SPARTANBURG, S.C. — A couple of Panthers players carpooled to training camp, driving the easy 1.5 hours from Charlotte to Wofford College. Veteran defensive end Julius Peppers was dropped off at player check-in by a car service.
But rookie receiver Curtis Samuel? His mom dropped him off, of course.
Just like any other 20-year-old, right?
Samuel’s mom, Nicole, watched from the parking lot, hands on hips as the receiver walked toward dorms, wheeling his suitcase behind him.
Curtis Samuel got dropped off by his mom. Smart rookie move. She’s proudly watching. #panthers #NFLTrainingCamp @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/1Ee9JA0T45
— Tiffany Blackmon (@tiffblackmon) July 25, 2017
The Ohio State product, who later told a Panthers.com reporter that his mom needed the car, is sure to get some ribbing from his new teammates who had slightly more sophisticated arrivals.
Running back Fozzy Whittaker rode up in a car with a fire-breathing dragon painted on the side. It’s a look that might inadvertently coincide with the Panthers’ “Game of Thrones” training camp theme.
Panthers running back Fozzy Whittaker appears to have a fire-breathing dragon on the… https://t.co/tkg4P2UxGn pic.twitter.com/JjLOT5dVEV
— David Newton (@DNewtonespn) July 25, 2017
Oregon product Jonathan Stewart’s ride was a brilliant emerald green and silver car with yellow detailing — what he called his “Duck” car in honor of his alma mater.
Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart called this his “Duck” car when he arrived at training camp. The former Oregon star meant it. Notice all the detail “Duck” detail.
David Newton, ESPN Staff Writer
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Center Ryan Kalil carpooled with his little brother, tackle Matt Kalil, who Carolina signed in the offseason via the Minnesota Vikings.
“It was very telling of his music taste, which wasn’t great,” Ryan Kalil said. “He got fired of being DJ about 20 minutes into the drive. I‘m surprised I let it go that long.
“I don’t even know [what he played]. That’s how bad it was. I have no idea, I’ve never heard of this music before. A lot of weird house stuff. Something he picked up in Minnesota, I’m guessing.”
The 16-year veteran Peppers arrived with little fanfare: He simply strolled out of an enormous, black SUV, a ride acquired via a car service.
Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers used a car service to come to camp at Wofford… https://t.co/my4ERRpPLG pic.twitter.com/GQq7WkPsZo
Eagles head coach Doug Pederson confirmed on Monday that middle linebacker Jordan Hicks broke a bone in his hand while on his honeymoon earlier this summer, an injury that required a “minor procedure.” Hicks will be limited to start training camp.
“He’s a veteran player, understands his role, I’m not going to rush him out there and try to reinjure that thing,” said Pederson, who stated that he doesn’t expect his linebacker to miss any time.
Eagles head coach Doug Pederson says he’s “not going to rush” the return of linebacker Jordan Hicks, who is still recovering from a hand injury sustained earlier this summer. Winslow Townson/AP Images for Panini
Hicks’ injury reportedly occurred while getting out of a pool during his honeymoon in Greece in late June.
Hicks missed half of his rookie season in 2015 with a torn pectoral muscle. He also dealt with significant injuries at the University of Texas, including a torn Achilles, a hip flexor and a fractured foot.
Hicks, 25, was able to play all 16 games last season and established himself as a foundational piece of the Eagles defense. He had 85 tackles, five interceptions, a sack and 11 passes defenses while manning the middle for defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. His five interceptions led the team and were the most among NFL linebackers. He now has seven picks in 24 professional games.
Pederson added that wide receiver Jordan Matthews could be limited in the early stages of training camp as well as he continues to deal with knee tendinitis.
“I’m not concerned. I know Jordan’s work ethic, I know the type of person and player that he is, and we’ve just got to stay on top of it, obviously,” Pederson said. “He’s been rehabbing all spring, all summer … just another one that we’ll monitor as we go.”
