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00:00:00Carolina Panthers and the National Football League.
00:00:04I think Carolina outperformed expectations.
00:00:07I don't know that people were counting on them making the playoffs.
00:00:10I don't know that people were counting on them winning the division.
00:00:13And all those things happened.
00:00:15It was a roller coaster ride.
00:00:17There is no doubt about it.
00:00:19That last piece isn't how you handle adversity.
00:00:22It's how you handle success.
00:00:23That's taxing.
00:00:24A lot of teams would crack.
00:00:26This is the part where we find out if you're a man or not.
00:00:29You can see a different person at quarterback than you had the previous couple of years.
00:00:35We lost versus us this whole week.
00:00:36We can't let that happen again.
00:00:38I like to look at how the other 10 guys respond to them.
00:00:41That tells me more than anything.
00:00:43He wants to ruin quarterbacks' lives.
00:00:46Strip the ball!
00:00:47Bryce just looks different in games like that.
00:00:50448 yards.
00:00:51Two in the end zone!
00:00:52McMillan!
00:00:53I started to expect more from them.
00:00:55Continue the ascension that they've begun.
00:00:57Let's go!
00:00:57We call him a force multiplier.
00:00:59He unlocks other players.
00:01:02There is a new standard.
00:01:04And the Panthers make a statement.
00:01:07They flip the script.
00:01:08They change the narrative.
00:01:16Welcome to Charlotte.
00:01:18You're watching Panthers football presented by Atrium Health.
00:01:23We had some weather.
00:01:24We had some rain.
00:01:26But the skies have cleared up just enough for football.
00:01:29Bryce Young will be a spectator tonight.
00:01:31John Mechie looks to continue a strong preseason.
00:01:35And A.J. Dillon looks to earn a spot on that 53-man roster.
00:01:40We're counting down until 6 p.m. on Sunday.
00:01:43That's when the rosters are finalized.
00:01:45The new Shroff, Jake DeLome, Steve Smith Sr.
00:01:48Everyone's trying to make a last impression.
00:01:50But Jimmy Horn Jr., Steve, has made quite the impression this training camp.
00:01:54Absolutely.
00:01:55Jimmy Horn Jr. has made every opportunity count.
00:01:59And when you watch him in a preseason, he brings to this wide receiver group.
00:02:03It's a ton of guys.
00:02:04But what he brings, some things that we don't have.
00:02:06Speed, versatility, some juice and energy.
00:02:09And with that, he has made you notice him every time he gets his opportunity.
00:02:14And, Jake, you look at the offensive skill players, wide receiver, tight end, running backs.
00:02:19There's going to be a numbers crunch.
00:02:20The Panthers feel they have more players than they do roster spots.
00:02:24Yeah, absolutely.
00:02:25And at the running back position, I think we know the first two with Chuba Hover and Jonathan Brooks.
00:02:29But A.J. Dillon has been unbelievable this camp.
00:02:33Someone who's a first-round pick, a great player out of Boston College who had an injury.
00:02:37But he's done everything he's asked from special teams, catching the football.
00:02:40And we know the power that he runs with.
00:02:42Trevor Etienne was a draft pick last year.
00:02:44Does factor in on special teams play.
00:02:46But tonight, who's going to win that job?
00:02:49But not only that, it's weather could be a factor.
00:02:51It's a little wet.
00:02:52Ball security.
00:02:52That's so critical in making the final roster.
00:02:56That means it may be a running backs type of night here in Charlotte.
00:03:01It'll be the Panthers and the Houston Texans.
00:03:04It's the preseason finale for the Panthers coming your way.
00:03:12Work of the Carolina Panthers.
00:03:17Scenes from the joint practice on Wednesday between the Panthers and the Texans.
00:03:22It went better for Carolina's defense than it did for the Carolina offense.
00:03:26The starters will not play tonight, but two men battling for a starting spot.
00:03:33We'll get one last crack at it.
00:03:34Carla Metz has more.
00:03:39Talk about the battle of the linebackers.
00:03:42And we told you two weeks ago in Buffalo that it's a battle between Claude and Cherillis and Trevin Wallace.
00:03:47Well, that battle is still very much at play tonight.
00:03:49The coaches say these two have been neck and neck all preseason long.
00:03:52One's going to win a game.
00:03:53One's going to win a practice.
00:03:55It's just been neck and neck.
00:03:56They're looking for that separation tonight.
00:03:58Who can impact with their type of play?
00:04:00Who can make an impact in the game?
00:04:02And they're going to get one more opportunity added tonight.
00:04:05But the coaches are zeroing in on that battle.
00:04:07So the fans should too, Anish.
00:04:11That's going to be one to watch.
00:04:12Who starts next to Devin Lloyd, the big inside linebacker who was the key free agent signing on defense along
00:04:21with Jalen Phillips.
00:04:24Carolina won the toss, elected to defer.
00:04:26So Houston will receive.
00:04:30Ryan Fitzgerald set to kick it away.
00:04:40Daniel Sotkiewicz and Owen Wright back deep for Houston.
00:04:45Texans, a team coming off three straight playoff appearances, losing in the divisional round three years in a row.
00:04:51The Panthers, the defending NFC South champions from 2025.
00:04:57Line drive kick.
00:04:58It falls shy of the 20-yard line.
00:05:01And that will bring out a flag.
00:05:02And Houston begins at the 40.
00:05:09Kickoff short of the landing zone on the kicking team.
00:05:12Ball in place at the 40-yard line.
00:05:14Automat first down.
00:05:16Here's our keys to the game, brought to you by the North Carolina Education Lottery.
00:05:21You got to have, when your number is called, listen, you don't have to have ten plays.
00:05:26You just need a few plays to make that coach say, hey, we can use this guy.
00:05:31Yeah, I think the big thing tonight is who's going to make it happen.
00:05:34Sometimes guys want to try a little too much.
00:05:35You can't try to do too much in this game.
00:05:37Just do what your coach should do and make it happen.
00:05:40Play powerball now, featuring double play, a new way to win, up to $10 million.
00:05:47Neither team playing most of its starters.
00:05:50And on first down, Owen Wright gets the call.
00:05:53Runs up the middle to the 45-yard line.
00:05:56A gain of about five on the play.
00:05:58Wallace and Sherillis starting at inside linebacker.
00:06:02Carla told you those two competing for that starting spot.
00:06:06Texans thin in the running back room.
00:06:08You're going to see a lot of Owen Wright and a lot of Deuce Vaughn tonight.
00:06:11And Davis Mills is their quarterback, veteran backup, who went 3-0 as a starter last year when C.J.
00:06:18Stroud was hurt.
00:06:26Out of a two-tight end set.
00:06:28That's Wright again.
00:06:30And he's got himself a first down into Panther territory.
00:06:33A tackle made by Cam Jackson.
00:06:36Big 6'6", 330-pound, second-year interior D-linebacker.
00:06:40Yeah, Cam made the play.
00:06:41And I'm interested in wanting to watch him tonight.
00:06:43He missed some time a little earlier in camp.
00:06:45And he's one who he's a large individual that it took a little bit of time last year to get
00:06:50ready for the NFL.
00:06:51But I thought he made some plays down the stretch for us, battled an ankle injury.
00:06:54So he's one tonight that's going to get a lot of run.
00:06:56Love to see him be a run starter for us.
00:06:58Yeah, Thomas Hinkoon is off on the edge at 48.
00:07:01And he's doing a really good job of engaging and keeping that edge so the running back can't get outside.
00:07:07First pass play of the night.
00:07:09Travis Gibson first to the backfield and he gets the sack on Davis Mills.
00:07:14Great job.
00:07:16He's been doing that all camp.
00:07:17All camp.
00:07:18And doing it in the game as well.
00:07:20Yeah, he beat the right tackle pretty much off the – could have had a flag also thrown in that
00:07:24play.
00:07:25Beat the right tackle, was able to get around him and made the play.
00:07:28And he's one that he seems pretty secure, it seems to be, that he's going to be on this roster.
00:07:32A nice pickup for us in the middle part of last season.
00:07:42A loss of seven on the play.
00:07:45And second and 17.
00:07:48Pressure up the middle.
00:07:50And down goes Mills again.
00:07:53Great blitz by Wallace.
00:07:55Great job.
00:07:56He timed it up well.
00:07:57He started to lean just a little bit.
00:07:59Got his composure.
00:08:01Excited.
00:08:02He goes in there, takes on the running back, engages, uses his hands, and takes down the quarterback.
00:08:08That's what you call technically sound.
00:08:11It wasn't like he was a free runner, Steve.
00:08:13He had to go through the running back.
00:08:14And that's what you want to see.
00:08:15It doesn't matter.
00:08:16You're in my way.
00:08:17I got to get to the quarterback.
00:08:19Nice job.
00:08:20And he didn't have his eyes or head down.
00:08:22He engaged head up and disengaged with his arms.
00:08:26Well, they set up the screen on third down and long.
00:08:29He just made another tackle.
00:08:30Another tackle, yeah.
00:08:31He got some juice in this.
00:08:33This is what you want to see from your young guy.
00:08:35Dave Canales told us, Sherilis or Wallace, he's looking for separation.
