Everybody Was Kung Fu Fighting!

It had to happen sooner or later.  There had to be a fight.  It’s been hot and miserable on those practice fields in Spartaburg.  At some point, tempers would flair during one of the Carolina Panthers training camp sessions.

It’s hot, and players, as they always do after a few days of camp, are getting a bit ornery. There was a mild scuffle between rookie RT Jeff Otah and veteran DE Tyler Brayton. It didn’t last long, which was probably good for Brayton.

I wasn’t there to see this so I can’t report to you whether Brayton kicked Otah in his junk or not.  He sort of has that habit.  Okay, he just did it once that we know about but it was enough to earn him the nickname “The Nutcracker” from Panthers fans.

And I’m not sure exactly what was being insinuated here about the scuffle not lasting long.  Is that to imply that Otah would have easily whipped Brayton?  Oh!  Tyler, you been dissed!

Ryne Robinson and Darren Toney handled kickoff returns today. There’s been talk of running back Jonathan Stewart doing this, and that could still happen, but it sure seems preferable for Robinson to get the job to preserve Stewart, a first-round pick, for the running game.

I would like to save Stewart for the running game too but I recall ranking 31st out of 32 teams last year with Robinson handling kickoff returns.  If a change or ten isn’t made we could wind up with more bad field position.

Tackle Charles Spencer didn’t practice. He hasn’t played in almost two years due to a serious knee injury. A former starter for the Houston Texans, Spencer is hoping to make a comeback with Carolina. The team is being careful not to overwork him.

If that knee hasn’t healed enough in two years to get this guy on the practice field this might go down as a worthwhile experiment and nothing more.

Running back LaBrandon Toefield wasn’t mentioned as being on the injury list, but his left shoulder was wrapped and he was sidelined for much of the morning practice.

This little Toefield stood on the sidelines.  Hate to hear that since he could wind up being a valuable backup this season.  Get well, LaBrandon!

More updates coming provided the Nutcracker doesn’t kick ’em all in their soft under carriage.