| Newsbreakers |
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| Offensive lineman Keydrick Vincent has won the job as the Panthers starting right guard, according to Sporting News Today. He was battling Toniu Fonoti for the position. |
Our View: Vincent is a big man at 6-5, 325 pounds, and will provide power blocking up the middle for backs Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams. |
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| Cornerback Ken Lucas returned to practice on Saturday, the AP reports. It was his first session since August 1, when teammate Steve Smith broke the defensive back's nose. |
Our View: The Panthers should be happy to have the starter back, and the fight will stop being an issue, at least until Week 1 when Smith will be out. |
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| Wide out Steve Smith and cornerback Ken Lucas squared off in practice against each other on Saturday for the first time since Smith punched Lucas, breaking his nose, according to the AP. |
Our View: Everything went well, but the fact remains that Lucas is still recovering from his busted nose, and Smith remains suspended for the season's first two games. |
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| Jonathan Stewart is still recovering from his injured toe and has been sent to visit Dr. Robert Anderson, according to the Gaston Gazette. The doctor assured Stewart that he can’t cause any more damage to the ailing toe and that what he’s feeling is a build up of scar tissue. As time goes on and the more he plays, the scar tissue will loosen up and the toe will begin to feel normal.
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Our View: Stewart will take things slow at the beginning of the season, but should now have the confidence to run hard and with less hesitancy after visiting the doctor. |
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| Jake Delhomme was average in Carolina's exhibition loss to the Eagles on Thursday, though his surgically repaired elbow passed the test. Delhomme threw 14 passes and completed nine of them, or ten if you count the interception he threw. Those completions accounted for a measly 54 yards, an average of 3.9 yards per attempt. |
Our View: Not necessarily a great night for presumed starting quarterbacks this evening. Both Delhomme and McNabb have seen better games and will need to play better for their squads to win during the regular season. |
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| Panthers first-round pick Jonathan Stewart is still recovering from his injured toe, and it showed in the team's 24-13 exhibition loss to Philadelphia. Stewart carried the ball four times and gained only three yards total. |
Our View: That was an ugly performance by Stewart. He can afford to go to the toe excuse once or twice, but if he is going to play as much as fantasy owners think he will, Stewart will need to step up from here on out. |
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| Thomas Davis is predicting to have a career year following his move from the strongside to the weakside at linebacker, according to the Gaston Gazette. He said, "I definitely feel like this is going to be best year by far. So watch out." |
Our View: Davis made 88 tackles last season, and should have no problem topping 100 if he remains healthy over the full 16-game slate as a starting weakside linebacker. He ranks as a safe and solid sleeper for IDP leagues. |
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| Coach John Fox indicated that rookie Jonathan Stewart may see action in Thursday's preseason contest against Philadelphia, according to the Rock Hill Herald. Stewart was still experiencing some pain in his surgically repaired toe last week. |
Our View: Stewart needs to play and cannot afford not to, with only three weeks left to earn a solid role in the Panthers' offense. DeAngelo Williams remains the leader for the starting job. |
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| Steve Smith was held out of Monday's practice after sustaining a concussion in Saturday's preseason game against Indianapolis, according to the Rock Hill Herald. |
Our View: The Panthers play their next game Thursday against the Eagles, so Smith shouldn't be expected to participate. He has two extra weeks at the beginning of the regular season to rest, due to his suspension. |
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| According to the Rock Hill Herald, offensive coodinator Jeff Davidson stated that DeAngelo Williams has become a major player in the Panthers' offense. Davidson also mentioned that he has grown up. |
Our View: He has turned his entire game around this off-season, and looks more like a back who can carry the Panthers. He looked great in the Panthers' preseason opener against the Colts, as he racked up 55 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries. Williams could be headed for a breakout campaign, even with rookie Jon Stewart in the plans to share the workload. |
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| Panthers wide receiver D.J. Hackett will sit out tonight's preseason game against the Colts due to a toe injury, according to Sporting News Today. |
Our View: Hackett was frequently injured during his days in Seattle, and he continues that trend in Carolina. He could wind up as a solid fantasy receiver, but keep his notorious injury history in mind before drafting him. |
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| Offensive lineman Charles Spencer was released by the Panthers because he was overweight, according to the Houston Chronicle. |
Our View: Spencer was the first pick of the third round in 2006, so he was highly thought of at one point. Maybe if he can get in better shape, he'll get another chance with somebody else. |
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| Dwayne Jarrett remains inconsistent through training camp and the Panthers are still waiting for him to perform up to his potential, according to the Rock Hill Herald. Offensive coordinator Jeff Davidson said, "You know, Dwayne I think is, each day we try to make steps with him. Some days we feel better than others. He’s got to get a level of consistency that we’re all comfortable with, including himself."
