A big throw and a touchdown drive: Sam Darnold tossing deep at Panthers Training camp
Death by 1,000 check downs only works for so long.
Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold spent his first two training camp practices distributing most of his pass attempts to tight ends and running backs. That changed on Friday.
Day 3 of Panthers training camp featured a more aggressive Darnold. He let a few deep balls loose that could’ve been confused for Baker Mayfield throws.
His best ball came via a play-action dropback during an 11-on-11 session. Darnold started under center, faked a handoff and dropped back. Terrace Marshall Jr. immediately worked deep, stacking his defender behind him. With only the safety to beat, Darnold planted his back foot and launched a 50-50 ball. Marshall rose up, made the catch and completed it to the ground.
He parlayed that into a touchdown drive to end practice. Darnold and the first-team offense started on the 25-yard line and needed points as part of a simulated two-minute drill. He completed two quick passes to slot receiver C.J. Saunders, and one moved the chains. After a handoff for no gain, Darnold threw a deep post intended for DJ Moore on second down. Moore drew a pass interference on cornerback Chris Westry, moving the ball inside the 20.
Two plays later, a Darnold pass intended for Marshall was nearly intercepted in the back of the end zone. Stantley Thomas-Oliver climbed Marshall and tipped the ball up for grabs. As it floated, Shi Smith split two defenders and dove under the ball. He couldn’t complete the catch, and Darnold avoided a catastrophe.
A play later D’Onta Foreman scored from a yard out.
Mayfield responded with the second team. His drive stalled near the 30-yard line after a few completions to Derek Wright and Rashard Higgins. After a Mayfield spike to stop the clock, Zane Gonzalez knocked in a 40-yard field goal to conclude practice.
Coach Matt Rhule said it was important both quarterbacks found a way to score.
“One of those deals where on offense, you want to go score, but you also can’t go three-and-out and give the ball back to the other team,” Rhule said. “So that was the kind of a teaching point of all that. We did that twice. Both ways. Just trying to get points.”
Both quarterbacks got points, but Darnold put his team in the end zone. He outperformed Mayfield on Day 3.
C.J. Saunders in the slot
The Panthers have been searching for a reliable slot receiver since Curtis Samuel departed via free agency in 2020. Early indications suggest Saunders is in line to be the team’s No. 3 receiver in 11 personnel.
Saunders, 25, graduated from Ohio State in 2019. He spent 2020 as a Buckeyes’ graduate assistant after he was denied a sixth year of eligibility. In 2021, a minicamp tryout with Atlanta helped him get noticed. Carolina signed him that June and he spent last season on the team’s practice squad.
During OTAs and minicamp, Saunders dazzled in the slot, enough to earn a healthy dose of first-team reps and targets just three days into his first NFL training camp.
“He’s quick. He’s fast. He gets open. He got open all OTAs. He’s a dependable player,” Rhule said. “We need to put the pads on and see him create that same separation with pads on. That’ll be his challenge moving forward.”
The team is also working Shi Smith in the slot. Rhule said Moore, Anderson and Marshall are all comfortable playing inside as well. However, rep distribution suggests Carolina wants to decipher what it has in Saunders.
“When it relates to third down. You need someone who can move the chains,” Rhule said. “C.J. is someone that I think everyone on offense trusts.”
Robbie Anderson the Lamborghini
When Robbie (not Robby) Anderson talks, everyone listens. The quiet and observational receiver does not open up to just anyone. His press conferences can be flat unless a question sparks his interest. His most colorful comment came when asked why he spent practice time stretching.
“I’m like a Lamborghini,” Anderson said. “Can’t let the brakes get too tight.”
Panthers coaches and fans would love to see Anderson play like a Lamborghini again. The former undrafted Jets receiver signed a two-year, $29.5 million contract with an $11.5 million signing bonus after he eclipsed 1,000 yards in 2020. As the offense plummeted last season so did Anderson’s production.
“Our offense as a whole wasn’t clicking,” general manager Scott Fitterer said Tuesday. “I don’t think it was Robbie. I think it was just the whole thing wasn’t right. And I think it affected a lot of people. Robbie is in a good place. He’s upbeat, he’s happy. So let’s go from there.”
During OTAs Rhule said he expects a bounce-back season from Anderson. He mentioned offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo’s new system put Anderson in advantageous situations.
For Anderson, his offseason was filled with social media posts about his life back home in South Florida. He’s rooted there, often giving back to his neighborhoods via football camps and charity work. He said he couldn’t attend Darnold’s offseason throwing session last week because of prior commitments. Darnold, Mayfield, rookie Matt Corral and veteran P.J. Walker threw to a collection of Panthers pass-catchers that included Christian McCaffrey and Moore.
That weekend he spoke at Palm Beach Youth Academy, a Juvenile Correction facility.
Anderson posted photos of the visit on his Instagram with a caption reading “Free them Youngins. I pray when they receive they second chance at life they pursue somethin’ positive and believe in it and become everything they hope and find success for they bright future.”
His holistic nature can be misunderstood, especially as concerns about his production linger. It’s been a quiet camp for No. 3. Anderson switched his number from 11 to 3 this offseason. The change has him feeling better, but the ball is not coming his way.
It’s early, but eventually Anderson needs to demonstrate a rapport with either Darnold or Mayfield within the team’s new offense.
Xavier Woods ready to start
Safety Xavier Woods missed all of OTAs and minicamp dealing with a family matter. His time away didn’t stop him from consuming Phil Snow’s playbook and watching film.
He watched everything his new teammates repped via a team-issued iPad and spoke with his defensive coaches whenever possible. Woods said he wishes he could’ve been on the field. He understands those are reps he’ll never get back, but he arrived in Spartanburg fully prepared.
Carolina signed Woods this offseason to a three-year deal worth $15.75 million with plans to pair him with blue-chip safety Jeremy Chinn.
“I would say were both pretty damn good,” Woods said. We need to be able to play as one. Knowing I can trust him and we can trust one another. That is what will make us better.”
This story was originally published July 29, 2022 at 5:58 PM.
