As this Panthers team grows, it’s becoming more and more player-led

That’s why Hubbard isn’t a one-size-fits-all type. Mostly, he’d rather work and let that stand as his testimony. But as time has passed, he’s grown into it. One day when it was Cade Mays‘ turn with the ones at center (he’s competing for that spot with veteran Austin Corbett), Hubbard walked off the field with him after a segment and complimented him on his communication in the huddle and at the line of scrimmage. It was a small thing, but indicative of the way players are supporting each other and policing themselves.

Hubbard’s not the only one, either.

The Horn-Young banter that was the soundtrack of the spring seems like the norm now, but Horn had to be convinced it was his place to take part in it. He came into a locker room full of talkers, from cornerback Donte Jackson to pass-rusher Brian Burns to linebacker Shaq Thompson, so he never considered it something he needed to do.

But he said Canales told him about the old days with the Seahawks, with Richard Sherman and the many stars on that defense, and how they set the tone.

“When he first got the job, he just talked to me a little bit about the Seahawks culture when he was there, and Sherm and all those guys, like the energy of practice went how it went,” Horn said. “So, like, the good players just got to show up to practice, and players run the team. So they see me, see Chuba, they see DB practicing hard and doing the right things, then they pretty much don’t have a choice but to fall in line.

“So really just about trying to lead everybody to do the right thing, do everything the right way, and change the culture here. So when people come in here, whoever it is, they just fall into what we’re doing.”


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