00:08:41Wallace with some key defensive plays early.
00:08:43Listen, that's very nice.
00:08:44They tried to quick count us.
00:08:46They tried to hurry up, get the ball outside, just try to get some positive yarders to get
00:08:49the punt.
00:08:50But great job by Wallace.
00:08:51He beat the tackle that was trying to block him to make the tackle.
00:08:55That's a great job.
00:08:56Well, Kai Kroger, the former South Carolina Gamecock, punts it away.
00:09:00And Jimmy Horn will not have a chance to return this one.
00:09:04And so the Panthers will have the ball on offense.
00:09:08Will he get a chance to see Carolina with the football?
00:09:11You're watching Panthers football presented by Atrium Health.
00:09:16Kenny Pickett will be the quarterback for the Panthers.
00:09:19Signed a one-year contract in March.
00:09:21There's numbers from last week's win against Jacksonville.
00:09:26And on first down, it's a toss play.
00:09:28That's Trevor A. Chan bumped out of bounds at the 23-yard line.
00:09:35Gain of a couple.
00:09:39Bryce Young watching in his final preseason outing against Jacksonville.
00:09:44Five of six, 49 yards.
00:09:46Led a touchdown drive.
00:09:49It really did a nice job last week.
00:09:50The only incompletion was on a miscommunication when he had someone that's kind of
00:09:54in his face.
00:09:55And now we're going empty.
00:09:58A. Chan goes wide.
00:10:02On second down.
00:10:04Pickett steps up.
00:10:07Unable to elude the pursuit.
00:10:10Yeah, it looks like a horse collar.
00:10:12But you can grab inside the pocket, inside the tackle box.
00:10:15So defensive linemen, they can reach and grab inside the back collar.
00:10:23Yeah.
00:10:25So his leg, though, his leg got caught a little bit.
00:10:28You see what I'm saying?
00:10:28Great job.
00:10:29No, there's no doubt.
00:10:30That's something that has been a point of contention, and the NFL has been cracking down on the
00:10:34horse collar, but inside the pocket, you can grab inside the neck of the shoulder.
00:10:39Sebastian Harsh with the sack.
00:10:41Screen pass, John Mechie.
00:10:43And he gets close to the original line of scrimmage.
00:10:46And three and out go the Panthers.
00:10:48Sam Martin will punt.
00:10:50Mechie, one of those guys competing for that wide receiver spot on the 53-man roster.
00:10:55We'll see how many the Panthers take, whether it's five, six, or seven.
00:10:59Yeah, it's something we're going to discuss all night.
00:11:01Who's going to be at the bottom of the roster and who's going to make it?
00:11:04And I think it's kind of nice, if you go back to the first year with Canales, I don't think
00:11:09there was much trouble in getting to the final cuts.
00:11:12And it was looking for the waiver wire.
00:11:14We're looking to pick up guys.
00:11:18Martin kicks it away.
00:11:22And Tremont Smith.
00:11:25Makes the catch.
00:11:26Five-yard return on a 42-yard punt.
00:11:28I tell you, this has got to...
00:11:35We'll be back.
00:11:36But first, a word from your local Panther station.
00:11:41Three big themes for this upcoming season.
00:11:43He wants to see consistency.
00:11:45No lulls from one game to the next.
00:11:48Communication and then the urgency to win.
00:11:51Canales now in year three.
00:11:52Three, the expectation has been raised after a playoff berth.
00:11:56A big crowd expected for the season opener against the Bears.
00:12:01Deuce Vaughn, the former K-State running back, picks up four on first down, second down, and six.
00:12:07Claude Chairless with the play.
00:12:08That's linebackers are showing up.
00:12:09That's what I love about some of these last games, Steve.
00:12:13These guys, they know what's at stake.
00:12:16They know what's at the line.
00:12:17And so, it is, I mean, it's all out.
00:12:19This is not, let's get through this game and see what happens.
00:12:22This is meaningful.
00:12:23This is going to be tough, too, with the conditions.
00:12:26Very much so.
00:12:26What it is, technique and being sound versus just aimlessly running through the hole.
00:12:32Rain still falling.
00:12:35Vaughn gets the call.
00:12:37Broke a tackle in the backfield and then mobbed.
00:12:39At about the 48-yard line, Jared Harrison Hunt, one of those guys competing again for a spot on that
00:12:45defensive line.
00:12:47One of the things I know, I was talking to some of the coaches on the sideline before the game,
00:12:51and they were saying, hey, this is going to be extremely critical for some of these guys who are making
00:12:55the team
00:12:55because the inclement weather is going to change a little bit.
00:13:01So, a John Metzie possibility playing special teams, and now he has to possibly catch a kickoff for a punt
00:13:06in the rain.
00:13:07And he doesn't do it very often.
00:13:10Worst time, but I expect him to step up to the challenge.
00:13:13Mills on the slant, completes for a first down to the Carolina 40.
00:13:18That's Jared Wayne, a gain of 13.
00:13:20Yeah, nice job by Davis Mills, getting the ball out quick.
00:13:23You've got to give Davis Mills credit.
00:13:25Last year, he started three games for the Texans and won all three of them.
00:13:28He's been there for a while with the Texans.
00:13:32He was drafted there, I think, six years ago.
00:13:34So, the guy is a big, strong, and he knows exactly what they want to do in this offense.
00:13:38In a game like tonight, don't make a mistake, don't make a turnover, long methodical drives.
00:13:44He was essentially a two-year starter before C.J. Stroud was drafted.
00:13:48Another handoff to Vaughn.
00:13:51Crashing through the line.
00:13:52Inkoom could not make the initial tackle.
00:13:55And the Panthers finally gang up on him at the 37-yard line.
00:13:59But I love the gang up on him.
00:14:01That's what's something we've been missing in the last couple of weeks.
00:14:04So, I love that you pointed that out.
00:14:05I haven't seen that many blue jerseys.
00:14:08You've got to remember, this is the fourth preseason.
00:14:11So, these guys have heavy feet because they're young.
00:14:14But this is what me and old Jakey-Poo right here used to do.
00:14:17We used to be in the training camp for a long time.
00:14:24Second down and five.
00:14:26Another give to Vaughn Thomas.
00:14:28Inkoom with the tackle for loss.
00:14:31Yeah, Inkoom has shown up week in and week out.
00:14:33We know what he can do on special teams.
00:14:35They tried to get a backside block.
00:14:38The tight end was trying to come backside.
00:14:39He was able to slip that block and make the tackle on Vaughn.
00:14:42But he was able to slip the block because he understood the route recognition.
00:14:46And he's practiced against these guys.
00:14:48So, he's seeing the foot, the footwork, and alignment and assignment.
00:14:52Use your brain.
00:14:53Hit ball, see ball.
00:14:54One of the things the coaches told us at the beginning of preseason,
00:14:58they wanted to see Inkoom play the run.
00:15:00That is a big play to put on tape there for Thomas Inkoom,
00:15:03who has been a special team standout with the Panthers.
00:15:07On third down, Mills under pressure.
00:15:10And that is intercepted.
00:15:15Lathan Ransom, the second-year safety.
00:15:18Out of Ohio State.
00:15:19This is awesome.
00:15:20Go celebrate.
00:15:24You know, some people can say, hey, the ball hit him right in the chest.
00:15:28You still have to make the play.
00:15:30There's a reason defensive backs play defensive backs.
00:15:33Because they can't catch.
00:15:34Right, Steve?
00:15:34I've seen some receivers win a ball, hit their chest, and they didn't catch it.
00:15:38But way to make a play.
00:15:41Rainy conditions.
00:15:43For the game, Lathan Ransom comes up with a pick.
00:15:46And Jake DeLoma, rainbow, pops up in the air.
00:15:49I was able to go on with Jim Zoki before the game started.
00:15:53And I said, we're going to have a rainbow before the end of the night.
00:15:55So, I called it.
00:15:56Well, he got a pot of gold at the end of it with Lathan Ransom.
00:16:00And there is A.J. Dillon.
00:16:02Boy, has he had a strong preseason.
00:16:04And, Jake, he's really impressed us as a pass catcher as well as a ball carrier.
00:16:08Yeah, you know, I think when the sheer size of him and his legs,
00:16:12everybody talks about Quadzilla and how big he is and how powerful.
00:16:15But he's really caught in the football extremely well in all of our games so far this year.
00:16:20And he's done the same thing in practice.
00:16:21He's just one that he's been a true consummate pro.
00:16:24Consistent.
00:16:25He's just been consistent all camp.
00:16:27Dealt with some injuries the last few years.
00:16:30We get movement on the left side of that offensive line.
00:16:35James Mitchell, the tight end, moved.
00:16:38Offense, number 85.
00:16:40Five-yard penalty.
00:16:41Second half.
00:16:43The weather report is brought to you by WSOC-TV.
00:16:47Well, we had the weather and the rain and the lightning and the thunder before the game.
00:16:52I was on Brad Panovich alert.
00:16:55Nice.
00:16:56He's the guy, man.
00:16:56He's the guy.
00:16:58Who is that?
00:16:59Brad Panovich.
00:17:00Weatherman in Charlotte.
00:17:01Best weather guy.
