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Carolina Panthers News
Panthers GM Scott Fitterer said a lot of good things about first-round pick Jaycee Horn today after a joint practice against the Ravens. "He's got that alpha mentality You guys saw that out there today. He's right in the middle of everything. He's vocal. He's tough. A lot of guys can be vocal and not back it up. Jaycee's a guy who backs it up. He's the real deal when it comes to that.''
Rookie DT Daviyon Nixon had two of the Panthers' five interceptions during team drills on Thursday, the last day of camp, against the Ravens. Nixon, 6-foot-3 and 305 pounds took both to the house. Asked if anyone could have tackled him, Nixon deadpanned, "They didn't do it at Penn State.'' Nixon had a 71-yard pick-six last year to wrap up a win against Penn State. "We'll never hear the end of him now,'' defensive coordinator Phil Snow said.
Five takeaways from the Wofford College portion of the Panthers camp that ended Thursday: 1. QB Sam Darnold still has a lot to prove. 2. LT Cam Erving may have been "excellent'' as Matt Rhule said, but injuries are a concern. 3. First-round pick Jaycee Horn truly is an "alpha'' as GM Scott Fitterer called him and will be a difference maker. 4. DC Phil Snow has a lot of great pieces to work with & will force more turnovers this season. 5. C.J. Saunders deserves a spot in crowded WR room.
Panthers safety Jeremy Chinn won't arrive to home games wearing just anything. As he said Friday on the NFL Network he'll wear the jersey of a Carolina sports legend, autograph it and get it signed by the legend, and then auction it off and donate proceeds to the legend's charity. For Saturday night's game against the Ravens he'll wear the No. 1 jersey of long-time Hornets guard Muggsy Bogues. The possibilities are endless, from Michael Jordan to Julius Peppers to maybe even Richard Petty.