Jump to content

  • Welcome!

    Register and log in easily with Twitter or Google accounts!

    Or simply create a new Huddle account. 

    Members receive fewer ads , access our dark theme, and the ability to join the discussion!

     

Vets Moving On by Jon Beason

pantherfan81

By pantherfan81,
in Carolina Panthers

Recommended Posts

pantherfan81 Newbie

pantherfan81

Posted
Posted

As a player just finishing his third season, though I feel old in terms of being a professional athlete, you realize just how young you are when the veteran guys you look up to are moving on.

It’s been quite an experience being around a group of veteran guys that includes Jake Delhomme, Brad Hoover, Julius Peppers, Maake Kemoeatu, Damione Lewis and Na’il Diggs. Those guys, in my opinion, were truly the face of the organization, right up there with John Kasay, the original Panther.

It’s tough for me to see them go. They made my job of playing football so much easier by sharing their wisdom, both on and off the field. While I was close with all of them, of course losing the guys on the defensive side of the ball really hurt. Na’il is like a big brother to me. I really look up to him and I’m in awe of his professionalism, his ability to be consistent and, more importantly, the husband and father he is to his family. Na’il and Damione are both great examples to a young guy of what a father and husband should be.

Those guys are also my neighbors. Their kids call me Uncle Beas.

So it’s definitely a tough pill to swallow knowing they won’t be out there with me on Sundays, having fun and going to war to try to win a football game.

I’m confident that all of them will land on their feet elsewhere. Each of those guys has a lot to bring to an organization that is a player or two away from getting over the hump. It’s just sad that it never came to fruition with them here in Carolina.

So as a veteran leader of this team heading into the 2010 season, what do I do? One, I trust in the organization and the coaching staff that they are making the best decisions for the team, and two, come to work with my hard hat on, ready to work to be better than ever before. That’s the most important thing you can do for a team that’s going to be so young. Our oldest skill-position player is Steve Smith and he’s only 30.

Going young is not necessarily a bad thing. I’m sure it’s all part of a master plan, and I have faith in Coach Fox and everyone else in the organization who is involved in the decision-making process.

It was funny when I talked to the guys who were let go. I was upset after they were released, but they all assured me that it’s part of the business and that everyone has to deal with it someday, no matter how great you were or think you are. They’re content with the fact that they know they gave it their all, did the best they could to help the Carolina Panthers win football games, and they’ll bounce back.

In terms of Jake Delhomme, he’s one of those teammates that you always want to do well, a guy you definitely want on your football team. He has those intangibles that make professional athletes who they are, what makes them special. Jake is a warrior, a competitor. One thing I always appreciated about Jake was that he was honest and genuinely wanted to win. Every snap, every day in practice, whether he was rehabbing an injury or preparing to win on Sundays, he always had the same philosophy. Jake always gave it everything he had, he played with guts and played with his heart on his sleeve. The QB position is rare in terms of the evaluation process. There are quarterbacks who can throw, quarterbacks who are great athletes and can run, quarterbacks who are smart and have all the intangibles, but the No. 1 factor in choosing a quarterback is the IT factor, and every quarterback doesn’t have it. Simply put, they know how to win. In any sport, that in itself is more important than gold, and Jake has it.

It’s sad to see him go, but I know he’s going to land on his feet like he always has. He’s overcome bigger obstacles before.

More than anything, next season should be special in terms of all the new faces that will be in front of me. The coaches are going to find guys who want to win and compete, and once they do that, then it’s up to us to be exceptional and special.

I just had a conversation with Thomas Davis, who is working extremely hard to come back from his ACL injury. In my eyes, we can be the best linebacker tandem in the NFL. He was a safety in college and converted to linebacker here, and I think last year he was just turning the corner before he was injured. He got to the point where he understood the position so well that he could just go out there and be a football player, not have to think at all.

To me, I expect every guy on this team and everybody affiliated with the organization to go out and try to be exceptional. The last two years have been glaring to me in terms of the teams that played in and won the Super Bowl. It’s very fresh in my mind that the team we should have beaten twice this year won the Super Bowl, and I’m asking myself, why them and not us? The answer is simple: as a whole, as a group collectively, the Saints decided to go out and win the Super Bowl and they did that. The year before it was the Arizona Cardinals, they went 8-8 but made it to the Super Bowl, and again, I’m asking myself, why them and not us?

Really, the focal point for me is to do what we have to do to get it done. We’re good enough. We’ve got to have that mentality moving forward, going into the preseason and then into every regular-season game.

http://www.playerpress.com/articles/vets-moving-on

He finally broke his silence. I think that Captain patch will suit him just fine.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
AceMan Experienced

AceMan

Posted
Posted

It’s tough for me to see them go. They made my job of playing football so much easier by sharing their wisdom, both on and off the field. While I was close with all of them, of course losing the guys on the defensive side of the ball really hurt. Na’il is like a big brother to me. I really look up to him and I’m in awe of his professionalism, his ability to be consistent and, more importantly, the husband and father he is to his family. Na’il and Damione are both great examples to a young guy of what a father and husband should be.

Those guys are also my neighbors. Their kids call me Uncle Beas.

This part made me sad for a moment.

