My latest version of Paw Prints uses a new format that comes courtesy of the latest SBN platform upgrades.
- It looks like the top 3 vying for kick returner duties has been identified:
Darin Gantt's Panthers Blog | The Herald - Rock Hill, SC
OTA's Day 3: They had rookie RB Mike Goodson, WR Larry Beavers and CB Captain Munnerlyn back there Friday, all looking exceedingly quick. QB Jake Delhomme marveled at Goodson's feet the other day, eyes popping wide and saying "He's got jets," when asked about the impression the fourth-rounder had made. Any of the three would provide a speed upgrade over 2008 version Mark Jones, who might have been the slowest good returner ever. Now all special teams coach Danny Crossman has to do is teach these fast kids to return as well as Jones could, and they could be onto something.
- I'm liking WR Jason Carter's chances of being the #4 WR
Darin Gantt's Panthers Blog | The Herald - Rock Hill, SC
OTA Day 4: After practice, WR Jason Carter was impressive, catching balls fired from the Jugs machine with one hand. He's either going to end up with a roster spot or a broken finger if he keeps it up.
- If the Panthers can get quality o-line back-ups from 7th round picks my hat is off to them
Inside the Panthers: Delhomme on Jarrett; Hurney on OL depth
"We feel very good about (guard-center) Mackenzy Bernadeau and (tackle) Geoff Schwarrtz as far as (them) coming into their second year," said Hurney. "We took them last year in the seventh round. They’ve had a year to kind of learn. We’ll see how they do. Then we used another draft pick (this year) on (guard) Duke (Robinson). And we really were aggressive and signed some rookie free agents after the draft. "You’re evaluating every day and (seeing) how things go. Competition will kind of answer those questions. But I think we feel like we’ve got some good competition there for those backup spots."
- Are we not all hoping this is WR Dwayne Jarrett's break out year?
Panthers hope this is Jarrett's year | The Herald - Rock Hill, SC
"It's so much easier, just in terms of preparation, learning the playbook, just going out there knowing what you're supposed to do," Jarrett said of his current practice routine. "The game slows down that much more, so it's like a learning process all the time, but it's definitely easier than my first two years. "Some guys get it fast, and some guys it takes longer. I've just been working at it ever since I got here."
- This post points out some interesting potential impacts from some of the new coaches.
Extreme Makeover Coaching Edition: Carolina Panthers Welcome Fresh Faces | Bleacher Report
This hire brings a level of chemistry to the offense, and Scherer’s methods and tactics are different from McCoy’s—a quality that could lead to a rejuvenation of Jake Delhomme. Scherer was the wizard behind the curtain of Browns’ quarterback Derek Anderson’s breakout 2007 season. Former Texans defensive coordinator Richard Smith takes over as linebackers coach after grooming DeMeco Ryans into one of the best linebackers in the AFC, and transforming Mario Williams from a top pick bust to an established defensive end.
- Up until this post everyone has been saying to expect less blitzing.
Carolina Panthers Playbook Plans for Consistency on Offense, Overhaul on Defense | Bleacher Report
It is likely that he will use more linebacker blitzes than the traditional Tampa-2, given that he has threats such as Jon Beason and Thomas Davis in his linebacking corps. More zone coverages for the Panthers secondary will also help, as they at times seem undersized and overmatched when defending man-to-man.