Tag: Dave Canales

Dan Morgan, Dave Canales explain Jonathon Brooks’ place in Panthers RB room

Dan Morgan and Dave Canales spoke a bit about second-round pick Jonathon Brooks.

The running back room inside of Bank of America Stadium just got a little more crowded.

On Friday night, the Carolina Panthers nabbed who they believe is the top rusher in the 2024 draft class—selecting University of Texas standout Jonathon Brooks with the 46th overall pick. But with Chuba Hubbard and Miles Sanders already in tow, president of football operations/general manager Dan Morgan was asked how Brooks can fit in.

“We got a really good running back room right now,” Morgan said in his post-Day 2 presser. “When Dave [Canales] and I took this job, we said that we were gonna create competition in every position group, and it just so happened Jonathon was there and we took the opportunity to draft him and it’s gonna be a really competitive group and I’m excited to see them all compete during training camp and OTAs. It’s gonna be fun.”

If not for the ACL tear he sustained this past November, Brooks would’ve likely been off the board well before that 46th pick. Prior to the season-ending injury, the agile dual threat back rushed for 1,139 yards and 10 touchdowns with 25 receptions and 286 receiving yards over 11 games.

Head coach Dave Canales was then asked why he believes Brooks was the right choice for their offense.

“Versatility—first and foremost,” he replied. “Our system calls for a back that can be used, of course, just in a traditional way—hand it to him. Then how can we get this player in space? Being able to get him in perimeter screens, checkdowns. We got a really cool empty package where we use the backs, flex them out to get matchups—things like that.

“He’s a bigger back, he’s got range. There’s so much that he brings from a versatility standpoint—that’s probably the biggest thing that stood out. And just vision, patience, contact balance, acceleration. Like, he’s got it all. He’s the best back in this class and we’re so fired up just to be able to bring him in and create that competition that Dan talked about.”

Morgan also stated that he expects Brooks to be ready for training camp.

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WATCH: Panthers HC Dave Canales jokes with Xavier Legette about draft ‘promise’

Dave Canales jokes with draft pick Xavier Legette: “You didn’t have to go tell the whole world we were gonna do it the other day!”

The Carolina Panthers’ interest in Xavier Legette is definitely not a secret anymore.

To close out the first round of the 2024 NFL draft on Thursday night, the Panthers jumped into the 32nd overall slot and selected University of South Carolina wide receiver Xavier Legette. The move may not have been a surprise to the Mullins, S.C. native, who previously told us that the team had assured him he’d be their pick if he was available.

“I’ve met with the Panthers about four or five times,” he said in our interview from analyst John Crumpler. “The relationship, it just keeps continuing to grow. They’re really hoping I can make it the second round. They keep on telling me if I’m sitting at 33, they’re gonna take me.”

Well, right after the pick was actually made, Canales joked with Legette about letting the cat out of the bag . . .

So whether or not the “promise” was actually a promise, everyone knows where the Panthers were looking now.

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Panthers HC Dave Canales talks about what Xavier Legette brings to the offense

Panthers HC Dave Canales on Xavier Legette: “I’m really excited to bring his talents to our offense.”

The cat is back in the bag.

On Thursday night, the Carolina Panthers traded up into the 32nd overall pick of the 2024 NFL draft to select wide receiver Xavier Legette. Now, that move may not have come as a surprise to those who took in our interview with the University of South Carolina standout—who told analyst John Crumpler that the team essentially assured him that he’d be their pick.

Head coach Dave Canales, who then pushed back a bit on Legette’s comment, was asked about that “promise” during his post-pick press conference.

“We loved him,” he replied with a smile. “I’m not gonna sit here and lie about that, for sure. But, yeah, I meant what I said. There’s a lot of guys that we were excited about at that area—33, even late in the first round.”

Canales explained to reporters on Wednesday that he gave quite a few other prospects the same scenario. He stated that he used the “promise” as a lead-in question to gauge each player’s thought process.

But now that they bagged Legette, Canales is excited about what his newest weapon can bring to the offense.

“Versatility is huge for us,” he said. “So when you get a guy who can really run, a guy who can highpoint the ball, a guy that can carry it, you can give him the ball different ways—he just brings a lot of versatility.

“Now, with that being said, he’s got a long way to go. He’s gotta learn our stuff. He’s gotta figure out the system and find out how he fits into the whole thing—not just the pass game, but the run game as well. Just speaking to that, I’m really excited to bring his talents to our offense—and at the same time, I’m sure he knows too, he’s got a lot of work in front of him.”

Well, that’s another promise Canales and crew may have to keep.

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Panthers WR Adam Thielen talks about new offensive coaching staff

Panthers WR Adam Thielen: “Everyone is just enjoying being at work.”

To Carolina Panthers wideout Adam Thielen, age is just a number—a lesson that can be learned in more ways than one.