00:17:02Oh, my bad.
00:17:03In town.
00:17:03I just look at apps.
00:17:04Oh, okay.
00:17:05I start watching them now.
00:17:09Second down and eight.
00:17:14Pickett moves the pocket and finds David Moore, the reliable veteran, for a first down.
00:17:20That's a great job by Kenny Pickett of not waiting.
00:17:24It's open now.
00:17:26Get rid of it.
00:17:26He gets the ball.
00:17:27He takes three steps, and he gets rid of it.
00:17:29David Moore is wide open.
00:17:30Don't wait around.
00:17:31Get the first down.
00:17:32We had success on first down.
00:17:34Then we had the five-yard penalty.
00:17:35Let's hurry up.
00:17:36Let's get a first down and get a new set of downs.
00:17:38Yeah, smart.
00:17:38Smart play.
00:17:39He's done a really good job of going through his progressions, taking what the defense gives
00:17:42him.
00:17:43He's been consistent.
00:17:44I love the pick up at free agency.
00:17:47There's Dylan changing directions.
00:17:50He's always been more north-south than east-west, and he got a yard.
00:17:53So, if we look at that closely, that ball almost popped up.
00:17:56It is wet.
00:17:57You have to secure it.
00:17:59He got the handoff, and he was starting to tuck it, and it kind of slipped up.
00:18:02It is a slippery sheen on these footballs.
00:18:05And you can see he gets it, and he's trying to tuck it, and then there it slips.
00:18:11That's the hard part.
00:18:12We're watching the receivers, Steve, pointing out during the break.
00:18:14They're taking their gloves off on the sidelines.
00:18:22Dillon again, and it brings up a third down in Texans territory.
00:18:28Carla?
00:18:29Well, I heard Jake talk about A.J.
00:18:31Dillon's quad size.
00:18:32Well, just some numbers for the fans that are listening at home.
00:18:35They're actually 34 inches in circumference.
00:18:38So, just in comparison, Saquon Barkley, 29 inches, a squat max of 675.
00:18:43So, yeah, just some numbers behind that.
00:18:45It hurts just to think about that, doesn't it?
00:18:49No, I mean, that man's left him some weights.
00:18:53He doesn't skip leg day.
00:18:54Third down.
00:18:57Too high for Mechie off his hands.
00:19:00I was just talking about that.
00:19:02There is a flag in the backfield.
00:19:04It's going to be on Houston.
00:19:06Houston.
00:19:11Illegal use of the hands.
00:19:12Hands to the face.
00:19:13Defense number 50.
00:19:15Five-yard penalty.
00:19:16Automatic.
00:19:17First down.
00:19:18Solomon Bird.
00:19:20At USC.
00:19:22Some of the wide receivers have elected.
00:19:28Oh, yeah, he had his.
00:19:30When they said his face was more like a face mask.
00:19:33But some of the wide receivers have elected to take off their gloves
00:19:36because of the wetness of the ball and also some of the gloves
00:19:41have that glossy sheen as well that Jake was referring to.
00:19:48Here's Jimmy Horn on the fly sweep.
00:19:51He had a big 39-yard run on a similar play against Jacksonville last week.
00:19:56And he gets inside the 40 of Houston.
00:19:59You know, I'm not so sure if he breaks this tackle last year.
00:20:05You know, because he would go down.
00:20:07He explodes it, but he'd go down quick.
00:20:09I think he added some muscle, some power, some strength.
00:20:13I think he goes down last year.
00:20:15I think these are the things that we're starting to see from the second-year player.
00:20:18I disagree.
00:20:19I think he doesn't go down because he has more confidence and he's not.
00:20:23Maybe so.
00:20:23He's not concerned about getting hit.
00:20:25You've got to understand, right, how these guys.
00:20:30Confidence really helps the play.
00:20:33Oh, there's no doubt.
00:20:34There's no, no, it could be a great point.
00:20:36But just, you're seeing it with him.
00:20:38Yes.
00:20:39Listen, Chris Braswell gets hurt.
00:20:41And that's all you've kind of, you heard about.
00:20:42You didn't hear much about Jimmy.
00:20:44And the next thing you know, Jimmy's making this play.
00:20:46Jimmy's making that play.
00:20:47Jimmy's doing the reverse.
00:20:49He's taking every opportunity that he's been given, he's making the most of it.
00:20:55And we were also talking to Brad Idzig, the offensive coordinator this week.
00:20:59And he said, you know, Jimmy really brought that mentality that we wanted to capture in
00:21:02the joint practice earlier this week, going up for those contested balls.
00:21:05They said the explosion is real for him, but it's really the consistency that they're still
00:21:09looking for in each.
00:21:10That is a live ball.
00:21:12Now they say incomplete.
00:21:14Boy, it took a long time.
00:21:17Then it played pass.
00:21:19To signal that was an incomplete ball after it hit the ground.
00:21:23And that's Kenny Pickett's first incompletion.
00:21:26Sebastian Harsh getting the pressure in the tip.
00:21:29Uh-oh.
00:21:30Yeah, you know, the hand got hit.
00:21:32And certainly it's wet.
00:21:35And you're trying anything just to hold on to that football.
00:21:37And that's one that only a four-man rush, you'd like to have a little more firmer protection
00:21:41there for Jimmy, because Kenny wanted to take a shot.
00:21:44Brad Idzig, third-year offensive coordinator, first year as the play caller.
00:21:50He, along with Dave Canales and Harold Goodwin, are the architects of this Panthers offense.
00:21:57Carolina, their first.
00:21:59It would be 30 seconds.
00:22:01Timeout by the Panthers, fourth and four.
00:22:03It's preseason, but this is a Carolina team that was aggressive on fourth down last year
00:22:09and the year before under Dave Canales.
00:22:11We'll see what they do.
00:22:132.37 to go in this opening quarter.
00:22:20I love what they're doing right now.
00:22:22They're discussing and talking about, hey, what do you like?
00:22:24What do you see?
00:22:25What's going on?
00:22:27Jake, take us through what this conversation would be going on.
00:22:29That's exactly right.
00:22:30So, Coach Idzig said, hey, we like this going in.
00:22:34Tell me, I'm going to give you these two plays.
00:22:35Which one do you like better?
00:22:36And you have to, when a coach is put in a game plan, they spend many hours, right?
00:22:41Probably a lot more hours than the players.
00:22:43But if a player doesn't trust it and he can't execute it, it doesn't matter how creative it is,
00:22:47how schematically superior it is.
00:22:50If the player doesn't trust it, you can't call it.
00:22:52I remember, we practiced a number of plays, and I remember a couple of times that I ran a great
00:22:57play.
00:22:57I loved it, and you didn't like it, and they took it out.
00:23:00I remember.
00:23:01Still holding a grudge about it.
00:23:06Pick it on fourth down.
00:23:07Go, go, throw it.
00:23:09On the move.
00:23:11And throws it incomplete.
00:23:15Steve, when you were telling him to throw it, who were you looking at?
00:23:19I was looking at Sanders, who was wide open, and then he had some other guys, Jermaine.
00:23:24When they started to, when he started to scramble, they broke off their route to continue to run the rules
00:23:30of the scramble drill.
00:23:32It's a little hard to remember, as a quarterback, what's going on when you get chased by a D-lineman.
00:23:40We're back after a word from your local Panther station.
00:23:50Dean Children's Hospital has helped Gianni build up his strength.
00:23:58Gianni now walking on his own.
00:24:01He's one step closer to returning to the football field that he loves.
00:24:06And as part of his special day with the team, he broke down the team's huddle post-practice
00:24:11and met with his favorite Panthers players, including Bryce Young and Ted Aroa-McMillan.
00:24:21Love to see the smile on that young man.
00:24:26Second down and seven.
00:24:28Texans on offense.
00:24:30Last drive ended.
00:24:31Ate a turnover, and Devontae Smith gets his hand in there to break that up.
00:24:35That is two plays in a row.
00:24:37Devontae on first down was able to come up and make the physical tackle on the run.
00:24:41And then a very nice job in coverage, this rookie free agent out of Notre Dame.
00:24:46That's perfect timing.
00:24:47Yeah, it is.
00:24:48Because you want to, the opposite, the offhand's going to wrap around the waist, but he didn't pull.
00:24:52It was right at the exact same time.
00:24:54Very nice job in coverage.
00:24:55Right, smart play, not looking and panicking when the ball is coming in.
00:25:00And there just doing his job.
00:25:15Against a five-man rush.
00:25:17And Devontae Smith, oh, there to knock it away again.
00:25:20That was the Devontae Smith drive.
00:25:23It definitely was.
00:25:24And he's one that Coach Everett talked about the last couple of weeks in our production meeting calls.
00:25:28He's mentioned him.
00:25:29He's someone that shows up and talks about his play strength.
00:25:33And he said he's not the biggest guy, but he plays physically, plays hard.
00:25:36And that's going to earn more notice from the coaching staff.
00:25:39One thing I think Houston's going to have to do, they got rid of the ball quick because they're having
00:25:43trouble blocking us.
00:25:44Yes, sir, they are.
00:25:45Look, Jimmy Horn's back there.
