Black and Blue Review

Black and Blue Review

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Pair of Panthers’ Rookies Excited for Sultry Spartanburg

Few are eager to work for three weeks under the summer sun in Spartanburg. Considering how little they’ve been able to do since becoming Carolina Panthers, Shaq Thompson and Garry Peters are actually looking forward to their first stay in Sparkle City.“I’m pumped for training camp,” Peters said this week. “I’m excited to get back on the field with those guys and show them that I can be an integral part of what they’re trying to build.”It’s hard for most veterans to make a team from the sideline, so imagine being Peters, an undrafted rookie. A pulled hamstring kept the cornerback out of the first week of OTAs. Then the second. And the third. And minicamp. All for an injury he can’t even recall occurring.Photo Jun 16, 10 12 09 AM“I just remember I came to practice the next day, and I was like, ‘Coach, I don’t know what happened, but … ,'” a frustrated Peters recalled, pointing to the back of his leg.For what it’s worth, Peters did bring his helmet to practice during minicamp, but while his teammates were on the main fields, he again spent most of his time on the side with trainers. He claims the hamstring has been close to 100 percent and “if we had a game today, I would play.” But the Panthers, who are intrigued by the 6-footer’s size, didn’t want to jeopardize his availability next month by rushing him back this past month.“He is missing some valuable opportunities,” coach Ron Rivera said last week.”He showed very well in the rookie camp, but we’ve got to get ready for training camp.”While Peters stood out in May’s rookie minicamp, Thompson mostly stood around. Carolina’s first-round pick tweaked a hamstring on the first day, and later that weekend, the linebacker was on a plane to Washington. He then spent the next five weeks studying in Seattle, both for final exams and for his new job.Thompson was able to return earlier than originally scheduled, squeezing in two OTA sessions before mandatory minicamp. And those five practices have made him “way more comfortable than I was at rookie minicamp.” But his studying didn’t end when his college classes did.“Learning the terms and seeing all shifts of motions,” he replied, when asked about his biggest learning curve. “We didn’t really get that in the Pac-12; we were all no-huddle. So that’s all new to me.”Despite all he needs to learn, the Panthers didn’t use their top pick on a guy they don’t expect to be on the field in Week 1. Thompson saw minimal reps with the starters during minicamp, but A.J. Klein likely won’t be ahead of him on the depth chart much longer. That timing will largely hinge on how much Thompson soaks in while everyone else enjoys their break. He’ll take one more trip home, but this is how he describes his typical day during his summer vacation:“Wake up, train, eat lunch, go back (to my apartment), study a little bit, get off my feet, rest my mind and get ready for the next day.”Screen Shot 2015-06-11 at 6.31.08 PMOne thing no amount of studying can get him ready for is the Spartanburg heat. Playing football in the Northeast and even baseball in southern Florida is nothing compared to running around in pads at Wofford.“I’m trying to make the best out of it,” Thompson said with a cautious smile. “(The veterans) told me a lot about it, but it’s just a mind thing. I know it’s going to be hot, but I’ve got to get over it mentally and physically.”While Thompson won’t have to worry about winning a roster spot, perhaps the heat will be something Peters can use to separate himself?“Nah, football is football at the end of the day,” said the Atlanta native and Clemson product.Ok, but it is really hot.“Oh, it is hot. It is hot, for sure.”It may get uncomfortably so for most, but at least one pair of Panthers’ rookies can’t wait to get to the office.

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