gaston gazette:

Quote :

"The Carolina Panthers have expressed some interest in signing free agent safety Donovin Darius, who was recently released by the Jacksonville Jaguars, according to sources. However, it's uncertain if the team has made him a concrete offer at this point or if talks are still in the preliminary stages. Either way, there has been some contact made. Oakland and Buffalo are also interested, but you'd have to think Darius, who is 32, would want to come to a team that gives him a shot to win the Super Bowl -- and certainly Carolina appears much closer than Oakland and Buffalo. The problem with Darius is he's coming off two severe injuries. He broke his leg last year and tore the ACL in his knee the year before that, causing him to miss more than 20 games. Remember, the Panthers took a chance last year on another veteran safety with a history of injury problems (Shaun Williams) and things didn't work out well. Still, it wouldn't be a bad move for the Panthers to some depth give their core safeties include Mike Minter (retiring after this season), Nate Salley (unproven) and Deke Cooper (journeyman). "

Charlotte observer:

Quote :

"They were singing the praises of new offensive coordinator Jeff Davidson and never even mentioned the name of predecessor Dan Henning. Early in a question-and-answer session with the audience at the Charlotte Touchdown Club on Tuesday, defensive end Mike Rucker and safety Mike Minter stunningly revealed what might have been one of Henning's flaws. "As a defensive guy, I understand there's a feeling that there was no hard count and it was always on `One,' " Rucker told the audience. "As a defensive guy, we knew that. We practiced against it every day." Wait a second. An NFL team snapped the ball on "One" on every play in practice last year? "Yep, you could kind of jump it a little bit," Minter said when he was asked follow-up questions after the luncheon. So, if the Panthers didn't vary their snap counts in practice, what about in games? "You play like you practice, right?" Minter said. "That'll let you know." Henning was fired in January after Carolina's offense ranked 24th overall (24th rushing and 15th passing) during a season in which the Panthers went from a trendy Super Bowl pick to an 8-8 team that didn't make the playoffs. Along the way, Henning drew a lot of criticism from fans, who said his offense was far too predictable. When Rucker was asked follow-up questions about his public statement about Henning's snap counts, he stayed clear of talking about the former coordinator, but praised the new one. "Let's just say it's different," he said. "(Defensive players) can tell the difference. They've definitely got us off guard right now, and (offensive players) like it." Although Rucker wasn't able to participate in the recently concluded organized team activities, he noticed a change in the offensive snap counts as he rehabilitated a knee injury. "What I'm seeing is good because as a defensive player, I can't home in on the snap and it's going to keep me off balance," Rucker said. Minter said the defensive players on the field already were off balance. "We jumped offside at least 10 times a day," he said. The change in snap counts isn't the only thing Rucker and Minter like about Davidson's offense. Offensive players, such as quarterback Jake Delhomme and receiver Steve Smith, have talked with enthusiasm about the new offense. Rucker and Minter might be defensive players, but they're perfectly qualified to provide an early scouting report on an offense that's switching to a zone-blocking scheme and making other subtle changes. "I see an offense that attacks a defense, as opposed to just having a scheme and saying, `That's it,' " Minter said. "They looked like they were drawing (plays) up in the dirt. I mean, receivers were doing things that you normally don't see. They have some routes that were giving us fits on the defensive side of the ball." "Every day they came at you, it was different. You didn't see the same thing twice. I think that right there is going to make this offense very exciting. "It's going to be interesting to see this offense at full blast come September "

The team sure is saying all the right things.....let's hope it's not just hype.

[Edited on June 20, 2007 at 11:18 AM. Reason : 11]

6/20/2007 11:07:32 AM

I say sign him Darius. He is probably the best prospect out there at the moment. It seems the Panthers have their starting DB's so bringing him in can only add depth, and hell if he heals and can play, then our DB's have been upgraded.

He can't be asking for too much or expecting a huge deal....


III

6/20/2007 11:21:16 AM

yeah i want another saftey so bad

6/20/2007 2:55:56 PM

^ ^^sounds like it all depends on how salley & cooper look at camp. Trgovac and his boys know better than anyone else if they are going to cut it or not... Darius could be a huge bust and ya gotta wonder why the Jags didnt resign him if they (also) knew he wouldnt demand big $$...

