Carolina Panthers positions to keep an eye on, Christian’s McCaffrey’s No. 1 fantasy pick
Since the day Matt Rhule was hired as the Panthers head coach back in January, he has spoken of his excitement to get in the building and start working with players. Due to the circumstances surrounding the coronavirus, it took much longer than expected, but the Panthers are now a week into training camp and have officially gotten to work on the field.
The team is practicing — and preparing for all of the intricacies that this season may involve.
“This is a different year. You’re not bringing guys in for tryouts and physicals all those different things. There’s a lot of different rules,” Rhule said Friday. “The people that are here, we’ve got to come together. We’re telling guys like, ‘hey, you ever played offense before, we’re going to do five minutes of offense with you.’ In a year with COVID, where you might have to build from within, it’s not even like a college football team, like a high school football team in terms of, the more you can do, the more you can do. We’re just trying to build that camaraderie, get the football right, and also make sure our players are as healthy as possible.”
The Panthers have yet to place a player on the reserve/COVID-19 list, which would indicate they have either tested positive or been in close contact with someone who has. Keeping the number of players on that list down will continue to be important with close contact practices around the corner.
Rhule said that when players and staff got tested for COVID-19, many were surprised to find they had the antibodies for the virus, indicating they were infected at some time. While there is plenty of uncertainty surrounding how sports will proceed in general this fall, the Panthers have put a significant amount of work into making the building as safe as possible, so that players like left tackle Russell Okung, who seriously considered opting out of the season and has had health issues, feel comfortable.
“I think when you’re in this building every day, I think you walk away saying there’s absolutely no doubt that we’re going to play football. I can’t talk about society at large and I don’t know what will happen outside,” Rhule said. “But I think when you’re here you feel a real sense of calm. When you’re in this building, A: you know everyone’s been tested and B: We’re socially distancing, walking around with contact tracers, we’re wearing masks.”
Positions to watch: The Panthers will have competition throughout the roster during training camp, but there are two positions that Rhule will have a close eye on to determine who earns the backup roles: running back and tight end.
Behind Christian McCaffrey, the team has a pretty open running back competition. Rhule said that determining how the other backs — Mike Davis, Reggie Bonnafon, Jordan Scarlett, Trenton Cannon and fullback Alex Armah — can impact a game is critical. Landing a roster spot will come from showing how they can positively impact the team and fit in coordinator Joe Brady’s offense.
For the tight end position, Rhule only had positive things to say about the potential of both blocking tight end Chris Manhertz and Ian Thomas, who is getting his first starting opportunity with Greg Olsen now in Seattle. The competition will come at the open third tight end spot between Temarrick Hemingway, Giovanni Ricci, Cam Sutton and Colin Thompson, all inexperienced players.
“I think Chris Manhertz has a chance to be one of the best blocking tight ends in the National Football League, if not the best, and he’s done a really nice job of improving as a pass catcher,” Rhule said. “It’s (Thomas’) time to go play and show what he can do.”
No. 1 fantasy pick: This week during McCaffrey’s media availbility, he was asked if he would pick himself if he had the first overall pick in a fantasy football draft. His answer was quick and to the point.
“I’d take myself,” McCaffrey said. “I would always take myself in fantasy.”
McCaffrey is primed for another big season and Brady will certainly get creative with using the All-Pro back. Prepare accordingly.
Attedance update: The Panthers sent an email to Personal Seat License owners Friday following North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper’s announcement Wednesday that Phase Two of the state’s reopening plan will be extended until at least Sept. 11. The Panthers’ first game of the season is scheduled for Sept. 13 against the Raiders.
The team had no significant update and is still determining how exactly the extension will impact attendance at Bank of America Stadium. The seat selection process is expected to begin the fourth week of August.
This story was originally published August 10, 2020 at 6:00 AM.
