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May 04, 2008
Sunday morning minicamp notes
On a glorious day for football, golf, or anything outdoors, here are some highlights from the Panthers' final minicamp practice. Players won't return to the field together until summer school (OTAs) start May 28.
(x) Seventh-round pick Geoff Schwartz, an offensive tackle from Oregon is a HUGE man. He looks much more solid than fat, however. If he has any athletic ability, any footwork at all, he should make it somewhere in the NFL. The more you see him, the more he looks like (in apperance at least) former Redskins tackle Joe Jacoby, only with longer hair. You may recall that Jacoby was an undrafted free agent who developed into a Pro Bowler.
(x) Rhys Lloyd was booming -- I mean SERIOUSLY booming -- his kickoffs. Most of them went well into the end zone. That'll be his role if he makes the team. John Kasay is still very reliable on field goals and PATs, but his kickoffs aren't consistently long enough anymore. Lloyd also was 2-for-2 on field goal attempts between about 40 and 45 yards.
(x) Some of you have asked how second-year receiver Dwayne Jarrett has looked during minicamp. He's actually been quite impressive, going high for several tough catches. There's no doubt he has talent and very good hands. Now he needs to mature and learn the system. Remember, however, that looking good in practices without pads is one thing; the stakes will ramp up considerably once training camp arrives.
(x) Wonder where backup quarterback Matt Moore would get picked if teams could re-select the 2007 draft, knowing what they know now about his performance for the Panthers at the end of last season? He was unselected, but it's not unrealistic to think he might go as high as the third or perhaps even the second round now.
(x) Be looking for an article in tomorrow's Observer, and online, on guard Toniu Fonoti. Talked to him today about his comeback attempt and he was very engaging. Among the discoveries was how to say his name -- TONE-you FONE-oh-tee. Sure hope Stan learns to pronouce that!
Going forward, we'll keep you apprised of developments as they happen, but just know the next week or two are expected to be very quiet in the news department.
-- Charles Chandler
Posted by Observer Sports on May 4, 2008 at 12:55 PM | Permalink
Comments
I LOVE Geoff Schwartz! He was one of the very few D-I players to make the Jewish All-American team, and he's a huge Civil War buff. He had been a part of a series with a CBS Sportsline humor writer who had been training for the combine drills with players preparing for the draft. Here's an interview about his draft-day saga: http://www.sportsline.com/spin/story/10803297
Umm, maybe I missed out on something, but when were Kasay's kickoffs ever long enough? Lloyd should make the roster without a question. The possibility making offenses start their drives 10-15 yards deeper is absolutely worth it.
Moore would probably still have gone undrafted. The guy had a mediocre college career, and had to transfer because he couldn't beat out Drew Olson (who couldn't even stick on our practice squad.)
As for the final note, thanks for the great coverage since the lead-up to the draft. This has become a GREAT source of inside info. Ya'll might even be on your way to catch the other papers around here...;)
Posted by: Michael Procton | May 4, 2008 1:11:52 PM
"Going forward, we'll keep you apprised of developments as they happen, but just know the next week or two are expected to be very quiet in the news department."
Well make up stuff, I cannot stand NO football news! Lie if you have to. Break into John Foxs' home and read his letters, DO something! Interview Rae Carruth in prison! Interview his prison boyfriend! Find Chuck Smith and interview him! Where is Dom Capers? Where is George Seifert and what is he doing now? You cannot just go away for a few weeks! What will panther fans do? HELLO!
Posted by: Roger | May 4, 2008 1:23:49 PM
I agree with Roger.
Posted by: Cameron | May 4, 2008 1:29:20 PM
I agree with Roger. C'MON, MAN!!! ANYTHING! Nothing is worse than checking this page and not seeing something new daily!
Posted by: Scott | May 4, 2008 1:55:01 PM
Ha ha...I think Roger and I could be brothers, because I feel the same way.
Posted by: monstercat | May 4, 2008 2:14:44 PM
Again, pretty interesting that Procton's praising the coverage here, but knocking it on the other boards.
Also, if you could have a do-over for last year's draft, there's no way Matt Moore goes undrafted after last year's performance.
Posted by: Irony | May 4, 2008 2:17:41 PM
I'm also with Roger. MORE news, anything we are addicts and need a constent supply of our prefered drug. "NFL GOSSIP"
Posted by: Chris | May 4, 2008 2:29:05 PM
If you have anymore pics from mini-camp would you please post them? I love reading about what our team is doing but i also love to see what our team is looking like this time of year. Oh and if you guys could catch up with Dwayne Jarrett and ask him if the DWI was a big wake up and what did he do this offseason to prepare to be a part of this team this season. I know we are pretty deep at WR right now but Moose is only going to be around for so long and Hackett does have alot of injury problems so I would just like to know if he is going to be anything close to what he was in college.....
Posted by: ESW | May 4, 2008 3:09:06 PM
Well im sure we all as a fan base wont have to worry about not having ANY new's.
Hell, we have the "Proctologist",who does nothing but sit at his cpu all day and re-type stuff he has read and contradict himself all day,that is until Mommy let's him out the basement,er,closet.......whichever.
Posted by: Ghost of Sparta | May 4, 2008 3:35:54 PM
Yes... let's substitute good informative news with crappy unreliable shit when there's nothing better.
