Panthers News

"Earlier this week, I was pumping gas. I still had a quarter-tank when I started and yet the numbers soon blinked past $50. That was irritating. You know the feeling. But then I forgot about the annoyance when I saw the exact amount registered on the pump when it cut off automatically: $51.51. That reminded me of Sam Mills, the former Panthers linebacker and assistant coach who wore No. 51 as a player here and remains the only Carolina player enshrined in the team's Hall of Honor. It has now been three years since Mills passed away at age 45 because of cancer. Sam would have loved watching Jon Beason play."

"While all the new linemen and the new running back and the return of Muhsin Muhammad were being chronicled, receiver D.J. Hackett spent last weekend's Carolina Panthers minicamp almost as a media afterthought, as in, "Oh yeah, Hackett looks pretty good, too." And he did. Although hordes of microphones and tape recorders swarmed the others, Hackett often left the field by himself. Don't expect it to be that way for long."

"ordan Gross is entering his sixth season as a starter for the Carolina Panthers and is switching from right tackle to left tackle. Observer staff writer Charles Chandler participated in a group interview with Gross during the team's minicamp last weekend, talking to him about the move and about stalled contract negotiations. The team put the franchise tag on him to keep him from exploring the market as an unrestricted free agent, and he's to play next season under a one-year deal. He and the team have until mid-July to get a longer deal completed."

"Former Carolina Panthers receiver Patrick Jeffers is proceeding with his nearly five-year attempt to have complaints against the team heard in court. Jeffers' attorney filed a notice of appeal April 24 in Mecklenburg County Superior Court, signaling that papers are forthcoming asking the N.C. Court of Appeals to overturn a local judge's April 2004 ruling."

"Thoughts and observations after checking out the Panthers' minicamp last weekend: • This team has a chance to go places. If that sounds like territorial thinking, check out Peter King's new offseason rankings on Sports Illustrated's Web site. He rates Carolina 10th in the 32-team NFL. The Panthers aren't there yet, but they could make a run at the playoffs if Jake Delhomme's elbow is healed, if Julius Peppers plays like Julius Peppers, if the offensive line is as good as seems capable, and if first-round pick Jonathan Stewart stays healthy."

"When Steve Smith retires, he doesn't want to let all the nuances he knows about playing pro football go to waste. So Smith, the Carolina Panthers' star wide receiver, has purchased a stake in a Charlotte sports performance training center -- part of a growing industry that provides specialized training to improve athletes' agility, speed and strength, and helps them avoid injury. Smith bought nearly 50 percent of the Velocity Sports Performance center off Nations Ford Road in south Charlotte, he said Monday."

"The Panthers have so much faith in (Matt) Moore, 23, to back up starter Jake Delhomme that team officials haven't signed a veteran quarterback. When Delhomme was injured last season, Moore started the final three games and led Carolina to a 2-1 record. His performance was much better than one would expect from an undrafted rookie. He's right at home with the Panthers, however, because none of their four quarterbacks, including former Pro Bowler Delhomme, were drafted."

"Hackett, who made several fine catches over the course of the five workouts, was talking at the conclusion of Carolina's minicamp practices Sunday. He did say that the chance to get considerable playing time figured into his decision. "Definitely, especially when you've got a good quarterback (Jake Delhomme) to throw you the ball. When you go somewhere and you're the only guy and the quarterback's not putting it on the money, he can't really help you.""

"Sunday has become a special day for Carolina Panthers guard Toniu Fonoti. It's the one day each week he allows himself to eat sweets. After weight problems almost shipwrecked his NFL career, he opted to work out more vigorously and curtail his food consumption. "It's hard, but after a while, you get used to it," he said. Fonoti, whose name is pronounced TONE-you FONE-oh-tee, is a wild card in the Panthers' offensive line reconstruction."

"Jake Delhomme is coming off elbow surgery and the three men behind him on the depth chart have three career NFL starts between them. So why didn’t the Panthers add an experienced veteran signal caller? “You’ve got to kind of choose. do you want an older veteran, and typically, monetarily that’s what you end up with, or do you develop a guy you think’s worth developing,” coach John Fox said. “Really, not just in Matt Moore’s case, but Brett Basanez’s, too. (Basanez) is a guy that showed some promise, but unfortunately he got injured last year. We’ll get a lot better look at that in game situations in the preseason."

"For about two months, it looked as though DeAngelo Williams would be the Carolina Panthers' featured back this season. Not so much now. When Carolina selected Jonathan Stewart from Oregon with the 13th pick in the NFL draft, it changed the complexion of the team's running game. We all knew they were going to get a running back to replace DeShaun Foster, we just didn’t know when. We didn’t know if it would be in the first round or the fourth. So when Stewart’s name was called early, Williams’ carries quickly shrunk. Hey, the reality is teams don’t pick a player that high and not expect to play him. Williams knows that."

