The Panthers wrapped up the first day of minicamp today, so let’s take a look at how the team looked on the field, courtesy of Bryan Strickland from Panthers.com.
Julius Peppers took the field for the first time since re-signing with the Panthers, and head coach Ron Rivera was pleased to see him out there:
“It's good having him out here," head coach Ron Rivera said after the Panthers' first day of mandatory veteran minicamp. "Having him out on the practice field is just a culmination how we went through OTAs with him. ... “But," Rivera added, "it's good seeing him around and out here on the field."
The Panthers also made a kid’s wish come true:
Another welcome sight was 17-year old Foster Hale of Indian Trial, N.C., who fulfilled his Make-A-Wish hope of being Greg Olsen for the day. Hale, wearing No. 88 on the back of his shirt, caught a pass when the receivers and quarterbacks worked on route running and timing amongst themselves. After Hale was just a spectator the second time through, Olsen made sure he got another rep.
The wide receivers had a good afternoon:
The team's projected starting wide receivers set the tone early. Shula called on the other receivers to watch how Kelvin Benjamin ran a particular route, then Benjamin made a catch over the middle on the first pass play of team periods. Later in that session, Devin Funchess snared a ball over the middle.
"Funchess is having a great minicamp," safety Mike Adams commented.
Specifically Keyarris Garrett:
The catch of the day went to second-year receiver Keyarris Garrett, who one-handed a ball down the right sideline with cornerback Teddy Williams right on his hip.
There was one forced turnover during practice, courtesy of LB Ben Boulware:
On defense, rookie linebacker Ben Boulware forced the lone turnover of the day, with a quick and nifty strip of tight end Wyatt Houston across the middle. Safety Travell Dixon made the recovery.
Corn Elder had his share of ups and downs on the field:
Rookie cornerback Corn Elder took part in team drills for the first time since rookie minicamp, having taken it easy with an undisclosed injury. Elder had arguably the best pass breakup of the day when he stayed stride-for-stride with speedster Damiere Byrd deep down the sideline and batted the ball away. Soon after though, receiver Mose Frazier beat Elder. Such is life for a rookie.
And, we can’t have a minicamp wrap-up without mentioning the kickers:
Both kickers enjoyed a good opening day at minicamp, with incumbent Graham Gano and rookie Harrison Butker connecting on 40-plus yarders against a "rush." They wrapped up their day on the side, with both banging through 55-yarders before calling it a day.
Ron Rivera spoke with the media after practice about Michael Oher, who is in Charlotte despite not being cleared to resume football activities:
“He’s in town,” Rivera said. “Again, it’s something that we’re taking care of.”
There is still no timetable for his return.
The Panthers will resume their minicamp tomorrow morning, and 1st round draft pick Christian McCaffrey will make his debut on Thursday.