Latest news with #OTAs
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Biggest takeaways from the start of Panthers' 2025 OTAs
The Carolina Panthers seemingly got what they wanted out of the first session of team organized activities this afternoon. In fact, head coach Dave Canales went as far as describing the outing as a "great day." We also, even in this lighter stage of the offseason, learned quite a few interesting things about the current state of the squad. Advertisement Here are the biggest takeaways from the start of this year's OTAs . . . The recovery of Derrick Brown moves along Eight months after undergoing season-ending meniscus surgery, defensive lineman Derrick Brown appeared on the practice field with his helmet in hand. And although he did not end up participating in team drills, the Pro Bowler's presence feels like a positive sign moving forward. Brown talked about his recovery last month. "Just doing what the doctors and the trainers are allowing me to do at this point. No rush," he said back on Apr. 23. "Just trying to get back and I would like to be able to be there when the team gets ready to play in September. So I'm following the protocol as is." Carolina's young tight ends will have to step up Unlike Brown, tight end Tommy Tremble probably isn't planning on being ready for September. Advertisement Canales revealed that Tremble, who signed a new two-year deal this spring, recently underwent back surgery. "Tommy did have surgery on his back last week, a successful surgery," Canales stated. "We were kinda thinking about it, talking about it, looking at timelines and all that and just felt like for him . . . he's 25 years old. Let's get this thing while he's young and strong and be able to get him back on the right track. So we just decided to do that now, looking forward." A team spokesperson later added that Tremble is expected to be rehabbing by the time training camp rolls around, putting his early-season availability into considerable doubt. If Tremble is not good to go by Week 1, the Panthers may be looking for something extra out 2024 fourth-round pick Ja'Tavion Sanders and 2025 fifth-round pick Mitchell Evans. Hunter Renfrow continues his comeback Canales also spoke about veteran wide receiver Hunter Renfrow, who hasn't played an NFL down since 2023. Advertisement "You see weekly, he just makes these huge strides, just getting his feet under him," Canales stated. "And I can tell too, just having coached wide receivers especially, but he's got a lot in his game. Releases, top-of-the-route setup, avoidance, different things where he can double up stuff at the top of his routes. Renfrow, 29, missed the entire 2024 campaign due to a battle with ulcerative colitis. The Panthers signed the Myrtle Beach, S.C. native and Clemson University product in late April. Xavier Legette looks to bounce back Wideout Xavier Legette didn't have the finest stretches to end his rookie campaign. But with one season of NFL ball under Legette's belt and a fellow first-round receiver now by his side, Canales is hoping for a leap out of the second-year pass catcher. Advertisement "What I see is a year into the system," Canales stated. "Just the speed that he's playing with now, with the level of comfort he has with what we're doing. When I see him smiling, I know he's in a good space. And he really has just been enjoying this offseason. Working hard. He looks big and fast. "And I think with TMac [Tetairoa McMillan] coming into the room, again, it's just options," Canales later added. "It opens things up, it creates a little bit of balance—where the field doesn't tilt one way or the other. So you have two guys who can make it happen outside and that's a good thing." After taking Legette with the 32nd overall pick in 2024, the Panthers nabbed McMillan with this year's eighth overall pick. Locking horns in Houston The Panthers, as they'd hoped, were able to set up a joint practice with the Houston Texans for later this summer. That workout will come before the teams face off in the second week of the preseason at NRG Stadium on Aug. 16. Advertisement Carolina also has a joint practice slated with the Cleveland Browns, their first opponent for exhibition play. Follow @ThePanthersWire on Twitter/X for more Panthers content. This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Panthers 2025 OTAs: Biggest takeaways from Day 1
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Highlights from the Panthers' opening week of 2025 OTAs
Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales seemed rather satisfied with the very first outing of team organized activities on Tuesday. "What a great day," Canales told reporters following practice. "We've been building and working out and training for this, to get back on the field and just get this thing started. Going against offense versus defense and being able to fly around in there. Of course, with the time of year that it is, the guys gotta be able to work full-speed and be able to take care of each other, and I felt like we did that today. So, really exciting stuff." Advertisement Albeit an appetizer for the rest of their offseason work, the stuff the Panthers did do was relatively exciting. We got some flashes of the youngsters, interesting details from players and coaches and even a visit from a few old friends. So, let's take a look back at the very best of it. Here are the top videos and photos from the opening week of Carolina's OTAs: Follow @ThePanthersWire on Twitter/X for more Panthers content. This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Panthers 2025 OTA: Highlights from the opening week of workouts
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- General
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Browns take the field for second day of OTAs; check out the sights and sounds
The Cleveland Browns are now two days into OTAs, and it's good to see the orange helmets back on the field again, even if it's without pads. This season will be one with many storylines to follow. None will be more important than the wide-open quarterback battle that will take place between Kenny Pickett, Joe Flacco, Dillon Gabriel, and Shedeur Sanders. The Browns are dividing their reps in OTAs now, and head coach Kevin Stefanski has told the media not to be too concerned about the split. Advertisement Sanders did connect on a beautiful touchdown pass in the session, but that was far from the only highlight. In addition to the quarterback battle, following how the young players on the roster settle into their roles as they look to either solidify their mark or prove to the team they are high-caliber players will be another storyline to watch. Offensive tackle Dawand Jones and wide receiver Cedric Tillman enter a make-or-break season, youngsters Mason Graham and Carson Schwesinger will have an opportunity to make a Day 1 impact, and more. It may not be an overly competitive season for the Browns as they continue to recover from the Deshaun Watson debacle. However, that does not mean there will not be elements of the season that can serve as a building block toward a stronger foundation. Those are going to be the key storylines to watch. And that all starts with OTAs. Advertisement So what did you miss from Wednesday's session? Luckily, it was open to the media, so there are gobs of highlight reels and social media blasts from the second OTA practice. And that's where we come in. Here are the best sights and sounds from Wednesday's session: This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Sights and sounds from Day 2 of Browns OTAs
