’s David Newton

 

BEST SHIRT

 

Another split decision.

 

For fans:


 

For players:

Good

 

Better

 

Best

 

BEST RIDE

 

QB Joe Webb

 

Plenty of players rode around in ATVs or souped-up golf carts. Webb has simpler tastes.

 

BEST LAUGH

 

LG Andrew Norwell

 

This is both funny and scary.
 

 


BEST FOOD

 

White Bean Chili

 

This was the 21st summer Chef Aidan Waite fed the Panthers at Wofford. It’s unclear how long he’s been serving white bean chili, but the stuff has become legend.

I know what you’re thinking — white beans? Chili? After a hot day at practice?

I was just as skeptical two summers ago. Then I had a taste. It’s glorious.

Unfortunately, there are no pictures from the day Waite made his masterpiece, but let me tell you this — Next to the deliciousness was a sign that read “White Bean Chili has arrived!!!”

And here’s a bonus nugget:

On White Bean Chili Day, OL Chris Scott was a late straggler into the cafeteria. As he perused his options, it was suggested he try the white bean chili. Scott, who’s arguably the quietest player on the team, replied: “Nah, I’m not a soup guy.”

So instead of doing an entire “What We Learned at Training Camp” post, that’s my submission.

Chris Scott doesn’t like soup.

 

BEST TEAMMATE IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

 

LB Shaq Thompson

 

Newton threw down the gauntlet on Day 2 when he revealed one of his goals this camp was to avoid throwing an interception to LBs Luke Kuechly or Thomas Davis.

It took 12 practices for Kuechly to get one, while Davis was shut out. But Thompson had his buddies’ backs on the first weekend when he used his unique athleticism to pick off Newton in consecutive practices.

 

 

BEST ROOKIE

 

CB James Bradberry

 

Daryl Worley had a good first stay in Spartanburg, but Bradberry was even better. While Worley sometimes shared first-team reps with Robert McClain, Bradberry pretty much lived with the 1s.

Both rookies made mistakes, as expected, but neither did anything to lose the starting roles they brought into camp.

 

 

MVP

 

WR Devin Funchess

 

Coach Ron Rivera understandably got out of the MVP-naming business, but this choice is easy for anyone who saw all of camp. It seemed like Funchess was a part of at least one big play every practice, continuing the rise that started midway through last season.

“Funch had an amazing camp. And it really started with OTAs and minicamp,” linebacker Thomas Davis said. “You see the maturity level start to grow. You don’t really know what it’s going to look like until you get pads on and he comes out here in pads and he does the same thing.”

I came into camp wondering where Funchess was going to get touches this year. Now the feeling is the Panthers will have to make sure he gets touches.

 

 

BEST PICTURE

 

Peace out, Spartanburg.