Ira Cronin WCNC Sports

I have just returned from the first day of Panthers training camp in Spantanburg and I am so ready for the regular season opener in San Diego on September 7th I'm not sure if I can take it!

What a great first day! The weather for the morning practice could not have been better. Cool, temperatures around 80 under overcast skies with even a few light sprinkles to cool things off. Perfect. Perhaps it's an omen of good things to come for the season.

Good things are already happening. General Manager Marty Hurney got the final deal done with Johnathan Stewart around 3 a.m. Saturday, just in time to wake Stewart from his Motel 6 hotel room. Funny story there. Stewart's agent had sent him down to the Berg on Friday night saying the deal was nearly done. When Stewart showed up at Wofford he was told the deal wasn't done and he couldn't stay. So he went to find a place to stay winding up at Motel 6 because he says he didn't have any money. Shouldn't be a problem in the future.

Jake Delhomme looked great throwing in the morning practice. He said his elbow feels better than it has in years. Before he would always head straight to trainer Ryan Vermillion for a bag of ice after the first practice of training camp. Delhomme said he didn't even think of stopping for ice after his first practice it felt so good.

My favorite thing about watching this team practice is Steve Smith. Smith seems to have his usual spring in his step and I know he's excited about having Muhsin Muhammad back on the other side of the ball. We should be talking to Smith in the next day or two.

Our coverage and blogs from camp continue on Monday. Talk to you then.

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