James Anderson – Carpe Diem
July 30, 2007
Seize the day, James.
With the holdout of rookie linebacker Jon Beason and a training camp injury to Naill Diggs this morning, the door is wide open for second year man out of Virginia Tech James Anderson. Opportunites such as these do not happen every day. Anderson, third in line at the WLB position suddenly finds himself among the starters. Now is his chance to prove to John Fox he belongs next to Dan Morgan.
Last season, Anderson was a pleasant surprise. For a third round prospect, he picked up the defense quickly and showed real promise. During the season though, with more complex offenses thrown at him, he was often found out of position, giving up yardage to the opposition.
Anderson now has a clean slate, and until Beason signs or Diggs is able to practice, he has an open window to showcase what he has learned over the off season.
Carpe Diem, James. The window won’t stay open long.
Jeremy Bridges Suspended
July 28, 2007
RG Jeremy Bridges has been suspended for two games. The reason given was conduct detrimental to the team. Although not convicted of the allegations of events that transpired at Club Onyx Thursday night, the team apparently feels enough evidence is present to indicate showed poor judgment. The arrest report filed can be found here.
Training Camp Primer – Wide Receivers
July 23, 2007
by Steven Burton
With much attention on the safety position heading into training camp, what is shaping up to be possibly the most important position battle has largely been over looked in recent weeks. While the hole at safety is somewhat disconcerting, the offensive side of the ball hasn’t exactly been stellar the past few years, and the number two wide receiver position again appears to be in contention heading into the 2007 training camp.
Second round draft pick, wide receiver, Dwayne Jarrett has an uphill battle for the number two position beside Smith facing experienced, if underachieving fourth year wide receivers Drew Carter and Keary Colbert. Filling the void left by the release of veteran, Keyshawn Johnson will be no easy task. Johnson amassed 70 receptions for over 800 yards and four touchdowns in 2006. Though he was the number one target for two games, Johnson was playing with the useless (for lack of a better term) Chris Weinke at quarterback for three games and neither he, nor Smith ever consistently received adequate support in the running game.
Though knowledge of part of the playbook and familiarity with the supporting cast undoubtedly gives both Carter and Colbert the inside track in the competition, Jarrett certainly shouldn’t be counted out. Standing at an impressive 6 feet 4 inches and weighing 219 pounds his 4.62 forty yard dash makes him an impeccable athlete. The blend of size and speed possessed by Jarrett is often sought after, but seldom found in such a well polished receiver. Running great routes and possessing some of the safest hands in college his resume is packed with 100 yard games and touchdown catches.
While there were times when Jarrett was silenced on the field, due mainly to excess coverage and his inexperience there’s no reason why he shouldn’t excel in the NFL. Already a better physical prospect than Carter or Colbert, his sure handedness figures to set him apart once training camp gets into full swing.
Drew Carter has struggled to consistently catch easy passes and Colbert has slowly degenerated from his rookie form, at times failing to make levels of effort expected from players in his position and it seems struggling to get open. Changes to the offense by new coordinator Jeff Davidson should in some minor ways level the playing field for the young receiver battling his experienced team mates.
History suggests that head coach John Fox prefers to play veterans at skill positions and allow rookies to develop more slowly. This might just be one case however, where the veterans cannot keep pace.
Safety Net – The Players
July 20, 2007
Going into training camp, the Safety position is most likely the weakest the Carolina Panthers have in terms of quality and depth. Veteran Mike Minter, while still a serviceable veteran, last season showed signs of losing a step or three. This season there is a real opportunity for players to step up into a starting role.
Here is the cast:
#35 – Deke Cooper – Making his second round in Carolina, Deke played on the practice squad in 2002, was signed to the regular roster later that year, and ultimately released in Camp of 2003. Since then he has spent time in San Fran, Jacksonville, and Miami. Prognosis – Will be tough for Deke to make the squad this season, even as thin as they are. Not eligible for Practice Squad.
#39 – Jessie Daniels – LSU free agent rookie. Started 35 games on a solids LSU squad. Excellent size for a safety at 5′11 and 215 pounds. Known as LSU’s quarterback in the secondary, has leadership potential and knowledge of the game. Pronosis – Has a real chance of making the Practice Squad, and may actually make the roster if he can prove special teams value.
#30 – Mike Minter – You know him. You love him. His play declined in 2006, often missing tackles and behind in coverage. Still, the best option currently for the FS position.
