'Go to replays:' Did Panthers TE Feleipe Franks make NFL mandatory minicamp catch?

‘Go to replays:’ Did Panthers TE Feleipe Franks make NFL mandatory minicamp catch? originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Carolina Panthers‘ Feleipe Franks rose between three defensive backs, including backup safety Isaiah Simmons, to snare a downfield pass from No. 2 quarterback Kenny Pickett.

Franks, a reserve tight end/special teams ace, attempted to secure the ball, but Simmons grappled for possession. Chirping between snaps, tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders ran over from the sideline to greet Franks and declare his view on Tuesday’s NFL mandatory minicamp highlight. 

“That’s a ******* catch!” Sanders shouted after striking a pose at the practice fields behind Bank of America Stadium. 

During Tuesday’s press conference, Canales said the play was under further review. To decide, the third-year coach hinted that the final decision could come down to shooting free throws in the meeting room or another creative means of final judgment.

“It’s going to go to replays, and if it was close, there will be a free-throw shoot-off to decide that one,” Canales said. “If it’s close, it’s going to go to free throws. Sometimes we do trivia, different things like that. We’ve done putting with different guys, and that’s hilarious sometimes. And then we also get to learn if they can shoot or not.”

With the top three tight ends, Sanders, Tommy Tremble and Mitchell Evans, returning, Franks returned to the Panthers this offseason to forge more than a special teams role.

“Feleipe has done a great job,” Canales said. “We know what kind of contributor he can be on special teams, but he’s also improving every year as a tight end.”

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