Soggy practice moves indoors
By David Scott
dscott@charlotteobserver.com
Posted: Friday, Nov. 14, 2008
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/panthers/story/349380.html
Thursday's wet weather forced the Carolina Panthers to cut short their practice outside and move into what coach John Fox calls the team's “indoor facility.”
That's actually a concourse in Bank of America Stadium, which is just a couple hundred yards from the practice fields. The Panthers don't have an indoor practice building like many NFL teams in colder climes.
“It got a little sloppy out there, but we got some things that needed to get done, done,” said Fox. “Then we came in here.”
He said it's often tough to gauge this time of year how physical a practice should be.
“You've got to figure out if you're going to be in pads or not in pads,” he said. “How many reps you have, how many plays you have in practice, how physical it is. If you're banged up, it doesn't do any good to bang around and get more sore.
“So today I thought we juggled it pretty well. We got some good pad work (outside), some good physical blocking and tackling. Then we came in and got some mental work.”
Said receiver Muhsin Muhammad: “Coach Fox does a great job knowing exactly who to rest, who to work a little harder.”
Notes
Rookie Gary Barnidge played for the first time at tight end in the Panthers' victory last week in Oakland. He even had the ball thrown to him from Jake Delhomme, but it fell incomplete.
“They actually didn't call my number, it's whoever's open,” said Barnidge, a fifth-round draft choice who has been a contributor on special teams. “I'll get my chance here in the next few years.”
Barnidge is playing behind Jeff King and Dante Rosario.
Center Ryan Kalil (ankle) again missed practice and defensive tackle Darwin Walker (neck) practiced on a limited basis.
Before reserve linebacker Donte Curry was a Panther, he was a Detroit Lion, the Panthers' opponent Sunday. Curry played for the Lions in 2002-2007, playing in 70 games with 12 starts. Also, receiver Kenneth Moore was picked up by the Panthers off the Lions' practice squad in October.
Receiver Steve Smith will help build a playground Tuesday at Milton Road Boys and Girls Club. Smith will be joined by volunteers from The Home Depot and the kaBOOM! non-profit group.
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