1. Rookie corners are closing in: In the first practice, it was Zack Sanchez. In the second practice Friday, it was Daryl Worley. And from the looks of it, James Bradberry could follow close behind.

Two of the Panthers' three rookie cornerbacks now have interceptions after Worley closed on a Ted Ginn route over the middle and picked a high Cam Newton pass that bounced off Ginn's outstretched hands.

"They were doing deeper routes today and added in double moves, so we were playing a little bit more loose," Worley explained. "Ted ran a good route and saw that the ball was thrown high, so I was just going to try to punch at it if he did catch it. But the bobble went up in the air, and I just tried to make a play on the ball."

Bradberry made a notable play for the second consecutive day though he hasn't yet come up with an interception, this time running stride-for-stride with Ginn on one of those deep routes to break up a pass – no small feat.

"Eventually, I believe you'll see them make more and more plays," head coach Ron Rivera said. "They're gaining confidence in the skills that Coach (Steve) Wilks is teaching and the defense of Sean McDermott, and you're seeing them getting closer and closer to the ball."

2. But Benjamin steals the show: Before Worley's interception, he had a birds' eye view of the play of the day. Worley and safety Kurt Coleman were closely tracking Kelvin Benjamin but still couldn't do anything about it when Benjamin bounded up and snagged a Newton pass between them before tumbling to the turf.

"I was very anxious. I really was. But that's what we're used to," Rivera said. "To make a play like that, that's part of his routine."

3. Punting battle just beginning: Veteran punter Mike Scifres and relative newcomer Swayze Waters took center stage for one period Friday, taking turns punting in live situations.

But their true rehearsal for the job vacated by Brad Nortman is still to come.

"All in honesty, to me it's about the games," Rivera said. "Once we get to the games, both will get a lot of chances to kick, and we'll take it right up to the end unless one of them establishes himself really early in the preseason."

4. Former Panther takes in practice: Campbell head coach Mike Minter, the former Panthers safety, observed practice with several members of his coaching staff, much to the delight of linebacker and former teammate Thomas Davis.

Davis overtook Minter last season for the franchise record for tackles, and the two enjoyed catching up on the sideline. After team drills, Minter couldn't resist praising Davis' playmaking ability.

"I've still got wheels old man," Davis told him. "I can still hit, too."

5. Let's get physical: The Panthers will hold their first padded practice when they return to the Wofford practice fields Saturday at 9:25 a.m.

Time will tell if some personnel that missed or left Friday's practice will take part. Defensive tackle Vernon Butler and offensive tackle Jordan Rigsbee left practice with what was believed to be cramping, while fullback Devon Johnson (illness) didn't practice along with the two players on the physically unable to perform list (cornerback Bene Benwikere and wide receiver Tobais Palmer) and one of the non-football injury list (cornerback Leonard Johnson).