00:25:46He has gloves on.
00:25:47So it'll be interesting to see what he does.
00:25:50End over end.
00:25:51Wet ball.
00:25:53Secure first.
00:25:55Here's Horn.
00:25:57Not much room.
00:26:01Only a one-yard return after a 42-yard punt.
00:26:05Offense back out there for the Panthers.
00:26:08Kenny Pickett still in there.
00:26:11Three for five, 21 yards so far.
00:26:19Kenny Pickett with the Pitt Panthers in the ACC championship game a few years ago.
00:26:26One of the most viral moments in recent memory in college football.
00:26:30The fake slide against Wake Forest.
00:26:34It was.
00:26:34I mean, like, he's going and the old okey-doke.
00:26:38And he took off.
00:26:39And he was able to finish it.
00:26:41It wasn't like he got a few more yards.
00:26:42He was able to finish the play.
00:26:45A.J. Dillon gets the call.
00:26:48Amtraks across the 25.
00:26:51It just seems when he gets the ball, it's positive yards.
00:26:54It's downhill, man.
00:26:55It's downhill.
00:26:56And, you know, you could just envision as the course of the season, you know, we're going to have Chuba.
00:27:02We have Jonathan Brooks.
00:27:03But it's a long season, right?
00:27:06And sometimes things happen.
00:27:07Well, imagine him running behind big old Robert Hunt, Damian Lewis, with all those legs coming behind you.
00:27:19The fake to Dillon in traffic.
00:27:22And the catch is made.
00:27:24Jasim Reed, second-year man from San Diego, who is very much in the mix for a spot on the
00:27:3153.
00:27:32Very much so.
00:27:33Coaches did a really good job of putting him in with the ones against the Texans to see if he
00:27:40can play up to the standard.
00:27:43When you're going against third and fourth corners, these guys will be playing special teams.
00:27:47They won't be playing in the game.
00:27:49But going against Lasseter and going against Stingley Jr., man, that's a tough task.
00:27:55And he did a really good job.
00:27:58Dillon again.
00:27:59Now, that Houston defense, a lot was made of the offense's struggles in the joint practice.
00:28:05And, you know, when we've talked to Dave Canales, he said, hey, Daniil Hunter, Will Anderson, on their defensive line.
00:28:11Houston has what is widely considered the best defense in the NFL.
00:28:15Absolutely.
00:28:16You want to go against a top-tier defense.
00:28:20It only makes you better.
00:28:22Like Monroe Freeling, we talked about, oh, it was a tough day.
00:28:24It's going to make him so much better for the rest of this season.
00:28:28But scoreless through one in Charlotte.
00:28:32Of America, the Panthers' pass rush has stood out.
00:28:36They've got the one turnover as well.
00:28:38Latham Ransom with an interception on Davis Mills.
00:28:42Yeah, I think the pass rush is something that's going to play out throughout the course of this game.
00:28:46I think if there's one part of Houston's team that has some struggles is the offensive line.
00:28:51And the depth, I'm not so sure it's there.
00:28:59Second down and nine to begin the second quarter.
00:29:02And a flag.
00:29:05False start.
00:29:07Offense number 13.
00:29:09Five-yard penalty.
00:29:10Still second down.
00:29:12That is John Mechie.
00:29:14And you've got to look a moment ago at Darren Waller.
00:29:17He's got the towel draped over his head.
00:29:19He was signed during camp, adding to what has now become a very competitive tight end room.
00:29:25And the roster crunch over the next 24, 48 hours before you get to Sunday at 6 p.m.
00:29:32is very real for Dan Morgan and this front office.
00:29:37Jake, Mitchell Evans and Tommy Tremble seem to be locks.
00:29:40Felipe Franks has a lot of value on special teams.
00:29:44JT Sanders played more than 100 snaps on special teams as Dylan catches the screen.
00:29:49You have Waller and his ability as a pass catcher.
00:29:53JT Sanders, former fourth-round pick, five tight ends you're probably not going to take.
00:29:58So if there's four, somebody's the odd man out.
00:30:01No, it's going to be numbers.
00:30:02And one thing Waller does bring, he's a mismatch and he's a problem.
00:30:05And watching him walk around, watching how long he is,
00:30:08and that's something that we really and truly haven't had.
00:30:10Tommy Tremble, I think, has had a great camp.
00:30:12Had back surgery last year.
00:30:14He was late getting to camp.
00:30:15Mitchell Evans will be so much better in year two.
00:30:17He's, to me, more of that traditional wide tight end.
00:30:23Pickett wants Mechie.
00:30:25And it's incomplete.
00:30:29Yeah, that play just didn't seem like it was.
00:30:31He was dancing too much at the line.
00:30:33Yeah.
00:30:33He didn't really get into his route as much as you would like to see.
00:30:37Well, we're trying to take a shot.
00:30:38And it just didn't happen.
00:30:40We did a nice job on the second and long getting the screenplay
00:30:43to make us in third manageable.
00:30:44And then Coach Idzik called a shot, but just didn't.
00:30:47Well, you call a shot.
00:30:48You give your guy an opportunity to just kind of show up.
00:30:51But unfortunately, he did a little bit too much dancing.
00:30:54This is an active defense who liked it.
00:30:56They love the hand fight and slow you down.
00:30:59Brandon Codrington back deep for Houston.
00:31:02Sam Martin with a wide drive kick.
00:31:06Bounces inside the 20.
00:31:08Takes a Panther roll.
00:31:09And it dies at the 10.
00:31:11I'm not so sure that was planned.
00:31:14That was not.
00:31:15It missed his foot.
00:31:18Yes.
00:31:19We're back after a word from your local Panther station.
00:31:29The rain gave way to a rainbow and now a golden haze above Bank of America Stadium.
00:31:36Houston has the ball from its own 10-yard line.
00:31:39A chance for this Panther defense to come up with another big play.
00:31:42They've got one interception already.
00:31:44That was from Latham Ransom.
00:31:50Davis Mills still in there at quarterback for Houston.
00:31:53Dropped the ball.
00:31:56Hands it off to Vaughn.
00:31:58Who gets about three.
00:32:01It's pretty sloppy right now.
00:32:02And that's the one thing that you don't want to see.
00:32:05As we're calling this Panther broadcast,
00:32:07yeah, I'd like to see the Texans struggling because, I mean, the Panthers.
00:32:10But we're just, nobody's really crisp.
00:32:13And you don't want to use weather as an excuse.
00:32:15But you'd like to see, get just a little more something with the offense.
00:32:19You saw Pete Hanson a moment ago.
00:32:21He's calling the plays on defense tonight instead of Agero Overo, the defensive coordinator.
00:32:27Yeah, and I love that.
00:32:28Giving different coaches opportunities to call plays.
00:32:30And that's kind of how you grow in this football league.
00:32:34Brad Idzik, the offensive coordinator and play caller now for the Panthers.
00:32:39He got a chance in the preseason the last few years to call plays.
00:32:42That's tipped.
00:32:43Oh, and some extracurriculars after the play did not see a flag come in.
00:32:49I don't think he knew.
00:32:50Yeah.
00:32:50He didn't know that he didn't pick it.
00:32:53That's still a penalty, though, right?
00:32:56It might be, but, like, really good play by Robert Rochelle.
00:32:59Rochelle was able to get that hand in.
00:33:01And I think, yeah, he thought it was a pick.
00:33:04He thought it was a pick.
00:33:04Yeah, because Richardson came up with the ball off the bounce.
00:33:06So it should have been a flag for stupidity.
00:33:08Either way, there's still a flag.
00:33:10I'm going to give him credit.
00:33:12Hey, don't quit on the play.
00:33:13You know what I mean?
00:33:13I'm on WWE there by Justin Watson.
00:33:15Yeah.
00:33:16I understand.
00:33:17There's still a penalty, you know.
00:33:21Love the effort.
00:33:22Third down and seven.
00:33:23Pressure off the edge.
00:33:24The screen to Vaughn.
00:33:26And he's tackled well shy of the marker.
00:33:30Great play.
00:33:31Hey, Mooma Jung Mehta, number 45 in blue.
00:33:35Cam Miller in there as well.
00:33:36That is so perfect for Mooma because he is a special teams demon.
00:33:41So running into the open field, which is exactly what this was,
00:33:44I'm going to run and run through somebody to go make the tackle.
00:33:48And great job, Anisha, of pronunciation.
00:33:52I'm going with Moomba.
00:33:53I'm sticking right here.
00:33:55Mooma.
00:33:55Mooma Jung Mehta.
00:33:56I got that one down.
00:33:57Oh, good job.
00:33:58He and I became buddies last season.
00:34:04Kroger punts it away.
00:34:05Let's see what Jimmy Horn can do.
00:34:09Horn with room for a return.
00:34:13Kept the feet churning.
00:34:14There is a flag down near midfield.
00:34:20Might be a re-kick.
00:34:22Special team coach always told me nothing ever happened,
00:34:26nothing good ever happens on a re-kick.
00:34:33And remember, the Panthers, the first few weeks of the preseason,
00:34:36could not get Jimmy Horn a punt return in games.
00:34:39They'll take the re-kick.
00:34:41No, they would.