But man...do I have a mancrush on Beason. Said everything I wanted to hear from a leader on this team.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • PMH4OWPW7JD2TDGWZKTOYL2T3E.jpg

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • MHS831
      It is time to Consider the Likelihood of WR at #19

      By MHS831 · Posted

      We read each other and we bring together influences from a variety of sources--that is what makes this time of year great.  However, when you realize that the Panthers have talked to three (3) WRs expected to be there around #19, it must give us pause. We all knew about Cooper (who has been heavily mocked to the Jets at #16) and Concepcion (deemed to be the perfect Z WR based on his skill set).  Then the other day, the Panthers quietly brought in another tall WR that seems to be less than a good fit at first glance. First, a glance at the top 2 WRs the Panthers have shown interest in: Cooper (projected to Jets at 16--could possibly go as early as 9) Concepcion (considered to be a perfect fit for the Z WR (leaving Coker in the slot and TMac at X) has one major issue that has plagued the Panthers (see Legette, Xavier, TMac) in the area of drops.  Coker, on the other hand has never dropped anything in his entire life--including "in" or "by."  He can't even eavesdrop.   So, does that stat about Concepcion bother them?  It does me.  XL dropped 14% of his catchable balls as a rookie.  Last year, he found new ways to screw up, such as not knowing the boundares or lateralling to Rico for a big loss.  Yes, TMac was ROY and was terrific, but he had 8 drops, catching just under 60% of targets. Top NFL WRs are in the 70%-80% range--which is good news--it means that TMac can improve.  He caught 70 passes and dropped 8, meaning that his drop rate was about 10%.  If you are counting, Denzel Boston is another first-round WR whose stock may have dropped a bit because he did not run a 40 during his pro day.  However, I see him as the #3 or #4 WR in this draft.     Most people feel that Denzel Boston is in the TMac mold--a tall X.  Many of the same criticisms (about separation and speed) face Boston now. Although he is primarily viewed as a physical X (split end) receiver due to his 6'4", 212-pound frame, Boston has a weakness that makes him less valuable as the X but more valuable as a Z. Boston's ability to get off a jam at the LOS has been questioned--something an X does nearly every play. While his size and contested-catch ability make him a prototypical X, scouts and analysts note he has the versatility to move across the formation, including taking snaps in the Z or as a big slot, often helping to create mismatches. This would make him interchangeable with Coker.  Even if Legette does not come around, the Panthers would have a three-headed hydra at WR.  For much of last season, the Panthers had TMac, a goofy XL, and Versatility: Beyond being an X receiver, he is considered capable of playing Z or in the slot, allowing for movement across the formation. Physicality: With his size and strength, he can play on the outside, making him a strong red-zone target. Role Projection: While he primarily played on the boundary, his profile fits as a versatile receiver who can align in multiple spots to exploit matchups.  His 6-foot-4 height and 209-pound weight are ideal for an outside receiver who can play both X and Z positions at the next level.   NFL Combine write-up:  Two-year starter with elite ball skills that should supersede athletic/speed limitations. A Puka Nacua comparison might feel strong, but like Nacua, Boston enters the draft with speed/separation concerns and outstanding competitive toughness. Boston gets off the line with good burst and maintains his top speed throughout the route. He could have issues beating press, but releases can also be schemed. He’s very skilled when it comes to winning jump balls and contested throws. Boston also knows how to win in the red zone. Acclimating to NFL competition could take a year, but Boston has the makeup to become a productive possession target with above-average red-zone value.   The Panthers have looked at three Z WRs who will be first-rounders in all likelihood.  They have a proven track record of bringing in first-round picks.  The tea leaves are strong in this case.   here is Greg Cosell talking to the Bills analysts.  What he says about Boston (compares to TMac) is interesting (4:45).  https://www.buffalobills.com/video/greg-cosell-breaks-down-wr-draft-class-buffalo-bills Screen Shot:  No share available. "I don't think you have to just line him up inside (slot).  I think you can play him outside (X)."  That comment suggests he can play X, slot, or Z.  He then compares KC Concepcion vs. Boston--very different WRs.  In my view, Boston is more versatile.  Boston has excellent hands and he wins contested balls.  Red Zone--giving TMac someone on the other side of the field with the sure-handed Coker inside.  What Cosell says later (about Hurst, actually, but it applies to Concepcion): "You can teach guys to catch a ball."   He talks about Concepcion, Boston, and Cooper in succession.  I get the feeling he is less impressed with Cooper than others are because he questions the competition--based on the Indiana system vs. zone etc.  I would also say that any WR who has a good WR on the other side of the field probably gets less defensive attention. I should add that this also reflects poorly on XL, but I have said he would be a late bloomer.  I had no idea how much he did not know about football.  We shall see, but can you imaging how potent we'd be in 4 WR sets if he comes around?  How do you cover that?  (OT people are biting their lips right now) THE DRAFT It sure looks as though the Panthers are looking seriously at WR (the Z spot specifically) in the draft.  Can you see any other position that has garnered this much attention for potential day 1 players?  I cannot.   I am concerned about the OT situation, don't get me wrong, but Morgan is going to think, "I have a starter and I brought in a swing T (Forsythe).  Moton is a real concern.  We may look at RT later--and I know how others feel about it.  We could re-sign BC and he would be available after a month or two....I dunno. Less than 2 weeks to go--just thought I would take a look at WR because it seems, based on available "evidence," that a WR will be our pick....again.  
    • Swaggasaurus
      Schrader / Jeremiah mock draft experiment

      By Swaggasaurus · Posted

      What I liked about this was…up until pick 19 I think who is on the board is going to be close to the reality. If it fell like that I’m going KC or a tackle, offense or defense, doesn’t matter. 
    • AceMan
      Panthers Top 30 Visits and Draft Tracker

      By AceMan · Posted

      I really like this draft
×
×
  • Create New...