August 21, 2025 • 9 mins
Dave Canales speaks with the media following the Panthers preseason finale.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
Review.
Speaker 2 (00:06):
All right, Just proud of this group, Proud of the
camp that we threw together, you know, the effort every day.
Speaker 3 (00:12):
Uh, it was a great group to coach.
Speaker 2 (00:14):
We know, we have a lot of hard decisions to make,
you know, coming in the morning, and uh, you know,
I just I just wanted to say that first and foremost.
I think just the energy, the excitement, you know, the
culture that we're building here, the brand of football that
we're learning to piece together and play with. Just really
proud of the way the guys battled. We had fifty
five guys up. I mean, guys are out there, you know,
(00:35):
on every special teams unit you can think of, playing offense, defense,
and so I'm just really proud of the way the
guys stepped up today and and got it done.
Speaker 1 (00:42):
Is there anything you can lean out of the offense
coming out of this game? Starters still kind of slurs.
Speaker 2 (00:50):
Yeah, let's let's store some points, you know, let's finish.
We're in the red zone.
Speaker 1 (00:53):
You know.
Speaker 2 (00:53):
The turnovers is a big thing. We got to continue
to work on that and clean that up. You know,
it's that part is not up to our standard. We
moved the ball, you know, we we got down there,
but we got to finish, you know, that's that's part
of who we want to become. So you know, collectively,
we got to find a way to do that.
Speaker 1 (01:08):
Made a decision and the kick and competition.
Speaker 3 (01:11):
Not yet, No, we'll talk about that tomorrow.
Speaker 4 (01:13):
Reason why you didn't let Matt attempt to kick just
because he it seemed like you were doing halves like
for a staff.
Speaker 3 (01:21):
In second Yeah, I think just opportunity.
Speaker 1 (01:25):
What was the thought process behind not playing Bryson She.
Speaker 3 (01:28):
Means, yeah, just general body soreness.
Speaker 2 (01:31):
Felt good about the work that we saw him have
in the first two weeks and then you know, bounce
back this week for you know, really just kind of
a grinder practice two days ago and we shut him
down in the middle of that practice. We just didn't
feel good about being able to turn him back around
that quickly to get him out there in the game.
Speaker 1 (01:46):
That speak to his roster chances.
Speaker 2 (01:50):
He's got a good chance, you know, and for for
Bryson to really show what he can do offensively and
then on special teams as well, you know, he's he
really made a statement for himself on this team. So
something that we you know, we weigh heavily and so
I'm just excited to have the conversations and see how
that all plays out.
Speaker 4 (02:09):
Just the next What are the next couple of days
look like for you personally and the coaching stuff.
Speaker 2 (02:13):
Yeah, I think we have a little bit of a
weird week because it's a Thursday game. Typically this last
game lands on a Friday or Saturday, you know, so
we have a few extra days, a great opportunity to
come in tomorrow watch the film. You know, there's there's
a lot of stuff that we can still learn from schematically,
you know, and different different things, different challenges that presented himselves.
Speaker 3 (02:31):
To to uh to the team. So we'll take.
Speaker 2 (02:34):
Advantage of that, you know, we'll we'll do our you know,
am rechecks with guys and then from there, you know,
we'll start, you know, as a coaching staff and with
Dan and personnel staff, putting our heads together tomorrow afternoon
and be able to have the weekend to make some decisions.
Speaker 1 (02:48):
That big runs nice the bounced out. What is he
kind of showing you.
Speaker 2 (02:51):
Tonight, Yeah, yeah, Trevor, just you know, I think just
taking what's there. I think, you know, being a really
liable catcher in the return game, you know, he's he's
shown a lot of value that way, and uh, you know,
so I'm just excited for for what he can do
for us on this team.
Speaker 1 (03:08):
Left with the shoulder, do you have any information.
Speaker 2 (03:10):
On that, We're gonna, you know, just we're gonna basically
monitor that, you know, tonight, monitor it tomorrow, just kind
of see how it presents right now. You know, it
was still sore enough, couldn't get the strength back tonight
to get him back out there. So you know, this
is a guy that's going to be with us, So
we just wanted to be smart about that.
Speaker 5 (03:26):
Lathan Ransom's interception and just some general comments about his
training camp.
Speaker 3 (03:32):
Yeah, just physical style of play.
