counting down the days

[Brad]

There's about a week left until the Panthers report to training camp in Spartanburg, S.C.

With that said, they still have a lot of work to do in order to ensure their rookies are in camp.

This year, perhaps more than any year in recent memory, there are more rookies that figure to have big impacts coming into camp.

Jeff Otah, Jonathan Stewart and Charles Godfrey all figure to either start or at least play considerable minutes -- and all three have yet to sign. The Panthers second of their third-round picks, Dan Connor, figures to be the primary backup at middle linebacker. Getting Connor in camp on time is crucial to his learning curve as the MLB is the signal-caller for the defense.

The other players yet to sign -- Hilee Taylor and Geoff Schwartz -- are little more than camp depth.

It should be an interesting couple of weeks.

[Dead_Real]

I'm hoping Hilee Taylor makes the team he's bit undersized but has upside to be a very good Defensive end his motor does not stop. I say sign him and let Pep take him under his wing our early round draft picks should ink deals any day now.

edit: we just signed Connor :biggrin: credit ProFootballTalk.com


It’s a four-year deal, with a $789,000 signing bonus and minimum base salaries. The fourth-year salary increases to $1.2 million or the low restricted free agency tender, whichever is greater, based on a minimum playing-time trigger.

[ReesieNCPantherCatfan1]

I'm pretty psyched too. I've got July 26th circled on the calendar, that's the day single tickets go on sale (don't have a psl YET, but working on it). I am very optimistic that we can get back to the power attack of 2003 with Stewart and Williams playing the role of Davis/Foster. Plus we have more beef on the OL to move some bodies out of the way. One thing I am really weary about is Gross at LT, but I guess he is still a little better than Wharton protecting Jakes blind side.

Living here in Charlotte I always hated the time of year between the end of basketball season and the beginning of football. For the Bobcats we have the draft and free agency, but there are only so many trade possibilities and FA signings to talk about. This time of year I feel like theres a void, with no MLB team to root for. Yeah, we have the Knights, but they are AAA, so it's kind of like rooting for the JV team before the stars go to varsity. It is nice to know that Panthers training camp is soon, and the season opener vs SD is just around the corner. I'm ready for some football!

[Dead_Real]

Some pics of the guys reporting to camp DWill is a fool check out the hat lol.
http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2008/07/25/13/338-PANTHERS_MOVING_IN_04.slideshow_main.prod_affiliat e.57.JPG

http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2008/07/25/13/743-PANTHERS_MOVING_IN_10.slideshow_main.prod_affiliat e.57.JPG

smitty loves his vitamin water...
http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2008/07/25/13/359-PANTHERS_MOVING_IN_15.slideshow_main.prod_affiliat e.57.JPG

Richard Marshall and DWill say to hell with walking to the dorm rooms...
http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2008/07/25/13/726-PANTHERS_MOVING_IN_07.slideshow_main.prod_affiliat e.57.JPG

All of the pics:
http://www.charlotte.com/multimedia/galleries/gallery/728174-a728173-t3.html

[Dead_Real]

Credit JakeFlake at PanthersHuddle for finding this :biggrin:

5:27 PM: Just got done talking with John Fox and he said both first-round draft picks could be to practice tomorrow, although neither has signed just yet. More to come in a moment...
"I think there is progress," Fox said. "There is no deal done but it is fairly close and there is progress. We we let you know when it is done."
When asked if he hopes both picks will be on the field Saturday, Fox said, "That is my hope."

Fox refused to say which draft pick was closer to signing.
"They are both intregal parts of our team," Fox said.
Fox said everyone passed their physical and the team should have the entire team on the field Saturday, providing Stewart and Otah sign their deals.
http://carolinagrowl.com/SteveReed/archive/2008/07/25/friday-morning-stewart-contract-parameters-set.aspx

Hopefully Stewart and Otah ink deals before the weekend is over.

[BIGCatBobcat]

Stewart signed this morning and was in the first practice and Otah signed last night according to the team website. I'm so pumped. We dont have any hold outs, we have steped up in every unit except d-line and I think that will improve if Peppers gets out of the fog he was in last season. I am so jacked up I can't hardly stand it.

[Muttley]

Stewart signed this morning and was in the first practice and Otah signed last night according to the team website. I'm so pumped. We dont have any hold outs, we have steped up in every unit except d-line and I think that will improve if Peppers gets out of the fog he was in last season. I am so jacked up I can't hardly stand it.

Agreed. About EVERYTHING you said. I can't wait for the season to get going.

[Brad]

We've got coverage going on at PantherInsider.com -- http://car.scout.com/2/772192.html

[ReesieNCPantherCatfan1]

Read in the Observer that Pep is noticeably bigger and looks really good. Hopefully last year was a fluke and he remembers that he is one of the best athletes for his size on the planet. I got tix for two games this year and I'm so psyched for the season (would've bought more, but wife is due in Nov) Panthers seem to play better when they are under the radar, and they are not expected to do much this year. I can't wait to see Stewart, and the maulers (the OL) play some smash mouth 2003 style football.



