Q: How was your offseason?
A: It’s been good. I’ve been relaxed and working out, of course. I’ve stayed in shape. Other than that, I’ve just been relaxing, taking trips and trying to get ready for training camp.
Q: Before last season, you worked out in Arizona. Did you do that again?
A: Yes, for part of the time, I was in Arizona. The other part of the time I was at home in Charlotte, actually, with a personal trainer.
Q: Your teammates were high on your conditioning when you showed up to camp last year. How would you compare yourself now to then?
A: I feel about the same as I did last year as far as conditioning-wise. I know I wasn’t around for the camps and summer school and those things, but as far as my conditioning, I feel like I’m in must as good a shape as last year, and I’m ready to go.
Q: How was it for you to miss minicamp and summer school practices for the first time in your NFL career back in May and June?
A: It was a difficult situation because on one hand, I wanted to be there and I wanted to be around my teammates that I was going to be playing with and getting adjusted to a new (defensive) coordinator. On the other side, it was just one of those things where I wasn’t under contract so I had to let the business side run its course.
Q: How do you feel about this season?
A: I feel good about the team and the players who play, as I did last year, as I said after the last game we lost (33-13 to Arizona in the playoffs on Jan. 10). I said the game was disappointing but I feel like we’ve got the right guys in this locker room. I still feel that same way. I never doubted any of my teammates or anybody, or any of the coaches, because I feel like this team is headed in the right direction. I feel really good about the players that we have in the locker room and I feel good about the prospects for the upcoming year.
Q: How do you think your teammates will receive you?
A: Basically, during the offseason, I had contact with several of my teammates. There were several of the guys I talked to, and I out of everybody I talked to, I have not heard any negative feedback from anybody, so I expect us to pick up where we left off. My relationship with those guys remains strong.
Q: How do you expect the fans to react to you?
A: I’m not really expecting anything. I know fans can be with you when things are good. And when things are bad, I know they can turn against you. I’m not really expecting too much. I understand that there are people out there who are disappointed with how things went, but at the same time, I know the number of real fans I have far exceeds the portion of the fan base that isn’t too isn’t too pleased with what’s going on with me. I can’t let what (it) affect me and how I prepare and how I do things. At the same time, I want to show my appreciation for the real fans who have showed their support for me.
Q: Given how strongly you expressed your desire to leave the Panthers back in January and February, are you disappointed it didn’t go your way and how do you proceed with a team you didn’t want to play for?
A: I understood the situation that I was in – fully. I understood everything. I understood all the options and what could happen and some things that may not happen, so nothing surprised me. Can I say I’m disappointed that things didn’t go the way I wanted them to go? I can’t really say I’m disappointed at anything. At that time, I realized the career of an NFL player is not very long. I’ve been fortunate to becoming up on my eighth season. Before I sign a long term deal, I felt the need to be sure about signing a long term deal with any team. At that time, I felt whatever I did was in my best interests.
And, after that (in the summer), I came to Charlotte from Phoenix and had a one-on-one conversation with Mr. (Jerry) Richardson. After that conversation, I felt good about our conversation. I felt good about my future in Charlotte (and) I gave Carl (Carey, his agent) permission to open discussions with Marty (Hurney, the Panthers’ general manager) on a long-term deal. Basically, after that, I thought the long-term deal would get done. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to come to terms – either side (by the NFL’s July 15 deadline). As far as that, I can say it’s unfortunate, but I cant say I’m disappointed or unhappy because I’m fine with deal I have in place and the situation I’m in currently.
Q: Are you still open to signing a long-term contract with the Panthers?
A: I think, under the right circumstances, under the perfect circumstances, I’m open to a long-term deal.
Q: Tell us more about your meeting with Mr. Richardson? How was it, what was the tone of it?
A: I can say it was a good meeting. I’m not going into any specifics or details about what was said. The tone of it was a good thing. There were no hard feelings. We laughed and talked about the whole thing. Like I said, after the meeting, I felt good about continuing to talk to the team after that.
Q: Was talking to Mr. Richardson an important step for you going forward with the Panthers?
A: I think so. I think I needed to just talk to him and let him know. Sometimes when you hear things from the media, some things can get misinterpreted and you read into things wrong. So I felt like it was good for me to talk to him and let him know where I was coming from, personally, from my own mouth so he could understand how I felt about everything. Sometimes, if you take things the wrong way, it could be a rift there and there is really no need for it because you haven’t (taken) time to sit down and understand where a person is coming from.
Q: The controversy over your status happened when Mr. Richardson was having serious health problems. He has made it clear over the years how much he thinks of you. Do you think his feelings were hurt by the position you took?
A: I can’t really say. I don’t know. I’m not going to speak for him. I don’t know if his feelings were hurt or not, but I can say that after the meeting, after talking about everything, there was like mutual respect, always. I think he respects my decision and what I tried to do and, at the same time, I respect his.
Q: From your perspective, why did a long-term contract not get accomplished with the Panthers after you began open to the possibility?
A: We just weren’t able to (agree). We traded proposals. We sent the proposal and they sent it back. At the time, we just couldn’t agree on the terms of the deal. That’s basically it. That’s expected in this league. A lot of times those things don’t happen in a short time period. … Who knows? Maybe somewhere in the future.
Q: Do you think there is still a rift between you and the Panthers?
A: No. I don’t think so. If it is, I don’t feel it. The short answer to that is I don’t feel it. If there is, I don’t know about it.
Q: There have been questions about whether your motivation to play could be affected by the contract dispute. I’ll ask you directly: Are you `all-in’?
A: Oh, definitely. I have no reason not to be. I’m under contract to play for this team. During this time, everything I can do to help this team win is going to be done on my part. That’s been my attitude and my approach in every season I’ve played. I have no reason not to put forth full effort in any game that I play.
Q: Have you met yet with new defensive coordinator Ron Meeks or new defensive line coach Brian Baker?
A: No, I have not.
Q: How do you feel about playing for a new coordinator and a new position coach?
A: I’m looking forward to getting there and meeting those guys, getting a chance to understand the defensive philosophy they coach. I’m receptive to the new challenge that is ahead. I’m looking forward to meeting those guys and getting started with them.
Q: Do you expect to be used in any different way this season than in the past, since you’ve stated a desire to be put in position to be more of a disruptive force on defense?
A: I’m not really sure what I expect because I haven’t been around. I know what I saw from (Meeks’) defense at Indy, but I can’t say I expect things to be the same because we have different personnel (from the Colts) and we have a different head coach (John Fox) who likes to do things a certain way. I’m not really sure what to expect right now, but I’m looking forward to getting in there and finding out.