The 33-year-old receiver, who’s coming off the third 1,000-yard campaign of his career, spoke with reporters following Wednesday’s session of voluntary minicamp. He began his chat by talking about the passion of the new offensive coaching staff—specifically head coach Dave Canales, offensive coordinator Brad Idzik and his position coach Rob Moore.

“You can just feel it in meetings, you can feel it on the field that they just love the game of football,” Thielen said this afternoon. “They love to coach it, they love to see it, be around it and that stuff just kinda goes through the team, the receiver room, the quarterback room. When people love ball, it just instantly makes your mood. Everyone is just enjoying being at work.”

Canales has begun to establish a fresh and energetic atmosphere within the organization. Heck, he even lined up at running back, cornerback, edge and defensive tackle at today’s practice.

Thielen is only nine years younger than Canales and one year older than Idzik, which could help explain the connection this staff has started to make with its players. But the veteran pass catcher believes it’s more about who they actually are, and not the year in which they were born, that makes them so relatable.

“You look at a guy like Pete Carroll, right? He’s an older guy, but I think he relates really well with the players,” Thielen added. “I think it really comes down to that energy, that passion for the game and just being able to communicate with guys. I don’t think age is important in that. I think it’s just, hey, what kind of mindset do you bring to your daily routine? What kind of energy? What kind of passion? When guys can feel that and they can see it, day in and day out through the good and bad times, I think that’s when you start to earn respect as a coach and guys wanna play for you.”

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Dave Canales confirms Panthers’ ‘draft promise’ to Xavier Legette . . . sorta

Xavier Legette said the Panthers told him he’ll be their pick at No. 33 if he’s available. Dave Canales confirmed that statement . . . sorta.

Did Dave Canales really say what Xavier Legette said he said? Apparently, he did—but there’s a pretty important bit of context that should accompany it.

In our recent interview with Legette, the University of South Carolina wide receiver told analyst John Crumpler that the Carolina Panthers essentially gave him a draft promise.

“I’ve met with the Panthers about four or five times,” he said. “The relationship, it just keeps continuing to grow. They’re really hoping I can make it the second round. They keep on telling me if I’m sitting at 33, they’re gonna take me.”

Following his team’s second session of voluntary minicamp, Canales was asked about Legette’s comment this afternoon—and he didn’t shoot it down entirely.

“Yeah. Oh yeah,” he replied. “I mean, it was a great conversation. I definitely said that to him and about 50 other guys. It’s actually a lead-in question. ‘So when we draft you at 33, what happens now?’ And then there’s a bunch of questions that happen after that.”

Given Carolina’s well-noted interest in the Mullins, S.C. native as well as their need for another dynamic pass catcher, Legette has been a popular projection for one of the team’s early second-round picks. While they currently do not have a selection for Thursday night, the Panthers are the gatekeepers for Day 2 with Pick No. 33 and are also equipped with Pick No. 39 thanks to their trade of outside linebacker Brian Burns.

And while Legette would make sense for the organization at either spot, he’s clearly not the only prospect who’s in the conversation.

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Panthers HC Dave Canales plays multiple positions at Wednesday’s minicamp practice

Panthers HC Dave Canales served as more than just a HC during practice on Wednesday.

Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales brought more than just the juice on Wednesday.

The energetic 42-year-old got quite involved in the team’s second outing of voluntary minicamp this afternoon. How involved, you ask . . . ?

Given the passionate and personal approach Canales has taken into his new role, this bit of participation should hardly come as a surprise. Quarterback Bryce Young, in fact, just spoke on the lively atmosphere his new head coach has been working to establish.

“Yeah, just that energy—just from the first phone call all the way to now,” Young said on Tuesday. “He just has that energy, that excitement. He just brings juice every day. That rubs off—not just on offense, on the whole team and really, on the whole building. Everyone just being in here, there’s a different juice, different vibe. And we all kinda have that excitement to be here, to wanna be better, wanna accomplish our goals. It’s super exciting.”

Canales was a wide receiver during his actual on-field days, having played at Azusa Pacific University from 1999 to 2003. So if the Panthers need an emergency wideout/running back/cornerback/edge defender/defensive tackle, they won’t have to look too far to find one.

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Panthers QB Bryce Young gives early impressions of HC Dave Canales

Panthers QB Bryce Young said there’s a different juice and a different vibe with HC Dave Canales now at the helm.

The development of Bryce Young was a pretty big reason why the Carolina Panthers hitched their wagon to Dave Canales this offseason. So, what does he think about his new head coach?

The second-year quarterback spoke with reporters following the team’s first session of voluntary minicamp on Tuesday. He was asked about his early impressions of Canales.

“Yeah, just that energy—just from the first phone call all the way to now,” Young replied. “He just has that energy, that excitement. He just brings juice every day. That rubs off—not just on offense, on the whole team and really, on the whole building. Everyone just being in here, there’s a different juice, different vibe. And we all kinda have that excitement to be here, to wanna be better, wanna accomplish our goals. It’s super exciting.”

