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Training Camp Question

JmyHny

By JmyHny,
in Carolina Panthers

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SorthNarolina Newbie

SorthNarolina

Posted
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I haven't been to TC since I was 8. Aren't the players pretty discriminatory against anybody older than 18ish? I think the adults have to wait their turn and most wait by one of the paths from the fields to the dorms?

I have no I idea really just bits and pieces from convos on here.

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Peppers90 NC Community Regular

Peppers90 NC

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You can pretty much get autographs every day, but I wouldn't bank on it if you aren't a kid...

Why do you want autographs anyways? Just being there seeing them practice is good enough for me... If I want autographs, I go to ebay or something...

Hopefully these guys are just kids or are bringing their kids. I haven't ever understood the autograph fascination. When I was about 11 or 12, I remember getting a ball signed by MJ and I had Larry Johnsons rookie card signed, those were the times, but I was a kid too.

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CatMan72 Enthusiast

CatMan72

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Autographs can be tough to get at TC, there are a sea of people trying to get autographs and the players sign mostly for the kids (as it should be).

When I want autographs, I go to mini-camp and OTA's, you can get just about anybody and you're only competing with 5-10 other people.

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SCP Enthusiast

SCP

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I go every year to watch them practice. Will be there opening weekend on July 30th. Have never tried to get autographs though because I am a 35 year old dude.

Also, I CAN"T F*CKIN" WAIT 'TILL JULY 30TH!!!!!!

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Panther Boyd Newbie

Panther Boyd

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My advice, go to one of the morning practices and get there early. We got there about and hour before practice started and got right at the gate where the team walks down from the school. There weren't alot of people at the time and we got some really good autographs. After practice when the team is leaving is when it's a madhouse.

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panthers55 Grand Master

panthers55

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My advice, go to one of the morning practices and get there early. We got there about and hour before practice started and got right at the gate where the team walks down from the school. There weren't alot of people at the time and we got some really good autographs. After practice when the team is leaving is when it's a madhouse.

That is good advice. Some folks only sign before they go out to the field unless it is their day to sign. You can get autographs at the end of each practice but there seems to a group of guys designated to sign autographs. Many are backups and guys you never heard.

It is a very good idea to bring your child with you as they definitely can get autographs you won't be able to get (like Steve Smith for example). You also need to be fine with many guys whose autographs you want simply breezing bye and not even looking your way. If you want to get a certain guy you need to expect to go to several practices where your chances would be better.

When you go to the practice field the players come out of the buildings on the far right( facing the field coming through the gate). Many players are on the field 25 minutes before practice so for a 9AM practice you should be waiting for players no later than 8:30AM preferably 45 minutes ahead. If you line up for autographs the closer you are to the end of the fencing, the more likelihood of getting autographs particularly after practice. Many players sign 30 or 40 items then go in.

Many players aren't wearing their uniform jerseys so unless you know what they look like they will walk past you. Some guys who stop are more likely to sign something if you are wearing their college shirt than from the Panthers. In other words if you want Jonathan Stewart to sign for you, wearing a U of Oregon shirt might help.

It really is a crap shoot and like SLJ said, if you really want an autograph just buy it on E-Bay or go to one of the signings at various restaurants, grand openings, etc.

Also note that during practice many guys line up to secure an autograph spot and stand there the whole practice. Problem is that where they line up is very far from most of practice and you can't see squat. If you wander over late, they are pretty nasty and rude feeling like they camped out and deserve that spot.

Personally I go to practice watch everything and go with my son over to the autographs late. He loves to play on the hill and participate in all the games. He also signs up to a Panthers pal every time but hasn't been lucky enough to get picked yet. I let him get all the autographs which makes him feel great when he knows he can get autographs I can't. We go to the Beacon afterwards and it is all good.

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mush Newbie

mush

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The biggest thing is that it's a numbers game. Players only take so much time usually and the more people there the worse your odds are. So here's my piece of advice after spending years outside the lines and inside the lines:

Everybody and their brother wants to go the first week of camp. It's a zoo. If you wait until the last week of camp (especially during the weekdays) to go there is only 1/4 the crowd thus your chances increase exponentially of getting what you want.

You can watch practices with fewer people around you (thus you get better spots) and navigate/park much easier. And you also get to see the results of what happened earlier in the training camp getting to see players better prepared and further on into who's going to start in the regular season, ie, you get to see who's moved up and down along camp.

That's the single best piece of advice I can give.

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