With the Panthers offseason program going virtual, rookies have had to learn a new system virtually. But by all accounts from the coaching staff, the 2020 class has been attentive while soaking in Xs and Os from their homes.
In a recent interview, first-round defensive tackle Derrick Brown said that he's started to settle in as an NFL player, even if everything he's learned so far has been through a computer screen.
"Just trying to get the playbook down, learning more and more every day has been good," Brown said. "I'm ready to get into the actual meeting rooms rather than the virtual setting. But other than that, everything's been good."
Even though it's unconventional, Brown believes he's gained a lot from the video sessions. That includes an understanding of his new defensive coordinator.
"Just being able to learn the system coach (Phil) Snow's trying to put in and just comprehend all that stuff," Brown said, "I think it's very beneficial to get it all in now and be able to take those notes, and keep studying every day and start to learn all this stuff beforehand before I have to go out and start executing on the field."
That process began with the Panthers' virtual rookie minicamp, which was held a week after the draft. Having three days full of learning, not only about the playbook but also about the structure of the organization, was a helpful start.
"That was very beneficial to me, and hopefully everybody else as well," Brown said. "I was able to get it so when they put us with in the meetings with the vets, we were actually right there with them."
In this unique offseason, Panthers veterans and rookies are in similar situations in that all players are learning a new playbook from a new coaching staff. Brown can sense that, and it gives all players collective ownership.
"Those guys are trying to learn just like we are," Brown said. "(Defensive line) Coach (Mike) Phair and (assistant defensive line) Coach Frank (Okam), they've just been trying to give it to us every day a little bit at a time and trying to get us to be able to comprehend everything."
And as a group of seven defensive players, the Panthers' draftees are doing their best to help each other.
"We haven't really had a chance to get together in person at all with each other yet, but it's been cool," Brown said. "We've just been kind of trying to figure all this stuff out together."
View photos of Carolina's first-round pick, Derrick Brown, out of Auburn.
Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown (5) during the first half of the Outback Bowl NCAA college football game against Minnesota Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown poses for a portrait during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Todd Rosenberg via AP)
Auburn defensive lineman Dontavius Russell (95) and Auburn defensive lineman Derrick Brown (5) run onto the field before an NCAA college football game against Southern Miss, Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Derrick Brown Music City Bowl Purdue vs Auburn on Friday, Dec. 28, 2018 in Nashville, TN. Todd Van Emst/AU Athletics
Derrick Brown (5) Auburn football vs Arkansas on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019 in Fayetteville, AK. Todd Van Emst/AU Athletics
Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown during the first half of the Outback Bowl NCAA college football game against Minnesota Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown (5) during the second half of the Outback Bowl NCAA college football game against Minnesota Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
FILE - In this Oct. 19, 2019, Auburn defender Derrick Brown (5) plays against Arkansas during an NCAA college football game, in Fayetteville, Ark. Brown was selected to The Associated Press All-America team, Monday, Dec. 16, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Woods, File)
Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown (5) reacts after a stop against Georgia during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown (5) waits for a play to start against Texas A&M during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)
Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown (5) waits for a play to start against Texas A&M during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)
Auburn defensive end Derrick Brown warms up before playing Arkansas during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019 in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Arkansas quarterback Ben Hicks tries to get away from Auburn defender Derrick Brown as he scrambles out of the pocket during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019 in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown puts pressure on Arkansas quarterback Ben Hicks during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019 in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Auburn defensive lineman Derrick Brown (5) stops Alabama State running back Tallesin Farmer (32) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown (5) looks on before playing Oregon in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019, in Arlington, Texas. Auburn won 27-21. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
Tulane running back Corey Dauphine (6) carries the ball as Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown (5) closes in during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
FILE - In this Sept. 9, 2017, file photo, Clemson quarterback Kelly Bryant (2) is tackled by Auburn defensive lineman Derrick Brown (5) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, in Clemson, S.C. A team that averaged 40 points a game last season managed just two touchdowns at home last week. Quarterback Kelly Bryant understands that must improve this week facing potent No. 14 Louisville and Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)
Derrick Brown (5) Auburn vs Ole Miss football on Saturday, Nov 2, 2019 in Auburn, Ala. Todd Van Emst
Derrick Brown (5) Auburn vs Ole Miss football on Saturday, Nov 2, 2019 in Auburn, Ala. Todd Van Emst
Derrick Brown (5) makes a tackle in the first half. Auburn football at Florida on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019 in Gainesville, FL Todd Van Emst/AU Athletics
Derrick Brown Auburn football at Florida on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019 in Gainesville, FL Todd Van Emst/AU Athletics
Derrick Brown (5) Auburn Football at LSU on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019 in Baton Rouge, LA Todd Van Emst/AU Athletics
Auburn's Derrick Brown gets a soack in the first half. Auburn vs Texas A&M on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019 in College Station, TX. Todd Van Emst/AU Athletics
Derrick Brown (5) and Marlon Davidson (3) on the sidelines together. Auburn Football at LSU on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019 in Baton Rouge, LA Todd Van Emst/AU Athletics
