The Carolina Panthers wrapped up their penultimate practice of 2022 training camp on Tuesday. And as we inch closer to actual play, it seems as though we’re inching closer to a certain newcomer taking the reins under center.
Here are the top takeaways on the 11th outing in Spartanburg.
Ben McAdoo wants every battle to take its course
Panthers fans, obviously, want a prompt answer on who’ll be quarterbacking their team in 2022. And it feels like we got even closer to that answer on Monday.
But McAdoo told reporters that he wants this competition, and the rest of them on offense, to play out properly:
“Those guys, they’re out there battlin’. They’re out there competin’. Right now, the last thing we wanna do is be instant evaluators, right? So we wanna give everybody an opportunity to go out there and put their best football on tape and then we’ll let it play itself out.”
“First of all, what I talked to the offense about when we first got together was I think it’s important we all have respect—because we have position battles everywhere,” he added. “This is normal. It’s just probably abnormal at the quarterback position, right? But we talked about respect is important, empathy is important. You have to be just.”
Some starters will play on Saturday
Carolina’s first preseason game takes place on Saturday, when they travel to lock up with the Washington Commanders at FedEx Field. Head coach Matt Rhule told reporters that he and McAdoo still have to determine a quarterback rotation, but at least some of the team’s projected starters will see the field:
“Last year I played them in the second and third game, but we had two joint practices. So there’ll be some starters playing this week. And it might be less guys in the second game, with the joint practice kinda taking the place of that. Some guys might play in all three. So we’re gonna take it on a very individual basis—what we think each guy needs.”
More third-string reps are coming on Wednesday
Rhule wants Wednesday to be all about the third team guys, who haven’t gotten many looks with training camp closing down.
“I think the 1’s have gone, they’ve gone seven padded practices in eight days, nine days. So I wanna make sure we have a chance to really see these 3’s. We’ve had some depth issues at corner and some positions, so the 3’s haven’t gotten as many reps as I’d like. It’s their day tomorrow.”
Notable observations
Shells again for Jaycee Horn. pic.twitter.com/Ca08RFsqdh
— Bill Voth (@PanthersBill) August 9, 2022
Terrace Marshall in a red jersey today. Has been dealing with a lower-body injury.
— Joe Person (@josephperson) August 9, 2022
Marquis Haynes is in pads and appears to be practicing. Good news after having to be carted off the field this past Saturday. pic.twitter.com/lzntuoA3ON
— Carolina Blitz (@KeepBlitzin) August 9, 2022
Panthers short at TE today. Colin Thompson in a red jersey and Stephen Sullivan still gone dealing with a family matter.
— Joe Person (@josephperson) August 9, 2022
Live goal line drill, first play – Baker Mayfield play-action, rolls right, finds Ian Thomas for TD.
— Bill Voth (@PanthersBill) August 9, 2022
At the goal line pic.twitter.com/WueTN5RaIp
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) August 9, 2022
Offense had the upper hand in eight plays of live goal line. Five touchdowns. Corral capped the period with a touchdown pass on a nice roll out.
— Darin Gantt (@daringantt) August 9, 2022
Offense had the upper hand in eight plays of live goal line. Five touchdowns. Corral capped the period with a touchdown pass on a nice roll out.
— Darin Gantt (@daringantt) August 9, 2022
📝: Robbie is catching everything in his vicinity.
— Carolina Blitz (@KeepBlitzin) August 9, 2022
Some injury updates: Keith Taylor, Colin Thompson and Terrace Marshall all in red jerseys. Marquis Haynes back to full. During practice, CJ Saunders headed to medical tent under his own power.
— Ellis L. Williams (@BookofEllis) August 9, 2022
Hell of a catch by Rashard Higgins in one on ones on a deep throw from Sam Darnold.
— Joe Person (@josephperson) August 9, 2022
Matt Corral is uncorking some very nice bombs in one on ones.
— Joe Person (@josephperson) August 9, 2022
Matt Corral hits Derek Wright for the TD. Devin Jones was in coverage.
— Sheena Quick (@Sheena_Marie3) August 9, 2022
UDFA WR Derek Wright made multiple deep touchdown grabs during slot-combos. He’s winning at the LOS and making difffcult over the shoulder receptions.
— Ellis L. Williams (@BookofEllis) August 9, 2022
.@corral_matt x @derekwright_05 pic.twitter.com/BZ49i5CIpO
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) August 9, 2022
📝: Red zone drill, Darnold hits Moore for back to back TDs.
Looks like 1st team offense is up against 2nd team defense.
— Carolina Blitz (@KeepBlitzin) August 9, 2022
Leaving on a golf cart. https://t.co/uhowTg4Kue pic.twitter.com/VAX5kr3MWf
— David Newton (@DNewtonespn) August 9, 2022
📝: First 2 minute drill 11v11. Baker with 1s. Christensen starts off at LT for one play before sliding over the LG with Ickey at LT. Shi lined up in the slot.
— Carolina Blitz (@KeepBlitzin) August 9, 2022
Panthers CB Jaycee Horn tried sneaking a rep during a 2-minute drill vs. the 1st team offense. He nearly got away with it too until coaches noticed & quciky yanked him out.
Young man just wants to ball 😢
— Ellis L. Williams (@BookofEllis) August 9, 2022
We know Higgins is familiar but Baker was 4-4 with 4 TDs to 4 different WRs during the goal line session. #Panthers
— Sheena Quick (@Sheena_Marie3) August 9, 2022
Left side of the 1st-team line for much of the day has been Ickey Ekwonu at tackle and Michael Jordan at guard.
— Joe Person (@josephperson) August 9, 2022
TE Ian Thomas is down after catching a sideline ball from Baker Mayfield.
— Will Kunkel (@WillKunkelFOX) August 9, 2022
Appears to be OK, but being evaluated. Unsure what issue is, but could be ribs. https://t.co/g3Ia8M4BjA
— Joe Person (@josephperson) August 9, 2022
Baker Mayfield led the Panthers 1st team offense to touchdowns on back-to-back 2 minute drives to end practice. Team had 35 seconds from 40 yd line to score.
First drive: 3-plays, capped by 20 yd DJ Moore TD over route.
Second drive: 7 plays, ends w:/ 5yd CMC TD reception
— Ellis L. Williams (@BookofEllis) August 9, 2022
Mayfield and McCaffrey connecting to wrap up a 2.5 hour, high-energy bonanza. Good practice today, plenty of observations from yours truly coming up later here on Twitter and on the podcast
— John Ellis (@1PantherPlace) August 9, 2022
