Joe Person
@josephperson
No longer with a blue check, but still covering the Panthers for The Athletic, sampling craft beers and watching a lot of HS football and baseball games.
Dave Canales, the Panthers' eternally optimistic coach, concedes there were times his optimism was challenged in year 1. But he didn't waver, and Bryce Young and the team were the better for it. How those lessons will help shape year 2: nytimes.com/athletic/62573…
The Panthers’ first practice ended in a hurry. But there were some interesting developments before then, including a young safety stepping forward and a development in the kicking competition. Happy training camp. nytimes.com/athletic/65113…
Princely Umanmielen showed the Panthers everything they were hoping to see … just not against their franchise QB. Observations from an interesting first training camp practice: nytimes.com/athletic/65113…
Jimmy Horn didn’t pull off any highlight-reel catches Thursday. He just went through practice like he always does — fast with “all gas.” More on the Panthers rookie WR who’s turning heads and six other practice observations: nytimes.com/athletic/65139…
Ickey Ekwonu says he’s letting his agent handle his extension talks. But the Charlotte native reiterates he wants to stay here. “People say it’s like home. But this literally is home for me.”
Dave Canales on Jimmy Horn: Love the way he plays football. Everything he does is fast. “It’s all gas.”
Dave Canales says film review showed Princely actually was trying to avoid making contact with Bryce yesterday.
Princely Umanmielen beats Ickey Ekwonu with an inside move. This time holds off making contact with the quarterback. Progress.
Princely Umanmielen beats Ickey Ekwonu with an inside move. This time holds off making contact with the quarterback. Progress.
Pat Jones dropped back in coverage and picked off Bryce Young’s throw over the middle in team.
Ryan Fitzgerald goes 4-5 on field goals on the skinny posts, matching Matthew Wright from yesterday.
Bryce goes deep for T McMillan in team drills. A lot of contact. Pass falls incomplete.
Bryce Young threads the needle between Christian Rozeboom and Chau Smith-Wade for a touchdown pass to David Moore during 7-on-7 red zone.
Derrick Brown has an excused absence today for personal reasons.
Lots of kick returners getting work out here today. Everyone from Jimmy Horn to Raheem Blackshear to Rico Dowdle and Trevor Etienne. There were others.
Justin Fields is being taken inside on a cart. He pulled up during a play in team drills and has had his leg being checked since.
Full exchange... Question: What happened with Noah Fant? Mike: What happened with Noah? Question: Why release him now? Mike: We released him a few days ago. Question: Why? Mike: I’m not going to tell you exactly why. There’s multiple reasons.
Mike Macdonald says they had their reasons for releasing Noah Fant but he declined to give any details.
Christian Rozeboom wearing the green dot RE communicating the defensive signals. Said he wants to make the most of his opportunity.
