Ok, it's done

According to ESPN.com, Michael Vick has signed a 2 year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles. Terms not yet disclosed, but that will come in the next few hours, no doubt.

As we have been saying all along, Vick will not be a Panther. This confirms it.

Good for him that he's getting another shot, and I wish my media brethren in Philly well. Their jobs just got a bit tougher, and perhaps a bit more entertaining.

Mike Solarte

Can we please, PLEASE stop the madness?

It's maddening. It's enough to make you want to pull your hair out, if your a Panthers' fan, or cover the team on a regular basis.

Michael Vick is going to be a Carolina Panther, if you ask the right member of the media.

Guys, it's not happening. Really.

I'll be stunned if that day comes to pass.

Let me remind everyone that I am all for Vick getting a second chance in the NFL, if a team is willing to take on the responsibilities of handling the nearly-guaranteed fallout from a certain element of the fan base. I just don't believe the Panthers are the organization to take that step.

Yet, that's not stopping folks like ESPN's Michael Smith from standing in front of a camera and explaining why Vick is the perfect match for the Panthers. Smith's reasons: The Panthers aging QB (Jake Delhomme), Head Coach John Fox's tenure, and the team's familiarity with him, having seen him avoid tackles and dance down the field.

ESPN's Chris Mortensen says, via Twitter, "On Panthers, Vick had great games v. them; Fox liked Pat White coming out but he went to Miami. Bible Belt = Forgiveness & redemption." Seriously? You're attributing the bible belt as the reason he'll be a Panther? Mortensen later replied to my question, basically asking if he was serious, by tweeting, "I have talked about why Panthers made sense not that they are the team."

Let me offer you counter arguments to Vick being a Panther.

Rae Carruth. Talented wide receiver, but ran afoul of the law when he was convicted of having someone shoot his then pregnant girlfriend. She was killed, the baby lived.

Todd Sauerbrun. Former Panther punter that, once he started committed driving infractions (along with alleged steroid use), found his way out of favor with the folks upstairs, even though he was still more than capable of booming kicks. His constant griping about making weight didn't help things, either.

Jarrod Cooper. See Sauerbrun with the whole driving and alleged steroid issues. He never griped about weight, though.

Bottom line, the Panthers are far less likely to take a flyer on a guy with a questionable history or baggage.

You keep reading the Panthers are a "class organization."

Now you know why.

Mike Solarte

Late Monday/Early Tuesday

Knocking out some quick thoughts before bed.

• Panthers owner Jerry Richardson visited the team during Monday morning's workout. Great sign seeing the Big Cat at camp, chatting with players and coaches. Another indication that the new heart is doing its job. The donor organ had to be something special for this special man. So far, so good. It will be great seeing him more and more, now that the season is fast approaching. Here's to continued positive recovery for a man who has done far more good for the NFL, and North Carolina than so many other owners combined. Richardson gets it, and fans should take notice and applaud him. If you did before, ramp it up a bit. He's more than deserving.
• Steve Smith went down with an injured shoulder. Word in the Twitterverse is that it's a shoulder strain (per his agent via Charles Chandler). Would keep him out of action for a minimum of 2 weeks. While no player wants to be banged up, this could be a blessing for Smith. The offense isn't radically different, thanks to continuity from Offensive Coordinator Jeff Davidson. Smith knows the system. He is the unquestioned leader of the receiving corps. Should he miss the pre-season, the only thing he'll miss is being knocked around in games that mean zero. Smith is not a guy that NEEDS to practice. He wants to, because he's a competitor. He won't benefit much from running all those routes in practices, and getting a couple catches in the exhibitions. Could be a blessing in disguise for him, and the offense as a whole. The Panthers "run first" mentality is priority one. Smith has done a better job as a blocker in those sets, so again, he'll miss practicing his run-blocking in the pre-season. Not the worst thing in the world. The injury is a concern, but in the big picture, that concern should be mild, provided the injury isn't more severe.
• Panthers have just one practice set for Tuesday, at 3pm. Should be another hot one out there, but the team can start looking ahead to an opponent. They will be 7 days out from their first exhibition game, and with the rash of injuries that have hit their starters, look for the depth chart to get a lot of looks. In case you've overlooked them, the injuries have been: LB Thomas Davis, LB Jon Beason, DT Maake Kemoeatu (out for year), S Nate Salley, RB Jonathan Stewart, RB DeAngelo Williams, and now Smith. Injuries happen in football, it can't be avoided. Those players that aren't listed as "ones" will have more than their fair share of work now in practices, and in pre-season games, to show their stuff.

