I FEEL GOOD!

Mark Fields Q&A

Panthers linebacker Mark Fields tackled the media's questions Sunday after the final mini-camp practice at Bank of America Stadium. Before taking the first question, however, he pulled out his singing James Brown doll and told the media that the answer to their first question could be better answered by Brown. So he hit a play button and the Brown doll sang "I feel good."




http://www.panthers.com/news/newsroomNewsDetail.jsp?id=12498

 

I knew that you would.

 

Fields eyes return for Panthers


May 2, 2004
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- Carolina Panthers linebacker Mark Fields hopes to return to practice next month after completing his treatment for Hodgkin's disease.

Fields, who missed all of last season, attended the weekend's rookie minicamp but didn't participate in team drills. He's scheduled to have several tests May 14 and is optimistic he will be cleared to begin practicing.

``Everything has come along real well,'' Fields said. ``The doctors are happy. The coaches are happy. They are kind of just working me back in there slowly.''


Fields looks like he did before being diagnosed with cancer near the end of training camp last summer. He weighs 245 pounds, his normal playing weight, and his physique is still chiseled.

A return to the field can't come soon enough for Fields, who led the Panthers with 127 tackles and forced a team-record seven fumbles in 2002.

After watching his teammates play in the Super Bowl, the 33-year-old Fields is eager to take back his position as starting strongside linebacker.

``The guys will probably be mad at me at training camp because I feel like we can stay out there all day practicing,'' he said. ``We can go all day long, until whenever. I probably won't want to leave the field.''

Fields wasn't always sure he'd feel that way.

While lying in his hospital bed with tubes sticking out of his arm last August, Fields wasn't sure whether he'd make it back. But he had plenty of support from Panthers owner Jerry Richardson, coach John Fox, his teammates, fans and other Hodgkin's survivors.

One survivor in particular was extremely helpful to Fields -- former NFL player Merrill Hoge. Like Fields, Hoge was diagnosed with the disease during his playing career, but returned to play a few more years.

Fox put Fields in touch with Hoge and a friendship developed between the two athletes.

``I've been talking with Merrill through this whole situation,'' Fields said. ``I was a guy that wanted to get right in there after the first chemo treatment and start working out.

``But Merrill sat me down and talked to me and said, 'Listen, you really don't have to do that because your body is fighting so many other things. The more you sit back and rest the better off you'll be in the long run.' It's hard to listen to that, but in actuality it's starting to happen.''

Fields' biggest asset on the field always has been his speed.

Before last season, he was one of the fastest linebackers in the league, having been clocked regularly in the 4.3s in the 40. Whether Fields has that speed when he returns may determine how successful he will be.

The Panthers are confident Fields has the determination to make it back, but they signed free agents Jessie Armstead and Brandon Short to improve depth at linebacker. As of now, though, Fields is penciled in as the starter.

``Mark is such a high-energy guy that he is very uplifting to everybody,'' Fox said. ``So I think it is very important that he is out here.''

 

I love everything about Fields and even if he's not as fast as he was, that fighting spirit is something I want on the field and in the lockerroom as we face what will likely be a tougher season then last since we'll have huge targets painted on us! GO MARK!

 

I hope he pulls out that JB doll when he puts Vick on his ass this year!!:applause:


I FEEL GOOD!!!!!!!!!!

 

If he returns to his pre-illness form we are going to be scary good up front. We will have the most talented and deepest front seven in the league. The next team will not be close.

Think abou it:

LDE Peppers and Pittman
LDT Buckner and Burton
RDT Jenkins and Walker
RDE Rucker and Wallace

SLB Feilds and Short
ILB Morgan and Short/Tufts/Spoon
WLB Spoon and Armstead

Our backups would make a better front seven than a lot of starting units in the league.

If the secondary can just play average football we will be really hard to beat with Fields back.

 

Stop it! You're making me want to head to Charlotte!!!!

 

Mark Fields rules. And damn you thelt, you got me jacked up.

 

This team is just going to be scary good, period.

 

Year three of the "plan" :applause:
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weed vaporizer