Carolina Panthers first-year head coach Dave Canales spoke with reporters on Tuesday after completing day one of the team’s voluntary mini-camp. Speaking on running his first NFL practice, Canales said, “it was great to be out there, for [him], as [his] first practice as a head coach.” In addition to participating in offensive drills, Canales also worked on the defensive side, noting, “Being able to be out there with Ejiro and some of the defensive guys, and bringing this whole thing together was certainly a really cool day for me.” Dawn of the Dave Canales Era Canales regaled the reporters…
Author: Chris Ashworth
Chris Ashworth
A sports writer born and bred in the Old North State, Chris' passion for sports was ingrained at an early age. Growing up in the Triangle, college sports were a dime a dozen and Chris went back for seconds. With a primary focus on App State, NC ACC schools, and the Carolina Panthers, you'll find a bit of history, humor, and a reason to cheer on your favorite team(s). In addition cheering on his favorite football teams, Chris is a voracious Carolina Hurricanes fan.
The North Carolina Tar Heels suited up on Saturday for their Spring Game in the friendly confines of Kenan Stadium. While this game was not televised, nor were stats kept, we have the whole scoop right here at Grid Iron Heroics! This season, North Carolina opted to not broadcast their Spring Game as they work through kinks in their defense and figure out who their main signal caller will be when they face off with the Minnesota Gophers August 29th. Spring Game Offense On Saturday, both Connor Harrell and Max Johnson made some impressive plays worthy of the starting quarterback…
Drake Maye and his 2024 quarterback classmates have not impressed former running back and NFL Analyst Merril Hoge. Hoge was recently interviewed on a wide range of subjects, including this year’s class of quarterback draft picks and what is needed to be successful in the NFL. When asked his thoughts on this year’s quarterback draft class he said, “I think it’s ok. There’s no CJ Stroud or Joe Burrow. Those are two guys who recently were drafted high (2023 second pick, first round; 2020 first pick, first round) and their skills translated into success at the next level.” According to…
NC State Wolfpack held their Spring Game on Saturday, April 6 in Raleigh. Team Red came away with the win after curb-stomping Team White with a final score of 51-7*. This year’s spring game was put on by the One Pack NIL Collective. Here are some quick takeaways from the inter-squad clash. *It was first-team offense vs. third-team defense. Spring Game Showcases New Faces on Offense Along with a multitude of teams this offseason, NC State has been busy overhauling its skill positions. And there is no more important position than quarterback. Coastal Carolina transfer, Grayson McCall looked sharp in…
Spring Practice for the Appalachian State Mountaineers recently concluded at the end of March. Head coach Shawn Clark, offensive coordinator Frank Ponce, and defensive coordinator Scott Sloan all sounded off on their thoughts of spring practice, summer workouts, and what else is needed for a run at another Sun Belt title. Appalachian State Head Coach Shawn Clark’s Thoughts on Spring Practice When asked about the final practice of the spring, coach said the “Defense came out and really took it to our offense in all facets of the game.” He noted the physical play of the defensive line, which…
Superstitions can be found everywhere you look. From picking up a shiny penny for good luck to not stepping on a crack, lest you break your dear old mother’s back. From an early age, we’ve all been ingrained with the do’s and don’ts of life, if you want to keep the boogeyman at bay that is. The world of sports is no different. From Serena Williams not changing her socks during a tournament to Jerry Tarkanian enjoying a moist towel during UNLV basketball games (a tradition he began way back in 1956), athletes are no different than us spectators. We’ll…
Justin Strnad the Magician Now you see him, now you don’t! Justin Strnad deked the Carolina Panthers last night and re-signed with the Denver Broncos. First reported by Joe Person of The Athletic on Tuesday evening, the team was expected to sign the free-agent linebacker, but it appears he had other plans. With plenty of cap space (Spotrac and Over the Cap estimate the Panthers to have around $18-$19 million in cap space), the Carolina Panthers are in a position to get the right man for the job. Justin’s Homecoming That Wasn’t To Be Strnad, played the 2022 season under Carolina…
As the dawn of the 2024 offseason rose, the Carolina Panthers started out with a respectable yet not dazzling amount of cap space. One main goal for the Panthers this offseason? Better players without overextending themselves. Despite the acquisitions already secured, there is still plenty of room left for future moves. Cap Space Explained In the NFL, ‘cap space’ refers to how much a team can pay a player in a given season. Each season, the NFL sets a limit, or a “cap” that teams must be at or under by the time the official offseason begins. Cap Space…
App State Schedule Unveiled After a slightly below average 2023 season, App State football fans have reason to be excited as the 2024 season unfolds, featuring a mix of challenging opponents and key matchups. Let’s break down the notable games and rivalries awaiting the Mountaineers this upcoming season. But first, a recap of the 2023 season for the App State Mountaineers: September 2: vs. No. 25 (FCS) Gardner–Webb W 45–24 September 9: at No. 17 North Carolina L 34–40 (2OT) September 16: vs. East Carolina W 43–28 September 23: at Wyoming L 19–22 September 30: at Louisiana–Monroe W 41–40 October…
The Carolina Panthers are eyeing several top-tier wide receivers in this year’s free agency, despite some of them being tied up with their current teams. Insights from ESPN NFL insiders Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano suggest that the Panthers are gearing up to bolster their receiving corps to support quarterback Bryce Young. Panthers Eyeing Top-Tier Talent Graziano highlights the Panthers’ quest for a primary wide receiver, expressing interest in potential trade targets like Tee Higgins and Michael Pittman Jr., who were initially expected to hit free agency but were tagged by their teams. However, if negotiations for long-term contracts falter,…
