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http://www.gastongazette.com/Portal/ASP/sports/panthers/PanthersDisplay.asp?ID=1238
Fox says Minter will still be a “big part” of team’s defense this year
By: Steve Reed
Gazette Sports Reporter
CHARLOTTE — Carolina Panthers head coach on Friday said unequivocally that strong safety Mike Minter will play a big role with the team this season.
There was some question surrounding Minter’s future since the Panthers are starting out first-round draft pick Thomas Davis at strong safety — the position Minter has occupied the last eight seasons for the Panthers — and because he will cost $5.9 million under this year’s salary cap.
“Mike is a pro. I know he’ll handle it right,” Fox said. “At the end of the day, I think Mike Minter is going to be a very, very big part of our defense this year.
“He’ll do everything in his power to make that happen, whether it’s helping a young guy or doing things he’s got to do to get better.”
Fox said that if things work out well with Davis at strong safety then he might consider moving Minter to free safety.
“Potentially,” Fox said. “This was only our first practice of the season. What we are doing is evaluating guys. As we prepare for New Orleans in the opener, hopefully, we’ll have our best 11 on the field.”
Fox said at some point during the next minicamp or training camp the team will give Davis a look at outside linebacker. But for at least this weekend’s minicamp he’ll remain at strong safety.
“Whenever you bring a rookie in, you want to give him the best opportunity to give you his best first impression,” Fox said. “He has been (played) there the last two years. I think that (strong safety) is where his comfort level is. That is why we started him there.”
Davis worked with the second team on Friday behind Minter.
Competition abounds — Strong safety isn’t the only position in which there will be competition during training camp.
Chris Gamble and Ricky Manning will battle at cornerback, while Tutan Reyes and rookie Evan Mathis will tangle at right guard and Brentson Buckner and Kindal Moorehead will face off at defensive tackle. It’s also unclear at this point who’ll start at strongside linebacker. The Panthers should hear some news next week regarding Mark Fields’ medical tests.
In any event, Fox likes the competition.
“What that does is force guys to work hard,” Fox said. “I think at the end of the day that makes you a better football team.”
Jenkins is back — Two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kris Jenkins returned to the practice field for the first time since last October when he underwent surgery on his right shoulder and said he feels good.
Something is missing — Fox said it was a strange feeling walking out to the practice field on Friday without linebackers coach Sam Mills.
“He will be missed, not just today but for many days to come,” Fox said. “In fact, I walked out here with Sam III (Mills’ son, who helps the team) and shared a couple of thoughts. We will definitely miss Sam Mills.”
On the sidelines — Defensive tackle Kindal Moorehead, who started 12 games last season for the Panthers, did not practice because he’s still recovering from three different off-season surgeries on his shoulder, ankle and knee.
Among the players who didn’t practice on Friday due to injuries were running back Stephen Davis (knee), guard Bruce Nelson (hips), cornerback William Hampton (knee), tight end Mike Seidman (shoulder) and fullback Casey Cramer (shoulder).
Sauerbrun absent — As expected, Panthers punter Todd Sauerbrun did not attend practice Friday. League sources said the team is close to working out a trade involving the former three-time Pro Bowl selection.
Ellison works inside — The Panthers started working out third-round draft pick Atiyyah Ellison at defensive tackle on Friday. He can also play defensive end.
Peko added to roster — The Panthers claimed guard Tupe Peko off waivers from the Indianapolis Colts. Peko, a from Michigan State, is a four-year NFL veteran who has mostly been backup since joining the league.
—-end—-
4/30/2005
Fox says Minter will still be a “big part” of team’s defense this year
By: Steve Reed
Gazette Sports Reporter
CHARLOTTE — Carolina Panthers head coach on Friday said unequivocally that strong safety Mike Minter will play a big role with the team this season.
There was some question surrounding Minter’s future since the Panthers are starting out first-round draft pick Thomas Davis at strong safety — the position Minter has occupied the last eight seasons for the Panthers — and because he will cost $5.9 million under this year’s salary cap.
“Mike is a pro. I know he’ll handle it right,” Fox said. “At the end of the day, I think Mike Minter is going to be a very, very big part of our defense this year.
“He’ll do everything in his power to make that happen, whether it’s helping a young guy or doing things he’s got to do to get better.”
Fox said that if things work out well with Davis at strong safety then he might consider moving Minter to free safety.
“Potentially,” Fox said. “This was only our first practice of the season. What we are doing is evaluating guys. As we prepare for New Orleans in the opener, hopefully, we’ll have our best 11 on the field.”
Fox said at some point during the next minicamp or training camp the team will give Davis a look at outside linebacker. But for at least this weekend’s minicamp he’ll remain at strong safety.
“Whenever you bring a rookie in, you want to give him the best opportunity to give you his best first impression,” Fox said. “He has been (played) there the last two years. I think that (strong safety) is where his comfort level is. That is why we started him there.”
Davis worked with the second team on Friday behind Minter.
Competition abounds — Strong safety isn’t the only position in which there will be competition during training camp.
Chris Gamble and Ricky Manning will battle at cornerback, while Tutan Reyes and rookie Evan Mathis will tangle at right guard and Brentson Buckner and Kindal Moorehead will face off at defensive tackle. It’s also unclear at this point who’ll start at strongside linebacker. The Panthers should hear some news next week regarding Mark Fields’ medical tests.
In any event, Fox likes the competition.
“What that does is force guys to work hard,” Fox said. “I think at the end of the day that makes you a better football team.”
Jenkins is back — Two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kris Jenkins returned to the practice field for the first time since last October when he underwent surgery on his right shoulder and said he feels good.
Something is missing — Fox said it was a strange feeling walking out to the practice field on Friday without linebackers coach Sam Mills.
“He will be missed, not just today but for many days to come,” Fox said. “In fact, I walked out here with Sam III (Mills’ son, who helps the team) and shared a couple of thoughts. We will definitely miss Sam Mills.”
On the sidelines — Defensive tackle Kindal Moorehead, who started 12 games last season for the Panthers, did not practice because he’s still recovering from three different off-season surgeries on his shoulder, ankle and knee.
Among the players who didn’t practice on Friday due to injuries were running back Stephen Davis (knee), guard Bruce Nelson (hips), cornerback William Hampton (knee), tight end Mike Seidman (shoulder) and fullback Casey Cramer (shoulder).
Sauerbrun absent — As expected, Panthers punter Todd Sauerbrun did not attend practice Friday. League sources said the team is close to working out a trade involving the former three-time Pro Bowl selection.
Ellison works inside — The Panthers started working out third-round draft pick Atiyyah Ellison at defensive tackle on Friday. He can also play defensive end.
Peko added to roster — The Panthers claimed guard Tupe Peko off waivers from the Indianapolis Colts. Peko, a from Michigan State, is a four-year NFL veteran who has mostly been backup since joining the league.
—-end—-
4/30/2005
