What To Watch For in the Carolina Panthers Preseason Opener

Carolina Panthers football is back tonight the preseason opener in New England and now I understand Bryce shun's not going to play and likely some other starters that's okay I'm going to tell you what to watch for tonight in the Panthers preseason opener right here on lock on Panthers you are locked on Panthers your daily Carolina Panthers podcast part of the locked on podcast Network your team every day welcome to another edition of the locked on Panthers podcast the part of the lock on podcast Network I'm your host as always Julian Council talking Carolina Panthers with you every Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday and Friday your team every day that's our M here on the lockon podcast Network subscribe or follow the show for free on YouTube or wherever you listen to your favorite podcast and be sure to follow me Julian on Twitter Julian counil where I have been answering your weekly Friday mailbag questions but we have a game tonight which means Friday's show will be me reacting to the preseason game so still send in questions by either adding me or deing me but of course follow me on Twitter at Julian Council and I'll figure out when we'll have our next mailbag during the preseason once we get to the regular season it'll be on Wednesdays but either way sending questions at Julian counsil DM me and at me over there on Twitter today's episode will like on Panthers is brought to you by LinkedIn jobs LinkedIn jobs helps you find a qualified cand you want to talk to faster post your job for free at linkedin.com lockon NFL that's linkedin.com lockon NFL to post your job for free terms and conditions apply at long last Carolina Panthers football is finally back tonight 7 o'clock Eastern Standard Time up at Foxboro against the New England Patriots now unfortunately BR young is not going to play and I'm guessing that Adam th's not going to play Deontay Johnson's not g to play Taylor motton Austin Corbett Jevan Clowney JC horn Derek BR a whole host of players I imagine will not play in this game if you're not going to play your starting quarterback then you're probably not going to play any of the other players you think are going to be key contributors for you this season if you're Dave Canales jro Alo and the rest of this Carolina Panther staff which is UN forunate for you and I as the viewer for you the viewer especially you don't get to see your favorite team uh play their F your favorite players and for me as the podcast host well it makes it a little bit more difficult to find things to talk about now in recent years since they've gone down to three preseason games it's not like the starters play that much anyways I texted my buddy who covers the New England Patriots and asked him are the stars gonna play he told me a series maybe more that's not a lot anyway not too many things you can actually take away from that unlike well kind of last year you could as Panthers offens line struggled mightily in that first preseason game against New York Jets but still not always a ton to actually talk about which makes it for me to have to be a little bit more creative and there are things I'm actually excited to see both offensively and defensively so today on the show let me talk about what I'm going to be watching for and what I think you should be watching for in the Panthers preseason opener tonight in New England starting off with the offense because that's what matters here in Carolina after the offense was atrocious last season so Bryce young not gonna play Andy Dalton he's injured with the calf he's not gonna play that means it's Jack plumber time baby Jack plumber the undra free agent out of Louisville via Cal via Purdue three times he played at a different school back College played well for the Louisville Cardinals as he helped them get to the ACC title game right here in uptown Charlotte back in December and he has been here in Carolina all offseason long he was here for OTAs mandatory mini camp and so far the first 10 days of training camp as a number three quarterback this is his opportunity to solidify his spot on the roster Dave Canalis has said multiple times that he wants to have a third quarterback he wants to utilize that emergency third quarterback spot I have said in the past and I'm going to say again and now I don't really see the value in that if you get down to your third guy you're screwed either way why waste the roster spot on someone you hope never plays now if you're gonna have somebody in that third spot it would make the most sense to have somebody who knows your offense that's been around and since Dave canow has only been here since January and he's only been with the team since really the players out on the field since April it would make sense that Jack plumber would be that guy who is at the top of the list to be that third quarterback provided that he's been here all that time in Carolina and they're giv the opportunity to start I would prefer if you're really going to utilize it to have a veteran the Panthers have not had a veteran in that spot all off season long and throughout the beginning of training camp it's been Jack plumber so this is his opportunity to shine I was never that impressed by him at Louisville and even at Cal but he's getting opportunity NFL and I'll say this not a lot of guys who go undrafted who play at three different schools get the opportunity that