Panthers Hold Second Scrimmage of Training Camp

Aug. 19, 2006

Dave Wannstedt

Training Camp Day 12

August 19, 2006

On the second scrimmage in general:

It was good work today. We ended up getting probably close to about a hundred plays with everything included. The special situation that we worked today, we worked some overtime, live, ones against ones and had the officials go through everything which I thought was good. The thing that was good today, the good and bad, was that offensively we moved the ball. I was real pleased how we moved the ball. The disappointing thing was we turned it over a few times when we had opportunities to score. But, you have to give the defense some credit, too. Clint Session went in there and caused a big fumble. There was some pressure on one of the interceptions. Defensively, I thought we were okay. The best thing we did on defense was cause a couple of turnovers. And I was pleased with the offense. I think we're starting to come together a little bit and [we're] making some plays.

On the difficulty scoring in the red zone today:

Well, there's not much space. Everything obviously becomes tighter down in there as far as where there is to throw the ball, where there is to run the ball. Just like when Shane Brooks scored there. Generally, with the good red zone scoring teams, you have to make somebody miss. Very (rarely) can you walk into the end zone untouched, and when Shane scored there he made a guy miss. Oderick Turner almost made a guy miss. That's usually what comes along with good scoring teams. It's not get the ball in the end zone on a throw and clean on a run. Generally, it's the ball completed on the five-, ten-yard line and somebody makes a move and scores.

On the improvement of the offense since the first scrimmage:

I thought offensively in practice we made positive strides the last two days. And today I felt like we continued to do that. It's interesting. T.J. Porter [made some plays]. LaRod [Stephens-Howling] made some plays. Oderick Turner's going to make some plays. Darrell Strong, [Steve] Buches [made some plays]. It was encouraging. I was pleased.

On the kicking game:

Conor Lee strained a hamstring last week, and we haven't got a final word on David Abdul yet. We're optimistic that he might be back with us at some point. I doubt early, but at some point. Conor Lee was the guy that really was kicking the best in the spring. We've got to get him out here, and get him back into the mix. [Dan Hutchins] has had a good camp, but he's a freshman. Right now, if we were playing a game today, he'd be our field goal kicker. I'm real pleased with Adam Graessle. I think he's having a great camp. We've just got to get zeroed in and get some consistency with our field goals.

On which receivers are starting to separate themselves from the pack:

You know Derek Kinder's going to be here. I think Oderick Turner, Marcel [Pestano] and I would say T.J. Porter would probably be the four guys right now.

On Tommie Campbell:

Tommie makes plays. Tommie's playmaking ability shows up at times and places you don't expect, but in the long run he makes a tackle 25 or 30 yards down the field. He's just going to get better. Think about it. It's his first year playing linebacker, too.

On the starting left offensive tackle battle:

[It's] very competitive. We'll take a look at the film. If somebody deserves a move on the chart, we'll move him.

On the offense:

I think our tight ends are awful good. I think we've got an offense right now that you couldn't single out any one position. I think we're going to have to be, not just an offense, but a team that plays together, that complements each other. Until we mature a little bit more and progress through the season, we're going to need all phases, and we're going to have to pull certain guys out and give certain guys certain assignments and take advantage of what we can do.

On the turnovers today:

Tyler [Palko's] interception was not [a forced turnover by the defense]. That's one where he needs to tuck the ball and hold it. Clint Session's caused fumble was a great hit on LaRod [Stephens-Howling]. The interception was a bad decision by the quarterback.

On Tyler Palko's consistency throughout camp:

I thought the last three days he's been [as] consistent as he has been. I liked how he tucked the ball and ran for a couple first downs today. Tyler's having a good camp. He's going to have a great year.