00:34:41That's what's on the table.
00:34:42Just to get some practice.
00:34:43Dan Morgan told us in Buffalo in the booth in the third quarter.
00:34:46There are two fouls on the play, both during the kick.
00:34:49Holding, receiving team, number 32.
00:34:51That penalty has declined.
00:34:53Holding, receiving team, number 42.
00:34:56That 10-yard penalty is administered from the end of the kick.
00:34:59First down.
00:35:00Well.
00:35:00Timeout.
00:35:02So much for the re-kick.
00:35:04I would have took a re-kick.
00:35:06It was not an option.
00:35:08You're watching Panthers football presented by Atrium Health.
00:35:15Stadium still scoreless through the second quarter,
00:35:17and I'm joined now by starting cornerback Mike Jackson,
00:35:20better known as Mike Pack.
00:35:22You're not playing tonight.
00:35:23We're through the fourth preseason game.
00:35:25You've had one extra than any other team out there.
00:35:27How anxious are you to actually get out on the field
00:35:30and play some meaningful football come week one?
00:35:32Oh, I'm really excited.
00:35:33You know, we've been watching film on the guys,
00:35:35so it's time to just put in the work to get ready for week one.
00:35:38How much can the secondary grow from what we've seen in the preseason
00:35:43to what we know that you and J.C. were able to do last year?
00:35:47You know, another year together, just push each other even more,
00:35:51get closer as brothers, so we can have them real,
00:35:53sometimes uncomfortable talks, and just push each other
00:35:57because we know the type of ball that we can play.
00:35:59You ranked in the top 10 in a lot of categories last year,
00:36:0219 pass breakups as well.
00:36:04Where is the bar set for you specifically this season?
00:36:07So my goal is six picks, take three to the crib, 10 PBUs,
00:36:1210 pass defended, two fourth formals, two former recoveries.
00:36:17Less than two touchdowns given up,
00:36:19and 80 tackles have no more than five missed tackles.
00:36:23You've been with the Panthers going into your third season now.
00:36:25This is the longest you've ever played through a contract.
00:36:28How much has it meant for you to be a part of this organization
00:36:31and what you've been able to prove here?
00:36:33It means a lot.
00:36:34You know, Charlotte welcomed me with open arms.
00:36:38I love it here.
00:36:39So it means a lot just to come out here and play football
00:36:42and just wear that special color blue I love.
00:36:45And real quick, this one's for Anish.
00:36:47Did you play chess before tonight's matchup?
00:36:49No, I didn't.
00:36:53Carly told me he plays chess before every game,
00:36:56but he's not playing tonight, so no need to play chess.
00:37:02Flags down.
00:37:03This is sloppy football right now.
00:37:05False start.
00:37:07Offense.
00:37:08Number 76.
00:37:10Five-yard penalty.
00:37:11Third down.
00:37:11That's a name to watch.
00:37:13Albert Reese.
00:37:14He is a 6'7", 330-pound undrafted rookie.
00:37:21Born in Edmonton.
00:37:23Dad was a former CFL D lineman.
00:37:26Kyle Trask is in at quarterback.
00:37:28He's QB3.
00:37:30Haynes King, who had that great debut in the Hall of Fame game against Arizona,
00:37:35hurt his hamstring at the end of that game
00:37:38and has not seen the field since.
00:37:42Low snap.
00:37:46Trask over the middle.
00:37:48Intercepted.
00:37:49Too much air under it.
00:37:51Intended for Mechie.
00:37:52And the Texans return it inside the Panther 30-yard line.
00:37:56It's George Odom.
00:37:59Yeah, that's one.
00:38:00He wants to give that one back.
00:38:02Yeah, there's no doubt.
00:38:03He wants to give it back.
00:38:04You never want to throw late down the middle.
00:38:06And that's exactly.
00:38:08Snap was a little low.
00:38:09Really good protection.
00:38:10Looked to the right.
00:38:11Wasn't there.
00:38:11Came back.
00:38:12And I'm not so sure.
00:38:14And look like that ball just took off.
00:38:16Floated from.
00:38:16I think he wanted to hit the in route.
00:38:17Coming in behind it.
00:38:18I don't think he wanted to throw down the middle of the field.
00:38:20When we look at the.
00:38:21The way the velocity of the ball came out of his hands.
00:38:24It kept going.
00:38:25You know, we had a fumble snap on the first play.
00:38:28We're not really catching the ball clean.
00:38:29I don't know if it's just this weather, just a light little rain, the mist, the wetness of the turf.
00:38:35And it's just a little sloppy right now.
00:38:37Kind of on both teams.
00:38:38And, yeah, should you expect it the last preseason game?
00:38:42Maybe.
00:38:42But you'd like to see a little more clean play.
00:38:46New quarterback for Houston, Brent Rippon, 30-year-old veteran.
00:38:50And he completes in the flat.
00:38:52Not a whole lot of room for Sterling Shepard.
00:38:54Veteran wide out.
00:38:55Rippon, the nephew of Super Bowl MVP winning quarterback Mark Rippon.
00:39:03Yeah, really good job.
00:39:04Robert Rochelle made the play at the line of scrimmage.
00:39:07And he's another one that you know the value that he brings on special teams.
00:39:11And we want to watch him play some corner and see if he can play some defense for us.
00:39:17It's not only his special teams.
00:39:19Made a couple of nice plays so far tonight.
00:39:23Second and ten.
00:39:24No gain on the play.
00:39:26Quick throw over the middle.
00:39:27Knocked up.
00:39:28And broken up.
00:39:30That's Robert Rochelle again on cue.
00:39:32Kind of having more defensive players show up tonight than we have offensive players.
00:39:36We talked about Claude and Cheryl.
00:39:37Let's talk about Trevor and Wallace.
00:39:39Gibby's showing up.
00:39:40Devontae Smith's showing up.
00:39:42Now Robert Rochelle's making his second play of the night.
00:39:44And he's a guy that has a huge presence on special teams.
00:39:48To come out here and show his value on the defense.
00:39:51Really pushes himself up with the coaches that they love to see when trying to make these decisions.
00:39:58Al Wallace told me on the training camp live show Monday that some of the most physical games he's been
00:40:04a part of.
00:40:04The last preseason game.
00:40:07When guys sometimes are playing for the last times in their career.
00:40:11Short pass.
00:40:12Caught by Wright.
00:40:13He gets upended.
00:40:15Jackson Kuwach makes the play.
00:40:17Rookie seventh rounder from Miami, Ohio.
00:40:20Who's really impressed coaches in this preseason.
00:40:23Has really impressed.
00:40:24He's made plays.
00:40:25You know he's going to play special teams.
00:40:27He's going to give you everything he has.
00:40:29And me and Jake are talking about every game we've seen.
00:40:33You, Jake, myself, we've seen him always talk about him.
00:40:37And we talk about his school.
00:40:38And I think he's forgotten what school he went to.
00:40:41And he's saying, hey, I'm in the NFL U right now.
00:40:44And I want to make a presence.
00:40:46A field goal attempt for Kamey Fairbairn.
00:40:50A 38-yarder.
00:41:023-0 Houston.
00:41:04Texans capitalize off the Kyle Trask interception.
00:41:10We'll be right back with a word from your local Panther station.
00:41:19Who makes the fringes of that 53-man roster?
00:41:22John Mechie, Jimmy Horn Jr. back deep.
00:41:24And we've got Derek Brown, who's going to join us after this kickoff.
00:41:33Fairbairn lets it fly.
00:41:35And here's Mechie from the one.
00:41:40And crunched.
00:41:41It's just shy of the 25.
00:41:42Let's bring in Derek Brown, who's had a fantastic career with the Panthers.
00:41:49He's the anchor of that defensive line.
00:41:52We saw just how valuable he was when he came back a year ago.
00:41:55And, Derek, when you look at what's been put around you now on defense with Jalen Phillips and Devin Lloyd,
00:42:02when those two were signed, what was your initial reaction?
00:42:05I was excited, man.
00:42:06Being able to have, you know, more help coming in on defense to, you know, add to the pieces, the
00:42:11puzzles that we already had.
00:42:12It's an exciting factor.
00:42:14Ever since those guys come in, being in camp, it's been great for us, to be honest.
00:42:18Devin coming in, leading at the Mike spot.
00:42:20And, you know, Jalen being on the edge, me and him trying to learn what it's like to play next
00:42:22to each other.
00:42:23It's been a great, great thing ever since April.
00:42:26Hey, Derek, Jake DeLome here.
00:42:28I just want to talk about last year, you missed the whole year, basically, in 2024.
00:42:34How did it take a little bit of time for you to get back up to speed, the way you
00:42:38played in 23,
00:42:38when you set the all-time record for individual tackles as an interior defensive lineman?
00:42:43I definitely, you know, missing 24, it sucked.
00:42:46Watching these guys and being out here without me.
00:42:48But I'll tell you what, coming back in 25, I mean, I've never really woken up in the morning with
00:42:53nerves,
00:42:55walking around my room up at 6 a.m.
00:42:57But, I mean, that definitely was a little nervous point before Jacksonville's game,
00:43:01that first game we kicked off.
00:43:02And it didn't really help with the weather delay.