Those words probably mean a lot to Canales, who is entering his first season as an NFL head coach. The 42-year-old said during Carolina’s pre-draft press conference last week that he’s looking to create an environment that’s “great to work at.”

Young may not have gotten the same impression of last year’s coaching staff. He also talked about the importance of now having one, unified vision—something the 2023 No. 1 overall pick didn’t necessarily experience throughout his rocky rookie campaign.

“That’s huge—just to have one consistent voice and for us as an offense,” he stated. “Obviously, this is new for everyone. Us being on the same page, us being able to ask anyone a question and everyone have an answer and there be the same vision—that’s gonna be huge for our development as an offense.”

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Diontae Johnson: Panthers told me I’ll be X receiver, first read on ‘almost every play’

Panthers WR Diontae Johnson said that HC Dave Canales told him he’ll be the primary target on offense.

The Carolina Panthers brought in wideout Diontae Johnson to make life easier for quarterback Bryce Young—and they told him so right from the jump.

Johnson spoke with reporters on Tuesday afternoon, following the team’s first outing of voluntary minicamp. He was asked about what he can do to help the 22-year-old Young, who experienced a pretty rough rookie campaign in 2023.

“Just a guy that can get open, no matter where I’m at on the field,” he replied. “Just get him that sense of comfort when he’s back there knowing he got a guy that can get open anywhere on the field. That’s what I’m here to do—make plays.”

Well, he made plenty of plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first five seasons of his NFL career. There, Johnson amassed 391 receptions for 4,363 yards and 25 touchdowns—a body of work highlighted by a Pro Bowl selection in 2021.

Pittsburgh then traded Johnson to Carolina back on March 12, in exchange for cornerback Donte Jackson and a late-round pick swap in the 2024 NFL draft. And that deal could prove to be a fruitful one for the Panthers, who apparently made their intentions clear to Johnson.

“Dave told me that as soon as I got here,” he said. “I’m playing the X, ‘You’re gonna be the first read in the progression almost every play.’ ‘Cause my unique skill set that I bring to the table, I’m gonna utilize it.”

Johnson has averaged nearly 128 targets per season as a pro, so seeing the rock is nothing new for the 27-year-old pass catcher.

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Panthers WR Diontae Johnson admits to hilarious mix-up involving HC Dave Canales

Panthers WR Diontae Johnson admitted to not knowing who his new head coach was, at least initially.

Diontae Johnson kicked off his Carolina Panthers career having experienced a few pretty big surprises.

The sixth-year wideout spoke about those on Tuesday afternoon, following the team’s first session of voluntary minicamp. His first shock, obviously, came when his move to the Queen City went down.

“I was surprised, but blessed at the same time,” he replied when asked about his trade from the Pittsburgh Steelers. “I was in Pittsburgh five years, so coming here is different. Just still trying to get acclimated, and I’m just enjoying the process right now.”

Johnson was shipped off to Carolina right before the start of the new league year on March 12. The Panthers acquired the former Pro Bowl pass catcher and the 240th overall selection of the 2024 NFL draft in exchange for cornerback Donte Jackson and the 178th pick.

The 27-year-old would then tell reporters that he didn’t know his head coach, Dave Canales, was his head coach—at least initially . . .

Luckily for Johnson, he’s got that part of his acclimation all cleared up now.

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Panthers HC Dave Canales comments on first few practices with Bryce Young

Following the first session of voluntary minicamp, Panthers HC Dave Canales talked about his early practices with QB Bryce Young.

To get back into contention, the Carolina Panthers must first get back to basics—something Dave Canales has preached ever since getting the head-coaching gig.

That message was echoed again on Tuesday, following the team’s first session of voluntary minicamp. But before getting into a little detail about the practice, Canales was asked how the outing went.

“It was great to be out there,” he replied. “This is just fun for me because the first team I coached was at my alma mater, Carson High School, black and blue, and we had the blue jerseys, we’re out in the blue jerseys. And it’s just kinda like a pinch yourself kind of moment. Surreal for sure.

“But again, to do it with some guys that I have familiarity with—saw a lot of proud big brother looks from some of the guys. And to be able to be out there with Ejiro [Evero] and the defensive guys and bringing this whole thing together, certainly a really cool day for me.”

Also out there was the vast majority of the roster, which was missing only a few players due to what Canales described as “private” situations. Included in that bunch, of course, was quarterback Bryce Young—who Canales said the following of:

Canales—who was behind the career resurgences for Seattle’s Geno Smith in 2022 and Tampa Bay’s Baker Mayfield in 2023—was hired, in part, to get Young going. Last year’s No. 1 overall pick experienced a rough rookie season, where averaged just 179.8 passing yards per game with 11 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

So hopefully for Canales, Young and the Panthers, a small step back to the basics now leads to a huge leap forward in due time.

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