#29 – Cam Newton – This guy has been signed and released more times in Atlanta than I care to hear about. Never able to see playing time. Prognosis – another body for training camp.
#33 – Nate Salley – The hopes, the dreams of the 2007 season may lie squarely on the shoulders of Salley. A fourth round selection last season, he was released in camp and promptly signed to the practice squad. Due to injuries on the roster, was signed to the regular roster in September where he remained. Salley was the starting SS in summer school this offseason. A big opportunity for a second year man. Sound familiar? it should. It reads almost exactly like Colin Branch. Lets hope it ends up better. Prognosis – Chance to shine.
#28 – Quinton Teal – From Big South powerhouse Coastal Carolina, Teal is a rookie Free Agent. Excellent size for a FS, at 6′1 and 187 pounds. Prognosis – work your butt off in special teams if you want to make the practice squad.
#27 – CJ Wilson – 7th round rookie out of Baylor, where he was a solid corner back. Wilson is this season’s player who could surprise people the most. He has the coverage skills and tackling ability to be a solid starter in the NFL, the only question is how quickly he can learn the Safety position? If new defensive backfield coach Mike Gillhamer is looking for an opportunity to show his worth, this young man provides it. Prognosis – real promise.
#?? – Unkown – Look for the Panthers to add another starting prospect late into camp as other teams are forced to cut down their roster.
Time to put Vick to rest…
July 19, 2007
Yes, I am already tired of the Vick dog fighting story, the NFL’s version of the Anna Nicole Simpson death. Easy pickings for the media to analyze and spoon feed to the masses.
No doubt there are some ramifications that effect the Panthers this season depending on the outcome of the case, and that has been discussed. But until there is an actual court decision or a decision made by the NFL, there is really nothing more worth while to spend time writing about.
This lawyer says this, that lawyer says that. Here is an ex dog fighting sponsor, listen to him. Here is a pit bull owner upset by the news, listen to her!
Enough is enough already.
The Carolina Panthers are starting camp soon. With it will finally come enough information and updates to quench the constant thirst for football news, without the Nicole Simpsonish drama.
Fox/Hurney on the hot seat?
July 15, 2007
In his latest article, Tom Sorenson makes a few interesting claims.
First that Dan Morgan is as significant or almost as significant as Julius Peppers and Steve Smith. While Morgan, when healthy, is a solid player and has pro bowl potential, his level of importance on the team does not reach a Smith/Peppers level. The Panthers do not win without Steve Smith, as we saw in the first three games of the season last year. The Panthers do and have won many games without Dan Morgan. Julius Peppers continues to redefine the DE position in the NFL. The league has never seen someone with the size, speed, and strength combination of #90. Opposing teams gameplan their offense around Peppers. They adjust to him. Morgan, while a strong MLB, does not force opposing teams to do extra game planning because he is on the field.
Secondly, Sorenson postulates that Fox/Hurney are on the hot seat this season. If the playoffs are not reached, their services will not be retained in 2008. I think Tom is right this time. Most Carolina fans have grown an emotional attachment to Coach Fox, and rightfully so with bringing an NFC championship to Carolina. However, the Richardsons have not become successful businessmen by developing emotional attachments to people who do not perform at or above their expectations. The playoffs were the expectation last season, and again this season.
You do the math.
Expert Prognastication…
July 14, 2007
Possibly the best and most thoughtful analysis off the off season.
Provocative and rich…
Huddle Tailgate Update
July 14, 2007
Football, Beer, Brats
These are the things that invade our dreams.
Again for 2007 the Huddle will be hosting an extreme tailgating experience featuring cold beverages, tasty food, and good times. As usual, food and drink will be free, thanks to our tailgate sponsors. This season, we are teaming up with LKNFun.com to help us crank the fun up to eleven.
If you are interested in sponsoring a tailgate, feel free to email us at info@carolinahuddle.com
YEAAAH!
Panthers Training Camp A Win for Spartanburg, Wofford
July 13, 2007
The drama and excitement of the NFL season begins at training camp, and fans of the Carolina Panthers get a front-row seat at Wofford College in Spartanburg, S.C.
For the fans, it’s the thrill of pads-to-pads clashes and awesome connections of passer to receiver from a ground-level vantage point and the chance to walk away with memories, and maybe even an autograph or two.
For Spartanburg, it’s the pride of being put on the sports-world map and reaping the benefits of a $1 million-plus economic impact that hosting the training camp brings.
