TONING IT DOWN: Wednesday's practice tempo was noticeably scaled backed, and that was expected with the preseason opener looming Friday. The Panthers worked through several installation periods, and the second and third teams saw extensive action.
TWO-MINUTE DRILLS: Quarterbacks Derek Anderson and Joe Webb each got a crack at running the hurry-up offense. Anderson was forced to use a timeout after being "sacked," but he moved the offense down to the 10-yard line after four completions. From there, the defense stood tall, forcing three consecutive incompletions before time expired.
Webb connected on four quick passes and led the offense to the 12-yard line before calling a timeout with nine seconds left. After a jump ball for rookie wide receiver Devin Funchess was broken up by cornerback Teddy Williams, there was time for one more play, and the offense made it count. Webb scrambled away from pressure and fired a strike to rookie running back Brandon Wegher, who was cutting across to the front corner of the end zone.
BIG GAIN TO GINN: The highlight of the day for the first-team offense came when quarterback Cam Newton tossed a deep ball down the sideline to wide receiver Ted Ginn, Jr. The pass was perfectly placed for Ginn to reach up and make the grab over cornerback Josh Norman.
ONSIDE KICK PRACTICE: It's arguably the most unpredictable play in the sport, but it's one that still needs practice. The Panthers worked on onside kicks Wednesday, with several players trying their hand at tracking the awkward bounces off the ground.
BENWIKERE MAKES PLAYS: Cornerback Bene Benwikere is gradually increasing his workload, and he flashed during several periods in Wednesday's practice. During one-on-one drills against the wide receivers, Benwikere nearly pulled off a highlight-reel one-handed interception on a Newton toss intended for Brenton Bersin. It made for a terrific pass breakup nonetheless. Later, Benwikere intercepted Anderson during seven-on-seven. And during the team period, Benwikere blitzed and reacted quickly to leap and knock away Newton's pass at the line.
EXTRA POINT: Former Panthers tight end Ben Hartsock (2011-13) was always well-liked in the locker room, and that was evident when he made a guest appearance at practice Friday. Tight end Greg Olsen spotted him, and then a slew of players called out to their old teammate. Head coach Ron Rivera also had a nice chat with Hartsock, who served as a hard-nosed blocking tight end throughout his career.
