choo-choo

Published: Sep 1, 2004
Modified: Sep 1, 2004 3:00 AM

Ciurciu gets his big shot to stick
Linebacker to start for Panthers

By DARIN GANTT, The (Rock Hill, S.C.) Herald

CHARLOTTE -- Vinny Ciurciu knows that chances like this are rare.
After all, it's not often that former college fullbacks get a chance to start on defense for the Carolina Panthers.

Starting middle linebacker Dan Morgan is not expected to play in Thursday's preseason finale at Pittsburgh because of a groin injury, so Ciurciu has worked with the first defense this week in practice.

"It's going to be a great experience for me to go out there and learn and see what the tempo of the ones is," Ciurciu said Tuesday. "It's definitely a different pace of the game when you're running with the first team. So I'm excited to go out there and learn and experience it."

Ciurciu began his college career as a fullback at Clemson, then transferred to Boston College, where he ended up playing linebacker. He went to camp with the Panthers last year, but was waived and placed on the practice squad.

Tampa Bay signed him for two months, but when the Buccaneers released him, the Panthers were quick to pick him up. After other players were injured late in the year, the Panthers added him to the active roster, and he played in all four postseason contests, contributing three special-teams tackles.

The Panthers are fairly sure he could contribute as a special-teamer immediately, but there might not be room on the roster to keep him.

Linebacker figures to be one of the toughest calls on the team when it's time to make final cuts.

Starters Morgan, Mark Fields, Will Witherspoon and backups Jessie Armstead and Brandon Short appear to be locks.

Because the Panthers kept just six linebackers last year, that could leave just one available spot for Ciurciu, rookie Sean Tufts and veteran Brian Allen to battle over.

"Depending on how the numbers shake out, we're going to keep the 53 best players we can," Panthers coach John Fox said.

Ciurciu knows Thursday may be his last chance to show he should be among those 53.

"I think every game I've gone into, it's an evaluation period," he said.

"This being the last one and playing with the ones is definitely a big evaluation for me.

"You definitely always want to show them you can play special teams as well as defense. This is definitely going to be a great test, and hopefully I can go out there and do well."


i know who my eyes will be glued to. go vinnie. i'll be tooting for ya.

 

Morgan is hurt again?!!!!
When did this happen
He is getting to be worse than Mike f'ing Vick

 

Anyone got GOOD mojo for Dan? This is getting ridiculous.

 

I wouldn't sweat Morgan too much - the last pre-season game they typically rest alot of starters - especially if they are the slightest bit nicked up - plus like they said it's the last real chance to evaluate these borderline players.

 

just a slight muscle strain. He's able to play, but they wanna make sure there's no chance of injury for opening game.

This article also tells me the Ciurciu is leading in the LBer race for a roster spot. If it were Tufts leading Witherspoon would shift to middle and Short or Armstead would start.

 

Hopefully he holds up. Should be critical how he does in coverage.

 

yeah Ciurciu is one of those guys its hard no to cheer for.

 

he's looked okay in pass coverage to me. at the moment, i'm more worried if he can hold up against the running game with the ones in the game. PITT is the perfect test. if he can get it done against them, he should be okay.

 

That nickname is taken. Please find another one.

 

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