he's getting here in Carolina and I think that's a great story for him and as for his family and even for the Panthers as he's quietly another developmental guy now Bryce is the one who they're mainly developing then an's here for emotional support and also to be the veteran and break glass C of Emergency the Panthers need to go to him jack plumber he's that third guy the guy you hoped you never had to play but a guy who's gonna get an opportunity tonight and I am a little bit excited to see what Jack plumber's able to do and Dave also said you need somebody who can run the offense clearly they have enough confidence in him that he can get the job done and he can help them evaluate some of the other receivers and other offensive Talent on this Panthers roster now the offensive line in front of him don't know who that's going to be they're gonna have to give him an opportunity so the Panthers can evaluate him and the rest his pieces on this offense as Andy and Bryce are not going to play and I'm guessing a large portion of the other offens starters also will not be out there on the field tonight the other guy I'm looking at on offense jaavan Sanders the fourth round pick out of the University of Texas my favorite pick in this draft and when you do look at this draft class Xavier Legette The Hope was that he could contribute immediately looking at Jonathan Brooks the ACL was always questionable whether he actually would be ready to go and be a key contributor this season right now we're being told week three week four either way chuba hubard miles Sanders guys that they can run into the ground move off of after the season move on from after the season and then have Jonathan Brooks as their guide next year so you at that pick a pick really for 2025 you look at the pick for Trevon Wallace a pick for 2025 you look at the pick for Tavon Sanders The Wishful Thinking is that he can come in and contribute right away from what I've seen so far probably more of a pick for 2025 knowing he got Trimble on the last year's deal and th is probably on his way out as well that was a common theme but because Ian Thomas right now is dealing with cap injury and we're not quite sure whether he's gonna be ready to go week one and Tomy Trimble should be back late next week will he practice against the Jets during joint prce practice on Thursday that's still to be determined I wouldn't expect him to play in the preseason game next week against New York either way so Tommy Trimble he'll be back soon Stefon Sullivan he's gone on ir and not quite sure when he'll be back a lot of attrition so far in the first two and a half weeks when it comes to the Carolina Panthers tight in room that means that chavon Sanders and Jordan Matthews are the next two guys up and Sanders is really the guy who's going to be under the microscope as they drafted him they clearly believe that he can be an offensive weapon for this team in the future and from the reports that I've gotten from the days I've either been there or not been there at training camp here in Charlotte he's impressed as far as a blocker it's been the receiving skills that have lagged behind but in recent days he's gotten a little bit better there and I want to see what he looks like tonight with Jack plumber throwing the football and how he's able to block as well and if he can step into a position where if you get the week one if you don't have Stefon Sullivan you don't have any in Thomas ready to go Tommy Trimble should be good provided there's no step back with that hamstring it probably would then be Javon Sanders as the next guy up also Jordan Matthews a former Frank Wright guy played wide receiver early on his career in the NFL with the Eagles was actually pretty solid loved them back when he was at Vanderbilt when James Franklin was coaching there he's now a tight end was here on the practice squad a couple of weeks last season did not give him a chance to make the roster knowing that he's a right guy that's why he came to Carolina but based off of the injuries to Thomas to Trimble to Sullivan and a lot of the questions in that room as far as who's going to be available and what they have he has a chance to make the roster and I would say if they had an initial 53 today he would be on it so Tavon Sanders and Jordan Matthews both those guys are GNA get I don't know how many snaps they're gonna get but they're gonna get a really big opportunity tonight in that game as starters to show what they can do and present their case at least for Matthews to why he should be on the 3 man roster once we get down to August 27th so in 19 days John Domingo also wanting to see what he can do I I don't know whether he's gonna play I don't think he has in the same case with Bryce young I don't think Bryce Chung has earned the the right to sit out a preseason game and maybe it's not even about earning a right it's about health and whether they feel like they've gotten their work done and yada yada yada I don't think Mingo is someone that should be sitting out he should be the number one wide receiver in this game Deontay Johnson doesn't need to play if Bryce is not out there he does not need to be out there same thing with Adam Thelen you can maybe make that argument with John Domingo I don't think so Mingo struggled last year was thrown out there way too early Frank Reich Thomas Brown everyone on that offensive coaching staff did him and the team a disservice by putting