{"id":182760,"date":"2024-07-25T14:00:16","date_gmt":"2024-07-25T18:00:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=182760"},"modified":"2024-07-24T17:31:03","modified_gmt":"2024-07-24T21:31:03","slug":"carolina-panthers-gm-dan-morgan-not-sleepwalking-into-1st-nfl-training-camp","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2024\/07\/25\/carolina-panthers-gm-dan-morgan-not-sleepwalking-into-1st-nfl-training-camp\/","title":{"rendered":"Carolina Panthers GM Dan Morgan Not Sleepwalking Into 1st NFL Training Camp\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">On the eve of the first full-squad workout at the <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.msn.com\/en-us\/sports\/other\/here-s-a-sneak-peek-at-panthers-practice-fields-before-first-training-camp-in-charlotte\/ar-BB1qt9sn?ocid=BingNewsSerp\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">new practice facility<\/a> behind Bank of America Stadium, <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/category\/nfl-teams\/panthers\/\" target=\"_self\">Carolina Panthers<\/a> general manager Dan Morgan on Tuesday addressed several training camp issues, some of which \u201ckeep me up at night.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Among the details that help lead Morgan to sleep deprivation include risky decisions on compiling competitive depth through free agency. <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">And scouring the NFL\u00a0landscape for a pass-rush specialist opposite Jadeveon Clowney.\u00a0<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">It\u2019s enough to keep any GM up throughout the night.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u201cI\u2019m not going to put any expectations on anything right now,\u201d Morgan said during Tuesday\u2019s press conference. \u201cWhat I do know is that there is a lot of work ahead of us. Not only from a personnel standpoint, but the players. The players know that they have to put the work in out there. We have a lot of new players that have to jell out there together and become a team. In terms of playoffs, we\u2019ll reach that when we\u2019re ready. I think right now we\u2019re focused on today, tomorrow, and just trying to get better as a team and an organization.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">With \u2066<a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Panthers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@Panthers<\/a>\u2069 first full-squad training camp workout Wednesday, workers were putting the final touches on new <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NFL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@NFL<\/a> practice facility Tuesday \u2026 <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/hswlDunv3E\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/hswlDunv3E<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Jeff Hawkins (@WriterHawkins) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/WriterHawkins\/status\/1815776478115631192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">July 23, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h2><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Panthers GM Dan Morgan Seeking Changes\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">With former All-Pro cornerback Stephon Gilmore remaining on the free-agent wire, Morgan was asked Tuesday if there was any progress to report. Nope.\u00a0<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The sides have been linked since <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.thecharlottepost.com\/news\/2024\/03\/29\/panthers\/jadeveon-clowney-cashes-in-on-panthers-homecoming\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Clowney signed his homecoming deal<\/a> March 27. Rock Hill, S.C., natives, Gilmore and Clowney were teammates in high school and college (South Carolina).\u00a0Clowney hinted in June that contract figures could be a hurdle in his friend returning to the Panthers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u201cI think with all free agents <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">that are<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> on the street, we contact all free agents out on the street,\u201d Morgan said. \u201cGet their status, see where they\u2019re at, from a money perspective.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The 2019 NFL Defensive Player of the <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Year<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, Gilmore is entering his age 34 season and remains one of the top free-agent targets <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">still<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> on the market. The Panthers enter training camp with Jaycee Horn and Dane Jackson as the presumptive starters. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">When asked about the status of his long-time friend and part-time training partner, Clowney said they speak often, but not much lately on the possibility of reuniting as teammates.\u00a0<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u201cI stay out of their way,\u201d he said with a grin. \u201cI\u2019m looking forward to seeing where he ends up.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">\u2066<a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Panthers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@Panthers<\/a>\u2069 OLB Jadeveon Clowney continues the recruitment of <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NFL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@NFL<\/a> sidekick Stephon Gilmore \u2026 <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/KeepPounding?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#KeepPounding<\/a> <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/W17tpvN91O\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/W17tpvN91O<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Jeff Hawkins (@WriterHawkins) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/WriterHawkins\/status\/1815853464653582582?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">July 23, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h2><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Morgan Counting On Pass-Rush Package To Emerge<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Lost in last season\u2019s 2-15 debacle was the defensive effort the Panthers displayed under the direction of defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero. <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Making the switch to a 3-4 defense, the Panthers, despite failing to generate a consistent pass rush, surrendered 293.9 yards per game, fourth best in the league. While the offensive coaching staff was gutted last season, Evero\u2019s group remained virtually untouched.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Despite employing Brian Burns on the edge last season, the Panthers produced just 27 total sacks. Distracted by the drama of a season-long contract squabble, Burns collected eight <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">sacks,<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> but otherwise failed to generate many impact plays. He was <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.nfl.com\/news\/giants-to-trade-for-panthers-brian-burns-agree-to-five-year-150m-deal-with-lb\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">traded to the New York Giants<\/a> for pennies on the dollar in trade value. But the deal unshackled Morgan financially. Instead of being pinned with an\u00a0approximate $25 million salary-cap hit over several seasons, he filled various holes, including Clowney\u2019s two-year deal.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">If healthy, Clowney could aid the Panthers\u2019 pass-rush woes. To balance Evero\u2019s defense, a second outside linebacker <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">needs to<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> become a sack threat.\u00a0<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Morgan listed a few prospects who could seize a starting spot during the preseason. First, though, they <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">need to<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> perform when the pads come on in training camp.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u201cYeah, I mean, DJ Johnson,\u201d Morgan replied. \u201cDrafted him last year. He\u2019s a big, physical guy. Eku Leota, another guy that when he had his opportunities last year, <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">he<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> came in and he played <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">good<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> for us. K\u2019Lavon Chaisson, we signed him to a one-year deal. High draft pick, a guy <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">that we\u2019re<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> excited about that maybe people are sleeping on.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Sleeping? Certainly not Morgan.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">\u2066<a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Panthers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@Panthers<\/a>\u2069 GM Dan Morgan on his late-night thoughts building an \u2066<a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NFL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@NFL<\/a>\u2069 roster \u2026 <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/KeepPounding?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#KeepPounding<\/a> <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/zcoJzoRjQ9\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/zcoJzoRjQ9<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Jeff Hawkins (@WriterHawkins) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/WriterHawkins\/status\/1815937772886118887?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">July 24, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><em>Main Image: Jim Dedmon &#8211; USA Today Sports<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As the Carolina Panthers on Wednesday officially open training camp, GM Dan Morgan remains sleepless attempting to rebuild the NFL roster.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4299,"featured_media":182843,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[30,54],"tags":[329,40,2769],"class_list":["post-182760","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-panthers","category-editorials","tag-carolina-panthers","tag-nfl","tag-nfl-training-camp"],"modified_by":"Isaac Zuniga","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/182760","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4299"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=182760"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/182760\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/182843"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=182760"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=182760"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=182760"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}