Tag: Panthers training camp

Panthers coach Matt Rhule ‘not overly pleased’ with energy level in today’s mock game

The first-year NFL coach told reporters afterward he was “not overly pleased” with the energy level of the starters.

The Carolina Panthers held a mock game at Bank of America stadium today, and to say head coach Matt Rhule was unsatisfied with its result would be an understatement. The first-year NFL coach told reporters afterward he was “not overly pleased” with the energy level of the starters.

With the Panthers announcing an empty stadium for at least Week 1 against the Raiders, creating energy on the field will be solely on the players and coaching staff. Even though many teams intend to pump artificial crowd noise in, the atmosphere lost without live fans in attendance is sure to change the experience.

One problem is that after losing the league’s highest number of players to free agency, trade and retirement over the last few months, this group’s chemistry is still forming. They’ll need every opportunity to build it up.

Unfortunately, those opportunities have been severely limited this year with the lack of any preseason games. While the most obvious victims of this development have been the rookies fighting for a roster spot, the inability of teams to practice in a real game limits how they can grow.

There were a couple upsides to today’s practice though, with Joe Person of The Athletic singling out all-pro running back Christian McCaffrey and versatile defensive back Jeremy Chinn as two bright spots on an otherwise lackluster performance on the field today. Rhule also mentioned that he liked the energy level many of the second and third-team players put in, which makes sense, given many of them are competing for their roster spots.

Roster cuts are expected to begin tonight and continue into tomorrow morning. The Panthers roster currently sits at 79, and it needs to be cut down to 53 by Saturday at 4:00 p.m. ET.

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Watch: Panthers QB Teddy Bridgewater mic’d up at training camp

Watch: Carolina Panthers quarterback Teddy Bridgewater mic’d up at training camp.

Teddy Bridgewater’s game may not be as flashy as the Panthers’ last starting quarterback. He has all the charisma required to lead an NFL team, though.

Today, the team shared a video on Twitter of Bridgewater mic’d up at 2020 training camp. It offers fans a better look into Teddy’s personality and how he gets along with coaches and teammates. Watch.

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Panthers 2020 training camp: Saturday morning scrimmage canceled

Panthers 2020 training camp: Saturday morning scrimmage canceled

Today was supposed to be the third scrimmage of the Panthers’ 2020 training camp schedule. Coach Matt Rhule told reporters that it would essentially be the third preseason game for many of the players currently on the roster.

Instead, practice was delayed and then eventually called off.

While no official explanation has been given, it’s reasonable to think this could be related to protesting the police-shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha earlier this week. Teams across the major sports leagues have canceled games and practices in recent days in order to draw attention to the cause.

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Panthers 2020 training camp: 8 takeaways from Wednesday night practice

Here are eight takeaways from tonight’s annual “Fanfest” at Bank of America Stadium, minus the fans.

The Carolina Panthers just wrapped up another practice at 2020 training camp.

Here are eight takeaways from tonight’s annual “Fanfest” at Bank of America Stadium, minus the fans.

‘There’s a lot of hurt’

There are bigger things than sports going on right now.

The Milwaukee Bucks decided to boycott tonight’s playoff game against the Orlando Magic following another unjustified police shooting, this time in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Several other professional teams – including some in MLB – also canceled their games today.

Coach Matt Rhule says the team talked about Jacob Blake’s shooting today and there’s a lot of hurt, emotion and anger, but they made the decision to come out and practice.

Players around the league (including former Carolina safety Eric Reid) have commended the NBA for taking their stand, raising the prospect of boycotts once the football season begins. These incidents are going to keep happening until there is fundamental police reform, so don’t be shocked if some NFL games get postponed this year.

During the practice broadcast, linebacker Shaq Thompson said there are plans to “do something” as an organization.

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Panthers 2020 training camp: 7 takeaways from Matt Rhule’s Monday presser

Here are seven takeaways from Rhule’s Monday press conference.

Panthers coach Matt Rhule spoke with the media following today’s training camp practice, which consisted mostly of team drills inside the bubble.

Here are seven takeaways from Rhule’s Monday press conference.

A long post-scrimmage personnel evaluation

On Saturday, the team tried to get a taste of real NFL action by holding a scrimmage inside Bank of America Stadium. Teddy Bridgewater reportedly got off to a hot start and finished with a strong line. Christian McCaffrey was pulled early, as were several other important veterans on defense.