00:43:04But, you know, when I got out there and got my feet wet again
00:43:07and kind of just started doing what I do, man, and it just kind of like,
00:43:10it was like second nature again, and I loved it.
00:43:12How important is it that Todd Walsh is still your defensive line coach?
00:43:16Because you mentioned something when you broke the record.
00:43:18He never lets up on the details.
00:43:21And I thought that was so important for people to hear
00:43:23because you had established yourself.
00:43:25But you talk about him harping on the small details every day.
00:43:29No, it doesn't matter in the room of Walsh if you're a Pro Bowler or a Hero Rookie.
00:43:33It doesn't matter.
00:43:34It's the same treatment all the way across the board.
00:43:36And we're going to work every single day.
00:43:38Hey, Derek, Steve Smith here.
00:43:40What are some of the things that you've had to fight through?
00:43:43Being injured and getting back on the football field
00:43:46but still finding that balance of knowing who you are
00:43:50but also trying to put away the injuries of getting up every day?
00:43:57Man, I would say, like, it was crazy.
00:43:59I feel like during that time, like, the leadership role kind of kicked in, right?
00:44:02So I learned so much more about that.
00:44:04Learned about also being able to be at a point of where, you know,
00:44:07sitting here and, you know, being able to, you know, have an opinion to give guys that,
00:44:11you know, going through what I went through.
00:44:12And I thought it was an awesome thing to just be able to enjoy.
00:44:16And, you know, obviously it wasn't enjoyable to be hurt.
00:44:18But, I mean, just kind of sit around and be with the guys
00:44:20and, you know, kind of be in the air during that time.
00:44:22That was a special time for me.
00:44:24And I think, you know, coming back, I'll lead by example with my play on the field.
00:44:27And then also, too, man, I'm able to tell these guys about my experiences.
00:44:31That just seemed right.
00:44:32Looked like he slipped on the wet turf.
00:44:35Had a chance to make a play there.
00:44:37Derek, for you, for Chuba Hubbard, Tommy Trimble,
00:44:40some of the guys who've been here through a lot of ups and downs,
00:44:43getting to the postseason, getting a taste of that last year,
00:44:46what did that do for you guys as you kind of looked to build this thing forward?
00:44:52And I think, you know, it gave us a chance to see it all the way through, right?
00:44:55You know, we had to have a few things happen for us to get there.
00:44:58But then we want to get to it on our own.
00:45:01You know, we know that comes out with us coming out
00:45:04and winning games early in the season
00:45:05and, you know, establishing where we are on the front end of the season.
00:45:08And I think that's been a lot of the philosophy for the offseason
00:45:11was to, you know, we want to start fast.
00:45:12You know, not take so many – not take so long to get into what we do.
00:45:17And I think that's like just talking about the season in general.
00:45:20And so, I mean, it started in practice,
00:45:22jumping out, having team periods early in practice.
00:45:24And, I mean, it's one of those things that, you know, we've been harping on.
00:45:27Coach has put that message out.
00:45:28And, I mean, it's been received from the leaders and delivered to the team.
00:45:31That's going to be rocking when this place is back and ready for football
00:45:36in earnest in a couple of weeks.
00:45:37Derek, thank you.
00:45:38Appreciate y'all.
00:45:39Thank you, Derek.
00:45:40There's Derek Brown.
00:45:41He's got the highest Madden rating of any interior defensive lineman.
00:45:46That was a near pick.
00:45:47It's going to bring up fourth down.
00:45:50And he should.
00:45:52Man, massive, man.
00:45:54Just the way he's able to affect everything.
00:45:56He moves people, removes people out of the way, takes on double teeth, sheds blocks,
00:46:01just does a lot of the things as an A and B gap player that you normally don't see.
00:46:07You see guys like that on the edge.
00:46:09And, Steve, last year we started to see him get to the quarterback even more.
00:46:13Five sacks, a career high.
00:46:14Yeah, he's just an outstanding player, great pick for the Carolina Panthers,
00:46:20and we will be benefiting from his ability to just work hard years after him.
00:46:26Sam Martin's punt goes out of bounds.
00:46:28Houston will start inside its own 20-yard line.
00:46:32Dave Canales knows the value of getting a Derek Brown back.
00:46:36Like you guys said, he missed 20-24.
00:46:39The run defense was porous.
00:46:41He comes back, and all of a sudden, the defense gets better.
00:46:46If they can go from middle of the pack to top ten, all of a sudden,
00:46:50Devin Lloyd, Jalen Phillips have got two really strong corners.
00:46:54We saw what Trayvon Merrick can do at 100-plus tackles last year.
00:46:58Nick Scott, the cerebral counterpart at safety.
00:47:03You can have a safety that's out there doing those things
00:47:07and helping these young guys develop.
00:47:11Mooma Jong-Mena.
00:47:13Jake just likes to say the name.
00:47:15I love it.
00:47:15I love him as a person.
00:47:16He's got an infectious energy.
00:47:18I love it.
00:47:18But back to Derek Brown.
00:47:20How fortunate is someone like Lee Hunter, the 61st pick in the draft,
00:47:23who gets to come to a team where probably one of the most dominant defensive linemen
00:47:29in Derek Brown.
00:47:30Watch him work every day.
00:47:31Watch Jalen Phillips work every day.
00:47:33That's the thing, Devin Lloyd, the leader.
00:47:35You come into a situation where, okay, I know what a professional looks like.
00:47:39These guys are better than me, and they practice harder than me.
00:47:43I mean, like, that's where these young kids can grow up really, really fast.
00:47:47On second down, a rip into the air.
00:47:50And that's complete.
00:47:53Josh Kelly with the reception.
00:47:55First down up to the 30.
00:47:57You see, the Houston Texans have really figured out, hey, let's get the ball out quick.
00:48:01We've already tried to throw the ball down the field a few times,
00:48:05and our line hasn't really given us an amount of time.
00:48:08So let's go quicken up the game.
00:48:10Let's try to be efficient so we can get a great evaluation of these players.
00:48:14And they're struggling running the football, in essence.
00:48:17So that's all they're doing.
00:48:17Get it out.
00:48:18Let rip in.
00:48:19He's a veteran.
00:48:19I think a seven-year veteran out of Boise State.
00:48:21Get rid of the ball.
00:48:22Give our guys a chance.
00:48:26Hand off to Vaughn.
00:48:30Out to the 37.
00:48:35Yeah, you'd like to see our defense kind of tighten up.
00:48:38You know, Houston, it's the first time they've kind of gotten somewhat of a little bit of a rhythm.
00:48:42Yeah.
00:48:43You can see, here's the thing.
00:48:45They're getting the ball out quick.
00:48:47They're running the ball.
00:48:49Second down.
00:48:51All of a sudden, you've got to be on your P's and Q's because increment weather,
00:48:55you just automatically assume they won't go down the field.
00:48:59And that's where you get yourself in trouble.
00:49:00They can get you an explosive play.
00:49:03On second and three.
00:49:05Balls on the ground.
00:49:06Cam Gill covers it up for Carolina.
00:49:09Second to take away for the Panthers.
00:49:12It's a great job.
00:49:14Opportunity.
00:49:15Being in the right place.
00:49:17Getting your gaps.
00:49:18And then the opportunity comes.
00:49:20It's a great job.
00:49:22It's got to be pretty slippery down there.
00:49:24We've seen the ball kind of bobble around a few different times.
00:49:27And once again, it's the handoff.
00:49:28It's the match point right at the breastplate.
00:49:30And, you know, Vaughn was just signed here.
00:49:33He didn't get it all the way in.
00:49:34As a quarterback, you've got to put it in.
00:49:37That's the quarterback's fault.
00:49:38It's supposed to always be the quarterback's fault.
00:49:40You take the blame for it, and you've just got to go with it.
00:49:43You're supposed to always be.
00:49:44What was this when we played together?
00:49:46I always said it was my fault.
00:49:49No, no, I'm joking.
00:49:50I know that.
00:49:50I'm teasing.
00:49:51You know, some of these Panther fans will get on here and start tweeting.
00:49:54Oh, Steve.
00:49:55Hey, we were joking.
00:49:57That's one thing I can say.
00:49:59There was never a brow-beating moment by you or Moose or anyone in the huddle.
00:50:03That's something that y'all never did.
00:50:04Just did it in our minds.
00:50:09What is the thought bubble saying right now?
00:50:12I don't play anymore.
00:50:14No, okay, you're over there.
00:50:15No, but here's what I'm saying.
00:50:18Jake and I would yell at each other.
00:50:21We were free with communicating.
00:50:24But never did I ever sit there and think, who's this guy?
00:50:29You know who he was?
00:50:30He was a guy that fed me.
00:50:31He was a guy that gave me my opportunity, who depended on me, and I didn't want to let him
00:50:35down,
00:50:36or anyone else in that huddle.
00:50:38You guys created a lot of great memories for this franchise.
00:50:41Trask in trouble.
00:50:44Great job.
00:50:45Turns that into something.
00:50:47And that play now sets up a third down and about four, Jake.
00:50:52So now, wet field, you put the offense in a four-down situation.
00:50:56No, really nice.