6/20/2007 3:18:12 PM

^the jags picked up nelson and another saftey in the draft this year, and they had a few other young ones on the roster. Even is Salley does well in camp we really need some depth at the position, plus he's a solid veteran, that's always good for a team.

[Edited on June 20, 2007 at 3:27 PM. Reason : Gattis from WF was the other S they got]

6/20/2007 3:24:56 PM

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/default.asp?c=sportsnetwork&page=nfl-euro/news/ann4085855.htm

Quote :

"defensive end JASON HALL (Carolina Panthers) was named the Defensive MVP, the NFL Europa League announced today. Hall, Ross’ teammate with Cologne, set a franchise record with 12 sacks as the Centurions boasted the No. 1 ranked defense in NFL Europa (256.1 yards per game). The Carolina Panthers’ defensive end also tied a league record by recording a sack in seven consecutive games."

I've heard good things about this guy, probably won't ever be a starter but could be a good back-up.

6/21/2007 12:38:27 PM

fuck darius...if we wanted darius we'd just keep minter since they're basically the same player...veteran safeties good against the run who arent quick enough anymore to play the pass

(imo)

6/21/2007 12:47:32 PM

[quote]JARRETT IN CAR CRASH
Adam Caplan of Scout.com reports that Panthers rookie receiver Dwayne Jarrett has been involved in a car accident.
The wreck occurred on Wednesday evening. Caplan says that it's believed Jarrett didn't suffer any serious injuries, it's not known yet whether he's had a medical evaluation.
Jarrett was a second-round pick of the Panthers in the 2007 draft. Because he has not signed a contract, any injuries that might affect his ability to play could limit the terms of his rookie contract. For example, his signing bonus could be converted in whole or in part to a 2007 per-game roster bonus.
Not long after the draft, the Panthers severed tied with receiver Keyshawn Johnson. Jarrett is expected to compete with Drew Carter for the No. 2 spot on the depth chart behind Steve Smith.[/quote


I dont have a link besides the panthers message board I found it. Posted at 12:35, so maybe it is just taking a little while to hit the bigger news outlets. Hope it's nothing serious.

http://www.carolinahuddle.com/forum/carolina-panthers/52601-jarrett-involved-car-crash.html

nvm, found link

http://www.charlotte.com/panthers/story/168482.html

nothing serious, according to Hurney

[Edited on June 21, 2007 at 1:02 PM. Reason : .]

6/21/2007 1:01:30 PM

Quote :

"Hope it's nothing serious"

also at least it wasnt a motorcycle wreck!

[Edited on June 21, 2007 at 1:14 PM. Reason : .]

6/21/2007 1:14:15 PM

Quote :

"BUFFALO, N.Y. (June 20, 2007) -- From Philadelphia to Buffalo and potentially back again: Defensive tackle Darwin Walker is prepared for anything -- even becoming a free agent in August -- after contract talks with the Bills reached an impasse June 20."

http://www.nfl.com


Like I posted earlier, if this happens, who are the interested parties that are on the market for a DT? hopefully the demand is not that high for DT's right now so that once walker is signed then jenkins will rethink sticking w/ his old contract instead of holding out.

6/21/2007 5:25:07 PM

fuck jenkins, we hear about him every year showing up for camp overweight, not giving a shit, drinking and carrying on at bars, etc. he is nothing but a drain on the team. he is great when he is on, but its been awhile, who knows if he is the same player

6/21/2007 5:45:19 PM

^thats why I think he shows up for camp this year w/o much fuss. Nobody is going to pay the type of money Jenkins wants when there are 2 other better/healthy/proven DT's on the market. Jenkins has question marks left and right with his weight/health/work ethic. If Jenkins does attempt to sit out he would only be hurting himself by raising more question marks and thus getting even less money next year if the panthers release him.

Unless Jenkins is a complete moron he will show up to play this year and next year he will have some ammo to be able to restructure his contract. This year he has nothing to bargain with. The panthers would be perfectly alright with Lewis starting and no other team is going to pay him the money he wants with the length of the contract he wants.

6/21/2007 5:58:53 PM

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/bucky_brooks/06/25/top.receivers/

nothing new, but at least it is something to help tide me over til july

6/25/2007 8:06:13 PM

jenkins likes to rap in the bars when he's wasted

6/25/2007 8:10:16 PM

Maybe be can trade Jenk for Tank. The bears dont want Tank anyways now.
One peice of shit fat bastard for another? Maybe move Jenk to the bears for someone else?