When it was over, Rhule says he and his staff spent seven-eight hours evaluating the personnel.

The personnel Rhule has been given by general manager Marty Hurney is a mixed bag. There’s only one true elite-level, exceptional talent. There are also several promising young pieces, a couple of reliable veterans and a bunch of reclamation projects who need a strong season to revive their careers.

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Panthers 2020 training camp: 6 takeaways from Saturday’s scrimmage

The Carolina Panthers practiced inside Bank of America Stadium this morning and played their first scrimmage of training camp.

The Carolina Panthers practiced inside Bank of America Stadium this morning and played their first scrimmage of training camp.

Here are six takeaways from the media on-hand.

Teddy Bridgewater’s strong start

There probably won’t be many highlights coming out of this practice due to restrictions on what reporters are allowed to show this year. So, we will have to settle for a box score for now. For what it’s worth, Bridgewater had a fine day based on the raw stats.

The Riot Report says he started 9/13 for 159 yards and two touchdowns and had another wiped out by a penalty.

Strong numbers, but they should be taken with an unhealthy dose of salt as Bridgewater faced backups as well as starters. Also, some analysts are projecting the Panthers will have the NFL’s worst defense this year, so odds are they are going to make a lot of quarterbacks look good.

That said, this is another positive sign for Bridgewater, who has done everything right so far – including staying late to get extra reps in. He continued that trend today.

Things can always change once the live games begin. Right now, this looks and sounds a lot like it’s Teddy Bridgewater’s team.

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Panthers 2020 training camp: 5 takeaways from Friday’s practice

Here are a handful of takeaways from the media.

The Carolina Panthers have wrapped up another practice at 2020 training camp. Here are a handful of takeaways from the media.

Panthers quarterbacks put in extra work

Teddy Bridgewater
(AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Today’s session was a little more low key than most this week.

Instead of practicing in full pads, players were just in shells and the offense and defense worked separately. After it was over, quarterbacks Teddy Bridgewater, P.J. Walker and Will Grier put some extra work in with the wide receivers and other pass catchers.

Bridgewater was spotted coaching up backup running back Reggie Bonnafon on his route running.

Defensive ends Efe Obada and Yetur Gross-Matos also stayed late. They might both be competing with Stephen Weatherly for the opportunity to start on the other side of the defensive line opposite Brian Burns.

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Panthers 2020 training camp: 3 takeaways from the third padded practice

The Carolina Panthers got yesterday off and returned to the field today for their third padded practice of 2020 training camp.

The Carolina Panthers got yesterday off and returned to the field today for their third padded practice of 2020 training camp.

Here are a few takeaways from the media.

QB2 candidate P.J. Walker impresses

Our favorite to win the competition to be starting quarterback Teddy Bridgewater’s backup had a strong showing. One beat reporter said it was Walker’s best practice yet, showing some zip on his throws as well as accuracy.

Walker will need to beat out Will Grier to get the job. If he can demonstrate better processing speed and decision making, it will give him a significant edge over Grier, who struggled with both as a rookie.

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Panthers 2020 training camp: 4 takeaways from the first padded practice

The Carolina Panthers just wrapped up their first padded practice of the year.

The Carolina Panthers just wrapped up their first padded practice of the year. Here are a few takeaways from today’s practice from the team and the media.

Rookie DB Jeremy Chinn was on the field first

If showing up is half the battle, then rookie defensive back Jeremy Chinn is definitely off to a good start. The second-rounder was the first player on the field this morning, seen here hitting the sled.

Chinn will be a critical piece for this young Carolina defense. He says the Panthers are lining him up at safety, nickel, dime and in the box. Juston Burris for one says he will be great wherever they put him.

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Watch: Panthers coach Matt Rhule runs through defensive line drills

Today marks the first padded practices of the year for the Carolina Panthers.

Today marks the first padded practices of the year for the Carolina Panthers.

One guy who can’t contain his excitment is new head coach Matt Rhule, who couldn’t help but enthusiastically run through the defensive line drills at practice today. Watch.

Rhule told reporters yesterday he has no intention of strapping on the pads here, as his players are too fast and explosive.

Smart.

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