Panthers veterans don’t have to report to training camp in Spartanburg, South Carolina until Friday, but quarterback Cam Newton will be there on Monday.
That’s when the team’s rookies are reporting for three days of work before camp starts up in full. Acording to Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer, the idea is to let Newton develop some chemistry with the team’s rookie receivers. The Panthers took Joe Adams in the fourth round of April’s draft and there are seven other rookie receivers trying to earn a spot on the team this summer, which should give Newton a chance to keep busy in the days leading up to the formal start of training camp.
Steve Smith and Brandon LaFell are pretty well set in the first two spots on the team’s depth chart at wide receiver. Beyond that, there’s nothing set in stone so one of the rookies could find a way to climb the ladder this summer. Three days with Newton probably won’t win anyone a job, but developing a relationship with the guy running the offense now probably won’t hurt anyone’s chances of nabbing one down the road.
The other Panthers quarterbacks and several other players who missed minicamp with injuries will also be in attendance. Linebacker Thomas Davis, defensive end Charles Johsnon and tackle Jeff Otah are some of the names on that list.