Reality bites in camp as players battle for places
It’s been another tough week at training camp but we’re getting better as a team every day.
And it helps when you’ve got amazing fans.
We had our annual fanfest on Friday.
More than 60,000 came to the stadium to watch us practice and it was incredible.
It gives the fans the chance to see the players, get autographs and their first glimpse of the new signings.
And then t here’s f ireworks and other events – it’s a special night.
Th e intensity definitely picked up this week.
Guys star t to learn the playbook and start to realise they are competing for their jobs. It’s a numbers game and only so many can stay on the team.
Although it’s a very intense time, we still have fun. There’s always something cool going on.
The other day, our backup quarterback Derek Anderson b r ou g ht in his magician pal – he blew our minds. The good thing with this team is that there’s no special treatment.
Quarterback Cam Newton may be the best player in the NFL and on a big contract but he’s just one of the guys.
We all mi x. It ’s impor tant . Some people may see Cam as out of reach but, in reality, he’s the same as any other player.
Touch wood, so far there’s been no injuries.
We had a few serious ones this time la st year that lef t some of our best players like Kelvin Benjamin out for the season.
So the coaches are being a more careful. The best players don’t really need to train all the time, they just need to be fit.
The worst part of camp is missing my family. It’s a month of only seeing them once or twice a week because we’re based about 90 minutes away from my home.
But it’s only a few more weeks and then I’ll be home for when the games start.