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Our View: Jarrett is not likely going to earn a spot higher than fourth on the depth chart coming out of training camp, and he shouldn't be counted on to make an impact this season. |
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| D.J. Hackett has displayed poor durability with the Panthers so far, and was carted off the field during practice Wednesday due to a toe injury, according to the Rock Hill Herald. |
Our View: The injury is not believed to be serious, but fantasy owners should draft him with caution this season. He has potential to be a strong starting receiver, but will be hard-pressed to remain intact for a full 16-game slate. |
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| Ryne Robinson is suffering from a sprained MCL and PCL in his left knee, but is hopeful to be ready for Week 1 against the Chargers, according to the Rock Hill Herald. |
Our View: Robinson has performed well prior to getting hurt, and was a top candidate for the kick and punt returner role. |
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| With Steve Smith suffering a two-game suspension for fighting with teammate Ken Lucas during training camp, the Panthers have moved free-agent acquisition D.J. Hackett to the spot at wide receiver on the depth chart and will give him every opportunity to perform as such, according to the Associated Press. |
Our View: Hackett showed great potential at Seattle but was hampered by various injuries and failed to emerge from a rather deep group of veteran targets. He came to Carolina based on promises of new opportunity and significant playing time. Now he will get it, and we'll see if those flashes of promise will turn into production on the field. |
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| Carolina Panthers CB Chris Gamble tweaked his hamstring during Wednesday's practice while attempting to defend a pass, according to the Charlotte Observer. |
Our View: Gamble did not return to practice, but team officials believe that the injury is not serious. |
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| Jonathan Stewart continues to practice on a limited basis, but he admits that he still has some discomfort in his surgically repaired right big toe, according to the Charlotte Observer. |
Our View: Stewart was supposed to be ready to practice fully by this point. He is unlikely to play in the preseason opener, though coach John Fox said it would be a game-time decision. |
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| The Panthers disclosed that Chris Harris was carted off the field Monday due to a groin injury, according to the Charlotte Observer. Harris said, "It scared me a little bit. I didn't know exactly what was going on. But it's nothing to worry about. I'll be back out there sooner than later."
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Our View: The team will be cautious with him to insure he is ready for the Week 1 opener against the Chargers. Fantasy owners should not drop him out of the top-15 on their IDP draft boards at the defensive back position. |
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| LaBrandon Toefield has been in and out of practice due to ailments, and is not doing anything to prove he deserves a roster spot with the Panthers, according to the Rock Hill Herald. |
Our View: DeAngelo Williams and top rookie Jon Stewart are locks to make the Panthers, and Nick Goings is also likely safe, meaning Toefield will be fighting for the final roster spot at the position. |
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| The Rock Hill Herald reports that Julius Peppers is having an incredible training camp, and looking like an elite defensive end again. During a three-snap stretch in practice, he stopped Muhammad for what would have been at least a 10-yard loss on an attempted reverse, then after a play, he bull-rushed left tackle Jordan Gross back into Jake Delhomme for what would have been a sack, but when the play continued, he faded back, and went high in the air to bat down Delhomme's pass one-handed, before heading to the sidelines laughing.
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Our View: Peppers is worthy of drafting as a number one defensive lineman in IDP leagues, as he looks to bounce back from a disappointing 2007 campaign. |
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| The Carolina Panthers have at least considered trading volatile wide receiver Steve Smith, according to Matt Mosley of ESPN.com. |
Our View: This seems unlikely, because even though Smith can be a headache, he is also one of the best wideouts in the game, and the Panthers are thin at the position without him. |
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| The Rock Hill Herald states that Ken Lucas could miss 2-3 weeks due to his broken nose. |
Our View: He has forgiven Steve Smith for breaking his nose, and noted that the confrontation has been brewing for years, and may actually bring the team closer together. He should be ready to play for Week 1 against San Diego. |
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| Steve Smith returned to practice with the Panthers Monday, three days after being sent home for punching team-mate Ken Lucas, according to the AP. He broke Lucas' nose, and Coach John Fox said, "What he did was wrong. We take it very serious. He’s being punished severely. It’s an act that’s inexcusable and it can’t happen."
