- All Sports »
- City
- »
Charlotte/Raleigh News
Panthers rookie Stewart's manner has a familiar ring
The State — Jonathan Stewart showed up in Charlotte already talking Pantherspeak.Carolina's first-round draft pick uttered one of his new coach's favorite sayings, "It is what it is," Friday after the first mini-camp practice of his NFL career.Stewart, the former Oregon running back, was talking about the frustration of having to watch from the sidelines instead of practicing because he's recovering from a March 12 toe surgery."I wanted to be out there real bad," Stewart said. "I don't really like watching. It just kind of gets you antsy. But it is what it is. ...
Carolina Panthers1 day agoGreat expectations greet rookie
The State — Forgive Carolina Panthers rookie Charles Godfrey the Houston Texans logo that is tattooed on his right hand.And don't worry that, until a few days ago, Godfrey didn't know who Mike Minter is or that he's wearing Minter's old number -- 30 -- as the newest member of the Panthers' defensive secondary.Godfrey, a third-round draft pick last weekend, has been in Charlotte just a few days and he's already given the team his full commitment."I'm a Panther," he said during this weekend's mini-camp.Godfrey's hand bears the Texans tattoo because he g...
Carolina Panthers1 day agoFonoti tries redemption song
The State — Sunday has become a special day for Carolina Panthers guard Toniu Fonoti.It's the one day each week he allows himself to eat sweets.After weight problems almost shipwrecked his NFL career, he opted to work out more vigorously and curtail his food consumption."It's hard, but after a while, you get used to it," he said.Fonoti, whose name is pronounced TONE-you FONE-oh-tee, is a wild card in the Panthers' offensive line reconstruction.
Carolina Panthers1 day agoWalker returns to Southern roots
The State — Darwin Walker was always a Carolinas guy.He grew up in Walterboro, S.C., and signed to play collegiately at N.C. State. When things didn't work out there, though, he transferred to TennesseeAfter college and a brief stop with the Arizona Cardinals, he headed north, making a name for himself in six seasons as a pocket-busting, pass-rushing defensive tackle in Philadelphia. One year in Chicago, though, went poorly due to injuries, and after the 2007 season he found himself a free agent again.Walker began to look homeward."My No. 1 goal was not just to get back to this area, it was to g...
Carolina Panthers1 day agoWilliams welcomes new running back
The State — panthers notebook DeAngelo Williams said Saturday he's happy the Carolina Panthers drafted Jonathan Stewart with their first pick in last week's NFL draft -- even if it means Stewart becomes the team's starting running back."It didn't bother me at all," said Williams, who had been penciled in as the starter after the DeShaun Foster was released in the offseason. "I still have the same mindset, whether I'm the starter or not the starter."This the National Football League. Every year, there's another quarterback, wide receiver, offensive lineman,...
Carolina Panthers1 day agoHackett eager for Delhomme passes
The State — Let's get one thing straight. Despite the rumors, the Carolina Panthers never guaranteed new receiver D.J. Hackett a starting spot to persuade him to come to Charlotte."Nah," he said when asked if that had been part of the deal. "That's not my job; my job is just to play, so I don't worry about that."Hackett, who made several fine catches over the course of the five workouts, was talking at the conclusion of Carolina's minicamp practices Sunday. He did say that the chance to get considerable playing time figured into his decision."Definitely, especi...
Carolina Panthers1 day agoPanthers pick up 1st win
The State — If you want to know what Jeff Davidson's new offense is going to look like, just take a glance at the Carolina Panthers' first drive of the preseason.With cutback runs and screen passes that were not in Dan Henning's playbook last season, the Panthers' starters drove 81 yards on 13 plays. About the only thing that looked familiar was the 5-yard touchdown pass from Jake Delhomme to Steve Smith, capping the drive.The second- and third-team offenses also were impressive as reserve quarterbacks David Carr and Brett Basanez led touchdown drives, and the Panthers defeated the New...
