5 Panthers players on the hot seat at training camp in 2021
By Dean Jones
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Joey Slye – Carolina Panthers K
At least at the present time, there is no competition for kicker Joey Slye heading into training camp. But that’s not to say the Carolina Panthers won’t go in this direction if they don’t like what they see from the player.
Slye went through some complications in 2020.
There was plenty of opportunities to shine due to Carolina’s struggles getting in the end zone. But he did come up short on occasions and it was something of a surprise to see the kicker given a one-year extension almost immediately after the campaign came to a conclusion.
The life of a kicker is a tough one. They are sacrificed more than any other position and if Slye wants to cement himself on the roster, he’ll have to be almost perfect during drills and when he’s on the field in preseason games.
This is a challenge Slye is sure to relish. But whether he can do enough is another matter entirely.
Nobody will know more about what’s at stake than Slye.
He appears to have seen off Zane Gonzalez – who came in for a tryout at mandatory minicamp. Whether another veteran presence is acquired by the Panthers between now and the season starting could be down to the coaching staff’s confidence in Slye and this is something he can definitely enhance in the coming weeks.