00:50:57And the last drive, he's learned from it.
00:50:59He stayed in the pocket, stayed in the pocket, and tried to force one late.
00:51:02That was almost a pick.
00:51:03This time, it's not there.
00:51:04He trusted his feet.
00:51:06One, two, three.
00:51:07I'm starting to get a little pressure in the pocket.
00:51:09Let me go north and south.
00:51:10Let me not bail out the backside of the pocket.
00:51:12And that's what he did.
00:51:13Now he gives us a great opportunity.
00:51:14This can be two down tariff, Torrey, if we don't get it.
00:51:19Matching in motion.
00:51:23Looked like an RPO.
00:51:24David Moore with the reception.
00:51:27It's a first down inside the 20-yard line.
00:51:31Yeah, a little worried.
00:51:32They could have a lineman downfield when they have to recoil.
00:51:34First thing you look for.
00:51:35And the lineman, he gets out the sideline, gives a little brow beating.
00:51:39Hey, don't do that.
00:51:41Exactly.
00:51:41That's not what we had.
00:51:43Nice job of Trask finding the spot.
00:51:46And David Moore, he's going to sit in the zone.
00:51:47He just kind of bounced over one more zone and made the nice catch.
00:51:54I'll tell you, one of the things that I was really noticing.
00:51:57I think we're going to go down to the two-minute warning.
00:52:01Yeah.
00:52:01It's the second left.
00:52:03Is the ground is wet, and they're putting the ball on the ground.
00:52:07And guys are slipping, whether they catch it or they're footing.
00:52:13We have reached the two-minute warning.
00:52:15Panthers football is presented by Atrium Health.
00:52:24In grants programming and resources.
00:52:28Two-minute warning.
00:52:29If we had a draft, I'm picking a couple of those kids I just saw.
00:52:33Yeah, I agree with you.
00:52:35The one thing, during football camps over the last couple of years that I was doing a lot as a
00:52:39player,
00:52:39some of the fundamentally sound players have been the girls.
00:52:45Really?
00:52:45They listen.
00:52:46They retain information.
00:52:47It's awesome.
00:52:50Two minutes on the clock.
00:52:52On first and ten.
00:52:54That's Trey Tyus.
00:52:57He was on the practice squad last year.
00:53:00We were talking in the break.
00:53:01Brady Christensen, longtime Panther, came back after an Achilles injury.
00:53:06Right before the start of training camp, he's playing left tackle on this drive.
00:53:11But his biggest asset, his versatility to play across the offensive line.
00:53:16No, we played him at tight ends some.
00:53:18We play him, he can play center if need be.
00:53:20He can play guard, both sides tackle.
00:53:22And that's what you have to have.
00:53:24And listen, he's coming off of a Achilles injury that he had, I believe it was October last year.
00:53:29Late September, October, if my memory serves me correct.
00:53:31So he's still working through it.
00:53:33He did not go through the spring.
00:53:35We signed him late.
00:53:37And there's been some times where there's been some, it's been a little difficult for him.
00:53:41Rust.
00:53:42It's rust, and that's normal.
00:53:44But you can see the trust the coaches have him.
00:53:46They can play him anywhere.
00:53:47And it's one thing about Brady, he's going to know all those positions, and that's so valuable.
00:53:51Man, with Achilles, it's not even rust.
00:53:54It's you just trying to feel.
00:53:55When did you tear yours?
00:53:56What time of year?
00:53:57November.
00:53:58Okay.
00:53:59But I didn't start to feel better until.
00:54:05Tyus gets the call after the Bears' timeout, gets to the 10.
00:54:10So you had it in November.
00:54:12So I had it in November.
00:54:13I started to feel a little bit better around September.
00:54:19And dang, Josh Norman tackles me and rolls up my ankle, and I had a hairline fracture.
00:54:24But it was the third game.
00:54:26I started to feel better.
00:54:28But there were moments where I asked myself, can I still play?
00:54:32Because I just didn't feel it.
00:54:34I didn't get the power that I was used to.
00:54:36And it took some time.
00:54:38And when you're on a mental time clock, you wake up.
00:54:41You literally have Achilles there.
00:54:43You wake up every day.
00:54:44Is this the day that I feel back to normal?
00:54:47And you never know.
00:54:49So you get a little discouraged.
00:54:50And one day, you start to feel normal.
00:54:53But it's never the day that you want it to.
00:54:56It's the off day.
00:54:57It's not the day you're playing.
00:54:58That's pretty telling.
00:54:59I mean, that's pretty interesting.
00:55:02Third down, Bears used their second timeout.
00:55:04Or the Texans, excuse me.
00:55:07And nothing doing there by Tyus.
00:55:09I think somebody's ready for the regular season.
00:55:11I'm ready for the regular season.
00:55:12I think I called them the Bears twice just now.
00:55:16I think somebody's ready for the regular season.
00:55:18Well, listen, we have a little more than a half left.
00:55:20We've got more than a half left.
00:55:21Listen, two weeks from now, we're here.
00:55:22And it will be the Bears.
00:55:24If we start the regular season, then that means I leave.
00:55:27I don't want to leave you.
00:55:28I don't want you to leave, but, I mean.
00:55:30I gots to go.
00:55:31You got to go.
00:55:31You got to go home.
00:55:32You got a couple of networks you got to work for.
00:55:36Yeah, I do.
00:55:37Yeah, you're busy.
00:55:38I'll be busy on Sundays.
00:55:39That's why, Anish.
00:55:40Look, the Bears will take the field at half.
00:55:42That's right.
00:55:43Oh, let's see.
00:55:44Who you got?
00:55:4412, 3, 8, 55 looks like a baller.
00:55:47I think three.
00:55:49I like that.
00:55:49He's smaller, but he's got some speed.
00:55:50I like 11.
00:55:51He has one sleeve on, one sleeve off.
00:55:53I like three.
00:55:54He had a black shirt underneath.
00:55:56Fitzgerald from 30 for the tie.
00:56:00And he sneaks it through the uprights.
00:56:03Tied at three.
00:56:041.43 to go.
00:56:07Both teams have traded field goals.
00:56:10Carla, what's up at halftime?
00:56:11Yeah, I got a lot to look forward to, Anish.
00:56:13We know that Bank of America Stadium had some exciting news over the last couple of months.
00:56:17Some big upgrades on the way for the home of the Carolina Panthers.
00:56:20If you missed that news at all, we're going to show you those renderings.
00:56:23A lot to be excited for there.
00:56:25And then also the Keep Pounding Classic happening here in Uptown tomorrow.
00:56:28Riley Fields of the Panthers is going to stop by and give us some more insight on those matchups
00:56:32and what high school fans can expect tomorrow.
00:56:35So that'll be all coming up in the half.
00:56:38A lot of excitement and renovations coming.
00:56:41This is going to be one of the more modern stadiums.
00:56:44It's going to be state-of-the-art when it's finally done.
00:56:47Bank of America and the Panthers extended the naming rights for the stadium.
00:56:52It's a $1.3 billion project.
00:56:55There's going to be an outdoor venue, an entertainment venue, social gathering spaces.
00:57:00If you have seen the renderings, they look incredible.
00:57:04If you haven't, go online. You can find the renderings at Panthers.com.
00:57:08But there's a lot of excitement and a lot of buzz for what's going to happen here in the heart
00:57:13of Charlotte.
00:57:14It should. It's outstanding.
00:57:18Trayvon Sanders.
00:57:21Somebody lost a helmet. It's Robert Rochelle.
00:57:28You look at the first month of the season for the Panthers, home against Chicago, on the road against Atlanta
00:57:36and Cleveland.
00:57:37Two teams with some quarterback questions and then back home, what you don't see on the screen, Sunday night football
00:57:45comes to Bank of America Stadium when the Lions are in town.
00:57:48The Lions game is going to be a really interesting one, right?
00:57:51The Falcons, they have some quarterback decisions made.
00:57:54They have two. He's not playing well.
00:57:56Michael Penix is here. I'm hearing that there's an opportunity for him.
00:58:00And then Cleveland, let's put that in the W column.
00:58:04Let's just call it what it is.
00:58:06Hey, this is the last preseason game.
00:58:08Yeah, early bye as proposed to last year.
00:58:11Last year, I believe it was week 13.
00:58:12So, an early bye, and Coach Canales mentioned that this week with an extra week of training camp, an extra
00:58:17nine practices, an extra four days in pads that they hadn't had last year.
00:58:23The early bye will be welcomed.
00:58:25Josh Kelly hauls that in near midfield.
00:58:30Nice throw by Ripon. Good pocket.
00:58:32He let it go.
00:58:33He spikes it.
00:58:34Chicago out of timeouts.
00:58:3659 seconds on the clock.
00:58:38Let's go back with the...
00:58:39Chicago.
00:58:40The Texans.
00:58:40I mean, I know.
00:58:42The Texans.
00:58:42Come on, man.
00:58:43Houston.
00:58:43Get your stuff together.
00:58:44Tighten up.
00:58:44I know.
00:58:45Houston.
00:58:45Houston.
00:58:47I'm ready for week one, Steve.
00:58:49Yeah, I hear you.
00:58:50I love it.
