New Panther.com Writer Reports From OTA's

New Panther.com staff writer Andrew Mason posts his first piece from the Panthers OTA's. Mason comes to Charlotte from Denver, where he covered the Broncos for a number of years and comes highly recommended by the SB Nations Broncos affiliate Mile High Report . The part that made me smile immediately is this:

The first thing I notice about Steve Smith upon standing a few yards from where he caught this pass is the intensity on his face. Never mind that this is just a timing drill with nary a defender in sight.

Even from afar, I've always liked watching Smith play, even though I couldn't put my finger on the reasons why. Seeing him from field level Wednesday, I understand.

Steve Smith runs a timing drill at OTA's

Smitty is one of a kind and it's always good to hear an (former) outsider remark about how intense he is on the field even when he doesn't have to be. That's a big part of what makes Steve Smith what he is, one of the elite receivers in the league.

Here's a first look at our 1st team defensive line.

DT Damione Lewis (92) looks wider than I remember. It's hard to imagine he's considered 'quick' for his size and position. DE Tyler Brayton has nice size too. Looks like he's got the inside track to be the starter. I'm surprised Charles Johnson isn't working with the first team. I would have thought his seniority would weigh in somehow.

In his first post I think Mason already gives a glimmer of what is to come. Consider this excerpt:

In the other direction, as I continue to shoot pictures at a frenetic pace, I hear the unmistakable THWACK of a quickly zipped football finding its intended target.

I look for the origin of the throw.

I see Jake Delhomme.

I see the scar on his right elbow and I think, "Tommy John surgery." But I also see and think, "John Smoltz," the Braves pitcher who took his potential Hall of Fame career to another plateau after undergoing the procedure, becoming arguably the finest closer in baseball for a few years before returning to the starting rotation.

Delhomme tells reporters that he believes his arm is stronger than it ever has been. Having seen what Smoltz became for several years after his surgery, I believe him.

Mason gives us a taste of being at OTA's including sound affects and the pace of the drills. Yes, I can already tell Mason is an upgrade from the previous writers whoever that was. Many articles on Panthers.com didn't even include a by-line. Considering how bland it was I can see why.

Welcome to Charlotte Mr. Mason, I'm glad to have you in the fold.