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!

     

Panthers don't want to be called Kiddie Cats


panthers55

Recommended Posts

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

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

"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:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

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


  • PMH4OWPW7JD2TDGWZKTOYL2T3E.jpg

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • It seems the needs for the Panthers are at positions that tend to require intelligence to lift others--going from "good to great"--FS, ILB, and C--as you say. While i like Rodriguez a lot (can see the Hurricanes [Jarvis] and Panthers with a mustache player to get the fans into it)--I also like Golday (WLB?).  However, take a look at smallish Kyle Louis (Pitt).  He is known to be cerebral, but he is small (5'11" I think) and for that, I moved him lower.  But look at the different LB events at the combine--he is near the top in most of them.  I see him as a sleeper.  So if we wait until the second round, we can get a solid LB.   So what if we grab a free agent edge specialist (veteran) for pass situations and help develop Princely.  We draft FS (Oregon) first--maybe trading back to do so--I dunno.  We sign a free agent ILB and draft a rookie like Rodriguez or Louis.  In the third, we could probably find a center, like (former OT Parker from Duke) or Slaughter or Pew (may have to trade up).   So, as you say, others are fighting for Edge players, WRs, and OTs early like seagulls on the beach fighting over spilled corn chips, We sit back, grab intelligent players that make others better.  FS, ILB, and C. OT scares me more that Edge if we do this--but for those screaming for an edge--we have edge players--2 with starting experience who have had some degree of success.  JC Davis can play either T spot and he is good at pass blocking--a bit raw--but could be developmental depth that could play in a pinch. Or you could draft a solid OT with shorter arms that are driving them down into day 3--and convert them to G or C later.  Nijman and BC being re-signed could provide enough to hold down the job until a developmental OT (World, Oregon?) prepares for a shot at it.  Wagner (ND) could play LT but is probably a future RT--he is expected to be drafted early day 3.  My favorite day 3 OT sleeper?  Keagan Trost, Missouri. Great run blocker, soild pass blocker in SEC--just shorter arms.  Maybe a guard down the road, but for the time being, a T.  Not ideal, but at least you are building for the future.  
    • I'm not like most people in this thread in regards to Love. I'm not like most in regards to RBs either. I think certain ones will always be drafted in the first round because they are valued that highly. From an on-the-field perspective, they are as valued as ever; business-wise and contract-wise at times to re-up, that's where things can get tricky with valuation. That being said, Love oozes potential and makes higher-ups' mouths water. I know that he if somehow he is available at 19, he will be considered if not taken. You don't leave that type of talent on the board unless there is another compelling player of arguably equal or more value at another position of need that may have a higher priority (like maybe Sonny Styles). Now all that being said, I  don't realistically see either one of them being there at 19 according to the draftniks.
×
×
  • Create New...