Had he been assigned one, Coker’s “How I spent my summer” essay would have been a bit dry.
The second-year receiver stuck around Charlotte to work on his body in an effort to avoid the soft-tissue issues that cost him a few games his rookie season. It might not have been Cabo, but Coker’s summer regimen was effective: He reported to training camp in great shape after he “leaned out,” as he put it. Young praised Coker for his stricter diet and offseason training. “He’s been on a mission, and it showed up.” Coker scored the Panthers’ only touchdown against the Browns — a 5-yarder on a nice scramble play by Young. Coker also had a sweet, one-handed grab brought back by a penalty (we’ll get to that). Tucked away in the stat sheet were the five reps Coker logged on special teams after playing 31 all of last season. The more-you-can-do approach is smart given the receivers room now includes two drafted rookies and veteran Hunter Renfrow. ore.
Mike Kaye·
The second-year wideout made a heads-up play on a scramble drill that led to a 5-yard touchdown completion in the first quarter. Young was flushed backward and out of the pocket on third-and-goal, and Coker got open behind his coverage assignment in the end zone. After Coker noticed Young was on the run, the receiver baited his assigned defender, safety Damontae Kazee, to the edge of the end zone before moving inward to get space in pay dirt. Young flung an accurate pass to Coker, who snagged the ball and celebrated the first score of the preseason with his teammates. While Coker hasn’t received the buzz of Hunter Renfrow or Tetairoa McMillan this summer, he’s put together a solid camp. One could argue he’s more of a gamer than a practice performer. In the second quarter, he had a one-handed 33-yard catch negated by a pair of offsetting penalties. The play was highlight-reel material, as backup QB Andy Dalton launched a beautiful rainbow toss down the right seam for the wideout, and Coker went up and hauled in the catch with his right hand.
Unlock full player intel
Go beyond the surface with trusted beat-writer insight on every player.