6/26/2007 10:28:12 AM

the panthers won't touch tank.....i'd be funny if some team got them both, but I don't see anyone picking up tank until his suspension(s) are over. why would they?

6/26/2007 10:47:42 AM

at least each guy would get a new start somewhere.... I think really don't see jenkins factoring in the future of the Panthers at all unless he comes around real quick... Who knows? For all we know Jenkins and Tank both may have pro bowl seasons in their futures still if they clean up...

[Edited on June 26, 2007 at 10:50 AM. Reason : sp]

6/26/2007 10:50:13 AM

I'm sure the Broncos will take a chance on Tank since they like to take other fuckups and rejects

(see: Cleveland Browns offensive line, Todd Sauerbraun, Maurice Clarrett, etc)

6/26/2007 11:09:46 AM

from Len Pastabelly

Quote :

""Most of the [tentativeness] is gone now," said Williams, the 27th overall pick. "I mean, there's a new [blocking] scheme to get accustomed to, but it's a lot like what we did at Memphis, so I actually feel more comfortable. It's like second nature for me. And just having been around the game for a year now, knowing the ropes, that helps any [second-year] player a lot." Indeed, the timeworn adage that an NFL player typically improves the most between his first and second seasons is principally a function of familiarity. Even at a position like tailback, where the transition to the NFL is supposed to be made easier because running with the ball is such a natural act, rookies expend so much effort just trying to get their feet on the ground, they rarely land in the end zone. "Your head," Williams said, "is always swimming." Things didn't always go swimmingly for Williams in his debut season. He rushed for 501 yards on 121 carries and started two games, but he wasn't exactly just treading water, either. Williams recorded four games of 70-plus rushing yards, and in a Nov. 19 victory over St. Louis, he carried 20 times for 114 yards. On Christmas Eve at the Georgia Dome, he ran for 82 yards against the Atlanta Falcons, taking advantage of a quirky game plan in which he often lined up as the quarterback. It shouldn't take gimmicks, though, like the single-wing formation the Panthers broke out against the Falcons, for Williams to bolster his rushing numbers in 2007. Foster remains the unquestioned No. 1 tailback and is coming off a campaign in which he started a career-high 14 contests. But the former UCLA standout has a résumé filled with past injuries. He started just 10 games in his first four seasons and seems to be more productive when sharing the workload. Two other elements work in Williams' favor: He shed five pounds and feels quicker at 212 pounds now, plus the zone-blocking scheme installed by new offensive coordinator Jeff Davidson dovetails very nicely with his one-cut running style. In the new system, the Carolina backs will be provided more freedom to choose the holes available to them. It is the same system the Denver Broncos have used for so many years, allowing them to have so many different 1,000-yard rushers. "You make one move and go," Williams said. "It's really a running back-friendly system, and it's one where there's a comfort level for me. I'm looking for a lot more of myself now, not just because of the new system, but because it's the second time around for me, and there is no reason I shouldn't be better.""

6/26/2007 12:54:27 PM

Quote :

"Len Pastabelly"

i loled a little bit.

6/26/2007 12:57:50 PM

I got Williams as one of my fantasy sleepers. I'm betting that this is the year the Panthers finally figure out how to run the ball again, and that Williams is the primary ball-carrier.

I've always thought that DeShaun Foster is pretty worthless, especially in short yardage and around the goal line. I mean really, 7 rushing TD's in 47 career games? Thats sad.

6/26/2007 1:07:58 PM

but the one against the eagles in the 03 nfc title game was oh so sweet

6/26/2007 1:09:36 PM

so was the one vs the Pats two weeks later, about 50 feet from where we were sitting

but Deshaun is like Ricky Manning and Robert Horry in that he plays well in the playoffs and is just average in the regular season

6/26/2007 1:12:02 PM

he needs stephen davis to help carry the load

6/26/2007 1:14:09 PM

or anyone that can score from short yardage

I thought Shelton was gonna be the guy, but we don't have anyone to really stick it in from close

We've had to use Goings and Hoover recently, but they're far from a sure thing

I'd settle for Lamar mothefuckin' Smith at this point

6/26/2007 1:17:23 PM

line up pep a la the fridge

dunno why they dont do that...maybe saving it for the playoffs

6/26/2007 1:18:58 PM

first hes gotta catch a pass

He's a beast at TE in Madden

He had a 72 catch rating a few years ago

that was double Kris Mangum's

6/26/2007 1:24:28 PM

fuck catching a pass...hand it to him and let him knock down our o-line and the other team's d-line and just run

6/26/2007 1:33:02 PM

Quote :

"so was the one vs the Pats two weeks later"

that clip has become the standard clip to show when advertising the SB. Its a badass dive, with the dark visor and what not.

