Tag: rookie minicamp

Gaelic footballer, Panthers tryout K Rory Beggan believes he belongs in NFL

Panthers tryout K Rory Beggan spoke about his transition from Gaelic football to American football.

One of the more interesting names at Carolina Panthers rookie minicamp this spring is Rory Beggan, a kicker who landed a tryout look by way of the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program. And although American football isn’t his original kind of football, the Irishman believes he belongs here.

Beggan chatted with reporters following the team’s outing on Saturday. He was asked about the football he first played over in Ireland.

“Gaelic football in Ireland—it’s a religion, really. It’s what we grew up playing,” he replied. “It’s been a part of my life since six years of age. My father played it. I come from a little village called Scotstown in a county called Monaghan. And it’s just been a massive part of my life. Playing it earlier this year, I’ve been playing it. And I’ve been lucky enough to come out here and showcase the skills that I have as a kicker.”

He hadn’t showcased those skills until last fall, kicking his first American football back in September. Beggan said he nailed a 66-yard field goal while training in Florida earlier this spring.

But that may not have been a shock to Beggan, who comes over as an All Stars Award-winning boot.

“I’ve been known as a kicker, a free-taker, back in Ireland in Gaelic football,” he added. “I’m a goalkeeper, so a lot of my time is kicking a ball. So it’s transferred nicely over into this sport. I know there’s definitely improvements to be made, but I feel like I do belong in places like this.”

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Panthers rookie TE Ja’Tavion Sanders: ‘I’m trying to be the next Greg Olsen here’

Panthers rookie TE Ja’Tavion Sanders: “I told everybody I’m trying to be the next Greg Olsen here.”

Carolina Panthers rookie Ja’Tavion Sanders didn’t get the uniform number he was hoping for, at least not yet. But that won’t stop him from trying to grow into the tight end he wants to be.

Sanders spoke with reporters following his second taste of rookie minicamp on Saturday. The fourth-round pick was asked if he has to earn the No. 0, the digit he wore at the University of Texas.

“Oh yeah, no doubt,” he replied. “I feel like every rookie gotta earn their number. I knew I wasn’t gonna have 0 coming in, so I’ve already had that mindset knowing what I gotta do. Come in, put the work in, day in, day out to earn that number.”

85, not 0, is the number Sanders has been saddled with out of the gate. So on the bright side, that’s only three ticks off 88—the number of the last great Panthers tight end he’s aspiring to be.

“I told everybody I’m trying to be the next Greg Olsen here,” he later said with a smile.

That’d be an incredible outcome for Carolina, who hasn’t seen much production from the position since Olsen’s departure after the 2019 seasons.

Over the past three years, all Panthers tight ends have combined for 1,530 yards and eight touchdowns on 154 receptions. Sanders, in his last two collegiate campaigns, totaled 99 catches for 1,295 yards and seven scores.

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Panthers HC Dave Canales: We’ll have our ears to the ground for another QB

The Panthers may still be looking for their QB3.

It doesn’t sound like the Carolina Panthers are locked in at the third-string quarterback spot.

Head coach Dave Canales talked with reporters following his team’s second outing of rookie minicamp on Saturday. With the roster still lacking the extra veteran passer he previously stated his desire for, he was asked if his stance on the QB3 role behind Bryce Young and Andy Dalton has changed.

“What we always like to do is to add people—especially guys that have some kind of exposure to our system,” Canales replied. “I’m looking for value for the quarterback room. What do they bring for that room? For Bryce, in particular.”

As of now, that third spot on the depth chart has defaulted to Jack Plummer—an undrafted free agent from the University of Louisville. And while he obviously doesn’t bring any pro experience to the table, Canales offered some encouraging traits about the rookie.

“The good part about Jack is I saw some accuracy, his ability to get up at the line, spit the plays out and all that,” he stated. “So I’m excited about having him being just able to operate that way.”

That, however, won’t stop Canales and the Panthers from their search.

“But I would certainly feel like we would still have our ears to the ground and see if there’s anybody that might be interested in coming and being a part of what we’re doing,” he added.

Some quarterbacks who remain out on the open market include Ryan Tannehill, Brian Hoyer, Blaine Gabbert, Matt Barkley and Trevor Siemian.

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Panthers HC Dave Canales explains why Xavier Legette was on gunner drills

First-round pick Xavier Legette was in on gunner drills during rookie minicamp. HC Dave Canales explained why.

In 2019, the Carolina Panthers—to quite a bit of criticism—occasionally assigned their first-round pick Brian Burns to gunner responsibilities during actual regular-season games. Well, some fans may have experienced a rough flashback to that on Saturday—with this year’s first-rounder Xavier Legette practicing the role during rookie minicamp.