Stewart signed this morning and was in the first practice and Otah signed last night according to the team website. I'm so pumped. We dont have any hold outs, we have steped up in every unit except d-line and I think that will improve if Peppers gets out of the fog he was in last season. I am so jacked up I can't hardly stand it.

[Dead_Real]

^Yep a contract year too Pep will play his heart out.

Speaking of our D though will I think we'll get back to being more aggresive unlike the play we've seen during most recent years. Some guys over at Panthershuddle that attended training camp said our D unit has a new saying called "Hit Squad" that they scream after big plays are made and on breaks I wonder who started that something tells me Jon Beason.

Credit Thomas Davis It's official Jonathan Stewart and DWill = Thunder and lightning :biggrin:

[Muttley]

Speaking of our D though will I think we'll get back to being more aggresive unlike the play we've seen during most recent years. Some guys over at Panthershuddle that attended training camp said our D unit has a new saying called "Hit Squad" that they scream after big plays are made and on breaks I wonder who started that something tells

"Hit Squad"

I like it. They need a bit more of the energy, ferocity and unity that something like that can provide. Can't wait to see them punish offenses this year.

[Dead_Real]

First good fight went down, with DE Tyler Brayton and RT Jeff Otah swinging on each other. At the end of a play, Brayton shoved the rookie backward, and Otah responded with a huge, overhand right haymaker. A few other fists flew before teammates broke it up.
http://community.heraldonline.com/wednesday_thin_and_getting_thinner

I should have known Otah was going to end up frustrating someone with his great protection. I'm not condoning in house fights but it's good to see the rookie not back down from a veteran he'll need to play with a chip this year since he's probably going to start from day 1.

[Muttley]

http://community.heraldonline.com/wednesday_thin_and_getting_thinner

I should have known Otah was going to end up frustrating someone with his great protection. I'm not condoning in house fights but it's good to see the rookie not back down from a veteran he'll need to play with a chip this year since he's probably going to start from day 1.


Whoa... Did he precede it with something like, "I got your 'hit squad' right here"? Because that would have been awesome.

[Dead_Real]

Wow another fight in Traning Camp this time with Smitty and Ken Lucas...


SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- Volatile wide receiver Steve Smith and cornerback Ken Lucas exchanged blows during a sideline altercation at Friday morning's practice at Wofford College.

Lucas left the field bloodied and with an ice pack over his left eye.

Smith was escorted from the practice field by general manager Marty Hurney.

The two men were on the sidelines while other members of the team were working through special teams drills when the fight broke out. They exchanged several punches before teammates and coach John Fox charged in to break up the fight. Linebacker Jon Beason had to pull Smith away from Lucas. It took several people to restrain the men and restore order.
http://www.carolinagrowl.com/Read.aspx?Story=649

Watch ESPN turn on Smith with the quickness like they did Chad Johnson.

edit - A guy over at the Huddle is saying he heard on the radio that Ken Lucas might be out 4-5 weeks because of the punches from Smitty if true Smith will miss 1 or 2 games from the regular seasons since this is not the first incident with him hitting someone.

[ReesieNCPantherCatfan1]

That sucks, I am going to fan fest tomorrow at B of A stadium and I was hoping to get a look at Smitty. Will be surprised if he is at the public practice tomorrow. My niece and nephew will be sad not to see him. Oh well, still should be fun.

I hope that we find out Lucas started it, if not then Smitty is looking like a punk with anger issues. I forgave him for the anthony bright fight, but you would think him being a vet and star that he would've learned to control his temper. If it is his fault I predict a 2 game suspension from Foxy.


Wow another fight in Training Camp this time with Smitty and Ken Lucas...


http://www.carolinagrowl.com/Read.aspx?Story=649

Watch ESPN turn on Smith with the quickness like they did Chad Johnson.

edit - A guy over at the Huddle is saying he heard on the radio that Ken Lucas might be out 4-5 weeks because of the punches from Smitty if true Smith will miss 1 or 2 games from the regular seasons since this is not the first incident with him hitting someone.

[Ghost Kat]

Steve Smith is a small guy, He makes big plays against guys 3 4, or 5 inches and 50 pounds heavier. He has to be a fighter. Sometimes it's directed at the wrong people. Smith said he was sorry and in the wrong. It's good all this is happening in preseason. People are getting used to seeing each other again, Probably still some hung over feelings from last year. Plus it's hot...When you add 100 degree's out side I get angry just thinking bout the the heat. Now imagine I'm out there everyday. All these fights will build team unity or we are in for another rough Panthers season.