Day 2 of the Carolina Panthers minicamp is in the books. Here is what you need to know… and some things you don’t.

Stretching is always an interesting time of practice… for instance, watching Cam Newton play air guitar…

Watching Mike Tolbert voluntarily lead a round of jumping jacks that most do not participate in…

…then follow it with a hearty scream while in a sumo pose.

The corners practiced intercepting long throws over their shoulder. It was a physically impressive drill to watch. Particularly corner Shaq Richardson….(no photoshop)

Defensive Backs coach Steve Wilks is the Ricky Proehl of the Carolina Panthers defense. Wilks mixes it up with the players in drills, unafraid to take some contact and dish it out as well.

I am always amazed by the offensive line players, day in and day out. Large men, out in the heat, performing at peak levels. No water the sweat just pours off of them with any quick movement.

Keep an eye on Dean Marlowe this year. Last year he made the roster as an undrafted free agent. This year he looks much improved and is seeing a lot of time with the second string. The ability to find these undrafted gems as depth could keep the Panthers competitive for a very long time.

Carolina Panthers Minicamp Day 2 Notes

Panthers kicker Graham Gano kicked and made a 72 yard field goal today off of a tee.

Rakim Cox saw increased time at left defensive end with the first string.

Damiere Byrd blew by rookie corner Zack Sanchez for another very nice grab by Byrd. He is making quite the name for himself.

Stephen Hill saw more time today as a kick returner. Apparently, he did something right as “That a boy Stephen Hill!” was screamed by the coaching staff. It is difficult to see what they are seeing without knowing the play call.

The Panthers spent most of the day in End of Game situations, or EOGs. The biggest mistake of the day who went to Joe Webb. Webb, mistaking a 4th down for a 3rd down, spiked the ball. The mistake was so glaring that Ron Rivera stopped practice and made sure everyone knew what was happening. This doesn’t happen very often.

The first string offensive line had a lighter day today, at one point not a single starter was in with Cam Newton. Thankfully, these are no contact drills.

Devin Funchess looked like a man among boys again today while facing the Panthers secondary. In the best play of the game, Funchess did a spin move to break free from Daryl Worley, then caught a bullet from Cam Newton effortlessly for a would be touchdown. Devin Funchess may be the best receiver on the field, even when Benjamin is healthy.

Norwood tried to match Devin’s performance but dropped the ball in the end zone while Worley and Marlowe covered.

Fozzy Whitaker somehow found himself covered by Kony Ealy (not sure how that should ever happen). The result was an easy touchdown pass and catch from Cam Newton, perfectly thrown over Whitaker’s shoulder yards in front of Ealy in pursuit.

Cam Newton decided he wanted to play a bit of receiver today, so he swapped jerseys with Kelvin Benjamin. Cam would run into the huddle and line up, but then run off the field. The coaching staff never entertained his request by calling his new number.

Zack Sanchez has struggled much of the offseason, more so than the other rookie corners. Today he had an opportunity to intercept Cam Newton, but the ball bounced off his chest. I am not sure Sanchez has ever seen a ball come at him that fast. Cam on the sideline remarked “I tried to give him a present”.

Tre Boston intercepted a Cam Newton pass that was slightly under thrown. As the ball was in the air, Daryl Worley screamed “Go get it Tre!”. That seemed to have worked.

Minicamp wraps up tomorrow for the Carolina Panthers, and then it is 6 weeks or so until training camp. Enjoy this football news while you can!