The 'other guys' on the practice squad: Santucci and Murphy
by James Dator on Sep 6, 2010 6:22 PM EDT
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PrintWe've seen lots of familiar names appear on the practice squad as six of the eight players brought back spent time with the Panthers throughout the preseason, but there were also two names that jumped out Dan Santucci and Shawn Murphy who have joined the Panthers' practice squad and after digging a little deeper we may see a curious similarity between one of these guys and a current Carolina Panther.
Well look a little deeper at these two not-so-familiar faces after the jump.
Shawn Murphy is a 6'4", 314 lb guard out of Utah State where he was named 2nd team All-WAC in his senior season. A 4th round pick of the Miami Dolphins Murphy has only played one game in his three seasons suiting up for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2009. He now (along with Tim Duckworth) represents the second offensive lineman signed by Carolina who spent the preseason with a division rival. Both Miami and Tampa have had offensive line issues, so one has to wonder how much of Murphy's failings were his own, and how much was due to poor coaching.
More interestingly though is the story of Dan Santucci, a guard in name only; make no mistake, Santucci is a center. A 7th round pick in 2007 Santucci played center for Notre Dame his senior year, the same Notre Dame team where Jimmy Clausen took over the reigns mid season. Do you think this is a coincidence? Perhaps, but consider the case of Geoff Schwartz the 2008 7th round pick who was selected at least partly due to the recommendation of 1st round pick and teammate Jonathan Stewart.
Essentially we see a precident for the Panthers taking into account the opinions of their players in making personnel decisions. Now, I don't think Clausen knocked on coach Fox's door and said 'Coach, we have to get Dan!' but it's not outside the realm of possibility that they at least asked his input having played with him before.
I can see why Gantt called Santucci a guard, because Kansas City tried to convert him to the position but it appears Santucci is another guy who didn't really get a shot. At least he gives the practice squad a reliable guy to snap the ball and help Jimmy Clausen and the 2nd team in practice.
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Jeff Davidson is not good at most things offense but he is a very good offense line coach and has done well with the panthers in that respect. I like getting Jimmy a familar center if only for practice purposes. Can’t be no worse then what he has had to deal with up to this point. Looks like we had a very solid draft. Signing Stanford to the practice squad we have kept all 10 draft picks this season.
"I’m the UFC heavyweight champion and I will be until the day I decide I don’t want to be. And that isn’t anytime soon." - Brock Lesnar
It's a relief having some depth around, especially at center. I have no idea if either is
any good, but we needed the depth badly. I would tend to think that Clausen at least have had some input into bringing Santucci in.
Where there’s a will… I want to be in it.
I have no quarrels with using a PS spot for a guy that knows how to hike a ball,
if that’s all he could do, since apparently Kalil is the only one. Can’t be good for Jimmy’s concentration on the play when he has to worry catching a bobble snap before he can start to progress the play. He was only getting about 2 seconds or pass protection from that backup oline to start with.
Rules and Regulations of the Game: 89, Bottom Line
Luckily he has that quick release down pat. Notre Dame Oline sucked royally
"I’m the UFC heavyweight champion and I will be until the day I decide I don’t want to be. And that isn’t anytime soon." - Brock Lesnar
very true, he's been groomed for these conditions....lol
Rules and Regulations of the Game: 89, Bottom Line
Murphy was cut by the Dolphins because he wouldn’t accept coaching from Sparano after starting the 2008 camp as the first team RG. He also failed a physical in May with the Eagles. Concerning, but he was supposed to be a monster run blocker at Utah State.
Knee jerk reaction - adj. 1. an immediate unthinking emotional reaction produced by an event or statement to which the reacting person is highly sensitive. 2. a facilitator of long threads on Cat Scratch Reader and similar blogs.
Before training camp started, I predicted they'd sign Mike Tepper to the practice squad.
He’s a 6’6", 324 pound offensive tackle who was released from Dallas in the last round of cuts. He’s a rookie first team All-Pac-10 selection just sitting out there doing nothing.
stuff 'bout stuff.
I like Tepper a lot.
Still plenty of time, I would be surprised if Duckworth stuck.
Biggest guy I advocate is Brandon Carter out of Texas Tech. 6’7", 344 lb MONSTER… sitting out there
Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.
i believe that would be towering out there.
If you really want to do something, you will find a way. If you don't, you will find an excuse.
by LittleKing on Sep 6, 2010 8:00 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Very good, in-depth article James
It’s not often that you get such a good article on practice teamers. It’s great research by you to show that one was a center for Jimmy Clausen. I think it’s more than a coincidence that he was signed by Carolina. And Jaxon, that’s awesome that you found Murphy to be son of Dale Murphy. Being a Braves fan, I’m going to root that much harder for him to be able to contribute to the Panthers!
you sound really stupid
You are stupid because you like the Braves and because baseball is a poo-poo sport. I’ve never read a dumber comment than yours.
by keebler elf on Sep 14, 2010 12:51 AM EDT up reply actions
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