Speaker 2 (03:34):
It's exactly what we're looking for, you know, to show up,
show up in the run game, angry, you know. And
and he's still got a lot to learn. He's certainly
growing in terms of just trusting his leverage, communicating with
the other guys. But he's done a great job, you know,
and I think just seeing the weekly improvement being in position,
playing his leverage the right way. But you know, he's
he's built right, you know, and he plays the game
(03:55):
with the physical nature that we're looking for.
Speaker 4 (03:58):
Jalen Cooker play on special teams out into the third quarter.
Was that just a matter of getting in the live
reps that he might have missed in Houston?
Speaker 3 (04:07):
Partly?
Speaker 2 (04:08):
And partly was just you know, he was one of
the guys we had dressed and you know, especially like
in the return unit on kickoff return, he was able
to fill that role. We had a bunch of guys
playing a lot of snaps. So I'm glad Jalen has
you know, become a dependable guy for us to be
able to use in some different phases.
Speaker 1 (04:26):
You might keep just look.
Speaker 2 (04:29):
It all depends on you know, again, we talked about
this before, but it's uh, the special teams are gonna matter.
You know when the guys, you know, they realize. I
think by now we've preached it enough that you know,
when you're trying to make the last few spots, how
many you keep in each room really depends on what
you can do for us from a special team standpoint,
and that's something we have to consider for the wide receivers.
Speaker 5 (04:49):
Follow Up on that question, Mike asked, you could have
called time out and let Matthew kick at the end
where you just happy to what was the decision.
Speaker 2 (04:58):
Yeah, I think we had played enough football, you know,
and you know, I'm looking across the way, and you know,
the Steelers, you know, kind of had you know, towards
the end of it, we were both trying to run
the ball a little bit, knowing that we were both
working with a smaller group tonight, and so, you know,
I just felt like it was time to, like, let's
let's run it a few more times, get these guys
a couple more reps to evaluate them, and then and
(05:20):
then take it in.
Speaker 5 (05:21):
You have enough tape from August on Matthew and Ryan.
Speaker 3 (05:25):
I think so.
Speaker 2 (05:26):
And we have the benefit, of course of matt being
around for a while, you know, and both guys did
a heck of a job in my opinion, and and really,
you know, I think you look across the league, these
are two guys that that bring something special, not just
from the from making field goals and pats, but it's
certainly in the kickoff, you know, and both guys have
done a good job of getting the ball on the
landing zone and creating some issues.
Speaker 4 (05:46):
Jimmy Hordon Junior, it looked like didn't get any reps
in the first half, was a more about trying to
get other guys like Hunter and Gator reps, and I.
Speaker 2 (05:55):
Saw, yeah, we just kind of had to spread the
workout and try to get a value way of evaluations
of all the guys. And I was happy to see
Jimmy get in there make a couple of plays. I
don't want to look at the film from tonight, but
given what you saw, are these three preseason games, your
takeaways on where this team is at and where are
going to be the points of emphasis as you turned
the roster down and try to get.
Speaker 1 (06:14):
Ready for Jacksonville.
Speaker 2 (06:15):
Yeah, the style of play is there, you know, it's
a physical brand of football. The places where we got
to get better is we the turnovers. You know, it
showed up every week, you know, in different ways, and
so that's something that I have to get that done.
I have to take that personally responsible, you know, to
be able to take care of the ball the way
we need to if we want to win the games
that we want that we're aiming to win, and so
(06:36):
that's something that we have to look at. I thought
we did a great job in the in the last
two weeks of cleaning up some of the penalties that
the line of scrimmage stuff all that. There was great
improvement there. Love where our systems are at. You know,
we're playing with a bunch of combinations of guys, you know,
but also just finishing drives, you know, and we would
it just seemed like we got a bunch of drives going,
you know, throughout this preseason that kind of just ended,
(06:59):
you know, with turnovers or ended in different ways.
Speaker 3 (07:02):
Penalties kind of put us in some situations too.
Speaker 2 (07:05):
So just looking for that consistent execution across the board.
Speaker 1 (07:10):
How did it feel for you? Colling plays tonight? Great?
Speaker 2 (07:13):
You know, I think the great part about Jack Plumber
is a guy that I trust, and he allowed us
to just be balanced and you know, try to try
to attack you know, the Steelers in different ways. And
so you know, I think outside of that turnover, we
have a long drive down into the red zone. You know,
he's got to do a better job. But for him
to be able to finish that drive before the half
come away with a touchdown to James Mitchell, I thought
was awesome.
Speaker 5 (07:33):
It's activated Tommy. Any update on Damien?
