Saturday Six-Pack: Wrapping Up Rookie Minicamp

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Quick thoughts on how the draft picks did during rookie minicamp:

LB Shaq Thompson

If he were getting a grade, it would be an ‘I’ since forming a complete impression on the first-round pick was nearly impossible. Friday’s morning session was mostly a walk-through, and he tweaked his hamstring before he would have gone through the more revealing team drills in the afternoon. As expected, Thompson was out there in a helmet for Saturday’s installation periods, but he was held out of drills.

“It was tough, but everything’s about mental reps, and that’s what I got in,” he said afterward. “Basically I was out there, but I just took mental reps. Made all the calls, and stuff like that.”

Thompson now has to head back to Washington to finish the current quarter. There was some hope he would be back for next month’s minicamp, but the next time he’ll be on the field is training camp.

WR Devin Funchess

As he promised, Funchess practiced in full Saturday after he limped off Friday afternoon with a leg cramp. He didn’t get many catchable passes thrown his way on day two, but it’s clear why the Panthers traded up to get him during the draft.

Comparisons to Kelvin Benjamin aren’t accurate. Funchess wasn’t as impressive as Benjamin was on his first weekend, but the rookie should allow the offense to add new wrinkles.

RT Daryl Williams

Offensive line coach John Matsko spent plenty of time ‘talking’ with Williams, but that’s not a bad thing. The 6-foot-5, 327-pounder has a lot to learn, and if things click with him this summer, he could slide into a starting role sooner than expected.

LB David Mayo

His energy and enthusiasm were obvious, but the Texas State product appeared to struggle with the step up in speed, especially in pass coverage. Because of their depth at the position, the Panthers don’t need Mayo to line up at linebacker right away, but he could be a key contributor on special teams.

RB Cameron Artis-Payne

He seemed faster than advertised, showing bursts of speed a number of times over the two days. Artis-Payne and undrafted rookie Brandon Wegher are backs to keep an eye on through camp.

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WR Damiere Byrd

The littlest guy made perhaps the biggest impression of all 54 players. Listed at 5-foot-9, 173 pounds, Byrd’s speed is what makes him special. He ran a 4.28 on the grass at South Carolina’s Pro Day, and he claimed he could break 4.2 if he was on turf.

While Byrd showed an extra gear this weekend, what was more impressive was he caught pretty much everything that came his way and even showed some toughness. FullSizeRender

After making a reception down the middle of the field during team drills Saturday, Byrd landed awkwardly when he got caught up with S Dean Marlowe. Byrd gingerly walked off gingerly, talked to a trainer, and a couple minutes later, he was back in making catches.

“He fell on his own. He slipped,” joked coach Ron Rivera as he walked by Byrd after practice.

“Nah, I got pushed,” the undrafted rookie replied with a smile.

“Speed is something that opens people’s eyes, catches their attention. And then I feel like once I get into camp situations like this, they see that I can play, and I can do more than just run.”

Undrafted Clemson CB Garry Peters made some plays and the Panthers remain high on S Dean Marlowe, but the most impressive defender was a guy who’s already been around a bit.

CB Lou Young, who finished last year on the Panthers’ practice squad, had multiple interceptions and pass breakups. The Georgia Tech product is 6-foot-1, so he has size Carolina is looking for in corners, and he could factor into the upcoming competition at training camp.

The Panthers started the weekend with four open roster spots, so they’re expected to sign at least a couple of the players they had in on a tryout basis.

Some who may have earned an extended look:

FB Lee Ward (Stanford)*
WR Avius Capers (Johnson C. Smith)
TE Jamie Childers (Coastal Carolina)
G Jordan McCray (Central Florida)
DE Rakim Cox (Villanova)

*(UPDATE: Sat. May 9, 6:20 p.m.)

Ward tweets that he locked up a spot:

Excited to announce that I am officially a Carolina Panther… Up next – that 53 man roster spot.

— Lee Ward (@LeeWard36) May 9, 2015

Undrafted DT Darious Cummings failed to finish Friday’s afternoon session and Saturday’s practice. He took a cart ride back to Bank of America Stadium each day after he appeared to struggle with the heat.

Temperatures were in the 80s, but it wasn’t blazing hot, and the humidity wasn’t stifling. That the Florida native couldn’t complete two of three practices doesn’t bode well for his chances to stick around very long.

The Panthers will continue phase two of OTAs the next two weeks. Phase three (7-on-7, 9-on-7, 11-on-11 drills allowed for 10 practices) starts the day after Memorial Day. Mandatory minicamp is June 16-18, and then everyone gets a few weeks off before training camp.