Matthews, 25, suffered what was termed a bone bruise in his left knee during training camp last August. He was hobbled by various injuries throughout the season, including a sprained ankle that he suffered in late November. He was also sidelined for much of the spring. Nelson Agholor received the bulk of his reps in the slot and really stood out.
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Bruce Arians knew what was coming when he approached the podium in the bowels of University of Phoenix Stadium for the first time this training camp.
It was the first time the Arizona Cardinals coach was formally addressing the local media after revealing in his recently released book that he was diagnosed with kidney cancer last December and had surgery in February to remove part of the organ. The questions, regardless of whether he tried to curb them or not, were bound to come.
On Thursday afternoon, he tried to get ahead of the story and then move on from it.
Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said he kept his cancer diagnosis a secret last December so that he wouldn’t be a distraction to the team in the final weeks of the season. Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports via USA TODAY NETWORK
“Welcome back, guys,” Arians began his news conference. “Yes, I’m healthy. Let’s get that s— out of the way right now. All that is behind me and I’m very, very fortunate to have a great doctor and can’t wait to get started.”
The first question was about why he kept the cancer a secret.
“We had some big games to finish the season and in no way did that have to be a distraction,” Arians said.
While his health was an issue from, essentially, the start of last season to the finish, it wasn’t enough to force Arians to retire. He was hospitalized last August during a training camp trip to San Diego for symptoms related to diverticulitis. He also was hospitalized in November for chest pains.
The cancer diagnosis came in December, when it was discovered during a doctor’s appointment that was initially scheduled to treat a potential hernia. He had surgery in February, the same month he had surgery to repair a rotator cuff injury.
“It was a s—ty February,” he said. “Too many operations. But the rotator’s great. Don’t tell Was [Cardinals orthopedist Dr. Gary Waslewski], but I played golf a few times this summer and I didn’t play very well but I didn’t lose all my money. It was fun.
“But, yeah, the other one. When they tell you you’re cancer-free, that’s a great feeling.”
And Arians still returned for a fifth season as the Cardinals’ head coach.
“If I was going to retire because of my health, I should’ve did it last year,” Arians said. “Hopefully I don’t have anything worse than I had last year.”
The New York Giants could have as many as 19 returning starters when the NFL season opens, but there are two rookies and two second-year players trying to earn their spots this summer.
Here’s a starting-lineup projection entering training camp:
Offense
Quarterback (Eli Manning): His job isn’t in jeopardy, even though the Giants drafted a quarterback in the third round. Manning had a down year in 2016 (26 touchdowns, 23 turnovers). But with improved weapons, there is hope this will be a bounce-back season.
Running back (Paul Perkins): The second-year back already has been anointed the starter. The elusiveness and versatility he showed during a rookie campaign when he averaged 4.1 yards per carry earned him the opportunity to be the lead back.
Wide receiver (Odell Beckham Jr.): The 24-year-old is one of the NFL’s biggest stars. He has had at least 90 catches, 1,300 yards and 10 touchdowns in each of his first three professional seasons — the only player in NFL history to accomplish the feat. Now he needs to show that productivity in the postseason while playing for a new contract.
Wide receiver (Brandon Marshall): The tall, powerful receiver was signed this offseason as a complement to Beckham. The Giants hope they’re getting the five-time Pro Bowler, not the 2016 version of Marshall who struggled with injuries and inconsistency.
Wide receiver (Sterling Shepard): He’s looking to build off a strong maiden season during which he was second among rookies with eight touchdowns. Shepard had a strong spring, and his goal is to be more dynamic this season after the catch.
Rookie tight end Evan Engram’s ability to block on a consistent basis might be the only thing that keeps him off the field. AP Photo/Julio Cortez
Tight end (Evan Engram): The first-round pick adds a new dimension to the offense with his speed and ability to open up the middle of the field. But Engram’s blocking will ultimately determine just how often he’s on the field and whether he immediately earns a starting spot. Rhett Ellison could end up starting due to his blocking ability.
Left tackle (Ereck Flowers): The Giants went all-in on Flowers this offseason after they didn’t add a true veteran offensive tackle in free agency. They were impressed that he remained at the facility and reworked his body. Flowers, 23, allowed the second-most pressures (59) among all offensive tackles last season, according to Pro Football Focus. So there is plenty of room to improve.