Speaker 2 (07:38):
Uh yeah, Tommy got out there. Wanted to get him
just some around the team, just get him running. Kind
of feeling the energy, you know, getting him excited for
the season. And Damian again, Damien's just kind of like
day to day, He's making huge strides. We're getting the
strength back where we want it to be. I feel
really confident Damien will be with us for the first game.
But again, we have to keep we have to get
(08:00):
him back out there, expose him to more you know,
physical play, you know, and get him back to football
to be able to make that decision.
Speaker 1 (08:08):
Panel.
Speaker 2 (08:10):
And yeah, I mean just to be able to come
out here and make plays.
Speaker 3 (08:16):
You know.
Speaker 2 (08:17):
We had a call sheet for him, things that he
was comfortable with, you know, so we were able to
get some of those done. You know, he got out
of trouble a couple of times, but they had some
good rushes on us, you know, on some of the
pass downs, so it kind of made it a little
bit harder there. But it was great to just see
him out there throwing a couple of accurate balls in
the last drive so we can end the game with
the ball. So I was just really happy that that
(08:37):
he was able to come, that he was willing to
do this and you know, really gave us an option
and and I really wanted to honor the hard work
and a guy just betting on himself, you know, playing
in the UFL to give him an opportunity to see
what he can do.
Speaker 1 (08:50):
What did you do the second preseason is done? As
a head coach? For me? What what have you learned
about the process.
Speaker 4 (08:56):
Of going through the preseason and just generally about you know,
being a head coach.
Speaker 3 (09:01):
In the NFL.
Speaker 2 (09:02):
Yeah, I just think it's the important of all of
us pulling in the same direction, looking for the same
type of energy on a daily basis. You know, cam
can get long. Coaches got to go. We got to
go for it. The players will follow our energy. And
there was a good back and forth. And I'll be honest,
you know, just learning about this team and the leadership
and the guys that are here that really spearheaded the
type of physical play that we're.
Speaker 3 (09:23):
Looking for, you know.
Speaker 2 (09:24):
And and I just learned the value of having strong
leadership in the locker room, but then also having the
buy in of the entire building to kind of understand like.
Speaker 3 (09:33):
Here's what it's supposed to look like, here's
Speaker 2 (09:35):
What we're pursuing every day to create the winning culture
that we want to here
Review.
Speaker 2 (00:06):
All right, Just proud of this group, Proud of the
camp that we threw together, you know, the effort every day.
Speaker 3 (00:12):
Uh, it was a great group to coach.
Speaker 2 (00:14):
We know, we have a lot of hard decisions to make,
you know, coming in the morning, and uh, you know,
I just I just wanted to say that first and foremost.
I think just the energy, the excitement, you know, the
culture that we're building here, the brand of football that
we're learning to piece together and play with. Just really
proud of the way the guys battled. We had fifty
five guys up. I mean, guys are out there, you know,
(00:35):
on every special teams unit you can think of, playing offense, defense,
and so I'm just really proud of the way the
guys stepped up today and and got it done.
Speaker 1 (00:42):
Is there anything you can lean out of the offense
coming out of this game? Starters still kind of slurs.
Speaker 2 (00:50):
Yeah, let's let's store some points, you know, let's finish.
We're in the red zone.
Speaker 1 (00:53):
You know.
Speaker 2 (00:53):
The turnovers is a big thing. We got to continue
to work on that and clean that up. You know,
it's that part is not up to our standard. We
moved the ball, you know, we we got down there,
but we got to finish, you know, that's that's part
of who we want to become. So you know, collectively,
we got to find a way to do that.
Speaker 1 (01:08):
Made a decision and the kick and competition.
Speaker 3 (01:11):
Not yet, No, we'll talk about that tomorrow.
Speaker 4 (01:13):
Reason why you didn't let Matt attempt to kick just
because he it seemed like you were doing halves like
for a staff.
Speaker 3 (01:21):
In second Yeah, I think just opportunity.
Speaker 1 (01:25):
What was the thought process behind not playing Bryson She.
Speaker 3 (01:28):
Means, yeah, just general body soreness.
Speaker 2 (01:31):
Felt good about the work that we saw him have
in the first two weeks and then you know, bounce
back this week for you know, really just kind of
a grinder practice two days ago and we shut him
down in the middle of that practice. We just didn't
feel good about being able to turn him back around
that quickly to get him out there in the game.
Speaker 1 (01:46):
That speak to his roster chances.