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Business
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Cincinnati Bengals players missing OTAs list ahead of training camp
The Cincinnati Bengals have the expected players missing OTAs right now. Said expected names are two veterans with different issues with the team. The surprise is a rookie, though, as the Begnals have found themselves at a serious contract impasse with first-round pick Shemar Stewart. Advertisement With OTAs underway, these are the players currently not attending, or at least not participating. DE Trey Hendrickson Hendrickson had that memorable 20-plus minute interview at practice not too long ago where he aired out his frustrations. But mandatory work hasn't started, which means fines haven't come into play yet. The standoff continues. RELATED: Shemar Stewart's contract beef with Bengals revealed in report LB Germaine Pratt Pratt has been out of the picture since his trade request around the time the Bengals moved on from Lou Anarumo and shifted to Al Golden. A trade still seems unlikely, given factors like his age and contract. DE Shemar Stewart The Bengals are reportedly trying to set a new contract precedent with Stewart's deal, which has caused the holdup. Unlike many first-rounders without a contract yet, he's choosing not to practice, although he is present. RELATED: Bengals takeaways and thoughts on Jermaine Burton, contract drama This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Cincinnati Bengals players missing OTAs list ahead of training camp
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
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Liam Coen knows Jacksonville Jaguars' defense is ahead of offense. It's part of the plan
The Jacksonville Jaguars are continuing through their offseason program with the start of Phase III. They met for the first organized team activity practice on May 19, marking the first time the offense and defense could face each other on the grass since the season ended. Advertisement Jacksonville's defense was noticeably ahead of the offense, coming away with five takeaways during team periods during the two-hour practice. TRAVIS HUNTER 'DOESN'T GET TIRED': Jaguars rookie impresses Trevor Lawrence Trevor Lawrence threw two interceptions, an overthrow when targeting Travis Hunter that was snagged by Darnell Savage, and a miscommunication with Parker Washington that was tipped and picked off by Jarrian Jones. 'This is the time of year when you work that stuff out. Obviously, you never want to have interceptions,' Lawrence said after the practice. 'You never want to have balls on the ground, you want to be clean. But on the other hand, you want to see the miscommunication or some of that so you can fix it now and not carry that over later on.' Liam Coen provides insight to why Jacksonville's defense is ahead of the offense Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen greets quarterback Nick Mullens (12) during the first organized team activity at Miller Electric Center Monday, May 19, 2025 in Jacksonville, Fla. First-year head coach Liam Coen had an interesting experience while conducting the OTA. He was initially upset when the turnovers happened as any offensive minded coach would be. Advertisement However, he quickly realized he's the coach for the entire team and should be proud of the plays the defense made. 'We had a couple of guys trying to be intentional about getting the ball out and getting their hands on the football,' Coen said of the defense. '[That's] something that we're actively trying to be intentional about this whole offseason.' Jacksonville's defense struggled last season, coming in last in pass defense for the league and were one of the main reasons for the sweeping changes made this offseason. But during OTA No. 1, they were the better side by a sizeable margin. Why is that? Advertisement 'I'm not diminishing what they have to learn defensively. There are a lot of calls, a lot of different fundamentals, communication that has to occur,' Coen said. 'I think, naturally, you would say that offensively there's a lot more that ends up maybe slowing you down pre-snap and post-snap. But I would hope that the defense would be a little further ahead, to be honest with you.' Liam Coen explains philosophy for distribution of reps during OTAs, says offense looks 'young' Coen is building the offense from ground zero, essentially. Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen is interviewed by members of the media during a rookie minicamp at Miller Electric Center Saturday, May 10, 2025 in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union] Lawrence only appeared in 10 games last season and will be learning his third new system while playing under his fifth play caller. The team brought in four new players who'll be presumed starters on offense and will have several others behind them jockeying for playing time. Advertisement There's a relative youth to the group at this point in their development. 'In terms of just, first day putting it all together, it's not going to be as clean as you'd like it to be,' Coen said. It seems the Jaguars have their starters, but that isn't completely locked in. In fact, Coen shed some light on his thought process when it comes to reps at this time of the year. 'We always want to compete in everything that we're doing, but ultimately, it's about trying to create that continuity at times within the system, within the offense and defense, and the calls,' Coen said. That means it's fully possible to see rookies mixing it up with the starters. Or free agents, who were thought to be brought in as depth players, getting opportunities with the top guys. Advertisement Or vice-versa where those players who were presumed starters are playing next to the reserves. At this time of the year, it's about displaying understanding of system and presenting capabilities. 'There's really no, hey, these are the starters that are going to be out there first game against Carolina,' Coen continued. 'Do you have some ideas? Sure, but ultimately, there is a lot of competition that will occur, especially throughout this offseason and as we get into training camp.' This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville Jaguars' Liam Coen knows why offense struggling in OTAs
