Panthers don't want to be called Kiddie Cats

[panthers55]

The Carolina Panthers' youth movement is summed up by rookie defensive end Greg Hardy, a formidable edge rusher who brings a confident edge.

Period.

Hardy is one of the many new faces re-shaping the old-school, run-the-football, stop-the-run formula preached by coach John Fox. His Panthers count nine new starters, including six on defense.

Of course, the biggest void is the one Hardy and fellow rookie Eric Norwood hope to help incumbent defensive ends Charles Johnson and Everette Brown fill. That would be the 81-sack void left by five-time Pro Bowl defensive end Julius Peppers, now collecting a six-year, $91.5-million salary, along with $42 million guaranteed in Chicago.

Little Pep is what they're calling Hardy, the former Ole Miss pass rusher who rang up 26½ sacks in 13 starts.

Little Pep, big shoes to fill.

"I like the nickname," the 6-4, 277 Hardy says. "I'm a Julius Peppers guy. You have to give the man respect. He's special.

"I'm my own person. Hopefully, people here will be talking about Greg Hardy."

"Most definitely I have a chip on my shoulder," Hardy says. "I'm not bitter. But I'm offended. People were out picking these other guys, some are fast and strong, some are small and fast.

"I'm fast. I ran a 4.7-second, 40-yard dash. I had a bad combine because I got up to 280. But I've visited 4.59 back when I was 250.

read more.....

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/panthers/2010-08-17-carolina-team-report_N.htm?csp=34sports&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+UsatodaycomNfl-TopStories+%28Sports+-+NFL+-+Top+Stories%29

[Zod]

good lord way to go, "little pep" is not in a national paper.

fuggin morons

[HPPantherzfan]

Best part of the article is:

Positional battle: The stiffest competition is for the second receiver spot opposite four-time Pro Bowler Smith. LaFell seems to be jumping out with his smooth route running and understanding of spacing and defenses. The 6-2, 211 receiver caught 25 touchdowns for LSU.

[Carolina Mike]

OMG!! Really!!

[The Saltman]

cats go meoww

[Mother Grabber]

I don't want to have a 15" *******. But hey, it is what it is.

[Harpua08]

I need to find me one of them Tyler Braxton jerseys

[Razeyfingers]

:frown2:

Man, that was polite and very pc, but really I think he never shouldve been called "lil Pep". Thats just fuggin embarrassing to me. Did that come from one of those nickname threads? People who start those need to be flogged I tell you!! FLOGGED!

[CharlotteBeer.com]

I'm sick of this "Lil' Pep" talk. Let the guy make his own name.

[CharlotteBeer.com]

:frown2:

Man, that was polite and very pc, but really I think he never shouldve been called "lil Pep". Thats just fuggin embarrassing to me. Did that come from one of those nickname threads? People who start those need to be flogged I tell you!! FLOGGED!

Don't look at me: I proposed "Blitzie Bone."

[panthers55]

"Call us the Panthers. There ain't no Kiddie Kats here. All people can really say is this team is young," receiver Steve Smith says. It can be very exciting. Hopefully, we can establish a new tradition with our new guys."

"Greg has the talent and upside, we need him to do it now," Beason says. "He has that potential to be a dominant pass rusher. The trick is to make that talent come out through preparation.

"All I can say is what people don't know about us, they'll see."

:iagree:

[EMSMedic79]

I'm sick of this "Lil' Pep" talk. Let the guy make his own name.

:iagree: The guy has to have some kind of identity other than being in Pepper's shadow the rest of his career.

[Argus Plexus]

I will NEVER call him Lil Pep. He is Hardy to me.

[SorthNarolina]

If Peppers was still on the team or some famous retired career panther then the name would be appropriate.

But Peppers chose not to be a part of the organization anymore so we shouldn't name players after guys like that. It's not like we're calling Tyler Lil' Jenkins or Davis Lil' Spoon.