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I just got back from 10 days in California and I’m getting used to the East Coast again. It’s a lot hotter here and it took me a little while to get off California time. It’s all good now, I went and threw the ball around today with Kenny Moore. I’m taking some vacation time, but still getting ready for training camp in my own way.

A lot of people have asked me about what happened to Steve Smith. It’s a bummer, and we probably could use the time in training camp to practice together, but from everything I’ve heard he’ll be ready to go by Week 1 and that’s the most important thing. I don’t think it’s as big a deal as people are making it out to be.

Steve is a go-to guy and just having him on the field is huge. He’s automatically going to draw a lot of attention from defenders, which will open up other guys. Plus his speed and athletic ability are so ridiculous, when you throw him the ball he’s going to make you look good. He’s a threat you love to have. Even when he doesn’t get the ball he makes a difference.

We’ll just have to hit it off big in Week 1 and go from there.

I feel really good about how things went during OTAs. We started off really well, then plateaued in the middle. We kind of hit a wall there, but we finished very hot, personally and as a team. The last three days of OTAs were more like real game situations, there was some good competition and it was good for everyone. I think the guys really grew as a team in those last few days.

We’ve been off since the middle of June and training camp is up next. We report to Spartanburg on July 28. Training camp has its pros and cons. I’m definitely excited about it, but at the same time it’s a grind. It’s fun, you’re with your teammates for 20 days or so and it shoots you into the season. But it’s lots of work and it’s always very hot.

I’m looking forward to it.

Matt Moore is a quarterback with the Carolina Panthers. His blog for www.playerpress.com runs at www.mattmooreqb.com.