"As Carolina Panthers rookie free safety Charles Godfrey walked off the field Friday, an autograph-seeking fan shouted to him, “Son, you have some big shoes to fill if you’re going to wear that jersey.” Godfrey smiled and politely responded, “So I hear.” When Godfrey arrived in Charlotte last week he was given a choice of jersey numbers and selected No. 30. It’s wasn’t something he thought much about. The only reason he chose 30 is because he wore No. 13 in college and wanted to have a “3” somewhere on his uniform. Quite frankly, he’d never heard of Mike Minter."

"Darwin Walker was always a Carolinas guy. He grew up in Walterboro, S.C., and signed to play collegiately at N.C. State. When things didn't work out there, though, he transferred to Tennessee After college and a brief stop with the Arizona Cardinals, he headed north, making a name for himself in six seasons as a pocket-busting, pass-rushing defensive tackle in Philadelphia. One year in Chicago, though, went poorly due to injuries, and after the 2007 season he found himself a free agent again. Walker began to look homeward."

"DeAngelo Williams said Saturday he's happy the Carolina Panthers drafted Jonathan Stewart with their first pick in last week's NFL draft -- even if it means Stewart becomes the team's starting running back. "It didn't bother me at all," said Williams, who had been penciled in as the starter after the DeShaun Foster was released in the offseason. "I still have the same mindset, whether I'm the starter or not the starter. "This the National Football League. Every year, there's another quarterback, wide receiver, offensive lineman, defensive lineman. They're just reloading. There's always competition.""

"The other rookies came to Charlotte in an airplane. Tight end Chris Conklin arrived in a Jeep Grand Cherokee with about 62,000 miles on the odometer, few of them from the drive to Bank of America Stadium. Conklin is from Snow Camp, played three sports at Southern Alamance High in Graham and starred at Wingate. "I knew where to go," he says after Carolina's Saturday morning practice. Wingate to the NFL is not as long a trip as you would think. Last season cornerback David Jones became the first Wingate player selected in the NFL draft when New Orleans took him in the fifth round. The Saints cut him but he played two games for Cincinnati."

"Forgive Carolina Panthers rookie Charles Godfrey the Houston Texans logo that is tattooed on his right hand. And don't worry that, until a few days ago, Godfrey didn't know who Mike Minter is or that he's wearing Minter's old number -- 30 -- as the newest member of the Panthers' defensive secondary. Godfrey, a third-round draft pick last weekend, has been in Charlotte just a few days and he's already given the team his full commitment. "I'm a Panther," he said during this weekend's mini-camp. Godfrey's hand bears the Texans tattoo because he grew up 20 miles from Houston in Baytown, Texas, where he become an avid fan when they entered the league in 2002."

"Julius Peppers spent time practicing at right defensive end during the Carolina Panthers' first mini-camp Friday. Peppers emerged as one the NFL's top defensive ends during his first six seasons in the league while lining up on the left side. But he slumped last season, managing 2.5 sacks. Panthers coach John Fox said Peppers' time on the right side Friday didn't necessarily indicate a position change was imminent."

"New and former Carolina Panthers receiver Muhsin Muhammad looks the same, muscular and fit, the same guy who made defenses think twice before they double-covered Steve Smith. But it's been more than three years since he left Carolina to sign with Chicago. "He's somebody I'm not sure we ever replaced," said Panthers coach John Fox."

"Jonathan Stewart showed up in Charlotte already talking Pantherspeak. Carolina's first-round draft pick uttered one of his new coach's favorite sayings, "It is what it is," Friday after the first mini-camp practice of his NFL career. Stewart, the former Oregon running back, was talking about the frustration of having to watch from the sidelines instead of practicing because he's recovering from a March 12 toe surgery."

"Last weekend’s NFL draft cleared up some lingering questions about the Carolina Panthers, but at the same time produced a few others. We’ll begin to look for answers to some of those on Friday when the Panthers begin a three-day minicamp at Bank of America Stadium. Some questions, like Jake Delhomme’s arm strength and what exactly first-round draft pick Jonathan Stewart brings to the table, will have wait. Neither player will participate in practice given both are recovering from injuries. Both are expected to be ready in time for training camp."

"The new-look Carolina Panthers open a three-day minicamp today at Bank of American Stadium. There will be five practices -- two today, two Saturday, one Sunday -- and lots of meeting time indoors. The sessions are mandatory for all players, bringing together for the first time the team's nine picks from last weekend's draft, free agent signees and holdovers from last season."