Carolina Panthers4 days agoPanthers coming unhinged
The State — For the better part of three hours, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers slapped the Carolina Panthers around Bank of America Stadium. Then, in their dismal locker room, the Panthers got hit with the knockout punch.It came from one of their guys and it came with as much honesty and emotion as a scratchy-voiced Kris Jenkins could deliver in a five-minute speech (in which he wasn't even asked a question) that might have rattled the locker-room walls."This is our issue as a team: As a team collectively, we have no heart. We have no energy. We have no drive," said Jenkins, a three-time Pro Bowl...
Carolina Panthers4 days agoPanthers: Concussion sidelines Smith for practice
The State — SPARTANBURG — Carolina returned to training camp without top receiver Steve Smith, who sustained a concussion in the preseason opener.Smith did not practice Monday. Coach John Fox said only that he’s day-to-day.Smith was shaken up after making a leaping 19-yard catch in the first quarter of Saturday’s 23-20 overtime victory against Indianapolis. He continued to play, but quarterback Matt Moore said he knew something was wrong with Smith.The receiver was suspended for the first two regular-season games for breaking teammate Ken Lucas’ nose in a fight duri...
Carolina Panthers1 week agoEarly signs yield optimism for Panthers
The State — CHARLOTTE — Julius Peppers broke out of his slumber and was dominant again. DeAngelo Williams made a case to start by darting through giant holes opened by the new, mammoth offensive line.Jake Delhomme had no setbacks from his elbow surgery. Steve Smith made another spectacular catch — and kept his hands off his teammates.The strong performances gave rise to optimism, and wariness, after the Panthers’ 23-20 overtime win against the Indianapolis Colts in Saturday’s preseason opener.“It was just nice to have both sides of the ball operating effic...
Carolina Panthers1 week agoBig inning helps Yellow Jackets rout Deacs 14-6
Winston-Salem Journal — ATLANTA, Ga.
Wake Forest Demon Deacons1 week agoWhat is SportsOverdose?
SportsOverdose gathers links to every headline and rumor happening in sports right now, drawing on local newspapers, sportswriters, and fan bloggers.
Charlotte/Raleigh Sportswriter Blogs »
Local beat writers blog about the teams they cover.
- What would reaction be if Smith played for Bobcats? Inside the NBA | Charlotte Observer
- Fantasy Football thoughts ... Inside the Panthers | Charlotte Observer
- Lawson mentions tennis player in essay ACC Now | News & Observer
- Game time change for Leafs Lord Stanley's Blog | News & Observer
- Dalpe headed to Ohio State Lord Stanley's Blog | News & Observer
- Mountaineers are No. 1 - again Observations from 50-yard Line | Charlotte Observer
- John Smallwood: Battles heating up for defensive end at Eagles camp Philadelphia Inquirer/Daily News
- All-Pro TE Gates returns to practice San Diego Union-Tribune
- Packers make pitch to move practice site Green Bay Press-Gazette
- OSU notebook: Position can change if you're linebacker Columbus Dispatch
- Bob Hunter commentary: Wins, losses can explain results from sports poll Columbus Dispatch
- Freshmen enhance deep receiving corps Columbus Dispatch
Need fantasy football help? Go to SportsOverdose Fantasy Football 2008 for the best free advice on the web.
AP Photo/Gerry Broome
North Carolina State redshirt freshman quarterback Russell Wilson takes questions during football media day in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Aug. 16, 2008. Three quarterbacks are competing for North Carolina State's starting job.»Yahoo! Sports
AP Photo/Gerry Broome
North Carolina State senior quarterback Daniel Evans answers questions during football media day in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Aug. 16, 2008. Three quarterbacks are competing for North Carolina State's starting job.»Yahoo! Sports
AP Photo/Gerry Broome
North Carolina State freshman quarterback Mike Glennon answers questions during football media day in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Aug. 16, 2008. Three quarterbacks are competing for North Carolina State's starting job.»Yahoo! Sports
AP Photo/Gerry Broome
North Carolina State football coach Tom O'Brien listens to a question during media day in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Aug. 16, 2008. Only recently did O'Brien trim the quarterback derby to a three-man race between senior Daniel Evans, redshirt freshman Russell Wilson and freshman Mike Glennon.»Yahoo! Sports
