New additions get shot on special teams

[jtnc]

Ron Rivera is wasting no time throwing the Panthers' newest additions into the special teams fire: Running back Josh Vaughan and linebacker Kion Wilson, signed off the practice squad Wednesday, both will play special teams Sunday at Detroit.

The Panthers are looking for any kind of boost on a special teams unit that ranks at or near the bottom of several categories.

Wilson played special teams at San Diego, where Rivera was the defensive coordinator, for six games last year before injuring his ankle. Vaughan said he played a number of special teams when he was backing up Tim Hightower at Richmond.

The Panthers have allowed three punt returns for touchdowns this year, one away from tying an NFL record. The last one was a 79-yarder by the Titans' Marc Mariani, whose easily ran past punter Jason Baker, the last man with a shot to tackle him.

Rivera said he would have liked to have seen Baker make more of an effort on the play.

“But,” Rivera added, “he's a punter.”

As for injury updates, Rivera said he feels optimistic about TE Jeremy Shockey (ribs), who missed his second consecutive day.

CB Captain Munnerlyn (quad) and LB James Anderson (ankle) returned to practice and are expected to play.

--Joseph Person

http://blogs.charlotte.com/panthers/2011/11/new-additions-get-shot-on-special-teams.html#comments

[CLG]

thats good to hear... betta see some improvement. Was hopin i heard sumn about hogan on punt return tho

[Panthers128]

Baker has made stops before on punts. You have to pick your battles and in that instance he didn't really have a shot. He could've tried harder and got laid out, that's about it.

[SCP]

stay in your lanes please.

and try to make a tackle.

[chef17]

11 guys on the field and you wanna see the punter make more effort to tackle? That just shows how bad we really are

[CarolinaCatBrigade]

Hey! Don't bash on Jason! He tackles just as well as any other player on our defense!

[Snake]

Good to see Rivera make a move.

[jasonluckydog]

Sutton was a beast on s/t

[jtnc]

Not sure if Wilson playing special teams last year in San Diego is good or bad, considering they were the worst.

[Catweisers]

There just seems to be no FIRE!!!!

Seems like every body is waiting on some one else. Makes me want to go outside

[Dpantherman]

FYI, Jason Baker tackled Leon Washington last season as he tried to show off on a punt return...would have been a TD, he got him down at the 1.

[YoungPanthers89]

Actually thought they got shot for a second.

[jtnc]

FYI, Jason Baker tackled Leon Washington last season as he tried to show off on a punt return...would have been a TD, he got him down at the 1.

I didn't make the joke, Rivera did.

[Dpantherman]

I didn't make the joke, Rivera did.

i know ;)