Artis-Payne's long road

[tiger7_88]

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/12877932/carolina-panthers-rookie-cameron-artis-payne-took-long-journey-nfl

From academically ineligible out of high school to manual labor to JUCO to Auburn and 1600+ yds, 13 YDs, 1st Team All-SEC and Academic All-SEC.

Perserverance.

"We all thought he was done," said Bill Chaplick, coach at the Milford Academy in New Berlin, New York, where Artis-Payne squandered Division I scholarship opportunities because of academics -- just as he had done at Harrisburg High.

"He's a complete back," Carolina coach Ron Rivera said. "I watched games last year where he took games over. That's what you saw with Gurley. That's what you saw with the kid from Wisconsin.

"And he played in the SEC. He played good, quality football against good, quality competition.

"The one word that describes him is perseverance," Chaump said. "He finds the way to win and get it done. He's going to surprise you. He's not that fast, but give him the ball and they don't tackle him."

Chaump perhaps sums up Artis-Payne best.

"Don't worry about the flashes, don't worry about the dazzling," he said. "But when the game is over and you look at the yards, it's always well over a hundred yards.

"Give the kid a chance and he'll produce.

[Montie_0123]

I can't wait to see how he plays in the preseason

[Mr. Scot]

Gettleman seems to like guys that have had to work really hard to get where they are.

 

(not a bad strategy, honestly)

[caatfan]

If Stewart stumbles, even a little, or gets hurt, this man (he ain't no kid) may well take his job for good. 

[OneBadCat]

If Stewart stumbles, even a little, or gets hurt, this man (he ain't no kid) may well take his job for good. 

 

Let's not get ahead of ourselves. Stewart is a monster of a RB.

 

Don't forget Fozzy either. That dude is both shifty and fast.

[caatfan]

Let's not get ahead of ourselves. Stewart is a monster of a RB.

 

Don't forget Fozzy either. That dude is both shifty and fast.

But durability isn't a part of his monsterness. So far CAP hasn't been injury prone. I'm not hoping for Stewart to stumble though, more like hoping for a return of 'Double Trouble'. 

 

Fozzy will hopefully continue to be effective as a change of pace but don't think he's an every down back. 

[Nick_81]

Gettleman seems to like guys that have had to work really hard to get where they are.

 

(not a bad strategy, honestly)

Not a whole lot different than Wegher's story, if you take away the temper.

[CPantherKing]

 

“He’s got some versatility coming out of the backfield, catching the ball,” Rivera said Saturday afternoon. “He’s got an opportunity to help this football team. He did a nice job and had a good two days of work.”

 

Despite going undrafted, Rivera believes Wegher might be “a nice diamond in the rough.”

 

“He’s got some potential and ability,” Rivera said. “He’s an explosive football player and has a nice skill set. I think he and (fifth-round draft pick Cameron Artis-Payne) are two young guys who will give us a good showing at running back going through training camp.” 

 

Article from Sporting News

 

Brandon Wegher is the one to watch. I do not see Cameron Artis-Payne or Fozzy Whittaker beating Wegher out.

 

Averaged over 200 yards rushing per game and scored 39 touchdowns last season.

 

Here is an even better write up on Wegher from The News and Observer: Carolina Panthers RB Brandon Wegher, with trouble behind him, gets NFL shot

 

He was a dumb kid who got a rude awakening when he had a kid of his own. He was rising onto the scene following his freshman break out season with the Iowa Hawkeyes in 2009 and had a kid in the fall of 2010 when he left Iowa. He transfered to Oklahoma, but left the team for personal reasons that spring. Took him about a year to mature and wake up, and when he did he worked to support his kid and his now fiance (mother of his child) as she returned to her athletic career at Morningside College in 2012. She then transferred to the University of South Dakota to compete for them, and she will graduate this May. Wegher went back to school in 2013 at Morningside and commuted from the University of South Dakota where his fiance was training. Now his fiance is giving Wegher a chance to pursue his dream with the Carolina Panthers. They continue to make sure their son comes first.

[t96]

Article from Sporting News

 

Brandon Wegher is the one to watch. I do not see Cameron Artis-Payne or Fozzy Whittaker beating Wegher out.

