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August 13, 2008
Wednesday morning getaway
SPARTANBURG -- Notes from Wednesday morning's practice:
-- Perhaps at no time during the entire training camp did Panthers players move more quickly than when the whistle sounded to end this morning's 75-minute practice, which took place in a cool drizzle. That ended things for training camp at Wofford (the team will finish up preseason practice in Charlotte) and most players sprinted up a hill toward the locker room and then toward the parking lot. Within 10 minutes, cars were leaving (wonder if they even had time for showers?). A Spartanburg police car sat at the parking lot entrance, however, a not-too subtle reminder for players who wanted to get home as quickly as possible.
-- They won't have much time at home today, however. Team buses are scheduled to leave Bank of America Stadium at 3:45 p.m. for the airport, where the team will fly to Philadelphia ahead of Thursday's preseason exhibition against the Eagles.
-- Expected to stay behind are the injured R Dwayne Jarrett (bruised leg), R Steve Smith (concussion), CB Ken Lucas (nose), R D.J. Hackett (toe), CB Chris Gamble (hamstring), TE Gary Barnidge (gluteal strain), TE Dante Rosario (hamstring) and DT Ian Scott (knee).
-- Coach John Fox didn't rule out the possibility of rookie RB Jonathan Stewart playing against the Eagles. The Panthers have brought Stewart along slowly because of offseason toe surgery. -- David Scott
Posted by Observer Sports on August 13, 2008 at 12:07 PM | Permalink
Comments
It looks like we will be getting another good look at the reserve members of the secondary. You can never have too many solid corners...
Posted by: Token | Aug 13, 2008 12:38:18 PM
I can't wait to see what the real starting cast can do against an opponent. The excitement matches that of the 2000 season, when Chuck Smith, Eric Swann & Reggie White were on the DL. I remember the first time they took the field as a unit, Drew Bledsoe of the New England Paper Champions was right across the line of scrimmage from them.
At that moment, he looked like he just swallowed a bathtub. He took the snap, shaking in his boots, and fumbled the ball. He just dropped it out of nowhere. LOL. That was great.
Of course, chuck had his knee injury and the success of the rest of that situational pass-rushing unit didn't fair as well. But it was great to see Eric Swaan and Reggie White in Panther uniforms. Jerry Richardson as done an amazing job luring in big names throughout the years. The only one missing from the list of names (when it comes to Hall of Fame pass rushers) is Bruce Smith.
Posted by: SYRPIS | Aug 13, 2008 12:40:54 PM
Reggie white was a bum when he played here, with good reason,though.
Posted by: matt | Aug 13, 2008 1:03:28 PM
Well guy's me and my boyfriend made up last night. So I've been a little busy if you know what I mean. So who are we playing again?
Posted by: Michael Procton | Aug 13, 2008 1:20:32 PM
That is most certainly not me who posted above. my boyfriend and I are watching old panther games on tv together right now while I refresh this page over and over.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Aug 13, 2008 1:37:51 PM
Can we please get the login system going....now.
Posted by: Henry | Aug 13, 2008 2:34:04 PM
syrpis, i respect 99 % of your posts but, were you high when you wrote that ?swann,white,and chuck smith were all over the hill has beens when they came to the panthers.it was one of the lowest points in franchise history when it became apparent how badly the panthers had done evaluating free agents. it was a hugh embarassment to see these once great players stumble around in panther jerseys.it was one of the watershed periods in panther history,a period that screamed, something is terribly wrong in the front office.
Posted by: ray | Aug 13, 2008 2:46:28 PM
Gluteal strain? HA!
Posted by: KCPanther | Aug 13, 2008 2:55:51 PM
Syrpis,
I wasn't attacking you personality the other day -- I just thought the suggested moves were bad. Mark on the other hand, I meant to fully attack because he is a tool.
Posted by: Brainiac | Aug 13, 2008 3:10:13 PM
I have to worry about our starting cornerbacks missing so much time
Posted by: matt | Aug 13, 2008 3:42:51 PM
5 sacks at age 40 is hardly a bum... it's twice what Peppers accomplished last year in his NFL prime. Swann had knee injury issues too, and was also over-the-hill by NFL standards, but he still matched Peppers performance and he only played situationally at DT (not pass-rushing DE spot Peppers plays). Chuck Smith, well I never like the SOB from his Falcon days, but he never took off anyway so he doesn't really count. We all have been made well aware of the Sean Gilbert debacle, so I'm leaving that one alone (even though I still think he was a beast in soaking up blocks and making one-arm tackles regularly). Just keep in mind that these guys represented the second string that was brought in on passing downs. Maybe I was enamored by the star-power and their potential, but I still will never forget Bledsoe's reaction when they first took the feild in the preseason. To me that made it worth the pricetag that came along with that package.
