Observations from Carolina Panthers training camp in Spartanburg:
▪ Before two-minute drills, quarterback Cam Newton walked near the line of scrimmage and was giving the defensive backs a hard time about playing too deep in their alignments. Newton capped the two-minute offense by hitting Philly Brown in the back of the end zone.
▪ It turns out the secondary wasn’t playing deep enough. On consecutive plays during the team 11-on-11 period. Newton completed long touchdown throws to Ted Ginn Jr. (on a stop-and-go) and Damiere Byrd. Newton dropped the pass to Byrd just beyond the reach of rookie cornerback Daryl Worley and safety Kurt Coleman.
▪ Third-team quarterback Joe Webb did not fare as well in the two-minute drill. Webb had a low pass that rookie nickel Zack Sanchez nearly intercepted, then tossed an overthrow that backup free safety Colin Jones picked off.
▪ CBS news magazine ‘60 Minutes’ shot film of Newton at practice. The show has interviewed Newton off-and-on since the week of the Super Bowl, and it’s unclear when the piece will air.
▪ Reserve wide receiver LaRon Byrd (6-4, 225) passes the eye test with his long, athletic frame. Byrd had a good day over the weekend, but dropped a perfectly thrown Webb pass in the two-minute drill.
▪ It would be tough to call it a fight. But offensive tackle Jordan Rigsbee and defensive end Arthur Miley engaged in a brief skirmish after Miley objected to what he considered a late shoulder hit by Rigsbee.
▪ Veteran cornerback Robert McClain has seen his reps drop with the addition of the three rookie corners. But McClain had a nice pass breakup on a sideline throw to Brown.
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