"The Carolina Panthers moved quickly to fill their need at defensive tackle, agreeing to terms on a one-year contract with free agent defensive tackle Darwin Walker on Monday. Walker, 30, formerly played with Chicago, Philadelphia and Arizona."

"The Carolina Panthers signed ten undrafted college free agents on Monday, including quarterback Taylor Tharp from Boise State. Tharp, who set school records for single-season and career completion percentage in his only year as the starter, said he was hoping the Panthers wouldn't take a quarterback in the NFL draft."

"The Carolina Panthers potentially took a huge step toward improving their defensive line Monday by agreeing to terms with free-agent defensive tackle Darwin Walker. Walker, who is 6-foot-3 and 294 pounds, is expected in Charlotte today for a physical. If he passes it, he's expected to sign a one-year deal with incentives that could push its value well over $1 million."

"Third round draft pick Charles Godfrey from Iowa is one of those guys who’ll do anything he can to get on the football field. After his sophomore year, Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz asked Godfrey to switch from safety to cornerback and he was more than willing to oblige. "

"When Jeff Otah walks into a room, people tend to stop what they’re doing and gawk. Yes, he’s THAT big. He’s listed at 6-foot-6 and 339 pounds, so Otah is an intimidating presence among large men on a football field, let alone small ladies and young children in a restaurant... The Panthers gave up a king’s ransom – a second and fourth round pick this year and a first-round pick in 2009 -- to get Otah with the 19th pick in the first round of the NFL draft, so there will be plenty of inherent added pressure on him to play at a high level."

"And then there was defensive tackle. That's the only glaring need the Carolina Panthers have after this weekend's NFL draft. In a draft that team officials hope will help propel the Panthers back into playoff contention, Carolina appears to have strengthened itself significantly at offensive tackle, running back, tight end and free safety. It also boosted an already strong linebacker corps."

"If you're a Carolina Panthers fan, you are feeling good about yourself today. You've got visions of Jonathan Stewart taking a handoff from Jake Delhomme on first-and-10, running past the pancake block thrown by Jeff Otah and gaining 8 yards. Then you're thinking about Delhomme, on second-and-2, dropping back on play-action and slinging a deep sideline pass to D.J. Hackett for 15 and a first down. "Wow!" the TV announcer says. "Stewart looks like the real deal, Delhomme's arm is better than ever and the Panthers are actually showing some offensive creativity!""

"Jeff Otah was watching the NFL draft on television Saturday evening, disappointed he hadn't been taken by the Carolina Panthers with their 13th pick. The 19th pick, which belonged to the Philadelphia Eagles, approached. Then Otah's telephone rang. A member of the Panthers' scouting staff was on the line. "What does it feel like to be a Panther?" he asked Otah, an offensive tackle from the University of Pittsburgh. Otah was puzzled, not knowing Carolina had only minutes before traded up with the Eagles for that 19th pick -- and had chosen him."

"The Carolina Panthers shifted their focus from offense to defense on Day 2 of the NFL draft, but didn’t change their overall objective of adding big, tough, physical football players. After selecting running back Jonathan Stewart and offensive tackle Jeff Otah in the first round on Saturday, the Panthers followed up Sunday by taking safety Charles Godfrey from Iowa and linebacker Dan Connor from Penn State in the third round."

"The Carolina Panthers used a one-two power punch in the first round of Saturday's NFL draft to change the personality of their offense. Thinking old-style smash-mouth football, the Panthers picked Oregon running back Jonathan Stewart with the 13th overall pick, then went to work immediately to move back into the first round to get him a blocker."

"The Panthers went about making good on Richardson's promise on Saturday by dramatically upgrading their running attack on day one of the NFL draft with two big, physical players. Carolina used the 13th pick to select Oregon running back Jonathan Stewart, a Jamal Lewis prototype, before pulling off a bold trade and moving back into the first round to land mammoth offensive tackle Jeff Otah (6-6, 339) from Pitt with the 19th pick."

"With the first pick, the 13th overall, the Panthers selected Jonathan Stewart, a running back out of Oregon. The Panthers weren't scheduled to pick again until dark. Their next pick was the 43rd. Instead of waiting, they turned aggressive, trading their second and fourth-round picks in this draft and their first pick in the next one. "

" Hurney knows that. He also knows the Panthers “gave up a lot” when they sent their second and fourth picks this year and, more importantly, a first round draft pick in 2009 to Philadelphia for the rights to move up 24 spots in Saturday’s draft (from No. 43 to No. 19) to select offensive tackle Jeff Otah from Pitt."

"The Carolina Panthers' draft-day deal for Pittsburgh tackle Jeff Otah clarified a muddy picture along the offensive line."

