Black and Blue Review
W e’ve experimented with “Impressions” after Panthers’ offseason practices the last few weeks, and Wednesday we tried a “Running Diary.” We’d eventually like to get some feedback about which you like better, so to add another Diary example, here’s a rundown of what went on during the team’s final minicamp practice Thursday morning.
9:15 — With another 90-plus degree day expected in Charlotte, the Panthers moved practice to 9:45, a half-hour earlier than scheduled. Right now, the fields are empty. The film of haze over the city skyline is a pretty good hint that it’s warm out here.
9:25 — The first guys on the field get dropped off by cart: Linebackers Thomas Davis and Chase Blackburn, and quarterback Derek Anderson.
9:30 — Tents are set up around the field, a temporary setting for the 7-on-7 high school tournament here Friday. Safety Robert Lester walks under the one leading to the practice field and jokingly asks, “We’re staying under here today, right?”
9:35 — Assistant special teams coach Bruce DeHaven is on the near field, handing out assignments. He asks defensive tackle Linden Gaydosh how to pronounce offensive tackle David Foucault’s last name. They’re both from Canada, so Gaydosh should know, right?
9:40 — Talking to the Charlotte Observer’s Jonathan Jones about his good story on Tiquan Underwood that ran Thursday morning. Jones should win some sort of an award for doing a piece on Underwood that DIDN’T mention the receiver’s hair.
9:45 — Quarterback Cam Newton walks onto the field, helmet in hand. That’s different. He greets reporters with an enthusiastic, “Good morning!”
9:50 — No one seems to have seen offensive tackle Nate Chandler yet. Sign a new deal Wednesday and then skip town? Garry Williams is in at left tackle for the moment.
9:55 — Stretching. Running back DeAngelo Williams yells down the line to Newton, “Appreciate you making practice, Cam. Decided to come back for the last day.”
10:05 — Newton joins the receivers for the group period, just like he did the last two days. But this time he has his helmet on, and this time he’s taking every single rep. The other quarterbacks — Anderson, Joe Webb and Matt Blanchard — head off elsewhere.
10:20 — Garry Williams, with a big brace on his left knee, goes up against center Brian Folkerts in a drill. Head coach Ron Rivera yells, “Way to go, Garry. Good footwork.”
10:22 — Installation. Chandler has appeared, perhaps we missed him earlier. He’s back in at left tackle. Kelvin Benjamin is the lone wideout in a two-tight end set.
10:31 — Things have really gotten interesting now. Newton’s in for 7-on-7s, something they haven’t let him do all offseason. He’s taking every snap from the shotgun.
10:35 — Notable: cornerback Antoine Cason is getting a day on the sideline, making way for a Josh Norman/Josh Thomas rotation with the ones.
10:40 — Newton is struggling with his accuracy, and he was just intercepted by cornerback Melvin White. But it’s not on Newton. He threw a fine pass to Underwood, it just bounced off his hands.
10:43 — Newton is missing high on most of his incompletions. Two straight now to tight end Mike McNeil and Underwood. Newton turns away in disgust, frustrated with himself.
10:45 — Newton’s understandably rusty, and the point is most likely just to get him some live action heading into the monthlong break. A few of us reporters consider starting a rumor about an open quarterback competition.
10:48 — Kicker Graham Gano is booming field goals. We ask Panthers.com reporter Max Henson,” How long do you think he’s hitting from right now?” Henson replies, “Not sure, but it looks really far.” Geniuses, we are.
10:51 — Benjamin features in the play of the day for the second straight practice. With the offense working in the red zone, they’re facing a 4th and goal from the 5. Anderson fires in the corner of the end zone for Benjamin, who reaches over White to grab the ball. Benjamin then puts the ball back over his head while falling down, all while staying inbounds. Ridiculous.
10:55 — The quarterbacks break off into drills with Ken Dorsey. Sergeant First Class Cedric King is here. King is a double amputee from Fort Bragg who met Rivera in 2012, and who banged the Keep Pounding drum before the Monday Night win over the Patriots last year. He gives Newton a big hello. Rivera watches while wearing a huge smile.
10:59 — Perhaps we’re a little too close to the quarterback drills. Anderson asks, “Don’t you guys have anything better to do today?” But … look … it’s Cam!
11:05 — Now we’re the ones getting antsy. Local videographer Rob Paul walks up in a lime green shirt. You don’t wear that and not hear jokes.
11:15 — 11-on-11. Newton’s sitting these out. Notable: Byron Bell took some snaps at left tackle, so no, the position is not settled going into training camp.
11:20 — Gano, punters Brad Nortman and Jason Gay, and J.J. Jansen play some sort of game on the middle field. Specialists …
11:27 — 7-on-7s. Newton’s back and dialed in. He fires off five straight completions: 1) receiver Jason Avant, 2) Benjamin, 3) receiver Marvin McNutt, 4) tight end Ed Dickson, 5) receiver Kealoha Pilares.
11:35 — News of the new Hornets jerseys starts to filter through. Apparently they don’t include pinstripes. Really? “You’ve gotta have pinstripes,” Paul exclaims. The Charlotte Observer‘s Tom Sorensen replies, “Says the guy in the lime green shirt.” Good point.
11:39 — Horn blows. Practice over. Before releasing his team into the break, Rivera gathers them for a huddle that lasts five minutes. But it’s not a typical “behave yourselves” lecture. Rivera tells us afterward that he asked Cedric King to say something. His message: “A lot of people have written you off. A lot of people aren’t expecting much from you. They think last year was just a bolt of lightning and that it won’t strike twice.” The players gather, put up their hands, shout “Keep pounding,” and head off to their summer vacation.
