Whispers...

With Carolina rookie linebacker Will Witherspoon reportedly coming on very strong, we hear fourth-year pro Hannibal Navies' days could be numbered.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/s/020716pfw/whispers.html

And,

Is the prospect of the Panthers’ offense using the shotgun formation just an extra little something to get the team’s fan base more excited about the coming season? Or do the Panthers indeed plan on using the formation, which was never even considered by departed head coach George Seifert much to the dismay of Panthers fans far and wide? While new offensive coordinator Dan Henning has been very coy on the subject, we hear the Panthers’ players look forward to working the shotgun into the mix, particularly QB Chris Weinke and C Jeff Mitchell, who played extensively in the shotgun in college. There are many who feel that the extra half-second the formation would give Weinke to operate could make a notable difference in the second-year signalcaller’s effectiveness.

 

While I have not gone overboard to support the Winkster, I have also said, I am not saying he "can't do it" - I will say that a mixture of the shotgun and passing plays more than 10 yards will certainly help his odds to succeed.

 

I don't expect the shotgun to be a staple in the Panther offense, rather a tool of necessity. Adding it for use when applicable will help Weinke and the offense as a whole when playing from behind and in second or third and long situations.
Seifert was just to set in the WCO to see the benefits.

 

If George would have taken his Viagra... we would have probably been 7-9 last year and he would still be in a job with hopes of proving his coaching prowess based on his '01 draft...

 

Nah, but maybe if he had put on a headset and acted like he gave a shit. Maybe bitch someone out a little. That guy rarely even had anything resembling a pulse!

 

witherspoon becoming a starter would do wonders for making this draft solid.

 

it at least gives us another possible starter. You expect Peppers and Foster will be possible starters/major contributors and will start before the year's end. Getting a nickel out of Wesley is about all we should be expecting, and he's there.

 

I still got to hope Navies stays healthy. He's a bit bigger, experienced, ect. I'll take nickle linebacker from Witherspoon for now.

Just remembering last year, when Navies, Wells, Morgan, and Minor were all out, and the oompa-loompas were playing outside linebacker for us. Nightmare.

 

What were there names? Hemsley? He'd been working for paychex.

Who else was playing?

 

47 Monroe, Aries LB 6-2 233 22 R Alabama - CUT
52 Minor, Kory LB 6-1 247 25 3 Notre Dame - BU WLB
55 Morgan, Dan LB 6-2 233 23 2 Miami (FL) - Starter ILB
41 Pounds, Tavarreus LB 6-0 236 23 R Auburn - CUT
53 Navies, Hannibal LB 6-2 240 24 4 Colorado - CUT
58 Fields, Mark LB 6-2 244 29 8 Washington State - Starter SLB
43 Allen, Brian LB 6-0 232 24 2 Florida State - BU SLB
42 Amato, Ken LB 6-2 242 25 R Montana State - CUT
50 Jackson, Brad LB 6-0 230 27 4 Cincinnati - BU
54 Witherspoon, Will LB 6-1 231 21 R Georgia - BU/Starter WLB
57 Towns, Lester LB 6-1 252 24 3 Washington - BU ILB

If the Cats keep 7 LBs - I expect the above to occur. If that number is 6 - the battle will probably be between Minor/Allen for the sixth spot. Personally I really like Minor and his aggresiveness. He is a good fit with this defensive system too.

BTW: Navies has been ALL potential and no production up till now. He has had an enormous opportunity to grab that WLB position for the last 3 or 4 yrs IMO. Simply stated, he needs to be cut.