 

Averaged over 200 yards rushing per game and scored 39 touchdowns last season.

 

Here is an even better write up on Wegher from The News and Observer: Carolina Panthers RB Brandon Wegher, with trouble behind him, gets NFL shot

 

He was a dumb kid who got a rude awakening when he had a kid of his own. He was rising onto the scene following his freshman break out season with the Iowa Hawkeyes in 2009 and had a kid in the fall of 2010 when he left Iowa. He transfered to Oklahoma, but left the team for personal reasons that spring. Took him about a year to mature and wake up, and when he did he worked to support his kid and his now fiance (mother of his child) as she returned to her athletic career at Morningside College in 2012. She then transferred to the University of South Dakota to compete for them, and she will graduate this May. Wegher went back to school in 2013 at Morningside and commuted from the University of South Dakota where his fiance was training. Now his fiance is giving Wegher a chance to pursue his dream with the Carolina Panthers. They continue to make sure their son comes first.

 

Very unlikely Wegher passes either Fozzy or CAP on the depth chart. Probably a practice squad player. Depends how many RBs we keep, as he could beat out Reaves, I just don't think we'll carry enough backs for him to make the 53. 

[Moorgan]

Article from Sporting News

 

Brandon Wegher is the one to watch. I do not see Cameron Artis-Payne or Fozzy Whittaker beating Wegher out.

 

Averaged over 200 yards rushing per game and scored 39 touchdowns last season.

 

Here is an even better write up on Wegher from The News and Observer: Carolina Panthers RB Brandon Wegher, with trouble behind him, gets NFL shot

 

He was a dumb kid who got a rude awakening when he had a kid of his own. He was rising onto the scene following his freshman break out season with the Iowa Hawkeyes in 2009 and had a kid in the fall of 2010 when he left Iowa. He transfered to Oklahoma, but left the team for personal reasons that spring. Took him about a year to mature and wake up, and when he did he worked to support his kid and his now fiance (mother of his child) as she returned to her athletic career at Morningside College in 2012. She then transferred to the University of South Dakota to compete for them, and she will graduate this May. Wegher went back to school in 2013 at Morningside and commuted from the University of South Dakota where his fiance was training. Now his fiance is giving Wegher a chance to pursue his dream with the Carolina Panthers. They continue to make sure their son comes first.

In that highlight video of his, he looked like he was running against High School defenses. It was bad. But I hope the kid is legit. I hope he beats out Reaves. If he does, that means he is better...and the team is better for it.

[csx]

Article from Sporting News

Brandon Wegher is the one to watch. I do not see Cameron Artis-Payne or Fozzy Whittaker beating Wegher out.

Averaged over 200 yards rushing per game and scored 39 touchdowns last season.

Here is an even better write up on Wegher from The News and Observer: Carolina Panthers RB Brandon Wegher, with trouble behind him, gets NFL shot

He was a dumb kid who got a rude awakening when he had a kid of his own. He was rising onto the scene following his freshman break out season with the Iowa Hawkeyes in 2009 and had a kid in the fall of 2010 when he left Iowa. He transfered to Oklahoma, but left the team for personal reasons that spring. Took him about a year to mature and wake up, and when he did he worked to support his kid and his now fiance (mother of his child) as she returned to her athletic career at Morningside College in 2012. She then transferred to the University of South Dakota to compete for them, and she will graduate this May. Wegher went back to school in 2013 at Morningside and commuted from the University of South Dakota where his fiance was training. Now his fiance is giving Wegher a chance to pursue his dream with the Carolina Panthers. They continue to make sure their son comes first.

That's funny

[pantherclaw]

Let's not get ahead of ourselves. Stewart is a monster of a RB.

Don't forget Fozzy either. That dude is both shifty and fast.

most fans honestly have no clue how good stew is.

That isn't a problem that the Panther coaches share.

[pantherclaw]

Wegher has talent.

Will be interesting to see that talent in preseason.

[jfo89]

Gettleman seems to like guys that have had to work really hard to get where they are.

(not a bad strategy, honestly)

Makes sense. Hard work and going through difficult situations builds character. It's how Gettleman made his way also.