The Carolina Panthers are back in Florida, gearing up to face the Jacksonville Jaguars tonight in their second preseason game after taking a loss against the Buffalo Bills last week. They’ve been down there since Tuesday, which honestly sounds like a long trip for an exhibition game, even holding a joint practice with the Jags on Wednesday. You know they’re itching to get wheels up and head home right after this one.
Road Trip Blues & Finding That Spark
That Wednesday workout gave everyone a glimpse into what a proper training camp setup looks like, with the Jaguars’ facility, opened in 2023, boasting indoor and outdoor fields. Panthers head coach Dave Conales knows what’s up with the road game vibe. He talked about how the crowd gets loud for the Jags, but when his guys made a big play, it was crickets. That’s the road, right? Conales remembers that energy from his own training camp days, and he’s hoping his squad can get that situation set up back home, get people out there to bring that juice. He said that energy really “brought out something special in the guys.” That’s the kind of fire you want to see them tap into early, even in August.
Devin Lloyd Is Back Home And Dialed In
Talk about a strange week, though, for linebacker Devin Lloyd. This guy spent his entire NFL career with Jacksonville before coming over to Carolina, and this week he walked straight into the visitors’ locker room. He said it was nostalgic seeing his old teammates, but let’s be real: he’s a Panther now, full stop. Lloyd is the one rocking the green dot on defense, calling the shots, talking to the defensive coordinator, and making sure everyone’s lined up and organized. And he’s been absolute money, just “as good as advertised” so far. Last week against Buffalo, he racked up three tackles in just 13 snaps! The man’s already setting the standard, and he’s not holding back about this defense. Lloyd said last year’s team struggled with consistency, but with this group? “Being with these guys in this locker room, you can definitely see the talent (we are) upholding that standard every day, harping on being consistent, coming out and giving great effort every day.” You hear that? That’s a leader speaking.
Young’s Quiet Leadership Is Shining Through
And let’s talk about Bryce Young. He’s proving to be an early leader again this preseason. The team got good work in at that joint practice, and crucially, they stayed healthy. Young admitted they had a “slow start,” but he was “super proud of how the guys settled in.” He knows it’s about refocusing, having that “sense of urgency,” and relaying that to the team. They did “some good stuff” once they got locked in. That’s the mindset you want from your QB, especially when things aren’t perfect. It’s early, but that kind of mental toughness is going to pay off huge.
Tonight’s game is their chance to grab that first preseason win after a loss and show that consistency Lloyd is talking about. It’s about building momentum, staying healthy, and refining that communication. Once the final whistle blows, they’re heading home, but the lessons from this road trip, especially about that “special” energy and upholding a high standard, are going to stick. Keep an eye on how these guys respond; every snap matters as they get closer to opening day.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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