“This is going to be a very competitive team and I don’t think people are going to want to play us by the style of football that we play,” Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales said during the opening days of training camp.
Week one is in the books and I’m not afraid to proclaim the Panthers is a team to watch out for. The start of training camp has been about hitting the ground running and continuing to build on the foundation of the offseason.
Offensively, the rich get richer and the weaponry surrounding third-year quarterback Bryce Young, and at Canales’ disposal, is impressive.
“The expectation is for Bryce to lead this team which he never stopped doing,” Canales added.
Young has mentally taken the next step and is grasping deeper levels of concept. Understanding what the goal of every play is and how to execute. General manager Dan Morgan and Canales have put together a group of receivers capable of being the best in the league.
Panthers receiving corps is as deep as it is good
Hunter Renfrow may end up being one of the steals of the offseason. Concussions derailed his playing career in Las Vegas along with an inept offensive genius head coach. Renfrow has looked amazing and Panthers fans should be plenty excited at the possibilities.
Renfrow is snatching ankles in his routes and breaks, showcasing the route running wizardry that made him a feared adversary. Tetairoa McMillian and Jimmy Horn Jr., members of the rookie class, continue to impress in all they do. McMillian’s route running is getting its fine tuning but the huge catch radius and strong hands are constantly on full display.
Horn is simply running away from people, be it in short yardage situations or deep ball opportunities. Displaying great hands and crisp breaks. Second-year receiver, Xavier Leggette, is focusing on the elements of his game that he can control and take his next developmental steps.
Jalen Coker, continues to flash the elements of his game that made him a reliable target for the offense down the stretch last season. Both guys are looking to elevate their respective games in year two.
Defense with claws
Defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero has a full compliment of players one week into training camp. Derrick Brown returns from injury, bolstering the middle of the defense. Veteran additions of safety Tre’von Moehrig, and defensive interiors Tershawn Wharton and Bobby Brown III mixed with the rookies are going to be nasty. Princely Umanmielen, has indeed been like that thus far into camp.
It would be wise to temper enthusiasm about linemen without pads on, but what has been shown is encouraging to say the least. Second round draft pick Nic Scourton has come in and hit the ground running since signing his four-year $8.6 Million dollar contract on July 19th.
Coach’s Quotes
“How quickly can we play together, how quickly can we communicate and how quickly can we show that style of football that we want to put out there.
“For me it’s owning the system and working ourselves into a condition where we are ready to play week one.
“You can determine who really understands what we are doing by the speed of play.”
Optimism is high with the Carolina Panthers, where will they end up? No one knows, but the focus from Canales is having a great camp. He seems to have grown in the job from year one to year two and positive change is coming fot the Panthers. While no one is using the P-word (playoffs) they may be closer to Charlotte, NC than you think.
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