South Charlotte Today

CHARLOTTE — Panthers left guard Damien Lewis has taken to calling this year's interior three "mean, tough, and nasty," though he sometimes changes up who's who. Left tackle Ikem Ekwonu would like to add to that slogan, and he has a specific word in mind.

When asked which one of the group that includes Lewis, Austin Corbett, and Robert Hunt was mean, which was tough, and which was nasty, Ekwonu had a hard time settling on one answer.

"I think that's everybody; I think that's all of them," Ekwonu said. "I think maybe in some moments, the meanness comes out in other guys, and then some moments of toughness come out, but I feel like they all kind of have the same traits. So it just depends on the situation, I guess."

"So I'm all of them too: mean, tough, nasty—all that. I'll throw another one; I'll throw dominant in there too. That's what we want to do. That's what we want the narrative to be about the offensive line—that we're going to move the ball; we're going to run the ball; we're going to impose our will. And I feel like the more we get to work together, the more we're gonna see that come to fruition."

Ekwonu knows better than anyone; that was not the narrative last year when the Panthers were last in the league in total offense. They didn't run as much as they wanted because they were always behind and gave up 65 sacks in 17 games. Playing seven different left guards and eight different right guards over an injury-plagued season didn't help either.

By spending significant money on Lewis and Hunt in free agency and moving Corbett inside to play center, they took steps toward establishing that personality. Emphasizing the run game plays into Ekwonu's strengths.

While he struggled as a pass-protector last year, he went ten games without allowing a sack as a rookie when playing more of a run-focused offense. He is relieved to return to his strength alongside his coaches.

Offensive line coach Joe Gilbert referred back to scouting Ekwonu coming out of college before the Panthers took him No. 6 overall and said he still sees signs of the player he graded highly.

"I think the biggest thing with Ickey is obviously consistency," Gilbert said. "He works hard... And that's part of it—just being consistent every day... The great ones do the same thing over and over again."

Gilbert noted progress during practice when Ekwonu began applying lessons in real-time.

"I think he's getting there," Gilbert said. "Are we there yet? No... But I think he's getting there for sure."

Gilbert also mentioned looking back at Ekwonu's N.C. State days revealed areas needing improvement now being addressed.

"We're in this together," Gilbert added."And when [Ekwonu] starts seeing it himself... that's when you really start making progress."

Veteran wideout Adam Thielen and right tackle Taylor Moton had veteran days off while Brady Christensen worked at right tackle with starters until Yosh Nijman returns from injury.

Canales called Christensen's versatility "a blessing" but emphasized finding stability for him within fewer positions for better performance continuity.

Ekwonu attended Wednesday’s press event wearing a Providence Day shirt honoring his alma mater's appearance at Thursday’s Keep Pounding Classic at Bank of America Stadium featuring Independence vs Myers Park followed by Chargers against Weddington later that evening where he'll serve as honorary captain for Providence Day School.

"I had to show some love," Ekwonu remarked with enthusiasm about supporting local football events dear to him.

Tickets are available online for those interested.

Head coach Dave Canales often begins press conferences energetically but acknowledged his frequent upbeat remarks recently.

"Good morning—a great day," Canales greeted before catching himself mid-sentence."I say that a lot—it was indeed another great day."