About Roman Harper...

[Mr. Scot]

...the latest from David Newton

 

The Carolina Panthers finally will get a look at their restructured secondary that was a big question mark entering the preseason in Thursday night's preseason finale at Pittsburgh.

Strong safety Roman Harper returned to practice this week for the first time since suffering turf toe after stepping on the foot of tight end Greg Olsen during an Aug. 1 practice in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

 

"I definitely think I can help with a sense of attitude, with a sense of leadership," Harper said. "At times we can be better at open-field tackling, doing some different concepts and just kind of understanding our fit."

Coach Ron Rivera has been emphatic that Harper's absence in practice and the first three preseason games wasn't an issue even though the defense has given up some big pass plays. He's reminded that Quintin Mikell started last season's opener at strong safety after signing a week earlier.

He also could have reminded that free safety Mike Mitchell, who went to Pittsburgh in free agency, didn't become a starter until after the secondary was decimated by injuries in Week 2.

But Rivera is glad Harper is back.

"Roman does have a veteran quality to himself," he said. "We're excited to have him around. What is missing is that veteran leadership presence."

 

Harper won't discuss whether the toe is completely healed, reminding he doesn't discuss injuries. But he admitted being a spectator for more than three weeks with a new team hasn't been easy.

"You come in with a sense of wanting to fit in and do the different things and show your work," Harper said. "When you get injured, that kind of sets you back. Training camp is a time where guys work on things and physically come together as a team.

"For me being gone, I was here but not really out there playing with the guys and going through the wars. It was kind of difficult."

 

With Harper, Carolina's secondary is set. Thomas DeCoud, a free agent from Atlanta, will start at free safety. Antoine Cason, a free agent from Arizona, will start at one cornerback and returning starter Melvin White will be on the other side.

Harper's return means either Anderson Russell or Robert Lester likely will become expendable when the team shrinks its roster to 53 players. Russell has started the past two preseason games over Lester, who missed the past two practices with an ankle injury.

 

The big question now is will the new secondary be as solid as the one last season that helped Carolina rank second in the NFL in total defense?

"Communication has been fine," Harper said. "Guys are getting lined up. We've got to get to the huddle calls a little bit faster. But overall, if you look at it on tape, the defense has not played bad."

 

Harper adds attitude to Panthers' secondary

[Dex]

Bum. But he's our bum so I hope he can stay healthy.

[caatfan]

We're hurtin' at safety so I hope Harper has something left besides a sore toe.

[SOJA]

god we better hope so

[BettyBangzer]

Can he really be worse that what we have?

[carolina-chuck]

We'll be a different defense with Harper in there!

So tired of seeing Russell and Lester.

[French Navy]

The progression was:

 

fug Roman Harper, we don't need him

to

fug Roman Harper, he's always injured, we have Lester(and others)

to

OMG ROMAN HARPER BETTER BE OK - OR WE ARE SCREWED

[SOJA]

just had extreme conspiracy theory thought- why the hell did we sign Harper- obvi he is cheap and provides vet leadership, but i think a big reason was his extreme familiarity with NO- who we will certainly be competing with for the division for the next few years .....I really think a good portion of the reasoning behind signing him was to help us beat Brees

[Ruff]

I worry about his conditioning. Missing out on nearly a month of preseason will make it hard to come in and be game ready immediately.

[*FreeFua*]

Like I've said, not a fan of the signing but he's our best option and it's not even close

[WCUcats]

The progression was:

fug Roman Harper, we don't need him

to

fug Roman Harper, he's always injured, we have Lester(and others)

to

OMG ROMAN HARPER BETTER BE OK - OR WE ARE SCREWED

I'm still solidly in the cut Harper because he is an asshat camp.

[Dex]

just had extreme conspiracy theory thought- why the hell did we sign Harper- obvi he is cheap and provides vet leadership, but i think a big reason was his extreme familiarity with NO- who we will certainly be competing with for the division for the next few years .....I really think a good portion of the reasoning behind signing him was to help us beat Brees

If Harper is our "secret weapon" to defeat Brees we are fuged.

[Your GFs favorite huddler]

Harper is the best option on the team like it or not...the good thing is if healthy he can at least make up for the bad out of position plays even if he's not a speedster he at least knows where to be

[Toundra]

I am always making fun out of Harper but i seriously hope he can help the team..