“Since the Panthers appeared in the Super Bowl, attendance to training camp has more than doubled – from an average of 10,000 to 12,000 each year to nearly 24,000 in 2004, our largest attendance at that point, and more than 21,000 in 2005,” says Jules Bryant, executive director of the Spartanburg Convention and Visitors Bureau.
A record 25,370 fans attended camp in 2006, Bryant notes, adding that this year is expected to be big again as Wofford hosts the 13th camp.
All that means Spartanburg’s hotels, restaurants, shops and malls are reaping the benefits promised when the community came together in its campaign to “Make Spartanburg the Summer Home of the Carolina Panthers.”
“Visitors flock to Spartanburg to be able to see these elite athletes prepare for their grueling season,” says Mike Shetterly, an Upstate, S.C., attorney who chairs Team Spartanburg, the sports council of the CVB. “We saw a $1.3 million economic impact on our community during the 2004 season, when we last did a survey of expenditures made by the team, the fans and the media who come from all over the country to cover the Panthers. They all say ‘Spartanburg’ in their reports, and that kind of exposure is tough to put a price tag on.”
The city seems to become energized when the Panthers arrive, as street banners and flags can be seen. Downtown is alive with fans eating and shopping between practices. “Our newly renovated Morgan Square offers a beautiful respite, and it’s surrounded by great restaurants and quaint shops,” Bryant says.
Spartanburg offers fun aplenty throughout the downtown area as well as the surrounding county. There are some must-eat restaurants, some must-see attractions and some must-do activities.
The world-famous Beacon Drive-In is one of those legendary places that visitors seem to already know when they arrive. Offering their famous Southern sweet tea, hash aplenty plates, Pig’s Dinner massive ice cream bowls, and much more, it’s often the first stop once fans venture away from camp. The restaurant is just a short drive from Wofford, and the experience is one to be remembered. Don’t worry – J.C. Stroble’s “Call it!” anthem urging patrons to quickly order their food is meant to add to the experience, not to frighten.
Closer to camp – within a short driving distance or even walking distance for the hearty – is downtown Spartanburg’s Morgan Square, featuring Wild Wing Café, Delaney’s Irish Pub, locally owned Abby’s Grill, Thai cuisine at the Lime Leaf, sandwiches at Café on Morgan Square (formerly The Sandwich Factory), coffee at The Crossroads Coffee Shop, and the brand new Justin’s Steak House. On the western end, you’ll also find Carriage House Wines and Miyako sushi bar, and around the corner is Sonny’s Brick Oven Pizza. Brasserie Ecosse, a new casual upscale restaurant offering “robust” cuisine, handcrafted beers and affordable wines, has located downstairs from The Showroom at Hub-Bub on nearby Daniel Morgan Avenue. A brief walk up East Main Street, you’ll find Café Ishi offering coffees and specialty drinks, and Oscar’s Tapas restaurant and martini bar.
Other restaurants and bars in the downtown area, offering a variety of menus, include Club 299 at the Marriott Spartanburg at Renaissance Park, Boots’ & Sonny’s Drive-In (famous for its hot dogs with chili), Krispy Kreme (doughnuts), Nu-Way (good, greasy burgers and more), Papa’s Breakfast Nook, Peddler Steak House, Renato’s Italian Restaurant, Ribault Street Eatery, Ricky’s Drive-In (more hot dogs), Sugar and Spice Drive-In (don’t forget the baklava) and Venus Pie Pizzeria.
Spartanburg has long had an international flair, and being the home of BMW’s only North American manufacturing facility bolsters that reputation. The plant, located on Interstate 85, about 15 miles south of the city, manufactures the popular Z4 and X5 models. The BMW Zentrum adjacent to the plant offers tours for groups and individuals interested in learning about BMW. In addition to high-tech exhibits, the Zentrum features a unique collection of “art cars” designed by famous artists such as Andy Warhol and Frank Stella, as well as BMW racing models, motorcycles and event airplanes. Tours of the factory can be arranged in advance for a nominal fee.
Fine arts abound in and around Spartanburg. Whether is an Artists Guild exhibit at the Spartanburg Arts Museum (SAM), locally produced works at the Carolina Foothills Artisan Center in Chesnee (northeastern Spartanburg County) or at Wofford College, Converse College or another one of the community’s six colleges, paintings, sculptures and other works of art are available for viewing throughout the community.
Spartanburg also offers a variety of musical, theater and other performance arts opportunities.
