Biggest takeaways from the Panthers' 2nd day of mandatory minicamp

According to multiple accounts, running back Raheem Blackshear and outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney got into a bit of a scuffle after a touchdown pass in team drills. But head coach Dave Canales was encouraged by the balance of energy and responsibility during the session.

“Another great day,” he said afterwards. “The competition is what we wanna see. We wanna see the energy. It was a lively deal. We pushed it to the edge, guys were getting really chippy. Just kinda asked them—play at that edge, let’s not step over, let’s protect our team, let’s be great teammates first. And the guys handled it and responded well.”

Canales singled out a few players for their leadership throughout spring practices—defensive tackle Derrick Brown, running back Chuba Hubbard and tight end Tommy Tremble.

“On offense—I can’t talk about effort without talking about Chuba Hubbard and Tommy Tremble,” he stated. “Two guys who really push each other to get their work in, to work on the small things, taking care of their bodies. The effort we’re looking for in practice—these guys are at the front of what we’re talking about. Trying to push the tempo, trying to make sure that the defense can feel the attacking style that we have. These are guys that have really stood out for me this spring as leaders in that regard.

“And so, I feel great about as the whole group looks at that and sees these guys who are depending on working hard, it sends a message to the whole group—this is who we are, this is how we practice and this is how we finish.”

When asked if any position battles have caught his eye thus far, Canales went into some detail about a few noteworthy spots—starting with the tight ends:

“I love the versatility and the players that we have in the tight end room. I think that we have a really strong group there. And so I see a group that they’re all gonna be pushing to see who those guys are.

“And Tommy [Tremble], Ian [Thomas] had a fantastic spring. Ja’Tavion [Sanders] showed that he can play football while he’s still learning stuff about our offense. He wants to know, he’s focused and locked in. Sully, Stephen Sullivan, the talent that he brings, how he can stretch the field, the length that he plays with. And even a guy like Jordan Matthews who understands how critical special teams is—for him to show he can be a reliable player there and then to do some things on offense too that we like.”

And then the wideouts:

“At the receiver position, we have a bunch of guys that have been here for a while that are so hungry. [Adam] Thielen was here, but Terrace Marshall, who’s had a fantastic last couple of weeks. Michael Strachan got back out there and he’s big and fast, just showing what he can do there. Ihmir Smith-Marsette makes a great play every day.

“Of course, having Diontae [Johnson] out there—he brings another element. He’s special. He knows how to play the game. He’s fast, he gets it, he’s a change-of-pace, a little bit different from the guys we have. Xavier [Legette], we gotta get him back out there so we can work him through that. But another good, solid group of guys that are executing what we want them to.”

Longtime Panthers linebacker Shaq Thompson is on the final year of his contract. And while he said he’d love to finish his career in Carolina, the 10th-year vet knows the nature of this business.

“I love it here. I been here for nine, going on to 10 years. I mean, this is all I know. I would love to retire here, but that’s in my fate. And when I say that—I control what I control, I control myself on that field. If I play well, I stay here. If not, I’m out. I understand and know the business. This is my last year, so I’m playing for the Panthers and I’m playing for 31 other teams.

“But my main focus is, shoot, we gotta win. We gotta get more than two games. We gotta make the playoffs.”

The 30-year-old later added that he thinks he has five more seasons of football left in him.

Quarterback Bryce Young has been lauded for his integration of the new offense. He was asked about the unit’s identity.

“We’re an attacking offense,” Young replied. “We’re an offense that wants to do whatever the defense gives, but we wanna make sure that we can run the ball. Coach has said that a ton. That’s what we’ve talked about. We’re gonna establish the run game and we’re gonna play off of that.

“And then we’re gonna be multiple and be able to, week by week, go in and find what we feel like we can attack on the defensive side—but do it in ways that we specialize in. So, I think we’re still growing and getting better at perfecting ourselves, and that’s really the focus right now. But obviously, down the line, we’ll flip to that being a week-to-week game plan thing.”

Young was also asked about his chemistry with new receiver Diontae Johnson, whom he’s found for a few big plays during mandatory minicamp.

“It’s been great,” he replied. “It’s been great being able to throw to him, to work with him. He’s a super, super hard-working guy. Super competitive.”

Kicker Eddy Piñeiro, who returned after skipping out on voluntary minicamp and organized team activities earlier this offseason, wouldn’t provide the reasoning behind his absences.

“My decision on that is kinda private right now between me and the Panthers,” Piñeiro told reporters. “So I’m not gonna comment on me missing anything.”

He did, though, comment on what this year means to him.

“This is a big offseason for me,” Piñeiro added. “I have a lot of goals. I wanna have a great season this year. I’m the third-most accurate kicker in NFL history right now. My goal is to be No. 1. So, that’s how I’m gonna attack this offseason.”

Piñeiro, who’s slated to become a free agent after this season, is currently the NFL’s 20th-highest paid kicker on an annual basis.