"There's nothing polite about the way Jonathan Stewart runs the football. He says he'll run around or over a defender, whichever is necessary. Ask him his favorite running back and he says the late, great Walter Payton. Guess why?"

"Last season the Panthers were picking 14th and really liked defensive linemen Jamaal Anderson and Adam Carriker. But when the players were chosen by the Falcons (eighth) and Rams (13th), respectively, the Panthers traded back and selected linebacker Jon Beason."

"Julius Peppers will be a happy man if Harvey is the pick. The Panthers don't have a clear starter to play the right defensive end position opposite Peppers. Harvey is an ideal choice whose recent campus workout wowed coach John Fox and representatives from other NFL teams."

"Choose Florida defensive end Derrick Harvey with the 13th overall selection and add a running back and defensive tackle in the next few rounds.Harvey would fill a desperate need for a rush end to play opposite of Julius Peppers. But teams such as New England, Baltimore and Cincinnati, picking 7th through 9th, respectively, might take him before the Panthers get the chance."

"I've asked myself over and over what I would do in the first round Saturday if I were making the call for the Carolina Panthers. Would I pick an offensive tackle (one of several), a defensive end (Florida's Derrick Harvey) or a running back (Oregon's Jonathan Stewart)?"

"For 363 days out of the year, Jackie Miles serves as the Carolina Panthers equipment manager. But for two crazy days each April, Miles shifts gears and is one of three employees the team sends to New York for the NFL draft."

"The way I see it, the Carolina Panthers draft plans will ultimately be dictated by the plight of University of Florida defensive end Derrick Harvey. If Harvey slides to No. 13 it suddenly makes things interesting for the Panthers."

"If, as is widely believed, the Carolina Panthers plan to get a running back in the NFL draft, there should be no reason they'd fail to meet that goal. The position is so deep in high-quality prospects that one should be available through the third round and perhaps later. The Panthers have been digging to learn as much as they can about the backs. Our readers deserve no less, so here's a different kind of scouting report on five backs Carolina could consider:"

"Common knowledge these days contends that the Carolina Panthers will draft an offensive tackle with their first pick (13th overall), solidifying a sturdy and powerful offensive line. That knowledge might not extend to the Panthers' war room. Carolina obviously has several needs, a fact confirmed by general manager Marty Hurney at the team's draft news conference Monday. Given that, don't expect the team to reach down to retrieve a tackle who should have been taken with a much later pick."

"It has taken way too long for the NFL draft to arrive, but sometimes waiting allows the fog to clear. I've asked myself over and over what I would do in the first round Saturday if I were making the call for the Carolina Panthers. Would I pick an offensive tackle (one of several), a defensive end (Florida's Derrick Harvey) or a running back (Oregon's Jonathan Stewart)? Earlier this week, I participated in a conference call with other NFL beat writers. Each writer picked for the team he or she covered. When the Panthers' turn came at No. 13, Pittsburgh tackle Jeff Otah, Harvey and Stewart were remaining on the board. I picked Stewart."

"When Carolina Panthers running back Decori Birmingham walked on campus at Garinger High two weeks ago, the Wildcats' football team was, as athletics director Claire Gardin put it, "in awe." "The kids were just so excited to have him here," Gardin said. "They're just in awe of someone coming from the Panthers' organization, coming to Garinger, and helping them get better." Birmingham, signed to the Panthers' practice squad in November, is one of six players volunteering in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. It's the ninth year CMS and the NFL team have done this."

"If, as is widely believed, the Carolina Panthers plan to get a running back in the NFL draft, there should be no reason they'd fail to meet that goal. The position is so deep in high-quality prospects that one should be available through the third round and perhaps later. The Panthers have been digging to learn as much as they can about the backs. Our readers deserve no less, so here's a different kind of scouting report on five backs Carolina could consider:"

"Above all, former North Carolina defensive tackle Kentwan Balmer credits his mother as he awaits a possible first-round selection in the NFL draft Saturday. Christa Balmer made sure he got to basketball practice, had basketball shoes and walked a straight and narrow path with them when he was growing up in Weldon, about 45 miles north of Rocky Mount. Though Kentwan excelled at football rather than basketball, Christa helped him create a successful foundation."

"Mike Rucker made his farewell news conference more about others than himself Tuesday. Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson dabbed his eyes with a tissue as he listened to the retiring defensive end esteem him in a way any CEO -- or any father for that matter -- would love to hear from an employee or a son."

"Eyes glistening, Mike Rucker looked at Carolina Panthers coach John Fox on Tuesday afternoon and said: "I just want you to know I gave you everything I've got. The tank is empty.""