On Thursdays in August and September, from 6:30 to 9 p.m., is Music on Main, a free outdoor concert series at Denny’s Plaza on East Main Street in downtown, featuring local and regional musical groups. Some local restaurants and bars also feature live music throughout the week and weekends.
If history is your thing, Spartanburg’s the place. Its rich history dates back to Colonial times and is on display at every turn. A key battle of the American Revolution was fought here, and now the National Park Service protects and preserves the Cowpens National Battlefield, located north of downtown off I-85.
Walnut Grove Plantation, located off U.S. Highway 221 in Roebuck, allows visitors to experience “life on the frontier” during Revolutionary times. Built in 1763, the home vividly portrays life in Spartanburg County at the turn of the 19th century. In addition to tours of the main abode, visitors can view the wheat house, smoke house, blacksmith forge, barn, well, house, herb garden and family graveyard.
Other historical sites include the Price House off Highway 221 near Woodruff and the Jamie Seay house in the city of Spartanburg. Information on these and other historical sites can be obtained from the Spartanburg County Historical Association.
You don’t even have to leave campus to enjoy a nice walk of Wofford College’s nationally recognized arboretum, which encompasses the entire 170-acre campus. Two self-guided tours are available, with maps downloadable from college’s Web site at www.wofford.edu/arboreum or at the Admission Office. Also downloadable to your iPod or other MP3 player is full audio of the arboretum tours so you can hear full descriptions of the plants as you walk along.
Wofford also features a portion of the Hub City Connector of the Palmetto Trail that runs through South Carolina, from the mountains to the sea. The campus is linked to Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System’s Liberty Park by way of the Liberty Trail, part of the Connector, which features the J.R. Gross Cascading Steps water feature.
Wofford’s arboretum is one of several on the community’s college campuses, including the University of South Carolina Upstate and Spartanburg Community College.
Hatcher Garden & Woodland Preserve is an oasis of green and wildlife in the middle of the city of Spartanburg. Paved and groomed trails cover 10 acres of ground, containing more than 10,000 plants. Recently upgraded with new educational and interpretive signs, Hatcher Garden is the perfect place to learn about the plants and animals in the area. Whether picnicking or just strolling, you could spend hours there in the company of native birds and babbling brooks.
At the Roger Milliken Research and Customer Center, a short drive from training camp, you’ll find another arboretum featuring hundreds of tree and plant specimens on 600 acres with ponds, meadows and fountains. Popular with runners and walkers, the center has several walking and fitness trails. Plenty of open spaces makes Milliken a great spot for a picnic, kite flying, pick-up football and soccer games. Don’t forget to pick up a loaf of bread for feeding the ducks and geese at the pond.
Speaking of animals, a trip to Hollywild Animal Park near Inman, in the northwestern part of the county, is one of the most scenic and culturally diverse areas of the state’s Upcountry. Nestled on more than 100 acres, Hollywild is home to one of the largest collections of rare and exotic animals in the Southeast, including the black Panther, and many of its animals are “zooperstars” of movies and commercials. The park is open seven days a week.
If you want something a little tamer, there’s plenty of shopping to be had at Spartanburg’s WestGate Mall on the west side of town, Hillcrest Specialty Row on the east side, boutiques and locally owned specialty shops in downtown, and the Prime Outlets in nearby Gaffney.
Fans have come to expect the best from the Panthers, Spartanburg and Wofford College – and they get it.
The facilities at Wofford consistently are cited as being among the best in the NFL, and national media organizations have recognized such programs as Panther Pals as traditions.
In 2005, SI.com’s Peter King ranked Wofford the fifth-best NFL training camp location, and the Christian Science Monitor touted the Panthers Pal program as an excellent way for fans to see, and perhaps meet, the “Real American Idols.”
“If you’re a 10-year-old kid with a fan-crush on Jake Delhomme, chances are you’ll meet him before the day’s out,” King wrote of training camp at Wofford, highlighting the Panther Pals program in which five children are selected at random during morning practices for special treatment. They get uniquely designed T-shirts, go to a special viewing area on the practice field, then are matched with a player or group of players. They may carry players’ helmets or shoulder pads, and hang out as the players sign autographs and walk to the locker room. More than 1,000 youngsters, ages 6 to 13, registered for the program last year, the fourth year for the partnership of the Panthers, Wofford and Team Spartanburg.
