The Carolina Panthers completed their second day of training camp Thursday morning. The team will have the day off Friday, before their “Back Together Again” practice at Gibbs Stadium Saturday.
Here are five observations from day two.
Bryce’s First Pick
Bryce Young continues to impress with his poise and leadership, but mistakes will happen. During Thursday’s practice, Young threw his first interception of training camp on what coach Reich said was a miscommunication.
“It was a miscommunication on a stick route, as far as coming out versus running out – so normal stuff. You don’t like it, (but) we’ll get it cleaned up.”
Young threw the ball right into cornerback CJ Henderson’s hands on what would’ve been a pick-six in a live scenario and also overthrew an open Adam Theilen, who got open in the secondary with Jeremy Chinn in coverage. Despite those two miscues, Young still had a respectable practice – finishing approximately six of his nine throws during 11 on 11 periods.
Chark Week
It’s just day two, but wide receiver DJ Chark and Bryce Young have already developed decent timing. Chark stood out on day one – catching two deep balls from Young – and also connected with him Thursday for a what would’ve been a 30-40 yard touchdown during 7 on 7 work.
“Those plays are sometimes audibles and sometimes what the play is,” Chark said we when asked about his early connection with Young. “I know if there’s a chance to attack, we’re probably going to attack. I know that’s his mentality, so me as a receiver and other receivers know to go get it. “
Keyshia Cole Nostalgia
Defensive end, Brian Burns, told us yesterday that the pressure was on for top performances at the rookie talent show, and the top pick didn’t disappoint.
Bryce Young, who celebrated a birthday this week, was born in 2001. The Panthers’ rookie quarterback was just shy of four years old when Keyshia Cole’s hit debut album, “The Way It Is,” was released on June 21, 2005, but somehow he was able to give a rousing rendition of one of the R&B singer’s popular songs that got the whole team meeting room joining in.
Veteran Shaq Thompson said he was shocked to see that side of the usually mild-mannered Young, but added that it was good for the team to see more of his personality.
Although we weren’t told which Keyshia Cole song Young sang, my money is on “Love.” That always gets the crowd involved.
Early Training Camp MVP?
For the second day in a row, linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill, hauled in a interception. Grugier-Hill, an eight year veteran who spent last season with the Arizona Cardinals, picked off Dalton during 11 on 11 drills during Wednesday’s practice, and again on Thursday.
He’s Back…
The obnoxious Cowboys’ fan, who’d rather flaunt this fandom at Panthers training camp, than support his team from the comfort of his home or at Oxnard, California (where Dallas holds their camp) returned to the hills of Wofford in full regalia – catching the attention of Panthers’ players as they were warming up ahead of the session. The fan tried to show the players, including Shaq Thompson, what his truck before being boo’d and told to “take his a** to California” by Thompson.