6/26/2007 1:47:57 PM

Quote :

"Len Pastabelly "

I LOLed alottabit

6/26/2007 2:53:41 PM

panther player, Batiste and his recent troubles with the law:

http://www.charlotte.com/panthers/story/180126.html

Quote :

"something's not right about this.' We're all kind of under the impression I was arrested for driving while black.""

interesting situation....apparently he used to be a cop, so he knows the procedures, and claims he was profiled....the court apparently agreed.

Quote :

"On Friday, a Mecklenburg County judge threw out the charges, saying the arrest for a window tint violation was a pretext to search Batiste's car. "

[Edited on July 2, 2007 at 12:55 PM. Reason : .]

7/2/2007 12:55:30 PM

SI ranked the best owners in the NFL and Jerry Richardson was #3

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/michael_silver/06/27/ownerrankings/1.html

Quote :

"3. Jerry Richardson (Mark Richardson), Panthers Charlotte is a small market, but you'd never know it from the way Richardson runs his business. Unlike so many of his sniveling peers, Richardson doesn't whine about his potential revenue disadvantages. Instead, he finds a way to make it work financially while fielding a habitually competitive team. While Mark, Jerry's second-eldest son and the team's president, expertly handles the bulk of the Panthers' day-to-day operations (and helped nail down a lucrative naming-rights deal with Bank of America in '04), his dad does a great job representing the team on a league level. It was Jerry, the co-chair of the commissioner search committee (along with the Steelers' Dan Rooney), who expertly drove that process in a way that left no owner feeling disenfranchised. By reaching out and soliciting the input of so many of his peers, Richardson helped ensure that everyone felt good about Goodell's selection. That widespread base of support is already paying off for the new commissioner as he beefs up the league's disciplinary policies."

good stuff

7/2/2007 1:50:10 PM

bttt

7/9/2007 10:09:31 AM

Camp starts in less than 3 weeks.....I was thinking about trying to go one day.....
anyone else?

7/9/2007 11:02:20 AM

^i'll def. be there. living in charlotte over the summer has it's perks. i've also read the team is going to talk with donovan darius soon, if not already. hopefully he gets signed soon if we are going to sign him at all.

link for darius - note it is several days old, hopefully we are already talking/evaluating him.

http://msn.foxsports.com/fantasy/story/6975086

7/9/2007 11:19:03 AM

What's the point of replacing one old, slow, injury-prone safety with another? Why would you expect Darius to be any better than Shaun Williams?

They need to sign Andre Maddox ASAP now that he's been released by the Vikings.

http://story.scout.com/a.z?s=61&p=2&c=656596

[Edited on July 9, 2007 at 12:50 PM. Reason : 2]

7/9/2007 12:49:17 PM

they could probably sign him for the league minimum

7/9/2007 12:59:23 PM

^i'd love to have him.....at this point I would like for the panthers to just go into camp with 6 or 7 veteran S just for the depth and competition factor. It's one of two positions that are totally up in the air as of now (WR opposite smith is the other), and I just want a saftey net (no pun) incase someone gets hurt, or we find that nobody we have can get the job done.

7/9/2007 1:01:55 PM

Quote :

