CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) – A year after giving up the most points in a single season in NFL history, the Carolina Panthers defense set the tone early in day one of training camp.
“Defense was hard to go against today,” said Panthers head coach Dave Canales. “Just communication, lining up properly, attacking the ball– so a really good day there. Defense made it hard throwing the ball down field which is good. It’s what we expect.”
“Any time you are attached to that defense (the 32th defense in the NFL in 2024), you got to take that personal,” said Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn. “Even when we are out here having fun and talking trash, last year was last year, we still on the wrong side of history and we got to have that in the back of our minds everyday. Prep the right way so we can come back this year and put good stuff on tape.”
Panthers safety Demani Richardson made one of the plays of the day with a interception of Bryce Young during 7 on 7s.
Rookie pass rusher Princely Umanmielen also had a highlight play on the last play of practice during a team period.
He beat the tackle on a pass rush and hit the arm of Young as he was throwing the ball. A strip sack fumble, but a no-no in training camp as you are NOT suppose to hit the QB at all in practice.
“A great rush,” said coach Canales. “Just really came tight around that corner and nicked Bryce on the arm, the ball comes out, but that’s not really what we want to see. I wanna see that first part of it though. Just the great bend and flexibility and the power he has in his rushes. Even some of the veterans guys came up after practice and said ‘don’t back off of that, just be smart at the top kid.’ We got to take care of each other at that moment.”
Of course, the biggest improvement this defense will have to make is stopping the run.
That part of the game won’t be figured out until they put on the pads next week.
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