him out there so early you also look around were that many options maybe maybe not Terrace Marshall Jr looked good one week then was completely forgotten the next week so there probably was another option the Panthers could have utilized instead of throwing Mingo in that wide receiver three role but so far throughout the beginning of Camp he has been that guy he has performed well now the pads are on both in practice but the game they're strapping it up shows something even with a backup quarterback likely a backup offensive line be the best guy on that offense that's what you want to see out of out of Jonathan Mingo as he is someone who position with Xavier liette with that foot now dayto day and still was pretty slow into earning role as that wide receiver 3 they're going to give him every opportunity to earn it right now he has not seized it and partially because of injury and just getting used to the speed of the game Mingo he's gotten used to the speed of the game he's healthy this is his opportunity to solidify that role as wide receiver three as Panthers head into the rest of the preseason and get closer to week one last thing I'm looking at is the offensive line This is obviously as important as Bryce young and whether the panther is going to have any success if the offensive line falters this year Bryce young will falter this year if the offensive line plays well Bryce young I believe will have an opportunity to play well and I do think he'll be a lot better than he was last year again probably not gonna see Taylor mton probably not gonna see Austin Corbett we'll be KY if we see icky and Damen Lewis wouldn't think he's gonna play he's been nursing a shoulder injury no reason to put him out there if you're worried about the health of your quarterback same thing with Robert hunt iky kuu maybe he plays probably not I would expect it would be Kade Mays at Center Brady Christensen at Right Guard Chan laala at left guard Ricky Lee at left tackle and then it would be badera trior at right tackle maybe it's Lee right one of maybe flipflop but either way those should be your five and when you look at it they should be able to get something done offensively now New England again is gonna play their starters at least the series would be nice to see what the Panthers backup offensive line their offensive line depth is able to do against starting Defenders and the Pats have been paying a lot of guys on that defense over the last couple weeks uh during training camp Ma has started games Christian started a ton of games zala started games Lee has not trii has not this is starting off or a backup offens line that has been together they've been healthy they are somebody they they have an opportunity I mean not even somebody or an opportunity but these are guys that should be able to piece it together and not be a complete liability tonight in the game that's my thoughts they should not be but will they be we will see good opportunity to see if the Panthers have the kind of depth I think they have on the offensive line or if that still is a massive concern and if anything happens to any of the starting five this team could be right in the same position they were last year where they were just funneling in guys at at guard all season long so that's what I'm watching for on offense in tonight's SE preseason opener what about defense I'll tell you what I'm looking for here in just a moment on lockon Panthers when you're hiring for your small business you want to find quality professionals that are right for the role that's why you have to check out LinkedIn jobs LinkedIn jobs has the tools help you find the right Professionals for your team faster and for free LinkedIn isn't just a job board LinkedIn helps you hire professionals like a professional and find them anywhere else even those who aren't actively searching for a new job might be open to the perfect role in a given month over 70% of LinkedIn users don't visit other leading job sites so if you're not looking on LinkedIn you're looking in the wrong place on LinkedIn 86% of small businesses get a qualified candidate within 24 hours hire professionals like a professional on LinkedIn LinkedIn knows that small businesses are wearing so many hats and might not have the time or resources to hire LinkedIn is constantly finding ways to make the process easier they even just launched a feature that helps you write job descriptions making the process even easier and quicker in fact 2.5 million small businesses use LinkedIn for hiring post your drive for free at linkedin.com lockon NFL that's linkedin.com lockdown NFL to post your job for free terms and conditions apply what should you be watching for tonight when the Panthers defense takes the field against the Patriots well I'll tell you right now here on the show at least what I am watching out for there may be some other things you're watching out for and if if you have them please let me know tweet me at Julian Council DM me there at Julian Council same place you can send in your mailbag questions we will do a mailbag at some point in time soon not sure when that will be but it'll be happening shortly so stay tuned there all right uh DJ Johnson I'm looking at him looking at tight end as well a lot of injuries with that position group outside linebacker I think far more concerning tight end Trimble will be there Sanders like they'll be fine eventually Ian Thomas will be healthy I understand