Panthers Redskins Preseason Running Game Thread 2008

This morning has that little bit of Fall in the air.... Football season is almost here. Life is good.

http://www.panthers.com/Common/Article.aspx?id=36626

FIVE THINGS TO WATCH ...

STEWART, TAKE TWO: Last week, Jonathan Stewart said he "got the jitterbugs out" in a third-quarter cameo with the second team that saw him pick up four yards on three carries before returning to the sideline. This week, Fox said it is a "likelihood" that Stewart will see some first-team work. "I'm still going through the learning process," Stewart said. "Technically, it is still camp; we are still in camp sessions, just continuing to learn the offense and now just continuing to get used to the blitz pickups and all that kind of stuff so that way I am on the same level as the other guys on the team."

CORNERS REFORTIFIED: Both Ken Lucas and Chris Gamble returned to practice this week after missing both previous preseason games with a broken nose and a strained hamstring, respectively. If they play, then Chris Harris would be the only defensive first-teamer still sidelined, as he continued to work out during Carolina's practices this week while recovering from a groin strain. Richard Marshall and Ricardo Colclough have filled in for them the last two weeks, with C.J. Wilson also starting at Philadelphia as Carolina opened in a nickel package.

A TEST FOR OTAH: In his first two games as the Panthers' starting right tackle, first-round pick Jeff Otah has helped blast open holes that have sprung DeAngelo Williams for some significant gains -- including one of his two touchdowns against the Indianapolis Colts and his 23-yard run at Philadelphia. But after lining up opposite Indianapolis' Raheem Brock and the Eagles' Juqua Parker the last two weeks, Otah faces his sternest examination to date in the form of perennial All-Pro Jason Taylor. It's a duel of youth vs. experience and raw power vs. speed that will not only be one of the most intriguing duels of the night, but will undoubtedly shed illuminate the extent of Otah's progress so far.

HEALING WIDEOUTS: Ryne Robinson and D.J. Hackett remained out of action during the Panthers' practices this week, but Steve Smith and Dwayne Jarrett worked all week after missing the Eagles game with a concussion and a leg bruise, respectivewly while Muhsin Muhammad returned to the field on Thursday, a week after suffering a rib injury against the Eagles. But with Robinson and Hackett nursing their injuries, Saturday's game could prove crucial for the other receivers, including Jarrett, Travis Taylor and Jason Carter, who started against the Eagles and also handled punt returns.

A LOOK AT SOME YOUNG TIGHT ENDS? Dante Rosario and Gary Barnidge each returned to practice this week, fortifying depth at a position that had been feeling a pinch with only Jeff King, Chris Conklin and Chad Upshaw to handle practice and game-time repetitions. Prior to his injury, Rosario had been working in plenty of two-tight end, first-team sets at training camp with King. If he can play Saturday, will he be able to pick up where he left off -- as a starter in two of the last three regular-season games in 2007?

 

Taylor is playing LE in Washington?

 

Yes.

 

will be interesting to see Rosario again. King had a good game, but they obviously find a lot of potential in Rosario. There's room for both, certainly, but Rosario just seems more natural doing things with the passing game.

It's always fun to watch Jarrett out-tough Hackett.

I have beerfest today, so I'll be rewatching the tape tomorrow while nursing that.

 

As I have said repeatedly, Rosario is not a true tight end but rather more of an H-back. That's why they feel most comfortable using him on the left side with King rather than putting him alone on the right side. King may not be a great blocker, but Rosario is smaller and weaker while also quicker and more athletic.

 

He started some there, whether it's on the left or right, and was working first team in camp before he lost his momentum with the injury. I'm not wowed by his blocking, but I wasn't wowed by King's last year either. Luckily, he's manned up like I hoped he would and is solid there now. Rosario is a bigger threat, and I'm glad we have a bigger threat.

 

I figured Washington might move Carter to the left side and put Taylor at RE.

 

I know that you've been hyping Rosario all off-season, and I do think he's going to be an asset for the offense, but the team just doesn't seem to think of him as a starting tight end. He's never started a game there, and most of the time he's played in live action it's been split out or in two TE sets. King is not a great blocker by any stretch, but he is bigger and stronger than Rosario.


B&B:
That would seem to make sense, but they don't seem to have wavered.

 

FWIW, Taylor has said he would like to have freedom on the field to switch sides to try and get better match ups.

 

I'm excited to finally see DW/JS alternate with the first team OL... and out there with our best two TE's, and Jake out there with the best set of WR's he's seen since his first season as a Panther ALL IN THE SAME FUCKING GAME!

And we're only missing one starter on Defense? That rocks.


This a is a good team. We should dominate the Skins tonight like nobody's business.