Bottom line on the pre-season is this. Exhibition ANYTHING is meaningless. The Panthers can go oh-fer in the pre-season, and it ultimately won't mean anything. Sure, the players and coaches want to win. As Nuke LaLoosh of Bull Durham fame once said, "I love winning. It's like better than losing." That matters in the real year.

Mike Solarte

1 week in

OK, almost one week in. As I type this blog post, the Panthers are wrapping up their morning practice in Spartanburg. One more to go today, and then the team will be looking at a Saturday workout at Bank of America Stadium for Fan Fest. Then a night away from football with family and friends.

So far, here's what we have learned.

The DT position got real thin (no pun intended), after Maake Kemoeatu went down with his season-ending achilles injury. Even after signing rookie DT George Hypolite, the Panthers are still looking for additional depth (read veteran) to fill that void. The search continues.

By all accounts, the offense will be the side of the ball that needs to perform well if the Panthers are going to be successful. It's a matter of numbers. All 11 starters are back on the side of the ball. They hung some stout stats up in 2008. Health will be the biggest factor in determining how far the Panthers can go. When was the last time that the Panthers were in camp, and the offense was thought to be the strongest of their 3 phases? Under John Fox, the defense has always been the side that has been at the forefront.

The WR position isn't as thin as people might think, in my opinion. Once you get past Steve Smith and Muhsin Muhammad, there is a noticeable drop in experience. Here's why my glass is half full on the subject. Dwayne Jarrett (barring injury) will be a force. He stepped up and made some big catches in big situations last season. It seems like Jake Delhomme started trusting Jarrett more with those throws in 2008. Look for more in 2009. You also have Jason Carter, who is coming off of knee surgery in 2008. A year ago, Carter was having a huge camp, but was injured. In my opinion, that cost him a roster spot. Ryne Robinson was also banged up, but he's back. His main gig will be to return punts and kicks, with Mark Jones gone to Tennessee. The Panthers may or may not need a 5th WR based on these 5 players. Larry Beavers might be the guy to lock up that spot IF the Panthers go that route.

Injuries are a part of football, but when knee dings hit Thomas Davis and Jon Beason in the first week, that's a shot of reality. Davis and Beason don't need THAT much work in camp. Sure, there's a new DC in Ron Meeks on board, but Davis and Beason are two guys that get it. They should be back on the field next week (that's the hope anyway), and should be ready to start the season. Ultimately, the regular season is the most important. Get some work in the pre-season, but not so much that you blow yourself up.

Other notes in the world of sports: App State QB Armanti Edwards is out 2-4 weeks after injuring his right foot in a lawn mowing accident. Note to Armanti: They are called "freshmen." Have one of THEM cut your grass. Seriously, you've earned that right.

Props to Tucker Dupree, the paralympic swimmer from Cary, NC. he was chosen to Team USA's short course squad that will swim in Brazil in December. Nice young man, great athlete, wonderful story.

Hey Charlotte Bobcats, can you guys get a deal done with Raymond Felton, like now, so you have a chance at growing the fan base? Nothing makes an organization look worse to the public, than when they drag their feet on signing a player the fans love. Don't completely give in, but get the talking to the serious level. Meet halfway, sign the deal (that goes for you, too, Raymond--gotta meet in the middle), and start promoting this new look team. I'm sure Tyson Chandler will enjoy dunking lob passes from Felton in the same way he enjoyed them from Chris Paul.

One other item, an American hockey legend retired on Thursday. Jeremy Roenick ended his career after 20 NHL seasons. I had the rare pleasure of seeing him play at the tender age of 16, back in 1986. He was part of USA Hockey's program along with a couple other players Mike Modano and Keith Tkachuk. and they all skated in a tournament near my hometown in Illinois. All of those players showed they had the game to go to the big stage, but Roenick had that extra flash. You knew he would be brash, bold, and flamboyant. He was all those things as a professional, but above all, he was simply a hockey player. Cheers, JR. Enjoy the golf course.