that Ian Thomas is not a lot of people's favorite player they question all the guys that have been here that were true different M difference makers that are no longer here and Ian Thomas still sticks around totally understand that but eventually Ian Thomas will come back and he'll play his role and the Titan group will be what it what it is I'm not gonna say it's gonna be good but it'll be what they're supposed to be I suppose just the worst one in the NFL probably but still a Titan unit that has guys that are capable of playing at this level maybe not difference makers but they're capable outside linebacker outside of Jevan Clowny I don't know if the Panthers have those capable players you look at DJ wam whenever he's available I'm hoping that he's going to be able to live up to the expectations Panthers had for him when they gave him that free agency deal back in March but because he has missed so much time during the offseason and so far through training camp and probably the pre-season it's hard to have high expectations for a guy coming off at the injury and not getting the Reps even if he is a vet still you got to be game ready you got to be in shape I don't know where he's goingon to be physically and mentally once we get to the season here in Carolina uh K Kon Chason he's another guy be watching as well and I did see his mom try to uh she wants to follow me on Instagram uh folks if you are a family member player or just anybody I don't personally know Instagram's private or or you're just not going to be able to follow me but I that is nice though so apparently she listens to the show so Mrs Chason or Miss Chason not sure whether you're married or not uh thank you for watching lockon Panthers or listening however you do and best luck to your son this season unfortunately cbon has not had the kind of season or rather career that he would have hoped for and the Jags would have hoped for when he came out of LSU it's fair to say he's been a bust so far to this point in time now he's still in the league being a first- round pick will'll keep in the league based off of that guy's first- round pick he sells the tools the traits that n teams look for can he put it together looking at The Unofficial depth chart DJ Johnson has gone over him right now so outside of Clowny I don't know who to trust even when wam comes back out outside linebacker I think this is again probably going to be the worst pass rush in the NFL but it may not be if someone like DJ Johnson who ajro AO really liked last year which is a big reason why they traded up from 93 to 80 with Pittsburgh to draft him a player who a lot of folks saw as a project out of order Oran he's now here and he's getting an opportunity to start and if it were week one it would be him and Clowny out there and we would get to see what he can do tonight is an opportunity to see how DJ Johnson has progressed how far he has come from last year where he had zero sacks made really no difference at all has he improved as a pass rusher first and foremost jro wants to see these guys set the edge which is why I think they're going to have a pretty solid run defense compared to what they had last season at least having Clowny in there and you have Johnson who can do that I think defensive line isan Robinson that's an upgrade from what they have with Shan Williams and whenever Shaq's healthy Josie juel like they'll be fine against the Run they were bad against the run last year they'll be fine against the run this year maybe even a little good against the Run DJ Johnson he's somebody that I'm absolutely looking out for tonight because he week one again he would be the starter based off just the injuries at that position trevan Wallace also if it were week one he would be the starter he's had a good camp so far this staff really likes what they have in him maybe not the most instinctual player as it's been described to me but somebody who plays hard runs sideline to sideline and hell that's half the battle nowadays just getting guys to do that to give that energy to give that effort and Trev and Trevon Wallace is doing that so far the third round pick out of Kentucky and Jaa Thompson no clue with his hamstring injury when he's gonna be ready to go I'm going to just assume considering it's only August 8th that he'll be ready to go week one if he's not again it will be Trevon Wallace in position to start but he should be starting tonight in that game I don't think Josie JW is going to play it should be claen tless and Trevon Wallace and cla's another guy who gets an opportunity to potentially make this roster as like that fourth linebacker and also as a special teams player with Sam Fon Jr with the broken foot he's gonna start off the season likely on pup you look at cam gill who suffered an injury he's probably gonna be done for a while that's two special teams Aces who aren't going to be on that initial 53 Charles has got an opportunity look at chle Wooten as well who's played special teams role in the past Tate Davis there are three linebackers who get a chance to do that Trevon Wallace he's probably going to wear the Green Dot tonight and he may be wearing a Green Dot even with to the regular season if he has step in there I would think probably Josie juel but it's possible that Wallace to be in certain situations where he is that Green Dot linebacker if they go into a dime package we will see I I'm excited to see him there's been a lot of praise