Kemoeatu, Vincent still out for Panthers

Kemoeatu, Vincent still out for Panthers
December 19
Gaston Gazette
"Defensive tackle Maake Kemoeatu and right guard Keydrick Vincent missed practice again Thursday for the Carolina Panthers.

That's not good news since the Panthers could certainly use all hands on deck for Sunday night's showdown against the New York Giants with home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs on the line.

Darwin Walker, a nine-year veteran who has started 82 career games, is expected to start if Kemoeatu can't go.

The problem is he's 50 pounds lighter than the 345-pound Kemoeatu, a space-eater in the middle of Carolina's defensive line.

"We brought Darwin in (during the off-season), and he's played quite a bit of football for us," coach John Fox said. "I think a lot gets put into who starts and some of those things, who gets their name announced as they enter the stadium at home games. He's played a lot for us. We have a lot of confidence in what he can do and Gary Gibson and D-Lew (Damione Lewis), also. We've used pretty much a three-man rotation on the year and if Maake (Kemoeatu) in fact can't go -- and he's still not ruled out by any stretch; there's still a chance he could play -- we feel good about all four of them."

While Fox left open the possibility of Kemoeatu playing, teammates have been talking all week about facing the Giants without him, so that sounds like a bit of gamesmanship from the head coach.

When asked how having Walker in the lineup might change what the Panthers do on defense, Fox said, "I'd say probably not at all. We lose a little size but gain a little quickness."

Jeremy Bridges is expected to start for Vincent.

In other injury news, Gibson injured his hand and was limited in practice. If he can't go you have to wonder if the team might sign rookie Nick Hayden from the practice squad.

NOTABLE: Pro Bowl middle linebacker Jon Beason was held out of practice Thursday with what he described as a touch of food poisoning. Beason received treatment from the team and was sent home early, but is expected to play Sunday.

INSIDE THE GAME: The forecast Sunday in East Rutherford, N.J., is a high of 40 with a low of 23 with a wintry mix expected. In a word, it could be ugly.

Fox was asked how that forecast might affect his preparation.

"It affects some of your specialists - how you punt, how you kick - your thought process as far as game management," Fox said. "It's nothing new. It's something we practice all season. There were things in Green Bay that we probably did differently than in the home Atlanta game in September. Elements are part of the game, and as long as you are playing outdoors they are always a factor - wind, which direction the wind is, rain, snow, frozen field as far as footwear. There are just a lot of things that go into it.""
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