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.

The Carolina Panthers began their Off-season Training Activities (OTA’s) Wednesday morning in Charlotte. The first reports have come out but I must warn you, keep your expectations low. The only outsiders allowed to observe are the beat writers who follow the strict code of silence for fear of losing their privileges. Consequently we get very little details on things that matter or that may actually interest us. Here's an analogy you may relate to: If Panther OTA reporting was a snack it would be a rice cake, it looks like it should be good but it tastes like nothing.

Here’s what John Fox had to say about the value of OTA’s :

"It gives us a chance to be on the field, coaching and getting to find out about our players," head coach John Fox said on May 13. "That can't be in pads, but (the summer school sessions) do help prepare you for training camp."

 Sounds exciting. Hey John, how’s that offensive line adjusting to the changes? How’d Jarrett do in the classroom drills? (Silence) Ok…tell me about Jake’s elbow yet again.

Delhomme participated in team drills on the opening day of the team's optional workouts. Delhomme threw about 40 passes, up from the 34 he threw in individual drills during April's minicamp.

Sounds great, Jake should be ready to go in July. I've stopped worrying about it. Hey Marty, any more roster changes coming up?

The Panthers are "standing pat," according to Hurney, on making any roster moves now. Hurney said the team isn’t interested in defensive end Erasmus James, who was recently cut by the Minnesota Vikings. James, 25, is a former first-round pick whose career has been marred by injuries. -- David Scott

Hurney may not make any changes soon but I can’t imagine there won't be additional moves leading up to TC.

At 25 somebody will take a chance on Erasmus James if he can prove he’s healthy. I agree though he’s not a fit for the Panthers at this point. You never know though, if no one else can get the job done he could end up a Panther later. 

It is still early in OTA’s so I will restrain from further critique as more tasty information may be forthcoming. I obviously get frustrated with the lack of more ‘behind the scenes’, juicy information about these team activities. I’m not asking for new plays, formations or blitz packages. I would be happy with comments about team chemistry, player conditioning and depth chart changes. It’s too early to expect much but come on, Panther fans are dying for any glimmer of a pending playoff run. We want to believe very badly that things will come together this season that could be magical but so much hinges on a lot of assumptions. We need details!…please.