The Carolina Panthers held their first padded practice of training camp on Monday, bringing an increase in physicality and competition among players. Running back Chuba Hubbard was seen with a lump on his forehead after a heated exchange with linebacker Trevin Wallace. The incident occurred when Wallace delivered a hard hit at the end of a play, prompting Hubbard to react emotionally.
“Just a football play; he’s playing hard, that’s what coach preaches, so nothing to be mad about it’s just football,” Hubbard said. “Obviously, a lot of emotions in it, but he’s playing hard and that’s what we need, so I love it. I mean, football is all about emotions, obviously I got hit, reacted a certain way, but like I said, he’s playing hard and I can’t be mad about that.
“At the end of the day, he’s playing physical, playing fast. I don’t think anybody’s really thinking about how you’re going to hit somebody; he’s just trying to make a play. I don’t fault anybody for playing hard. That’s what I love. I’m not going to lie, I react crazy sometimes. I love football. I’m emotional, so that’s how it is. I’ll go in there in the locker room, know it’s all love. He knows that, though.”
The altercation also led to further shoving among teammates but did not result in any lasting disputes or injuries according to those involved.
Head coach Dave Canales addressed the intensity shown during practice: “Playing football,” Canales said of the play in question. “We’ve got to toe the line, we’ve got to play physical, and a lot of times, it’s not personal, it’s just football. So guys will respond passionately, and they don’t like getting knocked on their butt, they take it personally. But you know there was a lot of physical play throughout practice, so that’s going to happen.”
Canales indicated he had no intention of ending practice early after the scuffle: “Not at all,” he replied when asked if he considered calling practice short after the late-workout scuffle. “As quick as I could get the music back going and feed off of that energy, I wanted to make sure the guys can have the ability to have plays, and sometimes it’s going to be emotional, passionate plays. Can we go to the next one? Can we get back to football?So it was great.”
Monday’s session took place under high temperatures nearing 100 degrees Fahrenheit by midday but continued as planned with players adapting accordingly.
Competition along both offensive and defensive lines was evident as returning players such as Bobby Brown III joined others including Derrick Brown for drills against established veterans and rookies alike.
“The battles up front with Rob and D-Lew and Turk, Bobby’s going to be coming out there pretty soon,” Canales began. “Ickey and T-Mo, going against DJ and Pat Jones, Princeley and Nic Scourton having to go against veteran tackles. All these matchups are going to make us who we are.”
Wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan demonstrated his speed during seven-on-seven drills by connecting with quarterback Bryce Young on crossing routes—showing improvement in timing his stride since college.
“A lot of times those guys their stride builds up as they get going you know it’s particularly when he’s running across the field that he can pretty much separate and run away from anybody,” Canales explained Monday.
“I know we’re doing our job and I know that Bryce is throwing the ball with accuracy when we can get him catching the ball in full stride,” Canales bragged. “Which was a beautiful play by Bryce a little bit of pressure He kind of had to move off the spot get the ball out quickly and so just a really well executed play.”
Players maintained their sense of humor despite tough conditions during post-practice press conferences.
Bryce Young responded dryly when asked about teammate Hunter Renfrow’s on-field persona: “I don’t think I’m at liberty to say what a normal person looks like,” Young deadpanned.
Renfrow commented on his time away from football last season due to health issues: “I got a lot of practice last year,” Renfrow replied when asked about his 7 handicap.
Coach Canales also made light of an incident involving tight end Ja’Tavion: “It looked like he took a shot in the groin right there,” he said.”We’re asking our guys to punch the ball; sometimes they take it a little too literally so he went down in a heap but I think he’ll be all right.”
