The Panthers came to Houston ready to lock horns with the Texans in a joint practice session on Thursday morning. The two combatants didn't waste any time getting right to the action. The teams did about 15-20 minutes of activation/individual and then they started getting after it. Now, I have two eyes and I tried to see as much practice on both sides that I could, so I'll give you those moments in my HARRIS HITS right…here…
Let's just say overall, I thought there were things that the Texans got accomplished in this session on both sides of the ball and both sides of the ball left the practice field knowing there were things left to work on. Now, if you're out there thinking that the Panthers are what they were in 2023 or 2024, think again. They have one of the better OLs in the league. The three top receivers can make life miserable on any, and everyone. The defensive interior is bolstered by the return of big Derrick Brown, one of the best in the league. QB Bryce Young looked like a different QB than I remembered seeing as a rookie in 2023. This Panthers team is going to be a much better squad than many people think, mark my words. So, the Texans didn't walk in and dominate. As such, there were some aspects that I'm driving home at night thinking about that I'll be really happy with and some other things that I'll know still need some work.
Strides Up Front
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One thing that continues to get my attention is the continued pass protection. Not perfect, but definitely making strides. Now, like I said, I didn't see every single offensive rep, but what seemed consistent in most passing situations was the time that QBs C.J. Stroud and Davis Mills had to get the ball off. Really happy with the OL's work and progress.
The Panthers defensive interior is a stout group and did give the Texans' offensive interior some issues in the interior run game. But, there were some moments for the running backs where there was no penetration and open space available.
One of the brighter spots today was OG Ed Ingram. I thought he had a couple of plays that were just awesome. I saw him single block a DT four to five yards downfield on an inside run play. It was to a point that the DT turned his back and tried to slow Ingram with his back. That was great to see for sure. Then, a little later in the third or fourth team period, on a Nick Chubb cut back run, Ingram made one heck of a block to wash down a defender to open a lane for his RB. That was great stuff from Ingram and he seems to get better and more confident each day. I liked what he showed on Thursday.
Quick and Decisive
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One aspect of the passing game that I saw, especially early in practice, was the quarterbacks getting to second/third reads quickly and decisively. On his first set of downs, C.J. Stroud wanted to hit WR Jayden Higgins on a short route, but it was clogged up. So, he scanned quickly and drilled one to WR Jaylin Noel for a completion. Stroud seems to get more and more comfortable in this new offensive system with his new offensive teammates.
I thought Stroud was really freakin' good throughout the day. To conclude that first drive, he threw a dart to Nico Collins on third and nine for a clean touchdown against a six man pressure from Carolina. That was just beautiful to watch. More on those two linking up in the end zone later in red zone work.
Like I said, on that play, the Texans expertly picked up the blitz, allowing Nico to work against a Panthers CB one-on-one. If you're playing zero man AND the Texans front whips the blitz, it's just not going to work. It certainly didn't on that play. The blitz pickup/pass protection was pristine, allowing C.J. to throw accurately to Nico.
QB Davis Mills made an excellent throw to WR Justin Watson at the sticks on third and about two. Watson made one heck of a contested catch down near the turf to hang on and make the first down.
I jumped over to the defensive field just in time to see Panthers WR Xavier Legette go up over rookie CB Jaylin Smith for a touchdown. Legette is a specimen and those are the type of plays that Panthers fans hope they see even more this year. That was a tough cover for the Texans rookie for sure.
Hitting the Holes
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RB Jawhar Jordan had a tremendous split zone run with some help from his TE Irv Smith. I've been impressed with the way that Jordan has hit holes and openings during training camp and I hope that continues on into Saturday as well.
The offense had some rough moments in the middle of practice. Panthers CB Mike Jackson made one of the best plays of the day when he fell off a flat route underneath the WR running the corner route and picked off a Stroud pass. That was one heck of a play for a CB on that route.
The run game slogged a bit through the middle periods as well so I went to watch the defense for a while. On the very first play that I went over to field two, Panthers TE Mitchell Evans caught a short pass from QB Bryce Young and immediately was POPPED by LB Azeez Al-Shaair. The hit caused a fumble and the Texans picked it up for the takeaway.