Ex Panthers thoughts

[Kingpatecu]

Every yr my employer does a United Way campaign and today we are kicking it off. The United Way brought in some athletes among them were ex panthers Hoover, Mike Rucker, Steve Beuerlein and Eugene Robinson.

Got to talk to a coulple of the guys for a few minutes and figured I would share wht they had to say.

Mike Rucker- asked him if he had talked to Peppers about his move to Chicago, he said he had talked with him and that he seems to enjoy it (blahblahblah). I also asked what his perspective was on how Peppers is now viewed in Charlotte. He said that he understands how fans become upset with players and that is part of the reason he thinks pep left, bc he felt like he was the center of attention and was always getting ragged on but in Chicago he'll be treated as one of the guys. I asked if he would have ever left Carolina to play elsewhere and he stated he never gave that much thought during his career bc of his relationship with Jerry, but the only team he would have ever considered was Denver bc he was a Broncos fan growing up.

Hoover- said he was staying in shape in case he gets a call, but he isn't actively looking for a opportunity. I let him know teh Panthers could of used him in Ny week one seeing how last yr he blasted open holes, he just laughed but did say he still talks to Fia and gives him pointers.

Steve Beuerlein- sounded like he really likes Clausen but in his opinion Moore should start all yr if healthy he also said that if we have a new coach this yr he doubts Clausen starts next yr b/c a new coach would be more inclined to bring in a vetren that knows his system for a yr to get the offense together in the first yr or 2.

[blackcatgrowl]

If the Front Office brought Hoover back, I'm willing to bet a good bit of current angst towards ownership would subside. It has to be the least smart move this off-season.

[X-Clown]

I meant to go down there today, but forgot all about it. Thanks for the info.

[PhillyB]

If the Front Office brought Hoover back, I'm willing to bet a good bit of current angst towards ownership would subside. It has to be the least smart move this off-season.

the fact that nobody's picked him up yet is a pretty good indication of his skill set. i'd rather let fiametta get the experience.

[blackcatgrowl]

the fact that nobody's picked him up yet is a pretty good indication of his skill set. i'd rather let fiametta get the experience.

How much of that is him not really wanting to move, and having his agent not actively pursue a team, rather than him not having the skills?

Hoover- said he was staying in shape in case he gets a call, but he isn't actively looking for a opportunity.

I'd wager his skill set is fine, considering he helped set the NFL tandem rushing record last year.

[Dpantherman]

FB is the least of our worries right now.

[Kingpatecu]

the fact that nobody's picked him up yet is a pretty good indication of his skill set. i'd rather let fiametta get the experience.

I don't really agree with the fact that the reason he hasn't been picked up is bc of his skill set. Last yr he showed his skills were still there and was a huge reason both DWill and JStew got to 1,100yds a piece.

Also for a FB he always seemd to have good hands. He just wasn't the fastest player but what FB is.

I think more then anything the Labor issues are to blame for guys like Hoover not getting picked up. You gotta think there's typically only one FB on a teams roster and then the store another on the PS or use a larger RB to be backup. So teams are trying to save money where they can and FB is a pretty easy position to bring a young guy up to speed and fill in. The young guy make alot less then the veteran and there may not be as large of a drop off compared to cutting costs at a position like LT or QB.

[PantherProfessor]

interesting, thanks for the insight.

I doubt they bring hoover back, unless he is some type of coach or something. they seem pretty dedicated to the youth movement at all costs.

Fiametta has all the tools to be just as good or even better than hoover. either way he will be under the microscope since he has such a big role to fill in this offense. its not Fiametta's fault that the FO decided to put him in this situation, much like the Everette situation where the player will be scrutinized due to the teams moves around them, not their actual play.

[Davidson Deac II]

FB is the least of our worries right now.

I am not so sure. Run blocking and picking up blitzes are things that fullbacks do, and we were not good at either against the Giants. I am not saying that was the FB's fault, but I am not certain it wasn't.

[jasonluckydog]

Sutton is needed badly he is best fb/rb on this team....Fia not even close to Sutton on skill level.