The Carolina Panthers held their annual Fan Fest practice at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, drawing a crowd of 45,690. Fans watched as rookie wide receiver Xavier Legette scored on a 39-yard touchdown reception. Head coach Dave Canales commented on the play, saying, “I saw guys just take bad angles on a reception. And he’s big and fast, and he kind of saw he had daylight and was able to get into the end zone. But I think it was a little bit of over-pursuit by the defense, and that’s why these scrimmages are so important for guys. In a practice, you may not get the full finish that you’re expecting that you might see in a game, so you’ve got to work on those angles and use your help, so that’s one of the things I know that we can kind of look at and improve.
“But I love seeing Xavier with the ball in his hands running full speed, that means coaches are doing their job.”
Legette had not scored in the last seven games of the previous regular season. The event gave fans an opportunity to see him perform again. Later in the scrimmage, Legette briefly left the field after being tackled but quickly returned to action. Veteran receiver Adam Thielen described witnessing Legette’s fall: “Yeah, I had kind of a pretty close view of that one, so it didn’t look very good from my view, so I was a little worried about it,” Thielen said. “But, glad to see that he was out there, bounced up quickly, and jogged off. It’s kind of one of those things as a player, usually you’re like, ‘I didn’t feel good,’ and then you get up and, ‘OK, I’m good.’
“So, glad that everything is good there, and I think for the most part, the team is healthy after a great day’s work.”
The event provided fans with their first chance this year to watch Panthers training camp live due to construction closing other practices. Over 45,000 attended despite early rain.
“That was a lot of fun right there, just great energy,” Canales said. “So much love for the fans that came out. Lots of great energy; the guys needed it; we’re deep in the camp so all the help we can get to just kind of create those types of practices.
“The guys don’t understand the impact they can have on people just by spending a little bit of time by going to see someone taking a picture with somebody. You know connecting with our fan base because they mean a lot to this town so I love moments like that we’re really happy to do that.”
Fan Fest returned to Charlotte after being held last year at Clemson’s stadium due to renovations at Bank of America Stadium.
Thielen spoke about practicing in front of fans: “I think it’s important to have the lights on, the crowd, the energy kind of just that next step in atmosphere being closer to real game,” Thielen said. “I think it’s good for us all to look ourselves in face and say we need get little bit better at you know this or other… So great evaluation for us as individuals and I’m sure for team excited go back work.”
Rookies also experienced playing before fans for first time during Fan Fest.
“I feel like (the energy is) really when you first walk out and you see all fans stuff like that,” rookie receiver Jimmy Horn Jr. said.
Special teams featured prominently when new punter Sam Martin completed an 80-yard pass on a fake punt play caught by rookie safety Lathan Ransom before Horn chased him down near goal line. Ransom previously blocked two punts while playing college football at Ohio State University.
Martin has attempted two passes previously during his career while playing elsewhere but both occurred more than ten years ago; Johnny Hekker served as Panthers’ punter recently but threw only one completion over three seasons.
Horn also caught two touchdowns during offensive drills but emphasized defensive contributions were equally rewarding: “Saving touchdowns.” He explained reacting quickly when faced with unexpected trick plays from teammates during practice situations.
Injury updates included several players sitting out: Derrick Brown continues recovery from knee surgery combined with recent oblique strain; Hunter Renfrow (hamstring), Nic Scourton (hamstring), DJ Johnson (hip) were also sidelined; A’Shawn Robinson and Jaycee Horn received scheduled rest days according Coach Canales’ plan—Horn participated only partially.
Quarterback Andy Dalton connected with Horn twice for touchdowns during drills while David Moore recorded four receptions including notable long gain early session; rookie kicker Ryan Fitzgerald missed two field goals including one off upright under pressure late-game scenario prompting review by coaching staff: “Missed couple so we’re just learning more about guys we have,” Canales said…
Ransom delivered strong tackle against T.J Luther likely resulting penalty under normal circumstances according head coach though called moment educational opportunity followed later clean hit same scrimmage sequence; Jack Plummer quarterbacked reserves leading them late scoring drive added touchdown Dominique Dafney but also threw interception Bam Martin-Scott.