So, is this something worth keeping an eye on?

Head coach Dave Canales was asked about the wide receiver’s involvement on special teams drills following the outing.

“Special teams is a premium for us,” he replied. “This is something, that on game day, we just don’t get a lot of players. Something that our players have to get used to is that when they come into the NFL, we have these many helmets today. So if something happens, they all gotta be ready to contribute.

“That’s how we were able to build great teams in Seattle. Doug Baldwin is a starter early on—he was playing on teams, on cover units. And he can get in the vice. And just making sure Xavier has that starting point. He’s such a natural athlete. Watching him take his first couple steps, it was really cool. And (special teams assistant) Daren Bates is doing a really good job there down with the gunners.”

Take a breath, Panthers fans.

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A new energy defined the first day of Commanders’ rookie minicamp

There was a lot of energy on the first day of Commanders’ rookie minicamp.

Friday kicked off a new era of Washington Commanders football. OK, that’s been said a lot in recent months, but for the first time under general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn, the 2024 rookie class hit the field.

Rookie minicamp began Friday in Ashburn, which meant the on-field debut of quarterback Jayden Daniels. The No. 2 overall pick was sharp during 7-on-7 drills, his mechanics looked flawless, and there was plenty of excitement surrounding Daniels.

“He’s a stud,” said third-round wide receiver Luke McCaffrey.

Second-round pick tight end Ben Sinnott offered his thoughts on Daniels.

“There are just guys who players naturally get attracted to and revolve around, and he’s got that personality where you want to work with him and want to watch film with him, and you want to be out here working with him,” Sinnott said.

There is always excitement when there is new — particularly when that new is a first-round quarterback. But the opening of Friday’s rookie minicamp showed just how far this franchise has come in such a short time.

Check this out:

This was before practice. Music was blaring, every player was involved, and the coaches were participating and fired up.

Is this something you would’ve seen under the previous regime?

Imagine what it’s going to look like when the veterans and the rookies are on the field together. In addition to the energy, offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury was extremely active on Friday, coaching Daniels and fellow quarterback Sam Hartman.

After years of false hope, primarily due to the former owner, Washington fans are excited: Excited about Daniels, Peters, Quinn and a coaching staff that can get the most out of its players.

Friday indeed began a new era for the Washington Commanders.

LOOK: Photos show Jayden Daniels and others in action at Commanders rookie minicamp

Photos from the first day of Commanders’ rookie minicamp.

The much-anticipated debut of Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels occurred on Friday as the Commanders opened rookie minicamp.

Fans learned on Thursday night that Daniels would be wearing the No. 5 jersey he wore in college, as longtime punter Tress Way agreed to give Daniels the number.

So, on Friday, fans got their first glimpse of Daniels in the burgundy and gold. It was an exciting day as coaches worked with rookies on installing the offense. Daniels looked comfortable in drills with precise footwork and a quick, compact release.

Friday also featured the debuts of other notable rookies, such as cornerback Mike Sainristil, tight end Ben Sinnott and wide receiver Luke McCaffrey. Defensive tackle Johnny Newton watched practice in a boot. Newton had offseason surgery for a Jones fracture in his left foot.

Here are photos from Friday’s rookie minicamp practice:

Commanders QB Jayden Daniels shows respect to Tress Way

Jayden Daniels showed respect and appreciation to Tress Way.

A rookie quarterback coming to town as the No. 2 overall pick means that player has some say. In some cases, that player is not afraid to use some of that pull.

That’s not Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels.

Daniels wanted the No. 5 jersey from longtime punter and team captain Tress Way. Way was initially hesitant to give up the number, but after considering what it meant to him and his career, he believed relinquishing the number to the rookie quarterback was in the best interest of the franchise he loved.

Way was emotional in discussing his attachment to the No. 5 on Thursday.

The Commanders opened rookie minicamp on Friday, which meant Daniels would take the field for the first time in the burgundy and gold.

After practice, Daniels spoke to the media and before taking any questions, he had a message for Way.

“Shoutout, Tress, you know, allowing me to wear his jersey,” Daniels said. Obviously, what it means to him, what it means to me. He’s a legend here, so I’m very appreciative that he allowed me to wear his jersey.”

That’s impressive. You want to win a team over? That will get it done. Daniels mentioned multiple times that Way was allowing him to wear his (Way’s) jersey. That’s leadership and knowing your place. Daniels could have went straight to general manager Adam Peters and demanded the No. 5, but that’s not the type of person he is. It didn’t matter that Way was a punter, Daniels showed respect to Way, the player — and person.