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Carpanfan95

I’m excited about this group of Draft picks and UDFA players. A few of the try out players as well. I’ll admit I like the under dog because they have nothing to loose and everything to gain.
Now from watching RB’s Cameron Artis-Payne and Brandon Wegher Gettleman just might have stole the draft and UDFA with these 2. Then there is still Darren Reaves I look to break out in camp and Preseason. So as far as loosing Delo we should be fine. Now as for Artis-Payne wearing #34 I don’t have a problem with it. If the org. decides to retire the number under Deangelo Williams we all all respect that decision.
Now WR’s have been a surprise first by FA signings are Jarrett Boykin and Ted Ginn. Then we jump to the draft and take Devin Funchess. Then the players we already had, KB, Brown, Cotchery, Bersin, Hill, Lucas M.Brown. One undrafted player we signed WR Damiere Byrd and then we will see about a try players Avious Capers.
Well look at the WR’s and how they can line up by keeping 6 WR’s. IMO I keep KB, Funchess, Hill, Brown, Ginn, Boykin. PS would be Lucas, Capers, Byrd. I really like Cotchery, but I think it’s time to move on. I’m hoping we go to the 55 man roster and it will make things easier.
If you think about the TE’s and 3 big WR’s and 3 speed WR’s with the combination of RB’s the No Huddle and Up tempo offense shouldn’t be a problem. The plan would be is to put 3 WR’s, 1 to 2 TE’s empty back field or 2 WR’s 2TE’s 1 RB. or 5 WR’s. The point is we have the ability to get big without loosing to much deep threat speed or go deep threat speed to get down the filed. Then there is the ability to run 2 separate WR, TE, RB groups. KB, Brown, Hill, Olsen. 2nd group Funchess, Ginn, Boykin, Dickson. With TE Williams & QB/WR Webb subbing in. That is Up Tempo because the 1st group rolls off the field and the 2nd group comes on then it repeats. See this works for RB’s and O-line with the depth we have. I can see it working if the coaching staff puts it into action. Then you can load up on big TE’s and WRS in the Red Zone.
Carpanfan95

I kind of covered Offense and now for the Defense.
At first I thought well how do we keep Benwikere In the field since we drafted LB Shaq Thompson. Well the offense is going to have to strike fast and put points on the board for one thing. Or we can run 3 different styles of Defense. Nickel Benwikere is on the field and Thompson on the bench. Or a 4-3 and Thompson is on the filed and Benwikere is on the bench. Then there is the 33 Stack where a DL is on the bench and Benwikere and Thompson are both on the field. Then there is the 44 Stack where you have 4 DL’s 4LB’s and 3 DB’s for short yardage situations. Each type system has a purpose to stop the run and passing game. We would use more of the 4-3 & 33 stack and the 33 Stack is what they use in college to combat a spread offense.
Once you look at the roster you can see all there systems and Shaq & Mayo where missing pieces like Tillman, Coleman, and up and coming Teddy Williams.
Not every team we face are the same. Some will be more of a running style team like the Seahawks who run the read option like we do. Some will be like the Patriots and rely heavily on the QB to pass.
We have all the pieces in place this year for DC Sean McDermott to get creative.
Carpanfan95

Now the big picture.
Offense has all the makings of being a 7000 total yard unit. This meaning all the weapons are in place and opposing defenses have to play us 11 on 11. You can’t leave any one of the WR’s we have now in 1 on 1 or you will see the mismatch and Cam can capitalize on it. Now since the DB’s will back off because of the deep threat and mismatches that leaves a LB to spy on Cam and a LB to Spy a RB. the other LB will have to try and cover TE’s Olsen, Dickson or Williams depending what the play is and who is on the field.
Why does this matter. Well most guys just game plan on 1 player maybe 2 at the most. You can’t do that anymore against the Panthers offense especially if Shula gets creative with Webb. Webb could very well be the key to winning the Super Bowl on designed trick plays. another story.
Then there is the special teams. Well I think this years unit will be better than the 2013 unit in giving us field position and pinning the opposing team deep. Gettleman went all out to bring in special team aces for that reason. The best piece was the return of Ted Ginn Jr. IMO. I think the special teams unit will create turn overs to and be able to make lanes for Ginn to go to the house. Can’t wait to see it in action.
Then the defense is going to ball out and have fun. CB Charles Tillman will break the 40-40 record in interceptions and forced fumbles. I just hope he teaches this technic to the rest of the defensive players. Sweet. So Defense will create turn overs and each one the Panthers has to capitalize on. Meaning Rivera and Shula can’t take the foot off the throat of the opposing team and go into conservative mode. Get the ball and go score, get the ball and go score, Great that winning atmosphere on every play.
Now add all 3 pieces together it should go like this special teams either score or give Cam great field position. Offense scores 7 points. Special teams either pins the opposing team deep or creates turn over. Turn over Offense scores. Repeat. Defense has to defense on long filed takes the ball away by creating turn over. Or one of the DB’s scores. So the players don’t let up and neither should the HC, OC or DC. Other teams don’t have a problem blowing us out. so it shouldn’t be a concern not to do the same.
So to close can the offense realistically put 7000 total yards on the stat sheet? Yes. Could the Defense break the 72 sack record? Yes, because all the pieces are there to do it. Can we repeat as NFC South Champions? Yes. It just depends on coaching.