Notes and Nuggets From the Panthers’ 1st Offseason Practice Session

The Carolina Panthers on Tuesday kicked off the third and most notable phase of their offseason program.

For 10 sessions over the next three weeks, the offense is allowed to line up across from the defense, but contact during the non-padded practices is limited. So before we make too much of any of this 107 days before the Panthers open up the season in Denver, this, from longtime Philadelphia Daily News writer Les Bowen is a fitting disclaimer:

 

“Sweeping conclusions will be reached — players will be elevated, demoted, cut and traded, at least on Twitter, based on what can be gleaned from 50 yards away on one afternoon.”

 

Now, onto the notes:

DID NOT PARTICIPATE

 

  • WR Kelvin Benjamin
  • DT Paul Soliai
  • K Graham Gano

 

They were all excused for "personal issues and had to stay home," according to coach Ron Rivera, who reemphasized these practices are voluntary.

Benjamin did work out with the team during the first two phases of OTAs, so he hasn't had a setback with his surgically repaired knee. For what it's worth, he was spotted back at his high school Monday night:

 

FIRST-TEAM OFFENSE

 

QB — Cam Newton, RB — Jonathan Stewart, FB — Mike Tolbert,
WR — Devin Funchess, WR — Ted Ginn Jr., TE — Greg Olsen,
LT — Michael Oher, LG — Andrew Norwell, C — Ryan Kalil,
RG — Trai Turner, RT — Mike Remmers

 

Notable: The WR rotation also included Philly Brown, Brenton Bersin, Damiere Byrd and Stephen Hill; as the Panthers promised, Remmers is still a starter.

 

FIRST-TEAM DEFENSE

 

DE — Charles Johnson, DT — Star Lotulelei, DT — Kawann Short,
DE — Kony Ealy,  LB — Thomas Davis, LB — A.J. Klein,
LB — Shaq Thompson, CB — James Bradberry,
CB — Robert McClain, S — Tre Boston, S — Kurt Coleman

 

Notable: With Bené Benwikere limited (leg), the CB rotation is still very much a work in progress; Daryl Worley and Lou Young also saw snaps with the first-team defense; this practice didn't feature a nickel corner much in team drills, but when it did, Zack Sanchez was backed up by McClain.

 

 

PLAYER NOTES

 

  • QB Cam Newton was "rusty," according to Rivera. Start DA?!? No. Rivera said Derek Anderson and Joe Webb were also a bit rusty, which is to be expected this time of year.

 

  • WR Stephen Hill went through a number of drills. Wearing a brace to protect his surgically repaired knee, Hill appeared confident in his cuts.

 

  • WR Keyarris Garrett had a nice grab during the second half of practice, but he has a long climb ahead of him on the depth chart.

 

  • TE Ed Dickson had the prettiest catch of the day, using one hand to snag a Newton rocket during individual drills.

 

  • TE Marcus Lucas said he weighs about 250 pounds, nearly 20 more than weighed during his conversion from WR to TE last spring.

 

  • TE Greg Olsen had a rare drop in team drills. He'll probably be OK by Week 1.

 

  • TE Beau Sandland had a drop in team drills. That's a minor disappointment for the seventh-round pick who looked very solid before tweaking a hamstring during rookie minicamp.

 

  • DT Vernon Butler had a brief scare just moments into the first team drill. The first-round pick came up limping after chasing the play about 10 yards downfield. His left knee was checked out by head trainer Ryan Vermillion, who cleared Butler to continue.

 

  • LB Shaq Thompson showed no residual effects from his Sunday morning car accident. He made the play of the day for the defense, stepping in front of WR Brenton Bersin to pick off a Newton pass during 9-on-9s. Thompson did not stop to speak with reporters afterward.

 

  • LB Luke Kuechly, who's one of five guys coming back from offseason shoulder surgery, went through some individual work and install periods. He was held out of team drills, as expected.

 

  • CB Daryl Worley had a pass breakup while getting a look with the first team.

 

  • CB Shaq Richardson had a nice PBU on a pass from QB Joe Webb to Garrett.

 

  • SS Dean Marlowe took first-team reps near the end of practice, giving starter Kurt Coleman a rest.

 

  • With Gano out, P Michael Palardy lined up as a K during field goal drills.

 

  • Chase Blackburn, who spent eight years as a Giants' linebacker before coming to Carolina in 2013-14, has joined the staff as a coaching intern on special teams.

 

  • Less than two weeks removed from having his knee replaced, general manager Dave Gettleman watched practice while perched on a golf cart. He had a cane with him, but impressively, he wasn't wearing a brace.