theathleticuk
CHARLOTTE, N.C.
Monroe Freeling is being asked to step out of his comfort zone this summer.
On Saturday, that meant singing Happy Birthday to Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young, who shares a birthday with the teams rookie offensive tackle.
I dont think I hit any high notes, not this time around, Freeling said.
Ill save those for my rookie (talent show) song.
Advertisement The Panthers understand there will be highs and lows during training camp for Freeling, a left tackle last fall at Georgia who has moved to the right side while veteran Taylor Moton recovers from a blood clot in his lungs.
While allowing for dips in his learning curve, Panthers players and coaches like how Freeling is approaching the transition.
Hes communicating with us really well.
I think thats hard to do as a rookie.
Theres a bunch of things that come at you when youre a first-year (player) in the league.
Its a lot different than college, tight end Tommy Tremble said.
But hes taking it in stride, and hes working his butt off.
I can appreciate that.
Hes making good plays here and there, so Im happy for him.
Hes on a steady growth, and you love seeing that from a young guy.
Tremble added that Freeling is a cool dude with a sense of humor.
An example: Part of the tackles job is to relay the down and distance to tight ends, a task that Freeling has taken to the extreme.
Its our responsibility as a tackle to do that.
But every single time that hes in, Ill turn to him and be like, Hey, its second-and-10 by the way, Freeling said, laughing.
Its a habit now.
At this point, I do it every single play, so its ingrained in me.
Theyll know the down and distance, I promise you that.
Freeling was expected to ease into his first training camp before Motons health scare.
Panthers coach Dave Canales told Freeling he would have preferred to have him earn first-team reps.
But with Moton joining left tackle Ikem Ekwonu, whos coming back from patellar tendon surgery, on the injured list, the Panthers had no choice but to kick Freeling to the right side and throw his development into hurry-up mode.
Ive seen great physical ability.
Ive seen his athleticism, length, sheer strength and power.
Hes gotten really strong, especially this summer.
He spends a lot of time on that, Canales said.
Hes got all the tools to do an excellent job over there.
Now its just about getting comfortable on the right side.
Getting your sets right, getting your targets right in the run game.
And thats the part thats been up and down a little bit for him.
Advertisement Freeling played both sides as a backup tackle early on at Georgia before settling in at left tackle, where he started 17 games over his final two seasons.
Canales has compared switching sides on the offensive line to brushing your teeth opposite-handed, which Freeling agreed was an appropriate analogy.
If you brush your teeth left-handed for a couple days, youll get used to it.
And thats kind of how it is for playing right tackle, he said.
Ive gotta just get some reps at it and get used to the hip flexibility and ankle flexibility.
I think Im getting that.
This last practice we just had (Sunday), I made some significant progress in my (pass) sets and everything else.
Freeling is seeing a lot of outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips, the free-agent acquisition who has been lining up on the left side of the defense.
Not that Freeling minds.
Im all for the smoke.
I want the best competition, he said.
So if I get to line up against him every single day and hes been a significant pass rusher in the league, it just means I can get better.
Beginning Tuesday, Freeling will face Phillips and the Panthers other pass rushers in full pads.
Canales said that should benefit offensive linemen, who will have more surface to strike on shoulder pads than the shells players have been wearing during the acclimation period.
Either way, Freeling is looking forward to putting on the pads for the first time since New Years Day, when the Bulldogs fell to Ole Miss in the quarterfinals of the College Football Playoffs.
I think therell be some growing pains, said Freeling, the No.
19 pick.
But Im excited to get physical and play some real football.
Freeling spent the summer working out at Bank of America Stadium alongside right guard Rob Hunt and other players.
The 6-7, 325-pound Freeling didnt gain any weight, but added strength while doing some lifts for the first time.
By the end of the summer, he could pump out three reps of front squats with 365 pounds on the bar.
Advertisement Freeling used some of his free time turning his South End apartment from college dude decor to something more grown-up.
I have a couch now, a good couch that I can watch movies on.
I mounted the TV, got a TV stand.
So it looks a lot more homey, he said.
Ive been grinding Game of Thrones on it.
First time watching it.
During a break Saturday, Freeling hustled home and caught two episodes before returning to the hotel where the rookies and younger players stay during camp ahead of curfew.
Other than serenading Young in the offensive meeting room, that was how Freeling celebrated his 22nd birthday.
In college, Freelings birthday would fall just before Georgia started camp.
So hes used to it being a low-key day.
But there will be time for fun and games later, including the rookie talent show when he can show off his vocal skills again.
Hes cool, man.
I like him, Tremble said.
Hes funny, but hes a hard worker, too.
And I like someone who likes football, so its been fun playing with him.