for him during the preseason or the training camp let's see how he's able to perform in a game secondary wise a lot of concerns at corner as far as the depth go when you have your top three JC Troy Hill and danne Jackson out there I think the Panthers are gonna be fine especially with JC he's excellent Dane Jackson has impressed me so far when I've been out there Troy Hill he's also having a pretty dog on good camp so far those three right at their healthy Carolina's probably fine but knowing the track record they're probably not going to be fine because they could lose JC horn for some time and it's it's a game of football where there it's a collision sport uh so it's not a contact it's a collision Sport and these collisions often times lead to bumps and bruises and those turn into injuries so Lamar Jackson DiCaprio bule those are the next guys up Dave Canalis brought up on Monday when I was at training camp and he was speaking to us he said that Lamar Jackson is a guy he's excited to see play in the preseason Lamar Jackson is not the guy up in the Ravens as we know he's and Lamar up in in Baltimore he's got a solidified position he's one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL he's got his money Lamar Jackson here in Carolina is just trying to make the team and he's trying to show why he is worthy of being here and not having Carolina go out there and try to find someone who's a veteran who can fill in they could still do that Swan Gilmore still available some other players still available and I'm sure Dan Morgan will be active they're gonna have the number one waiver priority because they picked up Kaden Stern that does not change anything they had a number one priority until week four so understand that they can upgrade the roster and I think they will still try to find somebody in the meantime Lamar Jackson this is your chance Caprio ble has consistently been that third outside corner whenever JC horn stepped out he stepped in he had to step in a couple times last year along with John Jameson just like Lamar Jackson he's gonna be I think clo he's a lot closer I think he's pretty safely on the team if the Panthers want to bring somebody else in that's going to bump back DiCaprio bule on a depth chart he's got to give him the reason not to do that now the team's always going to try to make the team better which is their job but still Bole Jackson good chance for those guys to show what they have tonight and I'm also goingon to look at special teams wrote this in with defense how will the Panthers handle a new kickoff I did not see the kickoff last week we asked Dave Canal us about this on Monday he said they took some things from what the Texans and the Bears did in the Hall of Fame game and we'll get to see it play out I seen when they've done returns that they've had a kick returner back there another person back there in the landing zone so the space between the 20 yard line into the goal line and that that second player has been more of a blocker operating as an upback will that be the case again tonight and I don't know maybe that's what the Bears and what the Texans did last Thursday you tell me did not see it we'll get to see it and excited to get to see that tonight uh In Living Color and then the kicker competition don't think there's truly a kick traversy here but it's still ongoing Eddie Panero versus Harrison M does That a Kick is it m' show his chance show what he's got we'll find out tonight that is also what I'm looking out for tonight in that preseason opener against New England that's what I'm G to watch for on defense special teams and on offense this evening now one question and we'll put a bow on this Bryce young not gonna play tonight will he play it all in the preseason he just talking more about that decision that Dave Canal has made and if we'll continue to make it moving forward here in just moment on lockon Panthers game time is an authorized ticket Marketplace of Major League Baseball which makes getting tickets faster and easier prices on the game time app actually go down the closer it gets the first pitch with car last minute deals all in prices view from your seat and their lowest price guarantee game time takes guest work out of buying MLB tickets and if you happen to be in the Boston area you want to go see the game tonight I understand preseason games they've been ripping off band for decades this should cost $5 or be free you can save the 60% off buying last minute for sports concerts comedy theater Etc with gamees time get panoramic view from your seat in the app before you buy take the guess work out of buying MLB tickets with Game Time download the game time app create an account and use code locked on NFL for $20 off your first purchase terms apply again create an account and redeem code locked on NFL that's l o c k e d o n NF L for $20 off download game time today last minute tickets lowest price guaranteed we will not see Bryce young in the Panthers preseason opener tonight against New England Patriots and we are all questioning whether we're gonna see Bryce young at all maybe you're not questioning maybe you're not upset about it and I'm not sitting here saying I'm upset about it other than the fact that I would rather watch just a series even if that's only three plays I would like to see something from the starting offense I'm going to be live here on the show later on this evening Bleacher Reports got me doing