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July 26, 2008
Thomas Davis switches positions
Just moments ago, Thomas Davis revealed that he's been moved from strongside linebacker to the weakside. He said he's very excited about it and that the change will allow him to use his speed more and pursue the ball more.
That means Na'il Diggs and others will be playing the strongside.
Davis said the two big hits he put on rookie running back Jonathan Stewart in the morning's opening training camp practice were examples of the big plays he hopes to make at the new position.
This is the second major position switch the Panthers have made since last season. They also moved Julius Peppers from left defensive end to the right side.
Davis said if the coaches think it'll help the team, he and Peppers are "all for it."
-- Charles Chandler
Posted by Observer Sports on July 26, 2008 at 11:50 AM | Permalink
Comments
I expect an increase in blitzing from the LB corps this season, and this move might point to that. We have the personnel to do so this year, and it seems to me since 2003 we have slowly gotten away from blitzing with the LB's.
Posted by: mountaineerdynAsty | Jul 26, 2008 12:08:49 PM
Is Diggs too slow to cover Shockey? I think that just paved the way for L. Johnson to start on the strong side.
Posted by: Matt | Jul 26, 2008 12:18:17 PM
I love the move. TD will be a beast this year. Its easy to get overlooked on strongside. And I agree w/ others that this opens the door for Johnson to start. So far, so good on the offseason.
Posted by: Yacobs | Jul 26, 2008 12:24:28 PM
I think Thomas Davis is going to be fantastic this year. Great info guys. Give us more on the rookies, DJ and Moose, and of course Pep, Jake, and Fashion guru #89..Stevie the WONDER.
Posted by: D-Cat | Jul 26, 2008 1:01:56 PM
My team the panthers we are going to be good this year ya dig?
Posted by: De9ice | Jul 26, 2008 1:10:51 PM
Actually, they moved Kemoeatu also. So the entire left side is now the right side, and Beason is the only player from last year's midseason to start in the same place he will.
Posted by: magnus | Jul 26, 2008 1:26:37 PM
Number 11 Jason Carter looked really good in the morning practice. He caught everything thrown his way. I was shocked. He was one of the best looking players at WR.
Posted by: Ryan | Jul 26, 2008 2:13:52 PM
Magnus, where has that been said? Just wondering is all.
Posted by: mountaineerdynAsty | Jul 26, 2008 2:14:14 PM
TD is a stud, that will have great games against the run this year!
Posted by: Rick | Jul 26, 2008 3:14:01 PM
This should have happened long ago. Considering Davis was roughly the same size as Witherspoon and his skills seemed to be an ideal fit, I didn't see the logic in moving him to the strong side to begin with. I wonder how he'll handle the switch considering he's gotten a break when people analyze his development due his moving between positions his rookie year. I've read a lot of analyst who've said he was finally developing into the player the Panthers thought he would be last year. I wonder why they moved him considering Landon Johnson was supposed to be the answer there. I guess we know why LJ wasn't running with the first team during OTAs.
Posted by: Irony | Jul 26, 2008 3:49:01 PM
Surprised no one's reported on Jake's arm. Is he 100% or what? Anyone seen him throw today?
Posted by: Brian | Jul 26, 2008 5:08:07 PM
I think this is a great move and a few years overdue. T.D.'s speed, quickness and big hit ability will be much better utilized not covered by the TE. He will be chasing plays down from behind each and every sunday, if he stays on the weakside.
Posted by: Will Parker | Jul 26, 2008 5:37:35 PM
i think we should have a good D this year. even with the loss of kris jenkins and mike rucker. i hope the D-line gets a whole lot more sacks. we were almost last or was last in sacks last year....we need to do better than that. i heard peppers is in way better shape than last year so he should be good...even with the position change. and TD has switched sides too...it should be a really interesting to watch what our D can do this year.
Posted by: mikko | Jul 26, 2008 7:04:05 PM
I'm sensing a positive and negative with all these moves on defense. One, it could obviously create problems as our guys are having to learn new stuff, play out of position, etc....even the vets from previous years. And two, it could create problems for opposing offensive coordinators as they'll have to adjust and won't have as much game film to review with these guys playing in new positions. I'm just hoping that putting Peppers at RDE and Davis at weakside LB, will be a more natural fit for their size, athleticism, and playing styles. Time will tell, I suppose...
--Neil
Posted by: NSpicer | Jul 26, 2008 9:26:49 PM
I was front and center at both the morning and evening sessions and Johnson took more reps with the first team defense than Diggs.
Posted by: J Thomas | Jul 26, 2008 10:46:14 PM
I think Stewart was just toying with Davis. Dont get to cocky. It was only his first practice and hes coming off a surgery and isnt into game shape yet
Posted by: sk | Jul 29, 2008 10:40:55 PM
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