" The Carolina Panthers have signed fourth-round draft choice (118th overall) Ryne Robinson from Miami (OH) and have also added three players who played in NFL Europa in 2007, wide receiver Josh Davis, defensive lineman Gary Gibson and offensive lineman Bobby Harris. Robinson, a 5-9, 179-pound wide receiver/punt returner, played in 50 games with 29 starts for the RedHawks and set school career records of 258 receptions and 3,697 receiving yards with 22 touchdowns. He averaged 13.9 yards on 121 punt returns for 1,677 yards and seven touchdowns, the second-highest totals in NCAA history. An All-Mid American Conference first-team choice as a senior in 2006, Robinson established a school single-season mark with 91 catches for 1,178 yards and eight touchdowns and became just the second player in NCAA history to return at least one punt for a touchdown in four consecutive seasons. He becomes the second of the Panthers eight draft choices to sign, joining fifth-round selection Dante Rosario. Davis, 6-1, 188 pounds, appeared in 10 games with four starts and posted 20 receptions for 274 yards and one touchdown for the Hamburg Sea Devils. He originally signed as an undrafted rookie free agent with Miami and spent seven weeks on New Orleans' practice squad in 2005 before going to training camp with Minnesota in 2006. Davis, who attended York (SC) Comprehensive HS, amassed 306 catches, which ranks second in NCAA history, for 3,889 yards and 23 touchdowns at Marshall. Gibson, 6-3, 285 pounds, started all 10 games at defensive tackle for the Hamburg Sea Devils and registered 20 tackles and 3.5 sacks to earn All-NFL Europa League team honors. He signed as an undrafted rookie free agent with Baltimore in 2005 after finishing his career at Rutgers with 114 tackles, six sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. Harris, 6-3, 304 pounds, started all 10 games at left tackle for Frankfurt, helping the Galaxy average a league-leading 355.5 yards per game, and was named to the All-NFL Europa League team. He went to training camp with San Francisco in 2006 as an undrafted rookie free agent. Harris played in 35 games with 19 starts at Mississippi. Additionally, the Panthers have waived quarterback Justin Zwick and announced that guard Steve Sciullo has retired. Zwick had been signed as an undrafted rookie free agent on June 11 and participated in the last week of summer school. Sciullo had been signed as a free agent on January 2 and was allocated to NFL Europa. "

7/9/2007 2:58:59 PM

^nice

did yall hear about Bill Maas? lol

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2929435

7/9/2007 3:08:57 PM

http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/insider/news/story?id=2922525

Panthers QB situation ranked at 17. They are expecting Carr to start soon.

I really like Delhomme. He has so many intangibles that make other guys play better around him. Plus the Panthers haven't had a great o-line since 2003, decent but nothing great. This year the Panthers will have one of the best O-lines in the league, I wouldn't be surprised to see a couple guys make the pro-bowl from this line. Hartwig, Wahle, Wharton, and Gross all of have legit shots if they stay healthy. Plus with back-ups like Geoff, Kalil, and Bridges playing beside them it'll only make them that much better of a unit.

I personally believe that if this is Delhommes job to lose as Fox has been saying all along, then Carr won't start this year. Fox is also a man of his word, so I believe him when he says it is Delhommes to lose. Hopefully Carr will contribute eventually, but I just like Delhommes passion so much I think that even if he is a slightly worse QB, he should still get the nod.

This team is going to surprise a lot of people. I just think the sky is the limit for this team and if they gel together they can really make a deep run in the play-offs.

7/9/2007 3:41:23 PM

I don't get how you discuss Delhomme and Carr in the same sentence, and mention Delhomme as the guy that has been screwed by his O-Line.

7/9/2007 3:46:05 PM

^i said delhomme had some decent o-lines. Carr had a terrible O-line his whole career.

i am saying delhomme has suffered. carr was a bulls-eye for other teams. i'm just saying that although carr is a slightly better QB, delhomme has intangibles that make me rather see him start.

[Edited on July 9, 2007 at 3:54 PM. Reason : .]

7/9/2007 3:51:36 PM

^I agree with that as of now, but if we're 1-3 after 4 games, pull the trigger.

on a separate note under fox we are:

7-9, superbowl, 7-9, nfc championship, 8-8, due for a great season

7/9/2007 4:08:13 PM

so much for signing darius

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2931931

7/10/2007 10:59:29 PM

Seems like Fox is really committed to Salley as a starter.

7/10/2007 11:37:48 PM

hard to show intangibles when your OL is non-existent.

7/11/2007 12:04:54 AM

Today's Headline:

Panthers desperate at linebacker, sign a Frog to play



http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/football/nfl/07/11/bc.fbn.panthers.gardent.ap/index.html?eref=si_nfl

7/11/2007 3:55:16 PM

I saw this earlier, and never knew about:

Quote :

"Carolina could exceed the 80-player roster limit for training camp after receiving seven roster exemptions for NFL Europa players."

hopefully they have a sleeper S somewhere in that group.

7/11/2007 4:08:19 PM

set em up Pwnthers

7/12/2007 2:11:39 AM