The second day of mandatory mini-camp was held today in Charlotte under bright sun and hot temperatures, and things got a little heated on the field as well. Media outlets have referred to several jaw battles as well as one very brief scuffle between Derek Anderson and Captain Munnerlyn, who made nice soon after. Here are your absentees:
- Michael Oher is in Charlotte but not attending camp as he continues to be evaluated by medical personnel.
- Christian McCaffrey will return tomorrow thanks to stupid NFL rules keeping him at Stanford.
- Brenton Bersin is out with an injury
- Vernon Butler was working out inside with trainers due to an undisclosed injury, described only as a “tweak”
Panthers.com Notes:
- James Bradberry practiced seemingly without restriction today, batting down a couple passes and actually picking one off, cast and all! He told reporters that the cast will come off tomorrow after the final mini-camp session, well ahead of schedule, but it should be noted this does NOT mean it has healed fully yet.
- For the most part, it seems the defense was highly motivated today after some egging by Cam Newton before practice. The notes are dominated by defensive efforts and plays on the whole. Practice started with two successful runs by Jonathan Stewart, but then Luke Kuechly met Fozzy Whitaker in the backfield for a loss and the defensive sideline erupted.
- Speaking of Luke, he is clearly ready to get back on the field for live action. After a pass intended for Kelvin Benjamin was broken up by Daryl Worley he let out a big roar, then followed it up with a pass break up of his own on a ball intended for Curtis Samuel. According to onlookers, it was a play only Kuechly and select few other linebackers could ever make.
- After complaining playfully about the heat, resident big man Kawann Short still managed to knock one Derek Anderson pass down at the line.
- David Mayo would have absolutely shellacked Joe Webb on a blitz in live action.
- Captain Munnerlyn successfully “sacked” Derek Anderson on a blitz, at which point DA threw the ball at his feet, starting an altercation. Not really a fight, a little shoving. Both men take their jobs very seriously.
- Corn Elder made a couple of nice plays, but did drop what should have been an easy interception on an underthrown ball intended for Keyarris Garrett.
- The day was not without offensive highlights however, as both Curtis Samuel and Russel Shepard made difficult catches in traffic. Keyarris Garrett made an excellent fingertip grab on a ball that was just on the edge of his outstretched reach.
- Kelvin Benjamin was able to pull in an awkward catch on the edge of his range:
Solid grab by Benjamin. #Panthers pic.twitter.com/ld6m2WWTok
— Jeremy Igo (@CarolinaHuddle) June 14, 2017
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