Speaker 2 (01:50):
He's got a good chance, you know, and for for
Bryson to really show what he can do offensively and
then on special teams as well, you know, he's he
really made a statement for himself on this team. So
something that we you know, we weigh heavily and so
I'm just excited to have the conversations and see how
that all plays out.
Speaker 4 (02:09):
Just the next What are the next couple of days
look like for you personally and the coaching stuff.
Speaker 2 (02:13):
Yeah, I think we have a little bit of a
weird week because it's a Thursday game. Typically this last
game lands on a Friday or Saturday, you know, so
we have a few extra days, a great opportunity to
come in tomorrow watch the film. You know, there's there's
a lot of stuff that we can still learn from schematically,
you know, and different different things, different challenges that presented himselves.
Speaker 3 (02:31):
To to uh to the team. So we'll take.
Speaker 2 (02:34):
Advantage of that, you know, we'll we'll do our you know,
am rechecks with guys and then from there, you know,
we'll start, you know, as a coaching staff and with
Dan and personnel staff, putting our heads together tomorrow afternoon
and be able to have the weekend to make some decisions.
Speaker 1 (02:48):
That big runs nice the bounced out. What is he
kind of showing you.
Speaker 2 (02:51):
Tonight, Yeah, yeah, Trevor, just you know, I think just
taking what's there. I think, you know, being a really
liable catcher in the return game, you know, he's he's
shown a lot of value that way, and uh, you know,
so I'm just excited for for what he can do
for us on this team.
Speaker 1 (03:08):
Left with the shoulder, do you have any information.
Speaker 2 (03:10):
On that, We're gonna, you know, just we're gonna basically
monitor that, you know, tonight, monitor it tomorrow, just kind
of see how it presents right now. You know, it
was still sore enough, couldn't get the strength back tonight
to get him back out there. So you know, this
is a guy that's going to be with us, So
we just wanted to be smart about that.
Speaker 5 (03:26):
Lathan Ransom's interception and just some general comments about his
training camp.
Speaker 3 (03:32):
Yeah, just physical style of play.
Speaker 2 (03:34):
It's exactly what we're looking for, you know, to show up,
show up in the run game, angry, you know. And
and he's still got a lot to learn. He's certainly
growing in terms of just trusting his leverage, communicating with
the other guys. But he's done a great job, you know,
and I think just seeing the weekly improvement being in position,
playing his leverage the right way. But you know, he's
he's built right, you know, and he plays the game
(03:55):
with the physical nature that we're looking for.
Speaker 4 (03:58):
Jalen Cooker play on special teams out into the third quarter.
Was that just a matter of getting in the live
reps that he might have missed in Houston?
Speaker 3 (04:07):
Partly?
Speaker 2 (04:08):
And partly was just you know, he was one of
the guys we had dressed and you know, especially like
in the return unit on kickoff return, he was able
to fill that role. We had a bunch of guys
playing a lot of snaps. So I'm glad Jalen has
you know, become a dependable guy for us to be
able to use in some different phases.
Speaker 1 (04:26):
You might keep just look.
Speaker 2 (04:29):
It all depends on you know, again, we talked about
this before, but it's uh, the special teams are gonna matter.
You know when the guys, you know, they realize. I
think by now we've preached it enough that you know,
when you're trying to make the last few spots, how
many you keep in each room really depends on what
you can do for us from a special team standpoint,
and that's something we have to consider for the wide receivers.
Speaker 5 (04:49):
Follow Up on that question, Mike asked, you could have
called time out and let Matthew kick at the end
where you just happy to what was the decision.
Speaker 2 (04:58):
Yeah, I think we had played enough football, you know,
and you know, I'm looking across the way, and you know,
the Steelers, you know, kind of had you know, towards
the end of it, we were both trying to run
the ball a little bit, knowing that we were both
working with a smaller group tonight, and so, you know,
I just felt like it was time to, like, let's
let's run it a few more times, get these guys
a couple more reps to evaluate them, and then and
(05:20):
then take it in.
Speaker 5 (05:21):
You have enough tape from August on Matthew and Ryan.
Speaker 3 (05:25):
I think so.
Speaker 2 (05:26):
And we have the benefit, of course of matt being
around for a while, you know, and both guys did
a heck of a job in my opinion, and and really,
you know, I think you look across the league, these
are two guys that that bring something special, not just
from the from making field goals and pats, but it's
certainly in the kickoff, you know, and both guys have
done a good job of getting the ball on the
landing zone and creating some issues.
