FanPost

Fan vote - How should the coaching staff conduct Training Camp


By many measures, last year's camp was labeled as "soft," compared to other years.  Lots of no pads work, practices off, early endings, etc.  The obvious reasoning was that Fox & co. wanted to enter the season fresh and relatively healthy.  Seven straight losses later (counting preseason), I think we can all agree that last year's strategy was a bust.  The team came out without the fight and fire that wins games in this league.  As has been pointed out, even our great offensive line was underperforming, the defense couldn't make plays, and even Double Trouble were literally dropping the ball.  You could even make the argument (and some here have) that Jake's play deteriorated partly because the team just wasn't ready.  Of course, when he ultimately lost his confidence, he was done.

Old school training camps have more of a "survival of the fittest" component.  Fights happen daily, and coaches let them go at it for awhile before stopping it.  Practices simulate game speed, and hard hits are encouraged (except on the QB).  They practice in the rain, mud, and heat with limited breaks.  The downside of this method is players can and will get hurt (kind of like in real games), and the players don't like it.  The upside is they come out mean and ready, and the players that can take it are the ones that get to play.  They come out of it hating the coaches, but a lot closer to their teammates for having endured more of a "boot camp" than a training camp.

Generally, the Panthers have been stronger at the end of seasons, and last year was no exception.  With the youth and inexperience on this year's squad, a slow start is, more than ever, a definite possibility.  So how do we get out of the gates as winners this year?

I would certainly be distraught if Beason or Smitty were lost for the year due to a TC injury.  Hell, I don't want any of our guys getting hurt either in TC, preseason, or the real thing.  But it happens.  I'm certainly no athlete, and I wouldn't want to endure hard-hitting practices in the famous heat of Spartanburg.  But these guys are athletes and they get paid extremely well to WIN.  And I personally believe, going old school gives the players the best opportunity to improve quickly, and gives the Panthers the best chance to kick ass. 

So, where do you stand:

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