Panthers seek grit: Canales demands aggressive play, physicality, and discipline

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Carolina Panthers coach Dave Canales ramped up practice on Tuesday, the last full padded practice before the preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Canales didn’t seem to be concerned when an altercation occurred at the end of the session, involving Pro Bowl cornerback Jaycee Horn and starting left tackle Ikem Ekwonu, extending after practice between these two players and others.

We were in a competitive moment. Tempers flared. We tried to push the guys to the limit. They went a little too far. But at the same time, that’s the aggressiveness you have to play with when we have these opportunities. We have to play a physical style of football. Sometimes, it goes a little too far.

Dave Canales

Canales is looking for the Panthers to be more physical than last year, when they finished with a 5-12 record. At the start of camp, he mentioned that he doesn’t think teams will want to play against them because of their style of play. The coach commented that the players took the situation to a “crescendo” with the altercation, reaching a point where he wants his team to play and where they should feel comfortable operating. Canales admitted that he may have demanded too much of the players during the pre-practice meeting, saying: “Last day with equipment. Let’s go for it. Let’s get it.” He reminded the players that the pain they felt from the 20-3 loss to the Houston Texans on Saturday, which left Carolina’s preseason record at 0-2, is similar to what they will feel on Wednesdays during the regular season.

Every week is super physical in this league. You’re not completely healthy on Wednesday… You have to make the decision to go, and they did.

Dave Canales

A Canales also liked that his players took the initiative at the beginning of practice, something he had asked them at the beginning of the camp. After another pre-snap penalty that has affected Carolina in practice, as well as losses to the Cleveland Browns and the Texans, quarterback Bryce Young and running back Chuba Hubbard made the offense run a gasser.

That was all player-led. They had been talking and holding each other accountable for the pre-snap things that I’ve been harping on. I’m not a big fan of gassers. We don’t need to do those types of things and add more volume to the high intensity that I’m expecting in all phases. For the guys, it meant something to them. That was their way of trying to adjust today.

Dave Canales

Although Canales liked the spirit and energy of the practice, he planned to meet with the players later to inform them that he will not tolerate fights once the season begins.

Good time to teach. But a fantastic work day.

Dave Canales