Mike Solarte

OK, it's official

Maake Kemoeatu's season is in the books, after surgery to repair a torn achilles tendon on Wednesday. The Panthers have signed George Hypolite to the roster to take his spot, although it will be hard to fill Kemo's rather large shoes on the defensive line.

Had the chance to speak with GM Marty Hurney on Wednesday--you can see that interview on Sports Night tonight at 10. Among the topics, the addition of Hypolite, the cap situation, camp in general. Check it out.

Injury news from Wednesday, LB Thomas Davis with a knee tweak. By all reports, it is not believed to be serious. Also RB Jonathan Stewart will be held to 1 practice per day as his achilles continues to bother him. That injury kept him out of summer school workouts--no worries. The Panthers know what he can do.

Just 3 days, and 5 practices in, this camp seems to have gone from one of unfinished business to a bit of concern. Starters are banged up early, meaning they are getting less work in practice. Caution is a big buzzword. LB Jon Beason is still slowed with a hamstring issue, OL Duke Robinson had overheating problems on Tuesday and was held out Wednesday. It's the grind of camp, and a part of the game, yet one wonders if all these early issues might lead to something bigger down the road. Panther fans are hoping that the bigger down the road is actually better. Time will tell.

Mike Solarte

Kemo likely done for 2009

No one is officially saying it, but Maake Kemoeatu's 2009 season ended before it began. He'll undergo achilles tendon surgery to repair a complete tear on Wednesday. Timetable (roughly) looks like this. Off his feet for 4 weeks after surgery. Then start rehab. So it's September before he stands up, and week 1 is September 13. He's done for the year, folks. It would be nothing short of a miracle if he can play before the season ends.

Panthers have to find a way to plug that gap. Kemo plays such a vital role in stopping the run, simply because of his size. It's still so early to try and determine who will be the guy to step in--he could be on the roster now, or be brought in later as a free agent. It's one of the spots we'll be keeping an eye on going forward.

The heat claimed one player-OL Duke Robinson had some heat related issues, and was taken off the field as a precaution. It's getting steamy down there...if you plan on checking out the workouts, bring plenty of your favorite hydrating beverage.

Tonight on Sports Night, we'll hear from Double Trouble (DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart), as well as Ryan Kalil, and others. Make sure you check it out at 10 p.m.

Mike Solarte

Panthers watch, day 1

I am at the disadvantage of not being at camp, but based on all reports, and a conversation with our own Tim Baier, the morning workout was good, except for some injuries.

Maake Kemoeatu was carted off with an ankle injury. No update on how serious it is just yet, so we'll be keeping tabs on that. As mentioned in the previous entry, the defensive line is especially thin when it comes to depth, so this will give the coaches a chance to see some other face in that spot. Already, Marlon Favorite has been plugged in to take Kemo's reps.

Jon Beason had a hamstring wrap during practice--he apparently tweaked it before camp. the wrap was precautionary, and Beason told Tim Baier that he's fine.

I was at camp on Sunday for the player arrivals, and was surprised to hear the candid nature of Steve Smith as he addressed returning to Spartanburg, and his desire to be one of the team's leaders. Smith has had to endure endless criticism for his part in last year's training camp fight, and I give him high marks for stepping up, and letting the media inside his head. He's remorseful, and wants to prove to everyone that he's not the bad guy some make him out to be. The team did well to put that incident behind them, so the fact that Smith volunteered his thoughts was a sign (to me anyway), that he's still feeling the affects of it, and wants to make things right.

On the flip side, Julius Peppers was playing hide-and-seek from the media Sunday. He parked his Maserati on a sidewalk next to the dorms (I would too, if I drove one of those babies), and once he ducked into the building, he sent Panthers team helpers (read kids) to get his bags from the car. No idea when he moved his car (if he did at all), as I headed back to Charlotte after about an hour's worth of stake-out.

Peppers has every right not to address the media. I get that. I'm not griping about him ducking the cameras and tape recorders. What he has to realize is that his contract puts him squarely under the microscope. He will be paid an average of $1 million dollars per game. He knows it, the fans know it, the league knows it. For those reasons, Peppers needs to be the big time player that he has shown to be in the past. If he is not playing well, his distance from the media could be a bad thing. We'll have to see how it plays out.

Loads of camp news on News 14 Carolina, so make sure you check it out!

Mike Solarte