King added in his “Inside the NFL” column, “Shake the hands. Meet the players. Fans are no farther than 10 or 15 yards from the sidelines during practice, and if the workout is in Wofford’s (Gibbs) stadium, the seats are close. Wherever you are, you can clearly hear coaches coaching.”
Christian Science Monitor put the Panther Pals program in the same class as the 40+-year-old tradition of Green Bay players riding kids’ bicycles to practice. Writer Erik Spanberg pointed out that almost half of the NFL’s 32 teams use their regular-season practice facilities as training camp headquarters. Whether they train at home or relocate to “tiny destinations . . . fans benefit from improved access to players in a relaxed atmosphere and, in most locations, free admission and parking.”
The tradition of Panther Pals will continue this year. Panther Pals offers children between the ages of 6 and 13 a special opportunity to watch part of select morning practices from field level and then spend time with a player or small group of players after practice. Each day’s experience is unique and dependent on player schedules and availability as determined by the Panthers.
Children can register for their chance to be a Panther Pal at the Spartanburg Convention & Visitors Bureau/Team Spartanburg tent at the morning practice on July 28, July 30, Aug. 1, Aug. 3, Aug. 6, Aug. 8, Aug. 13 and Aug. 15. The tent is located outside the main gate to the practice fields. Five names will be randomly chosen about 30 minutes before the end of the practice session. The children selected will receive a Panther Pal T-shirt and will be escorted to a special area to watch the conclusion of practice.
When practice is over, Panther Pals meet the participating players, talk to them, and stay with them while they sign autographs on their way to the training facility.
During camp, the team also offers the Panthers Experience, another activity geared toward children involving a series of interactive games where fans can test their football skills. Those activities are free as well. The schedule is available on the Panthers’ Web site.
Panthers merchandise and food concessions also are available on-site for purchase. Attendance to camp is free of charge, including free parking. Fans are reminded that prohibited items include alcoholic beverages, coolers, pets and video cameras. Bring lawn chairs, blankets or towels for sitting, and remember to bring a Sharpie-style marker and item for all those autographs you’ll want to add to your collection.
For information about hotels, restaurants, shopping and other activities, contact the Spartanburg Convention and Visitors Bureau at 1-800-374-TEAM or (864) 594-5000 or go to www.VisitSpartanburg.com.
More details about Panthers Training Camp and other sports events in Spartanburg, visit the Team Spartanburg Web site at www.TeamSpartanburgSC.org. For more about Wofford College, go to www.Wofford.edu or call (864) 597-4180.
In the Huddle – Nai’ll Diggs
July 12, 2007
by Andy Little
When you came into your first camp with the team last year you were getting over some off-season surgery. Despite that you still said you felt good at camp. How is your health this season?
I feel even better this mini-camp. Last year, I was coming off a couple of injures from the prior season. I felt good but I wasn’t able to train like I wanted to in the off-season. Now I’m coming off a healthy season, feeling great, and was able to work how I wanted to work with no limitations. Here I am now feeling good and the sky is the limit.
Last season you also said that your biggest challenge would be learning the playbook with a new defense, how do you feel you met that challenge? (Many defensive players with experience on other teams note that the Panthers have one of the larger playbooks in the NFL)
There is a lot of stuff in that playbook. Last year was like being a freshman in high school. This year you know where the classes are, you know where to go and what to expect. I’m still learning a lot just listening to Trgo or Flajole talk. It’s my 8th season playing football, two years here, and I’m a lot more comfortable this year but I’m still learning too.
You’re in your 2nd year here but with Chris Draft gone you find yourself as one of the more experienced linebackers on the team. How does that change your role?
I don’t think it’s going to really change. It’s going to be on the younger guys to approach us, the older guys, and ask questions. We don’t know what they don’t know. We don’t know what they may have questions about so on that role I think a lot of players were really good about asking Draft. I was a first year guy trying to learn all this stuff in a short amount of time and I used him as well. There shouldn’t be any question as far as role goes and older guys. I think Dan being the most experienced one in this system would definitely be the guy to ask about anything else. But it’s really up to the young guys to ask the questions to coaches or players.
When you came into mini-camp last year you had no expectations about how much you were going to play but you got on the field quite a bit. How did you feel about your time on the field last season?
I feel good about last year and how everything turned out. I wished the whole season in itself would have turned out better for us but you kind of just look back and look at the things you could have done better to improve that record to where you want to be. Right now you just take every play and make the most of it.
