Newest Panther Tyler at home in Carolina....

[AKPantherFan]

heres an interview from our newest player- ENJOY....

October 20, 2009 9:42 PM

Steve Reed

CHARLOTTE — When Tank Tyler was informed by Kansas City general manager Scott Pioli that he’d been traded, he felt like his heart stopped.

Well, at least for a moment.

“I mean, my heart just dropped,” Tyler said. “And then when he told me where I was traded, my heart started smiling again. It’s a blessing.”

Tyler is coming home.

Tyler, 24, grew up in Fayetteville and played college ball at North Carolina State, where he turned a solid college career into becoming a third-round draft pick by the Chiefs in 2007. He seemed like he had found a home there, starting all 16 games for the Chiefs last season.

But a new coaching regime and front office meant changes and the Chiefs went with a 3-4 scheme, thus eliminating one defensive tackle position. Eventually, Tyler got squeezed out and the Chiefs decided to trade him to the Panthers for a fifth-round draft pick in 2010.

“I felt comfortable in the 3-4 and I played the nose position pretty well, I thought,” Tyler said. “But it was the coach’s decision that they wanted Ron (Edwards) to take over the nose tackle spot and they didn’t feel the need to use me anymore.”

Tyler describes himself as a “high-emotion, high-enthusiasm type of guy.”

He had 41 tackles last year, including six against Carolina and also recovered a Jonathan Stewart fumble.

“Tank is a young defensive tackle who we think will fit in well with us," said general manager Marty Hurney. "He has good size and athletic ability and we are excited to have him join the Carolina Panthers."

Hurney thinks Tyler will be a good fit in Carolina whether he plays the three-technique or the nose guard spot.

“This defense is attack-style as far as the line goes,” Tyler said. “That is what I love to do. I love to attack. I just feel privileged to be a part of this defense. I’m going to take advantage of my opportunity.”

Tyler said he’s met two other North Carolina natives on the Panthers defensive line — Julius Peppers and Everette Brown — but doesn’t know them well.

He’ll get to know them soon.

Tyler will begin practicing for the Panthers on Wednesday, which is like a dream come true.

“I grew up idolizing the Panthers,” Tyler said. “The first NFL game I saw was in Charlotte. They played against (former New Orleans Saints receiver) Joe Horn, who was a Fayetteville guy.”

more....http://www.gastongazette.com/sports/tyler-39265-carolina-charlotte.html

[2jakefansinva]

Interesting. Thanks. Seems he more excited than Seymour.

[PantherDude]

That good to hear he's happy to back in NC. Maybe playing here will make him more motivated to play hard & help our defense improve. :biggrinjester:

[P-paw]

I like him.