“It’s significant not only to me but him also,” Daniels said. “So, him allowing me to wear it, it meant a lot that he was able to kind of just pass it to me, passed the torch. Obviously, with the agreements, but he didn’t have to come off the number. Obviously, what he did for it, he is a captain, All-Pro, Pro Bowl player. So, he means a lot to the DMV, to this organization. So, for him to be able to allow me to wear the number, it just shows he has my back and he’s excited and that’s what we talked about and I’m excited to be his teammate.”

Way and Daniels could not have handled this any better. Peters and coach Dan Quinn handled it well, too. Imagine if Dan Snyder owned the team. He would never have allowed this to happen, as he would have given the rookie the number over a tenured teammate the moment he was drafted.

With how he handled this, Daniels has already earned the trust and respect of his veteran teammates.

Commanders sign 4 members of their rookie class

The Commanders signed four members of their rookie class.

The Washington Commanders opened their rookie minicamp on Friday and handled some business beforehand.

The Commanders drafted nine players in last month’s 2024 NFL draft and signed four of those rookies on Friday.

Wide receiver Luke McCaffrey (third round), linebacker Jordan Magee (fifth round), safety Dominique Hampton (fifth round) and defensive Javontae Jean-Baptiste (seventh round) all signed their rookie four-year contracts.

McCaffrey, the No. 100 overall pick out of Rice, began his college career as a quarterback at Nebraska. He transferred to Rice where he played the last two seasons as a wide receiver. McCaffrey is the younger brother of 49ers star Christian McCaffrey.

Magee was a three-year starter for Temple and will learn under the legendary Bobby Wagner as a rookie.

Hampton, an intriguing size/speed prospect from Washington, looks like the perfect Dan Quinn developmental player. Jean-Baptiste, who played five years at Ohio State and his final year at Notre Dame, became a starter and developed into a draftable prospect with his length and athleticism.

The Commanders will now turn their attention to signing Jayden Daniels, Johnny Newton, Mike Sainristil, Ben Sinnott and Brandon Coleman.

Panthers HC Dave Canales gives ‘impressive and unusual’ breakdown of UDFA Jalen Coker

Panthers HC Dave Canales had a lot of good (and perhaps unusual) things to say about UDFA Jalen Coker.

Dave Canales isn’t only trying to establish a new culture within the Carolina Panthers organization. It’s clear, after just a few months on the job, that he’s also trying to immerse himself in it.

The first-year head coach spoke with reporters following the opening outing of rookie minicamp on Friday. Vashti Hurt of Carolina Blitz would ask Canales what he likes about undrafted free-agent signing and wide receiver Jalen Coker.

“Size, instincts, top-of-route ability to separate,” he replied. “He’s really crafty in zones. He knows how to find the open spaces. Has a little cool run-after-catch, too. He can break some tackles because of the size that he brings. Attacks the ball at the high point. I mean, the guy really does have a cool skill set that he brings to us. So I’m excited to see him kinda get introduced as we start to develop out football, especially in Phase Three OTAs. Let’s see what he looks like against NFL talent. But I’m really excited about him.”

Later on that night, Jim Nagy—an 18-year NFL scout and the executive director of the Reese’s Senior Bowl—posted the following about the response:

Coker, one of the top Day 3 prospects of this year’s class, was undoubtedly quite the swipe for Canales and the Panthers. The 6-foot-1, 208-pounder spent four seasons at the College of Holy Cross—where he’d become the program’s all-time leader in receiving yards (2,715) and receiving touchdowns (31).

And now, Canales has us amped up to see that Phase Three action.

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WATCH: Commanders undrafted WR Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint with spectacular 1-handed catch

A good start for the undrafted rookie from the University of Georgia.

Jayden Daniels made his on-field debut for the Washington Commanders Friday on the first day of rookie minicamp. While all the hype surrounded Daniels — and rightfully so — several other rookies also made their NFL debuts.

One of those rookies was wide receiver Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint.

The undrafted Rosemy-Jacksaint made the highlight of the day, catching a one-handed pass in 7-on-7 drills at minicamp.

Check it out:

Rosemy-Jacksaint is a name Washington fans should get to know — not because of this catch.

After a productive career with the Bulldogs, including two national championships, Rosemy-Jacksaint went undrafted, mainly because of his pre-draft testing numbers. However, Rosemy-Jacksaint has solid size (6-foot-1, 195 pounds), with big, strong hands and excellent length.

Washington needs depth at wide receiver. Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson and Luke McCaffrey are the only guarantees to make the roster. Rosemy-Jacksaint will compete with others, such as Jamison Crowder, Dyami Brown, Olamide Zaccheaus, Mitchell Tinsley, Kazmeir Allen, and others, for two or three spots.

Don’t count out Rosemy-Jacksaint. He needs a strong offseason and preseason to show coaches he should be on the Commanders’ roster, and Friday was a good start.