Monday Morning Camp Recap

There might be some egos, noses and eyes bruised but practice resumed for the Carolina Panthers Monday morning.  Here is a recap of the events from the guys at the Gaston Gazette.

Steve Smith still was working with the first team offense in practice. Others will get a chance to work there as training camp progresses, Fox said. But he stressed that the team still needs to get Smith ready, too.

We can expect DJ Hackett to get a lot of reps with the first team but Smith is still going to be the starter this season.  I’m sure some would ask why Smith was even allowed to practice.  Should that have been part of the punishment too?

Jason Carter was the subject of, as I counted them, three questions for John Fox this morning.  I would epxect everybody to get more reps considering that Smith will be out for two games.

MLB Jon Beason tweaked his ankle during practice. He was taken under the tent and his ankle was wrapped in ice. It’s probably nothing serious, but Beason may miss a few days.

Not good news but if it’s just a “tweak” it’s not serious.  Thank goodness!

The Panthers got a few players off their injury list Monday and added one more. Defensive tackle Maake Kemoeatu and Darwin Walker were back on the field, but tight end Dante Rosario did not practice due to a hamstring injury. Linebacker Adam Seward practiced on a partial basis. He’s trying to make it back from a strained abdomen. With Beason and Seward out, rookie Dan Connor actually got a few looks with the first team. Among the others out include DTs Damione Lewis and Ian Scott, S Nate Salley and WR/KR Ryne Robinson.

Things get physical out there so some scrapes and dings are expected.  Let’s hope this doesn’t turn into a MASH unit.  So far, so good with avoiding the big one.

Offensive linemen aren’t the only ones subject to the Lap of Shame. DEs Stanley McClover and Charles Johnson were both sent to run a lap on Monday morning as punishment for jumping off-sides.

Wouldn’t you just want to run that lap with your head down, chin on your chest?  Thinking the whole time, “I look stupid.  I feel stupid.  Everybody is staring at me like I’m an alien.”  Such is life in Spartanburg.  Still, I think for even league minimum I could run quite a few of those laps.

WR Jason Carter worked as the first team punt returner with Robinson out.

If Carter can prove that he can handle punt returns this could work out great.  Who knows, maybe Steve Smith comes back and receives further punishment and is back shagging punts.  Just thinking out loud.

WR Muhsin Muhammad hauled in a deep pass from QB Jake Delhomme on Monday down the right sidelines. He beat Chris Gamble. Dominique Thompson also made a great job on a deep route and Carter snared a nice pass while going over the middle.

I expect to hear great things about Muhammad.  So many people are talking about him like he’s too old but they still want to praise Joey Galloway who is one year older.  What gives with that crap?  Moose still has something to provide this team and with the shape he keeps himself in, don’t be surprised if he comes out of this season with 60 catches.  Call me crazy.  Go ahead!

Na’il Diggs is still holding on to the starting job at SLB.

The team’s deepest position will be the best battle.  Where is Landon Johnson?  Probably standing on the sidelines and chomping at the bit to get in there to do some damage.

On special teams, Jason Baker worked on punts while backed up in his own end zone.

Let’s hope Baker doesn’t have to perform this maneuver very much this season.

The Panthers worked full pads in the morning, which means they will go with shorts tonight.

You deserve a break tonight!  That means shorts, guys!  We’ll bring you the info as it rolls in.