something I don't know what the hell they want me to talk because they're they're more focused on the main story lines well there's no damn story lines of price young didn't play I guess that's storyline but either way it would be nice just as someone who has stop by this team every day um and live and breathe it to have something to take away from that game that involves Bryce young other than him not playing but that's not going to be the case I I'm just wondering too and I went on my good friend Adam Gold down at 99 fan and Raleigh on Wednesday afternoon we were talking this out and I was telling him if you're not gonna play Bryce tonight why play him next Saturday against New York the Panthers get a joint practice it's controlled environment it's gonna be pretty intense and it's going to be officiated like they would in NFL they're going to bring in officials they already do that in training camp anyways that is going to give them more work and this is what coaches have been saying year after year that they get more out of joint practices at least with their starters then they get out of a preseason game because it is a control environment they can work on certain situations they want to work on Red Zone for 20 minutes they can do that they want to work on two-minute drill and all that they can do that and they can do it against another NFL team don't always get an opportunity to do that in a preseason game which I think is part of the reason why the Panthers play especially last year they offense didn't do anything didn't even get a chance to do anything and they came back and play the Giants and they had more series because they wanted to see them in certain situations so they're not going to get get to see them tonight in that situation and if they're not going to do it tonight and you get to join practice next week don't really see why you would do it then against the Jets next Saturday now the following Saturday there's no joint practice in Buffalo even though there's plenty connections uh Carolina it's Buffalo there's no joint practice I would like to see at least a quarter or a half from the offense if that's what Dave Canalis wants to do I don't think it's the wisest thing where there's so much change it's a different scheme there's different offensive lineman different quarterback Center exchange even if Austin Corbett tells us we got to stop making a big deal about it different receivers all that I just I just think in way and it's this is how it's gonna be no matter what like Dave Canalis opens himself up to criticism if the team doesn't play at all in the preseason like Bryce and the first team offense and they come out and they look bad week one he's gonna get crapped on now he plays Bryce shun and Bryce gets hurt people are going to say this why you shouldn't have played in the preseason preseason is not important at all you should have stuck to your guns and not played him you can't win in these situations and my job is sit here and to talk about it I'm not criticizing him I just like I said the other day I was surprised by it I don't necessarily agree with it and it may not be the worst thing in the world I can I'm certainly open to this being totally fine and that they don't need to see it and trying to sit here and Trust Dave Canalis and I have no reason not to trust him I also have no reason to trust this man because he's never been a head coach and he's very green here in Carolina don't have really things to really complain about at all because he has not had the opportunity to play an actual game to where any real criticism should be placed upon him or any real praise should be placed upon him I'm gonna wait and see I think that it makes most sense to get the offense out there in a SE Bryce but right now he does not think that's necessary at least tonight could change next week could change in two weeks against Buffalo but at least for tonight we're not gonna see Bryce young and it's okay but it's also maybe not okay all right it's going to wrap up this edition of the lockdown Panthers podcast part of lockdown podcast Network host by your Julie Julian Council again you scbe follow show free on YouTube or wherever you listen to your favorite podcast and be sure to follow me Julian counsil on Twitter at Julian Council where eventually I'll be back to answer your whether it be Wednesday or Friday mailbag questions it's going to happen so either add me or DM me continue to send me questions in I've seen some of them in my DMs I'll get to them and we'll find a good time like this week gonna be reacting to the game uh next week probably gonna be previewing the game and also reacting to Joint practice so I'll see if we can find some time can always do multiple shows as I've done like Monday I had like three shows out there it really clogged up your podcast and YouTube feed so appreciate everybody supported so far throughout the preseason I'll just let you know about that uh but in the meantime be safe be happy be whole as always keep pounding and I will be back live tonight like I do throughout the season Live on YouTube check it out should be about 45 minutes after the game's over got to do bleach report first immediately after got it I can't say no the money y'all and then I'll be on here with y'all live so probably around 10:45 maybe 11 o'clock that's eastern time we'll be here chopping it up talking about the Panthers preseason opener against New England Patriots