00:58:51Let's go back to that.
00:58:52Let's go back to that schedule.
00:58:53It's now stuck in the head.
00:58:54Yeah, let's go back to the schedule.
00:58:56Got some primetime games.
00:58:58You got...
00:58:58Got October.
00:58:59Ooh, against the Eagles.
00:59:01That's going to be a tough one.
00:59:02Buccaneers.
00:59:03Packers, I'll be interested to see that.
00:59:04Thursday night.
00:59:05Thursday night, Lambeau.
00:59:07I'll be...
00:59:07I'm actually going to that game.
00:59:11And it's a good time of year.
00:59:13Yes.
00:59:14Still October.
00:59:14Second and 10.
00:59:16Houston.
00:59:17Rippon.
00:59:18From the pocket.
00:59:20Intercepted.
00:59:20Cam Miller.
00:59:24Across midfield.
00:59:25Now the Panthers have the football in Texas territory.
00:59:29They've got two timeouts and 51 seconds to go.
00:59:32Yeah, two timeouts, 51 seconds.
00:59:33Guys, let's get...
00:59:34I think we've been very good at end of half situations, end of game situations.
00:59:40Let's see if we can get another one, get an opportunity.
00:59:43Especially this preseason.
00:59:44The two-minute drill has been the Panthers' specialty.
00:59:47All right, Jake, you come out here.
00:59:48It's a turnover.
00:59:49It's end of half, 51 seconds left.
00:59:52Tell me what do you do.
00:59:53And it better be a pass.
00:59:54I don't want him to run.
00:59:55Go.
00:59:56No, first thing, I am dropping back.
00:59:58And I am...
00:59:59First thing, I need to know, where's our field goal?
01:00:01Where do I need to get for that field goal?
01:00:02Is it the 35, 36 short line?
01:00:04Whatever it may be.
01:00:05I have two timeouts.
01:00:06That's cute.
01:00:07I'm going to tell all my receivers, hey, catch the ball, get out of bounds.
01:00:11First play, I'm running a 66-10 delay.
01:00:13I'm running two ends, and I'm running a smash on the bottom side.
01:00:16Gotcha.
01:00:16Am I the smash or the end?
01:00:18You're the smash.
01:00:18All right, you can throw it into me because I'm going to...
01:00:21Uh-oh.
01:00:21Oh, he fell down coming out the break.
01:00:23You're going to throw it to me in the smash because I'm going to manipulate the corner by coming off
01:00:27slow,
01:00:28which gives the corner route.
01:00:30He's going to bail off on the corner, and then you got to throw it to me, and I can
01:00:33step out of bounds.
01:00:34I got to stab my...
01:00:35I got to stab my stats, and then, you know, I got to feed my fantasy owners because they'd be
01:00:40complaining.
01:00:42Oh, my gosh.
01:00:44What's the next play, Jake?
01:00:45What you got?
01:00:4672 goes, Tulsa.
01:00:48Yeah, I don't want to get hit.
01:00:50You can go somewhere else.
01:00:56Trask, able to check it down.
01:00:58Felipe Franks looking for the sideline.
01:01:01Oh, yes.
01:01:02Great play.
01:01:02And he gets out of bounds.
01:01:03With a new set of downs.
01:01:04And he picks up a first down.
01:01:07Franks has improved dramatically as a tight end and just keeps getting better.
01:01:12You know what he brings on special?
01:01:13I'm looking to catch the ball.
01:01:14Stiff arms the guy.
01:01:15Secures the pass.
01:01:16And it gets out, continues tucking the football.
01:01:20Smart play.
01:01:20That's what coaches want to see.
01:01:23That's really...
01:01:24Last year with Atlanta.
01:01:25We know the special team's value.
01:01:27He's elevated his play as a tight end all camp long.
01:01:30He's had a touchdown catch this preseason.
01:01:33Blitz off the edge.
01:01:34Trask down the seam.
01:01:37Threads it to David Moore for a first down.
01:01:40That's a great hands catch.
01:01:41Safety kind of showed what he was going to do a little bit.
01:01:45That's an old glance right there.
01:01:47Tight coverage.
01:01:48Throw it in there.
01:01:50And a timeout by Carolina.
01:01:52Fifth.
01:01:52What's that?
01:01:53Fourth or fifth?
01:01:54Outside or inside step.
01:01:55Throw it right there.
01:01:56Show it.
01:01:57Put yourself between the defender.
01:02:00That's one thing about Kyle Traff.
01:02:01Big and strong arm.
01:02:02Can sit in the pocket.
01:02:03He's that guy that can sit in the pocket.
01:02:05Very nice throw.
01:02:06Look at that hands catch by David.
01:02:08Absolutely.
01:02:08You're talking about a guy who's right now trying to figure it out.
01:02:12Where does he lie on this depth chart?
01:02:15He's one of the top wide receivers in the group that plays special teams.
01:02:19Now he has the opportunity to show his value as a receiver as some of these other guys like
01:02:26Mechie and Jimmy Horn Jr. have shown.
01:02:29Low snap.
01:02:32Trask.
01:02:32Wanted to see Maureen.
01:02:35Defender was right there.
01:02:40That's a couple of times.
01:02:41I don't know if it's Reed's having a – he slipped coming out of a break.
01:02:45Another time he kind of tripped and fell.
01:02:47And now the ball's a little thrown inside.
01:02:49You'd like to miss outside.
01:02:50I think if it's more outside toward the sidelines where it's our receiver and no one else,
01:02:54he'd have more of an opportunity.
01:02:56Part of it has to do with his little bit of lower leg injury, even out, wet surface.
01:03:01You're going to have to chop it up and make sure you get in and out of your break.
01:03:05So that's more of a mental thing and a circumstance.
01:03:08Trask completes.
01:03:09That's the running back.
01:03:10It's Tyus.
01:03:12And Carolina will use its final timeout.
01:03:1523 seconds to go.
01:03:17Third down and six.
01:03:20So this is very interesting.
01:03:22So it's third down and six.
01:03:26No timeouts.
01:03:2823 seconds left.
01:03:29Clock, clock, clock.
01:03:30Okay.
01:03:31So this is a great opportunity.
01:03:33J.J. Jansen has a towel in his hand.
01:03:37So you have to be prepared.
01:03:38If we complete it or we can run the football, we might want to run it here.
01:03:42I'm just saying we're working on something.
01:03:44And he is going to be running in and how are we called something?
01:03:47Geronimo.
01:03:49Geronimo.
01:03:49So he's going to wave the white towel.
01:03:51The offense runs off.
01:03:52You have plenty enough time to get your field goal team set.
01:03:55That's something that we could possibly you can work on.
01:03:57You are not on field goal.
01:03:59Get yourself out of bounds.
01:04:00Run to the nearest sideline.
01:04:05Trask to the end zone.
01:04:07Too high.
01:04:09Wanted the tight end, James Mitchell.
01:04:11It's now fourth down and the field goal unit comes on.
01:04:15So it burned a few seconds off that play.
01:04:16Say, hey, let's take a shot.
01:04:17It's either us or no one else.
01:04:19And now we'll come in.
01:04:20But those are the things that you want to kind of work on.
01:04:24Oh, no.
01:04:24It wasn't Geronimo.
01:04:25Toro.
01:04:25Toro.
01:04:26Sorry.
01:04:28That's all right.
01:04:28You have all these names that you practice.
01:04:31Geronimo was a big pass down the field.
01:04:35Toro.
01:04:35Especially.
01:04:37These are the things that you constantly work on that come through in a game.
01:04:41Happen in a game.
01:04:42Fitzgerald from 37 gives the Panthers a 6-3 lead.
01:04:47Haven't played situational football in a long time, so I apologize.
01:04:50No, that's so important.
01:04:53I mean, that's how you win games.
01:04:55The special teams portion of it is that's a third of the game.
01:04:59That's critical.
01:05:01Well, we talked a lot last week about this, too.
01:05:05Special teams coordinator Tracy Smith will have a big hand.
01:05:09And he'll have a big hand in deciding who gets those final roster spots.
01:05:13Because you have the coach.
01:05:14He said, hey, coach, can you use him?
01:05:17Does he play on special teams?
01:05:19Is he a starter?
01:05:20Is he a backup?
01:05:21Is he third or fourth on the list?
01:05:23Where is this guy?
01:05:24You have the coaches going through all of this and then trying to figure out.
01:05:29Then you have assistant coach, special teams, and inside linebacker, Darren Bates.
01:05:34He's going to talk about guys that he likes.
01:05:36So all of that all goes together.
01:05:40You and Darren Bates had a conversation before the game.
01:05:44It was amazing.
01:05:45You were up here in the press box.
01:05:47He was down on the field.
01:05:49Yeah.
01:05:49It just, you know, football players recognize other football players.
01:05:52Great coach.
01:05:52Great guy.
01:05:54He's fun.
01:05:55Great energy on the sideline.
01:05:58You know who he is if you're at any practice.
01:06:06It's a touchback for the Texans.
01:06:08The scoring drive brought to you by Factory Motor Parts.
01:06:12And what started it?
01:06:14It was the interception by Cam Miller.
01:06:16It was.
01:06:17It was.