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Voth profiles Fozzy

Mr. Scot

By Mr. Scot,
in Carolina Panthers

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Mr. Scot Grand Master

Mr. Scot

Posted
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Fozzy Whittaker: From Camp Body to Part of Panthers’ Plans

 

Excerpts:

 

When Fozzy Whittaker arrived in Spartanburg last July, most were more intrigued by his name than his game. Besides, he probably wasn’t going to make the Panthers’ roster.

Carolina already had plenty of running backs. It’d be tough for Whittaker, who didn’t have a job when teams reported to training camps, to crack the group of DeAngelo Williams, Jonathan Stewart, Mike Tolbert and Kenjon Barner. He was likely just a camp body, someone who could share carries after rookie Tyler Gaffney hurt his knee and while Stewart’s hamstring healed.

Seven months later, that small opportunity has turned into a much bigger role for Whittaker. Of the four exclusive rights free agents the Panthers signed Monday, he was the only one to land a two-year contract.

 

“I was hoping just to be back on the squad. It didn’t matter what the deal was. I just wanted to be playing football again,” Whittaker said over the phone after returning to his offseason home in Texas. “It’s a blessing to have somebody that believes in me and to be able to be a part of this organization.”

Whittaker earned a spot on the roster with a strong preseason, and after a quad injury cost him six games, he eventually settled in as the Panthers’ main kickoff returner and a change-of-pace back. He rushed for 145 yards on 32 carries in the regular season and took a pass 39 yards for the go-ahead score in Carolina’s playoff win over the Cardinals.

 

While the 31-year-old Williams looks for a new home, Whittaker, who’s five years younger, is currently the No. 2 tailback behind Stewart. The Panthers will likely bring in at least one other back through free agency and the draft, so Whittaker’s 2015 workload still isn’t guaranteed. But the guy who had just a quick stop on the Cardinals’ practice squad in 2012, and who the Browns didn’t keep around despite some success a year later, is well aware that little in the NFL is a given.

“The mentality that I have to have going into every year is knowing that this moment can be gone at any moment. It doesn’t matter if I have a guaranteed contract; it doesn’t matter if I have a one-day contract,” Whittaker said.

“I was very hopeful and praying that I would end up back with the Panthers and playing for a team that I really wanted to play for. I’m grateful that it’s gotten done, and I look forward to this upcoming offseason to work out with my brothers again and prepare for next season.”

 

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Mr. Scot Grand Master

Mr. Scot

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I like Fozzy, but I'm gonna be a little nervous if we don't bring in some stiff competition for him at the #2 spot.  Let's be honest, being the #2 behind Stew is in reality being #1b because we all know he's gonna miss some games.

 

Improved O-Line should help.

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rmoneyg35 Proficient

rmoneyg35

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I hope you're right.

Ain't we all. Realistically we will probably get 12-14 games if healthy. I don't know if Reaves will be our #3 back but we need someone who can carry the workload when Stewart goes down. No offense to Fozzy but I don't think he can run the ball 20 times a game.

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