Gross transcript: "Everything is on track"

Panthers left tackle Jordan Gross told reporters today that he expects to play in Sunday's game against Tampa Bay, but that he hasn't been given the official word yet from coach John Fox.

Gross talked extensively about his recovery from a concussion suffered in a Sept. 28 win over Atlanta today with local media, including The Observer's Charles Chandler and David Scott.

Here's a transcript of the interview, edited for clarity and brevity.

Q: Since you were able to practice today, does that mean you'll be able to go Sunday?

A: Yeah, I think I'm physically capable and I feel fine. I haven't been given the go-ahead by Fox yet, but it's his decision. I feel ready to go.

It's nice because I'm not the guinea pig with this thing. We've had guys here who've done it (dealt with concussions) before, so they're more than cautious with it.

I'll give you the usual answer. You'll have to ask Fox if I'm playing, because he hasn't told me yet. But I've passed all of my tests.

Q: Have you been given medical clearance to play?

A: I haven't talked to our team doctor, but I've jumped through all the hoops, so everything is on track.

Q: When did you become symptom-free?

A: Sunday, actually. It was almost weird. It was like a week of rest. I felt real good Sunday. Then I lifted and ran some on Monday, then Wednesday you guys saw me out there (not practicing, but doing some agility drills). He (strength coach Jerry Simmons) put me through the combine and it felt fine. It's just one step after another. It's going great.

Q: Has there been any recurrence at all?

A: No, and if I did, they wouldn't have let me do those steps.

Q: You said you had vision problems. How long did it take for that to clear?

A: That went away in like 24 hours. Then I was kind of just foggy. My memory was fine and everything, but I … It's hard to explain, but it was just kind of lingering. I didn't feel like myself. You could probably tell when you (interviewed) me (last) week. I wasn't as up as normal. Then by Saturday afternoon or Sunday morning, it was like it clicked and I felt good.

Q: That's the first time you've missed a game. What was it like for you not playing?

A: Honestly, knock on wood, if I was to miss a week like this week, or today, it would be a lot harder. Obviously, the (consecutive games played) streak was something I was happy with and I wish it would have lasted about 10 more games. I honestly was excited for Frank to get to play, and he did a great job. I liked our matchup against those guys (the Chiefs) and it was never a close game, so I just had the best seats in the house to watch.

(NOTE: Gross had started 84 consecutive regular-season games. Former safety Mike Minter had the team record of 91. Of that, Gross said ..)

There's not many records that O-linemen can get. But I'll just have to stick around for more years and get it again.

Q: Could you have played vs. Kansas City?

A: No. I didn't practice all week. The tough guy in you says, yeah, but … you can't mess with your brain. It was the right thing to do.

Q: How good was it for the team to see Frank Omiyale out there and fare pretty well?

A: It's a great feeling we have right now with depth. You guys have seen our O-lines. We've had some good groups, but we've never had this many quality players. (Geoff) Hangartner, JB (Jeremy Bridges) and Frank, those are three guys who could be starting on another team. That's just a perfect example of it. That was our best game offensively in a long time around here.

Q: So it would have been hard to miss a divisional game?

A: Well, if we had been struggling offensively, I would have felt like I was letting people down. But they took care of it. I told them afterward, `Thanks, that was fun to just watch.' I was jealous because you get through all these tough games where you're fighting tooth and nail, and then to have a game where you can run the ball 40-whatever times, that's what you want. But hopefully we'll have another one.

Q: Have you changed equipment due to your concussion?

A: No. I use the new helmet most everybody wears. I've watched (the play) a million times. It was just a fluke deal. I could take that same shot 100 more times and it would be fine.

Q: When Atlanta's Keith Brooking hit you the play before, how did it feel?

A: Normal. Whenever you cut block, you're putting your head down by their feet. If anybody gets tackled or a receiver goes across the middle and gets hit, I wouldn't say you're getting a concussion, but you get your bell rung a little bit.

Q: Do you think if the play before, the Brooking hit, hadn't happened, you wouldn't have had a concussion?

A: Maybe, maybe not. I don't know. That's the thing with concussions. We've got ACLs and ankle sprains down and everything down to pretty much, figured out, an exact science, but they still are real iffy on concussions. You can not get one with a tremendous hit or get one with a little knee (to the head) that doesn't look like anything.

But I won't be cautious of that now. I'll still play and keep trying to get people on the ground, keep doing what I did the first 84 games.

Q: How about injuries to the O-line keeping the starting five from even being able to finish a half so far this season?

A: It's really weird. We talk about '03 a lot around here, but that year, that was one of the things I saw was the biggest deal. We had the same guys (starting on the offensive line) every game. We haven't had that yet. I do think those are our best five, our starters, but I don't think it's very far behind for the other three I mentioned. If we can get everybody out there working together, the best is yet to come.

Q: Will there come a time when you're in a tough situation when your with a group on the line that you haven't played much with?

A: Just speaking from my side, if it was Bridges at guard, Travelle (Wharton) or Hangartner, it would be no problem, honestly. We all have played enough. The only new guy is (right tackle Jeff) Otah. Everyone else has played a few years.

It's good players. If you were putting in somebody you can't trust because they are on the team just because there wasn't anybody else, that's a different story. But everyone (here now) is good. … Nothing against people who have been (here), but we're lucky right now to have the depth we do.

-- Charles Chandler