Speaker 4 (05:46):
Jimmy Hordon Junior, it looked like didn't get any reps
in the first half, was a more about trying to
get other guys like Hunter and Gator reps, and I.
Speaker 2 (05:55):
Saw, yeah, we just kind of had to spread the
workout and try to get a value way of evaluations
of all the guys. And I was happy to see
Jimmy get in there make a couple of plays. I
don't want to look at the film from tonight, but
given what you saw, are these three preseason games, your
takeaways on where this team is at and where are
going to be the points of emphasis as you turned
the roster down and try to get.
Speaker 1 (06:14):
Ready for Jacksonville.
Speaker 2 (06:15):
Yeah, the style of play is there, you know, it's
a physical brand of football. The places where we got
to get better is we the turnovers. You know, it
showed up every week, you know, in different ways, and
so that's something that I have to get that done.
I have to take that personally responsible, you know, to
be able to take care of the ball the way
we need to if we want to win the games
that we want that we're aiming to win, and so
(06:36):
that's something that we have to look at. I thought
we did a great job in the in the last
two weeks of cleaning up some of the penalties that
the line of scrimmage stuff all that. There was great
improvement there. Love where our systems are at. You know,
we're playing with a bunch of combinations of guys, you know,
but also just finishing drives, you know, and we would
it just seemed like we got a bunch of drives going,
you know, throughout this preseason that kind of just ended,
(06:59):
you know, with turnovers or ended in different ways.
Speaker 3 (07:02):
Penalties kind of put us in some situations too.
Speaker 2 (07:05):
So just looking for that consistent execution across the board.
Speaker 1 (07:10):
How did it feel for you? Colling plays tonight? Great?
Speaker 2 (07:13):
You know, I think the great part about Jack Plumber
is a guy that I trust, and he allowed us
to just be balanced and you know, try to try
to attack you know, the Steelers in different ways. And
so you know, I think outside of that turnover, we
have a long drive down into the red zone. You know,
he's got to do a better job. But for him
to be able to finish that drive before the half
come away with a touchdown to James Mitchell, I thought
was awesome.
Speaker 5 (07:33):
It's activated Tommy. Any update on Damien?
Speaker 2 (07:38):
Uh yeah, Tommy got out there. Wanted to get him
just some around the team, just get him running. Kind
of feeling the energy, you know, getting him excited for
the season. And Damian again, Damien's just kind of like
day to day, He's making huge strides. We're getting the
strength back where we want it to be. I feel
really confident Damien will be with us for the first game.
But again, we have to keep we have to get
(08:00):
him back out there, expose him to more you know,
physical play, you know, and get him back to football
to be able to make that decision.
Speaker 1 (08:08):
Panel.
Speaker 2 (08:10):
And yeah, I mean just to be able to come
out here and make plays.
Speaker 3 (08:16):
You know.
Speaker 2 (08:17):
We had a call sheet for him, things that he
was comfortable with, you know, so we were able to
get some of those done. You know, he got out
of trouble a couple of times, but they had some
good rushes on us, you know, on some of the
pass downs, so it kind of made it a little
bit harder there. But it was great to just see
him out there throwing a couple of accurate balls in
the last drive so we can end the game with
the ball. So I was just really happy that that
(08:37):
he was able to come, that he was willing to
do this and you know, really gave us an option
and and I really wanted to honor the hard work
and a guy just betting on himself, you know, playing
in the UFL to give him an opportunity to see
what he can do.
Speaker 1 (08:50):
What did you do the second preseason is done? As
a head coach? For me? What what have you learned
about the process.
Speaker 4 (08:56):
Of going through the preseason and just generally about you know,
being a head coach.
Speaker 3 (09:01):
In the NFL.
Speaker 2 (09:02):
Yeah, I just think it's the important of all of
us pulling in the same direction, looking for the same
type of energy on a daily basis. You know, cam
can get long. Coaches got to go. We got to
go for it. The players will follow our energy. And
there was a good back and forth. And I'll be honest,
you know, just learning about this team and the leadership
and the guys that are here that really spearheaded the
type of physical play that we're.
Speaker 3 (09:23):
Looking for, you know.
Speaker 2 (09:24):
And and I just learned the value of having strong
leadership in the locker room, but then also having the
buy in of the entire building to kind of understand like.
Speaker 3 (09:33):
Here's what it's supposed to look like, here's
Speaker 2 (09:35):
What we're pursuing every day to create the winning culture
that we want to here
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