Posted by: SYRPIS | Aug 13, 2008 3:52:09 PM
Thanks for clearing that up Braniac. My apologies for the misunderstanding.
Posted by: SYRPIS | Aug 13, 2008 3:53:26 PM
I still find it interesting though that our reserves aren't terrible on defense. Not great either. The first preseason game all except Godfrey didn't play. I was getting interested to see how Jarett played with Smith out, unfortunetly I won't get that chance.
Posted by: Trey Griffin | Aug 13, 2008 3:55:54 PM
Matt, corner is one of the positions where it's easier than most to miss a little time (it's about read and react), and both of those guys have been on the team and in the system for some time. They'll be aight.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Aug 13, 2008 3:57:10 PM
Notice my new gangster tone by using the phrase "aight." I'm pretty fly for a white guy.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Aug 13, 2008 4:05:46 PM
Proc, I'm not worried about their abilities, I'm worried about their conditioning and ability to adjust back to real gametime speed
Posted by: matt | Aug 13, 2008 4:08:58 PM
Matt's right about the conditioning thing. I'm hoping that our 2nd string backs will look good though. I have a feeling they will. If we beat Philly (during the 1st half) with so many starters out it will make me even more optimistic about the season.
By the way, does anyone else feel like we can beat the Chargers even w/o Smith? I think they'll be looking past us and we're going to go up there trying to get the W.
Even if we lose a close one to 'em, in a way it will be a mental victory.
Posted by: rawjem | Aug 13, 2008 4:25:12 PM
I dont know about beating San Diego, it seems we usually are sluggish in week one (despite whatever our record is) I do think our defense, if everyone is playing, will be able to contain LT and possibly gates, although tight ends do put up good number on our defense, but I do think our offense will struggle, particulary trying to run the ball, I will go ahead and say 20-13 in favor of chargers
Posted by: matt | Aug 13, 2008 4:33:55 PM
San Diego is also sluggish in week 1 also
Yes i do think we can beat them because they arent good run stoppers. Run the ball... that equals a win. Our defense usually gives teams we havent played in years problems. They not familiar going against us
Posted by: jake the snake | Aug 13, 2008 5:18:57 PM
I too am a little concerned that Gamble and Lucas may be slowed by thier injuries. So it will be interesting to see who on the 2nd or 3rd units can step up. I do believe our safeties especially Godfrey, can help slow Gates down. Or should I say, I hope they can help. I truly believe our front 7 can slow LT to a mere mortal game. But I want to see what happens with the run defense the next 3 games before I get to carried away.
My biggest interest will be seeing Stew for the first time against a real defense. If our O-line can continue to open these massive holes, he will need to show what he is capable of. Almost every RB so far has looked good, Stew needs to look better.
As always, GO CATS! and JAKE!
Posted by: iamhubby | Aug 13, 2008 5:22:18 PM
Gates is going to be way less than 100% himself, if he plays at all. He and everybody on the SD staff are pretty frustrated with his slow progress coming off that toe injury, and he's said that he just won't play in the opener if he risks having to take time off later int he year.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Aug 13, 2008 5:49:46 PM
I agree hub, I'm most interested in the prospect of seeing Stewart play, and hopefully he'll get some run vs 1/2 stringers.
I also had to wince at even a half-hearted Sean Gilbert compliment.
Posted by: rayray | Aug 13, 2008 6:39:54 PM
I saw this in a dream: Tomorrow night -- Julius P knocks McNabb's helmet off and Maake K bites NcN's left ear off; by accident, of course. Kemo gets flagged for spitting the signal caller's ear in a cup of Gator Aid. Unsportsman-like waste of Gator-Aid. NFL Brass Roger G laughs, but says Kemo was naughty, and fines him the price of an ear. The media goes nuts about what the price of an ear should actually be.
Posted by: Concord Ron | Aug 13, 2008 7:11:02 PM
I would probably bid a few bucks for McNabb's ear if it came up on eBay.
Posted by: KKMartin | Aug 13, 2008 7:17:53 PM
Well, I am excited to see If Birmingham or Toefield can beat out Nick goings!! I don't know what Fox and fans see in this guy...he is slightly below avg! RB period. Sure he's a good special teamer.....but those come a dime a dozen....and he's not that good! its not like he's a pro bowl "gunner" I would love to see Birmingham return some kicks...anything to get nick goings cut....a over rated "Rudy!!" Rudy in real life doesn't make plays.....just like nick goings! bum! every since that 5 game stretch when he ran for 100 yards...like 20 years ago!! (vs sorry teams mind you) his value to this team has been greatly exagerated!
I will also be looking to see how Teal does..I really like him and hope he comes along as he will be our number 3 CB most likely after this year as Chris Gamble is going for some big $$ which hey I can't blame him...but no way panthers give it to him..he's good but he's not that good.
Posted by: Cheven | Aug 13, 2008 7:40:45 PM
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