Left guard (Justin Pugh): Perhaps the Giants’ best offensive lineman, Pugh is entering his contract year. He needs to remain healthy after missing nine games over the past three seasons.
Center (Weston Richburg): The fourth-year center also is entering his contract year. Richburg is hoping to bounce back after playing with a hand injury for most of 2016.
Right guard (John Jerry): The Giants re-signed Jerry this offseason to a three-year, $10 million contract with the intention of him being their starting right guard. Coming off one of the best seasons of his career, he will face some competition from free-agent acquisition D.J. Fluker. But Jerry is the favorite to start entering camp.
Right tackle (Bobby Hart): The Giants’ inactivity regarding the tackle slot this offseason again puts Hart in position to start, after he was benched late last year. Hart showed flashes of his potential last season.
Defense
Defensive end (Jason Pierre-Paul): He returns healthy and with a new four-year, $62 million deal. Pierre-Paul proved last season — with 53 tackles and seven sacks in 12 games — that he can still be a difference-maker.
Defensive tackle (Damon Harrison): He’s arguably the league’s best run-stuffing tackle. Pro Football Focus had him with a 15.8 percent run-stop percentage, tops in the NFL. Harrison might well be the most important player on the Giants’ defense.
Defensive tackle (Dalvin Tomlinson): Robert Thomas spent most of the spring working with the first-team defense. But when all is said and done, Tomlinson, a second-round pick out of Alabama, seems to have the best chance to start alongside Harrison on running downs.
Defensive end (Olivier Vernon): He came to the Giants with a massive contract and didn’t disappoint in his first season with the team. Vernon tied for the NFL lead with 17 tackles for loss and played the most snaps of any defensive lineman. They’re expecting much of the same in Year 2.
Weakside linebacker (Jonathan Casillas): The well-respected defensive captain was the team’s only three-down linebacker last season. He finished with a career-best 96 tackles and eight passes defended. He has a chance to fill the same role in 2017.
Middle linebacker (B.J. Goodson): The second-year linebacker had a strong spring, during which he impressed the coaching staff and teammates. With last year’s starter Kelvin Sheppard still unsigned and unlikely to return, Goodson appears primed to start and become the signal-caller on this defense.
Strongside linebacker (Devon Kennard): The reliable Kennard does an excellent job setting the edge and playing with power. He’s entrenched as the starter on the strong side, in large part because of his run-stuffing ability.
Cornerback (Janoris Jenkins): He took his game to a new level with the Giants last season and earned his first Pro Bowl selection. He shut down Dallas Cowboys wideout Dez Bryant (twice) and proved to be a shutdown corner even against No. 1 receivers.
Cornerback (Eli Apple): With Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie having made the smooth transition to the slot, Apple is the clear-cut starter on the outside. After an up-and-down rookie season, he should make a significant jump, if he can remain healthy.
Strong safety (Landon Collins): He blossomed into an All-Pro safety in his second season. Collins had 125 tackles, five interceptions, 4.0 sacks and 13 passes defended while becoming a fixture in the Giants’ secondary. He’ll be there for a long time.
Free safety (Darian Thompson): This is one of the few defensive positions up for grabs. Safeties coach David Merritt said as much last month. Thompson missed all but two games last season, and undrafted rookie Andrew Adams filled in admirably. The two will compete for the starting spot this summer, but Thompson enters as the favorite with his foot healthy. He blew away the team last spring/summer with his smarts and instincts.
Special teams
Kicker (Aldrick Rosas): He’s the only kicker on the roster, and the Giants were impressed by what they saw this spring. It’s Rosas’ job to lose at training camp and in the preseason.
Punter (Brad Wing): He established himself as a weapon last season. Wing’s average of 46.2 yards per punt was the best of his career.
Long-snapper (Zak DeOssie): The veteran is back for another season. The special-teams captain is well-respected and considered a leader in the locker room.
