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Notes and Nuggets From Panthers’ OTAs, Week 3

Posted on Author Bill VothCategories Free Agency

DID NOT PRACTICE

 

 

  • WR Kelvin Benjamin - After missing a couple practices two weeks ago, he again had "a personal thing he's dealing with right now," according to coach Ron Rivera.

 

  • DE Kony Ealy - Wasn't feeling well when he came into work, so was sent home.

 

  • S Trenton Robinson - The reason for his absence is unclear.

 

NOTES AND NUGGETS

 

  • QB Cam Newton was on target in goal line drills, connecting with WR Kevin Norwood for a pair of touchdowns. A third was dropped by WR Brenton Bersin, who made up for it with a handful of catches afterward.

 

  • QB Derek Anderson can't stand it when people assume he's not athletic. The scratch golfer not only sprinted to the end zone off a broken play in team drills, but as guys were leaving the field after practice, Anderson hauled in a deep pass with one hand.

 

  • Anderson and WR Damiere Byrd burnt a sleeping secondary with a smoke route. Byrd still has a logjam in front of him, but the kid's speed is no joke.

 

  • WR Devin Funchess continued to impress with grabs like this:

 

     

    • TE Marcus Lucas had one of the better catches of team drills, coming down with a ball in traffic.

     

    • OT Donald Hawkins appeared to be having a tough time on a hot day. Hawkins was able to finish practice after talking with trainers midway through.

     

    • DE Wes Horton slid into Ealy's spot with the first team. A Newton hard count got Horton to jump offsides early in practice.

     

    • With Short out, DT Vernon Butler lined up next to Star Lotulelei for the majority of first-team snaps. Someone Butler's size isn't supposed to move like this:

     

     

    • DT Paul Soliai was back after missing the past two practices open to the media. We can now confirm he's not a small man:

    • LB Thomas Davis took a veteran day away from team drills. That didn't stop him from yapping at Newton for most of the morning.

     

    • LB Jeremy Cash remains buried on the depth chart. It's still early, but it's fair to wonder if he'll actually be able to grow into that hybrid LB role the Panthers were hoping he would when they signed him as a priority UDFA.

     

    • LB Jared Barber, who was one of six tryout players signed last month, watched practice with an undisclosed injury.

     

    • CB Daryl Worley saw the majority of first-team reps across from fellow rookie James Bradberry. Robert McClain, who was used in that role the past two weeks, had a couple nice pass breakups.

     

    • CB BenĂ© Benwikere appeared to ramp up his work on the side. He's still on schedule for a training camp return.

     

    • DB Colin Jones played ahead of rookie Zack Sanchez when the Panthers went into nickel. This is the biggest possible problem area for the defense right now.

     

    • S Dean Marlowe dropped what should have been an interception of a pass from Newton to TE Ed Dickson.

     

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    8 thoughts on “Notes and Nuggets From Panthers’ OTAs, Week 3”

    1. I’ve said this elsewhere before, but if Colin Jones is still on this roster come September, I have no choice but to conclude the personnel acquisition in the secondary a failure… if DG can’t find anyone better than Jones to cover guys, even at 2- or 3-deep on the chart, then we’re in trouble for sure…

      1. I disagree with that statement completely. First, Colin Jones has always been a great special teams player and is good depth at the safety position. While he is incredibly fast, he does not have the hip movement you want for someone who is playing nickel.

        They brought in what they thought was going to be their starting Nickel corner in Boykin. However he had a medical condition no one knew about.

        Lastly, while they are working Colin out there now. I think he’d be a last resort type thing.

        1. Not from where I’ve been sitting. He catalyzed a 61-yard PR in SB50 and virtually every time he was in coverage @ NB vs. Dallas they targeted him specifically, with success. That was both Romo and the backup doing that. I know it’s easy to cherry-pick bad outcomes, but when you don’t play that much and you have these kinds of poor showings, that says a lot. He’s simply not a good player IMO. He may have good skills, but having skills and being a good player on the field, in a game, against real competition, when it counts are two entirely different things. I stand by my assessment; if DG can’t get enough secondary players to make Jones a roster casualty then DG has failed to find enough good players in the secondary. There should be no reason why this guy is on the roster.

          1. I still see Jones as a special teams player. If someone brings more value, I’m sure he’d be cut. However hes a 3rd string DB. Not every position can be stacked. I don’t want him playing in the slot. I expect we will see a lot of Shaq in the slot.

          1. I have to think that if they released him they know something we don’t. I agree though. leaves a hole, but i predict us playing Shaq in the slot more.

    3. If the CBs are struggling (particularly the nickel spot), hopefully DG will bring in a vet to compete. Panthers can make a run this year, why put all our eggs in the rookie CB basket?

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