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October 15, 2009
#Panthers' Beason quiet again; Diggs says Beason learned from radio mistake
Panthers linebacker Jon Beason avoided the media for the second straight day during the team's open locker room period, declining to discuss radio comments he made about teammate Julius Peppers last week.
Beason, who's normally one of the most quoted players on the team, slipped out of the locker room just as reporters were arriving.
Outside linebacker Nai'l Diggs, a 10-year veteran, said Beason made a mistake by talking publicly about Peppers last week, but has learned from the situation.
Beason, a third-year pro, said during his weekly appearance on WFNZ (610 AM) last week that he planned to talk to Peppers about playing with more effort. Beason also indicated he planned to point out how aggressively and well Vikings' defensive end Jared Allen played in a Monday night win over Green Bay.
Diggs said players didn't question Beason's motives, but that he picked the wrong place to deliver his message.
"It’s one of those things where you learn from your mistakes," said Diggs. " I think guys in here understood what he was saying and what he was trying to do, but there are certain times to do that and say that. He just picked the wrong time to do that. You have to kind of be aware of the situation you’re in.
"He’s a very emotional player. He takes this game and this sport very personally. I know for a fact he showed a little emotion at the wrong time, in front of the wrong people. That’s something you learn from."
The Panthers were 0-3 at the time of Beason's comments, which Diggs said made it a "sensitive subject to a lot of people."
"Unfortunately, he made a couple of quotes I’m sure he would take back and probably say something personally or not say at all," said Diggs. "But it is what it is and he’s moved on from it. Nobody’s holding anything against him. It was nothing meant in a negative gesture, and we all understood that."
Diggs and defensive tackle Damione Lewis said they believed Peppers also understood Beason's intentions.
"I’m sure they’ve spoken about it and got it cleared up between them two about what things really meant," said Diggs.
-- Charles Chandler
Posted by Observer Sports on October 15, 2009 at 02:38 PM | Permalink
Comments
Bet he doesn't show up on the 610 AM Radio anymore with Packer.
Posted by: panfan1 | Oct 15, 2009 2:52:53 PM
Whats the problem here? JPep need to be called out, Beason called him out, JPep came out and played a great game. Great move in my book
Posted by: SouthFloridaPanthersFanCLub | Oct 15, 2009 2:56:54 PM
It was time somebody did exactly what Beason did.
Posted by: Dave | Oct 15, 2009 3:01:46 PM
LOL! I'm betting that the company line is what Diggs and Lewis are spouting. I think Pep needed to be called out, and who better to do it than The Beast?
Anyone that watched the game last week saw that Peppers was more active, more disruptive, and more of a factor than he has been all season. Coincidence? I THINK NOT. I'll take the results - to heck with what it takes to get them.
I think that calling out a player is a double-edged sword. Smitty did it to Jarrett, who still hasn't shown any signs of "getting it". The Big Cat did it with Pep, who promptly disappeared. Beason does it, and VIOLA! A real defensive end shows up!
I say cut Beason loose on the whole damn team, for crying out loud. Somebody needs to step out and be a leader, and I think 52 is the perfect man for the job.
Posted by: Scott | Oct 15, 2009 3:02:15 PM
Beason was right to comment on Pep's play. While the Redskins were a lesser opponent it was obvious his intensity level was consistantly higher last Sunday. Hope it continues cause it can breed more of the same throughout the team..such as the O-line.
Posted by: Scott Griffin | Oct 15, 2009 3:18:09 PM
Sad when a player has to do the job of a coach, but then again, "it is what it is."
Posted by: Fire-Fox! | Oct 15, 2009 3:32:48 PM
So Diggs is speaking publicly about Beason speaking publicly about Peppers. That locker room is in great shape... not.
Posted by: Bob | Oct 15, 2009 3:45:45 PM
Kris Jenkins said the same thing, and that was the "last straw" that granted him his trade that he'd sought for some time. Boy did we get hosed on that one. Pep didn't listen to Kris. Do you think he will listen to Jon or was last week's game an aberration?
Posted by: ERL | Oct 15, 2009 3:55:07 PM
Why would anyone want to appear on WFNZ? I travel the USA and the afternoon show is the most self serving group of individuals you will find on sports radio. A REAL sports station would not have the scary fascination with pro rasslin.
The Charlotte Observer has forbid their associates from appearing on the show. The market share for the station is so poor (two Spanish stations beat them in ratings)that they gave up their strongest signal to conservative talk radio.
My company advertised with these guys a few years back. It generated NO TRAFFIC and they threw in spots on their urban station just to keep our business. We had three sales reps over a 8 month period.
Posted by: David Miller | Oct 15, 2009 3:55:37 PM
I'm a diehard Panthers fan, but I'm beginning to lose patience with this team, the coaches and management. It seems that they, the Panthers, think that we the fans are all stupid. Beason showed true leadership by saying what needed to be said, actually he said what most intelligent fans have been thinking for a long time about Peppers. Diggs, John Fox and Hurney are all in denial about Peppers and are only trying to protect their jobs and they expect us to accept their bs and this team's poor performances and mediocrity. I get tired of hearing the same company line and fox speak from all the players, selling us a bunch of bull. Bring in some players with some passion like Beason, and get rid of the losers who accept mediocrity like Fox and Hurney.
