Carolina Huddle

We are just about a month out now from the start of Panthers Training Camp in Spartanburg, SC. It is around this time every season that we begin to see questions asked from fans on how to maximize their training camp experience.

So, here are a list of things to consider. Please feel free to add your own tips to the comment section of this post.

- First and foremost, consider the heat. Its not just hot, its Africa hot. The only shade available is under a few small trees on a hill, and these spots are taken up quickly by fans.

- Autographs are given at the fence nearest the locker rooms. Get there an hour early and get in line. Be aware that most players sign autographs for kids first, adults if time permits. Every year I see an adult push a child out of the way for an autograph to be signed. Pretty sad thing to witness, so don’t do it.

- Look for the elevated platforms with the video cameras. When you arrive, take note of where the tall towers with the video cameras are set up. This is the Panthers own video recording system for their film room. They typically will be pointed at the location of the mini scrimmages and seven on seven drills.

- No video cameras allowed. If you are caught videotaping a practice, you may be asked to leave.

- Players do not like to be distracted during practice. Think about it, these guys are out there 100% focused on the task at hand and trying to make the team. Random yells and such from the crowd, while often intended to be helpful, have the opposite effect.

- The Beacon is a must visit restaurant for anyone heading to Spartanburg. You may want to do a bit of research beforehand, because ordering can be a bit confusing for a first time visitor. (trust us)

Carolina Panthers

Panther fans, don’t completely trash all of your Julius Peppers gear. He’s back (at least temporarily) with the Panthers after signing the $16.683 million franchise tender on Wednesday.

“It’s really a culimination of what has transpired over the past few months,” Panthers GM Marty Hurney said. “Every conversation has been positive. All indications were that he was going to sign and be in for training camp.”

As it stands right now, the Panthers have three options:

1) Keep Peppers and try to sign him to a long-term deal before the window closes on July 15.

2) Trade Peppers and get something for him

3) Keep Peppers for a year and go through this whole expensive gambling process once again next year.

At least publicly, the Panther’s front office hasn’t wavered from their stance that they want #90 back long-term. And really, they couldn’t have been more professional than they have throught this whole situation.

No bridges were burned, no feelings hurt.

“It was a situation that you knew was going to take some time to work out,” Hurney said. “It ended today with him signing his one-year tender, and we’re excited about it.”

But some fans have taken a different approach.

This morning on local sports radio, fans had mixed emotions. Some felt betrayed and wouldn’t welcome Peppers back. One fan said he’d wear a Peppers jersey to games with #90 and the name crossed out, and would boo Peppers whenever he appeared on field. Some were excited that Peppers could potentially be back long-term.

Where do you stand? How do you feel?

Carolina Panthers

At minicamp today, my eyes were on a player that none of the other media types were paying any attention to. His name is Tony Fiammetta, and he may be the rookie with the most impact this season.

At 6 foot and 245 pounds, Tony is not the biggest fullback in the league, although an NFL training regimen may give him 10 pounds by the start of the season. Tony was known at Syracuse as a blocking machine, willing to accept a role of little carries, many blocks.

Music to my ears.

Tony lined up in the runningback drills for the first time today, looking a little nervous.  Assistant Head Coach Jim Skipper had simple instructions for Fiammetta, watch Brad Hoover, do what he does. Hoover began his drill, nimbly keeping his feet moving around cushions, all the while maintaining perfect balance, 3 quick steps between cushions. It was then Fiammetta’s turn, and it wasn’t pretty. Only one step between cushions and knocking one out of place. Skipper stopped the drill, had Tony reset the cushion, and he did it again until he got it right. It was clear this rookie was rough around the edges, and his footwork would be a concern through much of camp. I began to wonder why the Panthers drafted him, and pondered the possibility of a short Carolina career.

The next drill was the gauntlet. Running backs burst through two opposing lines of players, all trying to strip the ball. In addition, cushions are on the ground to trip the players up, acting as ankle tackles. Two veteran players made it through the drill without issue, Brad Hoover again providing the visual of a correct drill. Next up was Tony Fiammetta. A fumble here would set a very bad tone for his offseason workout experience.

Tony takes the snap from Jim Skipper, and heads into the gauntlet with reckless abandon. He kicks over the first cushion, as Deangelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart try to strip the ball. Fiametta then slams right in to Decori Birmingham, knocking him back and leaving him a bit confused as the other players chuckled. Fiametta then looked more comfortable than he had all morning. He just needed to hit something.

Tony Fiammetta

Carolina Panthers

by Aaron Nance

Print this out and take it to your local coffee shop, along with 2 bucks and you can get yourself a cheap cup of coffee and a ready made place mat…

Everette Brown, DE Florida State: Brown immediately fills the team’s need of an effective pass rusher, and will certainly compete for a starting position. He also lessens the blow and fallout of the Julius Peppers situation, regardless of what happens (holdout, trade, extension, etc). Rated as high as the 6th overall player on some credible draft boards, the Panthers got a real steal in the second round, at the cost of next year’s #1 of course. However, if Peppers is traded, the team likely recoups that selection, and if he stays the defense is bolstered anyway. Thumbs up on this highly aggressive move, that definitely sends a message the front office was paying attention and means business. Grade: A+

