After finishing his responsibilities of orchestrating the Carolina Panthers training camp opener and reviewing the day’s action with the media, coach Dave Canales admitted feeling a bit subdued.
On the morning the NFL franchise unveiled its new practice field’s amenities, the emotional rookie coach embraced the moment.
“I think in general, I was just really excited, really humbled and really grateful to have this opportunity,” Canales said, adding he felt “supported by a staff of amazing coaches and by a bunch of players who are hungry to do something this year.”
For the Panthers to rebound from a league-worst 2-15 campaign, Canales pointed to a growing offensive connection between quarterback Bryce Young and wide receiver Diontae Johnson and the need for cornerback Jaycee Horn to remain in the starting lineup.
@Panthers new @NFL practice field Panorama … #KeepPounding pic.twitter.com/w1KkU9vM9n
— Jeff Hawkins (@WriterHawkins) July 24, 2024
Panthers Coach Dave Canales ‘Humbled’ After 1st Training Camp Practice
Foreshadowing Future Young-Johnson Connections
During an 11-on-11 drill Wednesday, Young ran a few steps out of the collapsing pocket and spotted Johnson working his way open in flat. Young’s pass, however, came in at his new primary target’s ankles, falling incomplete.
The play resembled many from Young’s flat rookie campaign. He compiled a modest average of 179.8 passing yards during his 16 starts.
Two plays later, Young and Johnson could have connected on a play that foreshadows events for the upcoming season.
Young, escaping the pressure of edge rusher K’Lavon Chaisson, stepped up, regained composure and hit Johnson on a deep out route near the sideline. The opening day crowd at the Panthers’ new practice fields behind Bank of America Stadium reacted to the off-schedule big play. They certainly didn’t see many last season. Will that change?
“I think it’s just, for Bryce, learning this mover,” Canales told reporters after Wednesday’s practice. “Diontae is a special mover. He’s really explosive, really fast through his turns. And so I’ve watched them kinda of grow that chemistry. And of course, just getting out here today is another step in building that.”
Young, who went 4-for-4 during 7-on-7 play, completed 3 of 5 during the 11-on-11 competition. The players wore helmets, but no pads.
Following his offseason acquisition, Johnson said in April Canales revealed plans of making the ex-Pittsburgh Steelers Pro Bowler the offense’s “X” receiver, indicating he would be the “first read in the progression almost every play.”
Canales all but confirmed those plans continue to be formulated during the early stages of training camp.
“As we build our offense, we really try to feature someone,” he said. “And for us, right now, where’s Diontae Johnson at? We have our progressions and we’re gonna move him around our formation. But the rest of the guys have to come alive as the coverage is dictated.”
@Panthers WR unit goes through a @NFL training camp drill … #KeepPounding pic.twitter.com/9IbqihvJd7
— Jeff Hawkins (@WriterHawkins) July 24, 2024
Jaycee Horn Allowing Play To Speak Loudest
As a fourth-year veteran expected to contribute as the team’s lockdown cornerback, Jaycee Horn must shake his injury-prone reputation.
Of 51 NFL games, Horn, the 2021 eighth-overall draft pick, has been sidelined 29 times.
With the Panthers picking up the fifth-year option, Horn hopes his health will keep up with his potential. When he was on the field last season, he recorded career-high grades for an overall defensive grade (84.1) and coverage grade (83), per Pro Football Focus.
Entering his contract year, Horn indicated he was focused more on remaining healthy.
“I don’t even think about extensions,” Horn said. “Like I said, I’m focused on showin’ these guys I can be available and puttin’ out good tape on Sunday.”
Oft-injured @Panthers Jaycee Horn is out to prove he can be a CB1. @NFL Contract extension talks will come later … pic.twitter.com/6xMkzzdaTu
— Jeff Hawkins (@WriterHawkins) July 24, 2024
Main Photo: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