Posted by: Jay | Oct 15, 2009 4:03:46 PM
I think you all are missing the point. It isn't that Beason shouldnt have said it, it's that he shouldnt have said it on the radio. You don't say stuff to embarrass your team, if it needs to be said go say it to Peppers not to an audience. Do any of you people think your boss would be happy if you were talking crap to his customers about 1 of your coworkers? That is basically what his comment on the radio amounted to, talking to customers. I still like Beason, he's 1 of the best & am glad hes a Panther, but i agree that he shouldnt talk about a teammate in public, maybe its ok if that player is there and can reply to defend himself at the time. Peppers did play a good game sunday though and I for 1 am looking forward to another 1 this sunday. If Peppers gets 2, 3, or even more sacks this week, everyone will just say "it was against a bad team of course he did it", if not they will rag on his performance, it's a no win situation now for him. Anyway, GOOOO PANTHERS!!!
Posted by: mrbernz | Oct 15, 2009 4:23:03 PM
I agree, you know sometimes the players and the orgainzation forget that the "fans" need explinations too. We are concerned and you know what its nice to know or see sometimes that players are just as concerned, if not more than the fans. After all we are the ones who ultimatly pay their salaries. Organizations need to remember that we as "stock holders" if you will deserve explinations sometimes and need to know things are being done to right the ship. Thats my 2 cents
Posted by: BaBaBooey | Oct 15, 2009 4:24:57 PM
Someone in this organization had to step up and be a coach, Fox isnt going to, he is too much of a cheerleader for that. I say give Beason a microphone and 15 minutes before each game, maybe the beast can get these guys motivated before the game, since the coaches are not going to.
Good job Beason, stay on the mission!!
Posted by: Jim | Oct 15, 2009 4:26:22 PM
I thought calling out those that aren't performing was called leadership?
Obviously, that's not wanted?
If I was Beason, Diggs would have a broken jaw by now. Who is Diggs anyway? Definitely not the leader of this team.
Lewis should worry about doing his job and not what Beason says! Last I checked he was checking his jersey for cleatmarks as running backs continue to run right over him.
This team is too worried about not saying anything versus going out and winning a ball game. This behavior comes from the top I believe. Jerry, why don't you call out the whole team!!!!
Posted by: 89 Forty Niner | Oct 15, 2009 4:28:59 PM
call him out again.
Posted by: charlottean | Oct 15, 2009 4:32:48 PM
The only thing I'd say Beason should have done differently is to have commented about his conversation with Peppers AFTER it happened, not before. To say "I'm going to talk to him" almost has a "taking the bad kid out to the woodshed" type of feel, whether intended or not. Talk 1 on 1 first, THEN do the interview and say, "we talked, and we'll be ready for war on Sunday."
Still, as others have pointed out, I can't argue with the results! I hope there's plenty of lighter fluid left in whatever it was that ignited Pepeprs' fire.
GO PANTHERS!
Posted by: Newsinz | Oct 15, 2009 4:37:35 PM
I am just happy that the defense as a whole showed up. An animated Peppers is apparently what this team needs. Keep it up guys.
Posted by: Edawgg | Oct 15, 2009 4:51:02 PM
why should Diggs & Lewis speak for Beason/Peppers.
Posted by: roscoe | Oct 15, 2009 5:00:18 PM
Just because Beason said what needed to be said, doesn't mean he should have said it so that he could satisfy every sports radio meatball's curiosity and say it in a public forum. He should have said it in front of the team or taken him aside and said something.
Posted by: john | Oct 15, 2009 5:17:25 PM
No one on the Panthers team is in a position to call anybody out!!!as a matter of fact until they put more wins to their record all of them should stop the excess chatter and focus on their game...Go Peppers!!!!
Posted by: know_truth | Oct 15, 2009 5:33:33 PM
Since we are all commenting on the teams play or lack thereof, does this mean Jake gets a PASS due to one win and that 1st down scramble?
Posted by: fredrick bernard henderson | Oct 15, 2009 5:36:50 PM
"Why would anyone want to appear on WFNZ? I travel the USA and the afternoon show is the most self serving group of individuals you will find on sports radio. A REAL sports station would not have the scary fascination with pro rasslin."
I listen to a lot of streaming sports radio shows all around the country. The Packman Show isn't the best I've heard, but its up there. Never heard any fascination with pro wrestling. Just an obsession with football. Whats the problem?
Posted by: James | Oct 15, 2009 5:44:32 PM
Beason made a mistake by calling Peppers out in public rather than in the locker room in a player only meeting. He recognizes the mistake and he won't do it again. That said, I'm glad he did it as we got a full game from the big dope for the first time since last December.
Posted by: Jim | Oct 15, 2009 5:47:52 PM
1 million dollars A GAME. Say whatever the hell you want, JB.
Posted by: John Morgan | Oct 15, 2009 5:58:54 PM
It worked. Do it again.
I agree 52 is as good a person as any to tell the whole team to man up.
Posted by: Sick and Tired | Oct 15, 2009 5:59:28 PM
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