Mini Camp Articles (Blogs/Columns)

[Kurb]

Obviously, DE Julius Peppers wasn't here. The interesting thing was how confident everyone was that he would be eventually. Asked when he expected his disgruntled franchise player, Panthers coach John Fox said: "Not any later than training camp, ... that's kind of when the season starts."

Several players emphasized the just-business angle, but it's clear they need him. When MLB Jon Beason was asked what a defensive with Peppers would be like, his eyes shot wide and he said: "Young."

In other notes from the morning:

-- Both RBs DeAngelo Williams (hamstring) and Jonathan Stewart (ankle) were out, along with the four defensive starters coming off offseason shoulder surgery(Beason, DT Damione Lewis, SS Chris Harris and SLB Na'il Diggs). Lewis did some individual work, and said he was on schedule. All should be fine for training camp, and may be back by June.

-- TE Dante Rosario was held out. He's having surgery to fix a lower back problem Monday, but Fox said he should be ready for Spartanburg as well.

-- Fourth-round RB Mike Goodson left practice early with an illness, and no, swine flu jokes aren't funny yet.

Gantt

As expected, franchised defensive end Julius Peppers is skipping workouts today with the Panthers at rookie minicamp here in Charlotte. The camps are considered mandatory, but Peppers isn't required to attend because he hasn't signed his franchise tender.

Peppers has said he doesn't want to play for the Panthers and he was disappointed when the team put the franchise tag on him. He requested a trade at the time, but the Panthers have left it up to agent Carl Carey to solicit trade offers, as required by NFL rules. Carey hasn't brought any trade offers back to the team.

When asked when he expects Peppers to return to the team, coach John Fox said, "I can't honestly answer that. He has to sign his tender first. But I don't think any later than (the start of) training camp."

Reed

[SmootsDaddy89]

Yes they are.

[SmootsDaddy89]

I really really hope they aren't just blowing smoke up our ass. We still need Pep at least for this season.

[Kurb]

Goodson is patient zero for NC

[carolinarolls]

really?

50 years ago in some circles a common response to when there would be an African American President of the United States was "when pigs fly"

Just several months after President Obama took office....Swine Flu.

[Kurb]

really?

50 years ago in some circles a common response to when there would be an African American President of the United States was "when pigs fly"

Just several months after President Obama took office....Swine Flu.

:smilielol5::ciappa:

[thunderraiden]

I really really hope they aren't just blowing smoke up our ass. We still need Pep at least for this season.

y do you have pictures of that guy in your avatar and sig? i was an extra on eastbound and down thats y i ask and was on set when they filmed a baseball scene at schaffter bmw in wilmington.

[SmootsDaddy89]

y do you have pictures of that guy in your avatar and sig? i was an extra on eastbound and down thats y i ask and was on set when they filmed a baseball scene at schaffter bmw in wilmington.

Stevie is my second-favorite character behind Kenny Powers haha. The guy who plays him is PERFECT for that role imo. That's pretty cool you were an extra in the show though.

[SorthNarolina]

how the hell did deangelo and stewart get injured during the offseason?

[SmootsDaddy89]

They were probably doing the Matrix thing too much.

[monstercat]

There is a good one on Panthers.com about Ron Meeks, but it won't let me link it for some reason. It's titled "Kicking Up The Intensity".

[nosuchthingasapanther]

how the hell did deangelo and stewart get injured during the offseason?

they're not bonafide injuries.

[mantal]

really?

50 years ago in some circles a common response to when there would be an African American President of the United States was "when pigs fly"

Just several months after President Obama took office....Swine Flu.

Pretty good...

[carpanfan96]

A few quick notes before we close up for the day:

-- You hate to deal in generalities, especially after one day, but the pace seems quicker. Whether it's guys trying to impress new coaches, or new guys trying to make the roster (27 rookies), there's a solid pace being kept.

-- You could consider special teams coach Danny Crossman the luckiest guy in camp. He has not one, not two, but three LS candidates.

Of course, he might be lucky like the guy with six wives.

That's a joke, in case you were wondering.

-- Rookie QB Hunter Cantwell's different from the usual brand of camp-filling passers. He's got a bit of an arm on him, moreso than the Brett Basanezes and Dalton Bells of the world.

It's a stretch to see him making the roster (Matt Moore would have to implode), but he looks like a guy with good tools.

-- Speaking of rookies, TE Kevin Brock made a few nice catches and runs-after-catches. He's taking advantage of Dante Rosario's absence. Not sure if there's a spot for him, but he's taking advantage of his opportunity.

-- After spending the pre-draft process looking at names and numbers, it's sometimes startling to see these guys up close.

Seventh-round CB Captain Munnerlyn's much thicker than he sounds when you hear 5-8, 186. He's solid, and moves well, and could make things interesting on several levels.

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