What Dave Canales said after Carolina Panthers’ statement win over Las Vegas Raiders

The first win of the Dave Canales era is in the books.

The Carolina Panthers (1-2) scored on their first possession and never looked back en route to a 36-22 road win over the Las Vegas Raiders (1-2) on Sunday afternoon. The victory featured a jolt of offensive life ushered in by veteran quarterback Andy Dalton, who stepped into the starting role Sunday with second-year quarterback Bryce Young watching from the sidelines.

How much life, you ask? The Panthers notched 437 total yards on 70 plays, good for about 6.2 yards per play. Dalton accounted for 319 of those yards passing (and three touchdown passes), and running back Chuba Hubbard notched 114 yards on 21 carries, as well as 55 yards and one touchdown receiving.

Canales, the first-year head coach and Carolina play caller, had a lot to say about his team’s big day. Here are the highlights of his news conference.

Dave Canales opening statement

“Sunday is about the players and putting them in positions to have success. And they took advantage of that in different ways. And it was just a great picture of Panthers football: Being able to run the ball, stopping the run, playing complementary football on third down, taking advantage of red zone opportunities, the whole thing. The coverage units just flying around with great energy and chasing.

“It was just a carryover from a great week, so I just got to give props to the whole group of just continuing to trust this process. This is a great starting point for us.”

Did Andy Dalton’s presence bring a new energy to the team?

“It really was just the whole group. I can’t put it on one player specifically because I don’t want to slight all the guys who’ve been trying so hard in practice to set a standard, and we set that standard this past week. ... You just saw a group that was engaged and focused from one play to the next with that finish mentality.”

Any throw in particular from Dalton today that impressed you?

“Honestly, it’s just what I expected out of him. We practiced some things. The receivers were in the right spots for him, and he took advantage when they gave us favorable coverages to hit those plays. That early one to Tommy (Tremble) on the first drive to get us down there for the first touchdown — my first opening drive touchdown of my career, by the way.

“So I was really excited about that. And then that throw to (Adam) Thielen. Just the timing and rhythm of it was fantastic. So he just continued drives so we could get in that striking zone and take those shots when they’re there.”

Carolina Panthers ‘showed up ready’

“Honestly, I just feel like the whole group in general showed up ready. And this is a really serious, really focused group, and it’s something I’ve had to get used to, you know, because I’m so high-energy and I want things to be a party all the time.

“And this group is like, ‘Coach, just tell us what you need, and we’ll do it.’ They’re very matter of fact and focused that way, and I love that about them because they take pride in it.”

Assessment of your defense?

“They played great team defense in the run game. Guys being disciplined about where they were supposed to be. The backers played great. We set edges. We did all the things that are required of the run game, and then again, I’ll go back to it: We can’t put it all on the defense. We had two weeks where we struggled on third down. We were three-and-out, and the defense was back on the field, and the war of attrition, the cumulative effect, you saw in favor of the Panthers today at the end of the game.

“When we can sustain drives, we start pushing. We continue to get those hidden yards, and moving the line of scrimmage. So it flipped for us. So our defense was able to get out there fresh and just play football. So it all fits in together as a unit.”

On Diontae Johnson’s 100-plus-yard day

“It’s just about taking advantage of his opportunities, you know. And he had a couple of great ones today. You could see what he could do with the ball after the catch, just making more than what’s there, all the things that we saw all throughout camp.

“The things that I’ve seen in his career. So I was just really excited to get him involved in what we’re doing. He’s a dynamic part of our offense.”

What does win do for team?

“It just legitimizes the process. Because up until this point, until you actual find that success and see it work, it’s just a bunch of talk. Speeches and philosophy don’t mean anything until you feel it come to life. So it’s really important for us to see that happen, carrying over from a great week of practice to the execution of the game, and really that’s what that meant for me above all else.

“Just to be able to give these guys that pride and that sense that we have a great system here, and if we execute and we trust each other, we could be a good team. And we just need to stay focused on the process, and it just helps me sell that when I get up in front of them.”

Is that what a Dave Canales offense is supposed to look like?

“That’s Panthers football. Team football right there. And I get to show them that. And I get to show them how it all complements and plays off each other. The run game opening things up in the back half. Making teams having to load the box and take your run away, and all of a sudden you got all this space. And that’s the way it fits.

“Defensively, playing the run tough. Forcing them into pass situations so we can have three sacks. We can have an interception. A couple really close ones. And then guys like Troy Hill, Jaycee Horn, Mike Jackson, punching the ball out in different pass situations to create some incompletions in critical downs.”

How do you celebrate your first win in the NFL?

“With the boys. That locker room. That’s what I live for. That’s what it’s all about. It’s doing everything I can to make sure that I’m putting them in the best position to be successful, and just to give it to them. Sundays are about these guys. And about celebrating with each other, holding each other to their standard. And we’ll echo it. And I’ll drive that. And I’ll drive that and yell until my voice is hoarse throughout the week. But on Sundays, that’s their day. And I love the way we played together and played that kind of ball.”

How did Bryce Young handle pregame process?

“It was the same. He had a great process of just being ready. He’s always gotta be ready to play. And I don’t expect anything different there. So just taking that same approach, being ready, locked in and focused. So that was excellent.”

Injury updates

“Thielen had a hamstring on the touchdown catch. Finished the play. A beautiful play by those two, by Andy and Thielen and the protection. Always gotta talk about the O-line whenever you can push the ball down the field. So the protection was great there.

“Let’s see: Damien Lewis didn’t finish the game. All these guys we’re checking on. Jordan Fuller and Lonnie Johnson, too.”

See anything in Dalton to bring calming influence?

“Andy just operated and functioned in our system. Got us to the right runs. Threw to the first open guy progressively. When he had to he checked it down. He did a fantastic job of just playing efficiently. And then he made some explosive plays. And found those opportunities down the field when they were available. And when they weren’t, he got the ball out, and we were just able to play good, solid football.”

This is your first win. How do you feel?

“I’m smiling inside. I’m absolutely beat. This has been an amazing week, but again, just a really heavy week, just with all the factors. And just getting back to work, and continuing to establish our culture in the process. So I’m thrilled. I’m so joyful. Thank you for bringing that up.”

What was it like winning in front of your family?

“It was amazing. My two brothers, Josh and Coba — he’s Jacob, we call him Coba. ... They were all there. A bunch of cousins. My mom and dad were there. My dad was right underneath the 107 sign, so I could see exactly where it was at. The black vest and the grey goatee was standing out up there, so I was able to wave at them, and it means a lot to be able to get this first win while they were here. So a really special moment.”