Sherrod Martin, DB Troy: Martin effectively addresses two positions for the Panthers: CB and FS. Martin is a highly talented playmaker that the team believes will be an effective nickel back, with the potential to start in the event a starter goes down to injury. Martin is a true ballhawk and a solid tackler. He may need some time to develop, but there is no better place to do that than the nickel slot. This may have been a tad bit high for him, but this was certainly no ‘reach’. Grade: B

Corvey Irvin, DT Georgia: Exceptional athleticism for a man his size. Extremely strong, he gives the Panthers some much needed depth to a defensive line that was clearly guilty of wearing down late in games, and appeared to simply be outmanned late in the season. At worst, Irvin offers depth. At best, he offers a high upside tackle that could compete for a starting slot. Grade: B-

Mike Goodson, RB Texas A&M: The immediate heir apparent to special teams standout and team leader Nick Goins. Goodson, a junior, was a bit of a surprise when he announced his intention to forego his senior year with the Aggies. His best fit will be as a change of pace back, and perhaps a slot receiver (a la Goins). Extremely dangerous in the open field, could see time as a returner as well. Nice selection that offers needed depth at several positions. Grade: B+

Tony Fiammetta, FB Syracuse: Brad Hoover is an outstanding overachiever, but is 32 and will soon start to show the wearing down that comes with the territory. Enter Tony Fiammetta, the best fullback this draft has to offer. Fiammetta, a team captain at Syracuse, is well built for the part, and has been highly effective. Fiammetta is more than a one dimensional blocking back, and should offer the Panthers a nice weapon from the FB slot, as well as a smooth transition to the future of the position and life after Brad Hoover. Grade: A

Duke Robinson, OG Oklahoma: Thought by many to be the best OG in the draft, character and judgment concerns pushed him all the way to the 5th round. Provided he can put his maturity concerns to rest, Robinson has the ability to not only start from day one, but also has the ability to reach the Pro-Bowl in time. He immediately softens the blow of losing Hangartner, and if he keeps his nose clean and is open to coaching at the next level he could be one of the steals of this draft. And if he can’t, he could be a sad story of what could have been. Grade: A+

Captain Munnerlyn, CB South Carolina: Hurt himself by declaring for the draft early. Lack of height hurts him. Loves to play physical. Has the speed to contribute immediately in the return game. Has shown some character concerns in the past. All in all, a late round boom or bust project who could contribute anywhere from the return game, to the nickel and dime packages, or just as a really fast water boy. Grade: C

Carolina Panthers

Marty Hurney went all in yesterday, pushing his chips to the middle of the table and selecting Everette Brown at a steep price. Trading a 2010 first round selection to move up in the second round of this years draft is a huge gamble. So why do it?

Enter Everette Brown, one of the most respected defensive players to leave Florida State since a guy named Derrick Brooks. Most mock drafts had him as a first round pick, some even a top 20 pick. The Panthers war room had him listed as one of the best pass rushers in the draft, a first round pass rusher. The question now is, how does this undersized player fit on the Panthers Defense?

Last season, Brown would not have fit at all. But this season, the addition of Ron Meeks as defensive coordinator gives us a clear picture instantly. One only needs to review an Indianapolis Colts game tape and watch #98 Robert Mathis. Mathis, at 6′2 and 250lbs, had 11.5 sacks last season. Meeks with take Brown, and instantly transform him into a pass rushing machine, a situational player. Considering the Panthers complete lack of pass rushing ability last season, partly due to an uninspired and uninterested Julius Peppers.

Speaking of Peppers, I can’t help but think the Brown pick was a bonus for the coaching staff. A fun reminder to Julius, that a guy half his size may come in this season and out perform him, in a contract year no less. If that does not light a fire under his butt, I don’t know what will.

Win - Win

Discuss the pick here!!!

Carolina Panthers

Jake Delhomme, for better or worse, has been extended five years.

Some love it, some hate it. Either way, its something to discuss during the most boring offseason in Panthers history…

Discuss Here!!!!

Carolina Panthers

As expected, Julius Peppers has the word FRANCHISE stamped on his forehead.

Discuss here….

Carolina Panthers

The Panthers have signed Jordan Gross, apparently saving the franchise tag for Julius Peppers.

Discuss Here!

Carolina Panthers

Much is being speculated this morning on the Ron Meeks hire and what it means to the Carolina Panthers defense.

Many assume this means Carolina will be moving to the famed “Tampa 2″ defense. This is a bad assumption. The Carolina Panthers will not, in fact, be overhauling their defensive scheme. Ron Meeks is not being brought in to Carolina for answers on improving the defense. Ron Meeks is being brought in to help implement successfully the defensive vision of Head Coach John Fox.

Meeks will be what Trgovac was not. A competent communicator and technician who is able to get the most out of the defensive players. One thing that anyone who has ever coached under Tony Dungy understands is the importance of fundamentals, solid tackling and avoiding mental errors. These are the things that are being entrusted to Ron Meeks, and not coincidentally, these are the things the Panthers were severely lacking in last season. In most cases, poor execution was at fault more so than a bad defensive plan. Ron Meeks will now be in charge of making sure every one of his defensive players execute with precision on every play.

The Carolina Defense has a long way to go before it is again considered a top tier defense in the league.

The Meeks hire is a huge step in getting them there.

Carolina Panthers

Ron Meeks is the new Carolina Panthers Defensive Coordinator.

Talk about it here:

http://www.carolinahuddle.com/forum/carolina-panthers/7057-ron-meeks-new-d-coordinator.html

Carolina Panthers