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Our View: Smith has been suspended for the first two games of the regular season, but will be allowed to participate in all practices and preseason contests. The Panthers play the Jaguars in their exhibition opener Saturday.
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| Jonathan Stewart continues to be held out of contact drills as the team is hoping more rest will help to ensure that his surgically repaired toe doesn't flare up when the games count, according to the Gaston Gazette. |
Our View: With Steve Smith out for two games, the Panthers will likely need to move the chains on the ground early with Stewart being the power and DeAngelo Williams the dash. Williams, for his part, has looked great in camp so far. |
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| Following his most recent incident, it is now rumored that the Panthers are looking to establish a "no-tolerance policy" against actions by embattled receiver Steve Smith , according to the Charlotte Observer. Smith has been suspended for the Panthers' games against San Diego and Chicago, both good teams, and Ken Lucas, the defensive back Smith punched in practice on Friday, has a broken nose and an uncertain return-to-practice date. |
Our View: Coach John Fox was asked about the rumored policy and wouldn't make a statement, but he did acknowledge that Smith had been given certain conditions for the future. If he remains hostile, there is concern for fantasy owners. To be fair, Smith has had outbursts like this in the past and they tend to subside as the season approaches and Smith puts his best on the field. This year, he needs to show and prove after a somewhat disappointing 2007 season, and thus this is a bit more worrisome than normal. We'll keep you posted on the tone in camp moving forward. |
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| Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith was suspended two regular season games without pay by the team for punching teammate Ken Lucas yesterday during practice, according to the Charlotte Observer. "He's being punished severely. ... It's an act that's inexcusable and it can't happen," Panthers coach John Fox said. Lucas suffered a broken nose as a result of Smith's outburst. |
Our View: This not only hurts the Panthers, of course, but fantasy players as well. Smith was a top option at wide receiver, but two games without him hurts his value. He should be bumped down a few notches on fantasy wide receiver rankings as a result. |
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| After punching teammate Ken Lucas, Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith was escorted off the field by Carolina general manager Marty Hurney, and then sent home, according to the AP. |
Our View: The team said they would handle it internally, but Smith has gotten violent with teammates before, and it's certainly possible he could be suspended for a game. |
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| Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith may face "harsh discipline" for getting in a fight with teammate Ken Lucas and could face a suspension, according to ESPN.com. |
Our View: In 2002, Smith was suspended for punching teammate Anthony Bright during a film session. He was also sued by Bright, which was settled out of court. |
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| Panthers receiver Steve Smith and his teammate, cornerback Ken Lucas, got into a fight in practice that led to Lucas being carted off the field with an ice pack over his eye, according to the Charlotte Observer. One report had Smith being kicked out of practice following the scuffle, but the Observer made no mention of it. |
Our View: Smith has done this kind of thing before, having been suspended in 2002 for punching a teammate during film study. We'll keep you updated on any disciplinary action that may be taken on either player. |
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| The Panthers second-round pick from last year, wide out Dwayne Jarrett, has come to camp with a new attitude and has been impressing people so far, according to the Charlotte Observer. |
Our View: Jarrett was supposed to be the complement to Steve Smith last season, but that never got close to materializing, as Jarrett snared just six receptions for 73 yards all season. He could see more playing time this year, but he has to compete with D.J. Hackett and Muhsin Muhammad for playing time, so don't count on much fantasy production quite yet. |
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| Panthers receiver and return man Ryne Robinson injured his left knee while attempting to catch a pass, according to the Charlotte Observer. There was no word on the severity of the injury. |
Our View: Robinson had been in the lead to be the primary kickoff and punt returner for the Panthers. Rookie Jonathan Stewart handled kickoff duties in practice with Robinson out. |
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