This isn't FOX...
Posted by: aceofsween | May 4, 2008 3:36:15 PM
the "Proctologist" never,never, EVER, post crappy unreliable isht.
Posted by: Ghost of Sparta | May 4, 2008 4:06:12 PM
Yeah, right. They make up stuff and then get bashed for not reporting any real news. Or worse, they dig up some drama to have something to report on, which would give the organization yet another bad rap. NO THANKS!! How 'bout we just let these guys be so they can focus on some goood ol' fashioned investigative work.
On a related note... I would love to know how the matchup between Peppers and Gross (both on opposite sides of the line, but still facing off) is going.
Posted by: SYRPIS | May 4, 2008 4:12:58 PM
I appreciate the good coverage since changes were made in the Panthers' reporting staff. Thanks to Mike Persinger, too.
Also, I'm with the other. Don't leave us high and dry for several weeks. Tell us about what it's like to cover the Panthers. Intereview some of the former player. Feed us!
Posted by: Purr Durham | May 4, 2008 5:07:58 PM
why dont we save a roster spot for someone we may need and let Jason Baker do KO's? He's a Punter, and he did do it before and I remember it hitting inside the 20's.
Posted by: Pantherbayarea | May 4, 2008 6:24:49 PM
FYI: I believe Dom Capers spent some time the last few yrs (since HOU) as the defensive coordinator for MIA. I may have heard something about him being the secondary coach for the Pats this year...
Posted by: Ry | May 4, 2008 7:26:36 PM
Procton & Sypris, go away!
Posted by: CCU | May 4, 2008 7:49:21 PM
No way we carry 3 kickers. 53 spots is already tough enough and I don't think the Panthers are going to try to carry only 2 QBs this year.
Posted by: John | May 4, 2008 8:12:53 PM
I saw one draft analysis listing Schwartz as a long snapper. If correct, will the Panthers give him a chance to make the team by replacing Kyle.
Posted by: Steve | May 4, 2008 8:24:13 PM
Because Jason Baker is bad at kickoffs, too. Over 22 of 'em in the last three years, he has ZERO touchbacks. In 11 kickoffs, Rhys Lloyd has 2. Also, since Baker's come to Carolina, the average drive start on his kickoffs is the 30-yard line; Lloyd had the other team starting on the 25. Given our style of play when we're on (ball-control/field-position), that's a big swing, particularly if we have a chance to neutralize their return games with touchbacks being actual possibilities. Add that to the fact that Lloyd's on a multi-year deal and Kasay is aging, and I think he stands an almost assured shot at making the roster unless he falls on his face during training camp (which it didn't seem like he was doing this weekend, at least.)
Posted by: Michael Procton | May 4, 2008 8:29:18 PM
Schwartz did long-snapping in high school, but if Kyle gets beat out, it'll more likely be by Barnidge, since he's got a lock for a 53-man-roster spot anyway.
Posted by: Michael Procton | May 4, 2008 8:31:58 PM
I know this is off topic but when does Mick Mixon's contract run out? How I miss the days of the classic Roszinski voice, who will always be the voice of the Panthers for me and many others.
I really can't stand Mick. Maybe it's the fact that being from here I always associate him with Carolina college football and don't feel his vocal presence is enough for the NFL. His style is choppy and high pitched for an announcer. Football play-by-play should be done by a voice that invokes the idea of gladiators going to battle, war on the gridiron. MM does not posses anything near these qualities. Not to mention his prose falls short of mediocre, much less classic, when calling the game. And he looks (& sounds) stiff as hell when on the gameday shows and in the booth.
I could go on but I think you get my point. Anyone else feel the same? If i'm wrong then fine, but I have a feeling I'm not alone, and if so then how could this be changed?
PS I'm sure he's a nice guy but it's not enough for an NFL franchise that has to battle being considered insignificant all the time because of our locale and market size. We must do it all top notch for us to be considered a top tier franchise, among the greats.
Posted by: Neil | May 4, 2008 9:51:06 PM
Id Honestly like to apply for Mick Mixion's job,I have air-checks off me calling pbp for highchool football games,just wondering how I get my foot in the door or where to send my disc....and SEE if there is any jobs open or will be possibly open in the future,regarding tech set up etc...and some spotter work.
Just have to figure out a way to get the stuff in.
Posted by: Ghost of Sparta | May 4, 2008 10:22:26 PM
How did Conklin look this weekend? Did he make anyone notice? He went to my high school so I'm hoping he gets a shot.
Posted by: TP | May 4, 2008 11:13:50 PM
I don't know if he would have gone 2nd or 3rd round, but KNOWING WHAT WE KNOW NOW, as Charles's scenario goes, Matt Moore certainly would have been drafted at least. Its irrelevant that he struggled at UCLA. Some QBs who are college stars fail miserably in the NFL, while some QBs, like Moore thus far, do well in the NFL despite an unheralded college career. Moore showed a lot of talent and intangibles in his games with us, in the NFL, and that is all that matters.
Posted by: Haywood Jablowmi | May 5, 2008 12:23:44 AM
Michael Procton, 5th round pick Barnidge hardly is a "lock" for the final roster. Who told you that?
Don't ruin my name.
Posted by: Bob Procton | May 5, 2008 12:49:41 AM
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