We’re counting down the days until the Panthers kick off the 2021 season.
We’re eight days away from the Carolina Panthers 2021 season opener, so today’s countdown piece is devoted to No. 8 on the roster — cornerback Jaycee Horn.
Prized first-round draft selection Jaycee Horn looks to make an immediate impact with the Panthers when he lines up against the Jets on Sunday.
The son of former Saints four-time Pro Bowl receiver Joe Horn looked good in training camp and preseason. As the No. 8 overall selection, he was nearly unanimously agreed to have been an excellent selection by the Panthers.
Anything can happen from here, but there’s seriously high hopes in Charlotte.
“He’s got that alpha mentality…. He’s right in the middle of everything. He’s vocal. He’s tough,” Panthers general manager Scott Fitterer told the Charlotte Observer. “A lot of guys can be vocal and not back it up. Jaycee’s a guy who backs it up. He’s the real deal when it comes to that. That’s the attitude and toughness that we want our team to be identified with. We want more guys like him.”
During training camp practices with the Baltimore Ravens, Horn “got into a sort-of-playful-but-not-really shouting match with Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marcus Peters during the two teams’ joint practices this week in Spartanburg. It went on for much longer than you’d expect.”
“I’m physical and competitive and confident, but I know when enough is enough…. I won’t let the receiver get in my head and get me to do that (draw an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty). I’m a smart player,” Horn told the Observer.
Defensive coordinator Phil Snow was just as blunt as Fitterer when he spoke of Horn.
“Jaycee does not act like a rookie. He’s not intimidated by anybody. And I think (that stems from) his dad — who he was and what he did,” Snow told the Observer.
Horn added one more thing for Observer reporter Scott Fowler:
“Now I can only promise the Panthers organization and fans one thing. I can’t promise a Super Bowl because we don’t know what our future holds. But I have Navy SEAL friends, and I can promise you are getting a Navy SEAL type of athlete and player,” Horn said.
Damn, Panthers fans. That sounds pretty good to me.
Leave a Reply