Panthers Pre-Season Press Conference

holyjabroni73 · #1 (**permalink**) 12-02-2005

GM Stepp walks into the Panthers press room with Head Coach Fox, OC Heimerdinger, and DC Robinson. GM Stepp walks to the podium and the coaches take a seat to either side.

Hello everyone, and welcome. As you can see we have 2 new coaches this year. We had some problems at times on both sides of the ball and we thought adding some new blood into our system would possibly get us fired up again.

Coach Fox has done an amazing job with this franchise and will continue being our Coach as long as Im able to keep him here, so there are no changes planned in the future for his position. The team responds well to him and he is a great motivator for our guys.

We are all getting prepared for the draft and making some possible moves to get more picks in this years draft. We have some great young talent, but we need to improve and we think there will be some great players available in this draft.

We have a few guys that are coming up for free agency as well that we would like to keep our hands on, but that is later on down the road as well.

Our major areas of improvement need to be with consistency. We had some games last year where we were absolutely amazing, and then wed get blown out the next week. We need to stay focused and just cause we play good one week doesnt necesarilly mean we will the next. If we can keep our young guys focused every week then that will be a huge step. I know we have a lot of young guys but we are professionals and they have to step it up....being young is not going to be an excuse.

We need to try and improve our O line. They can play better and hopefully they will, but we will be looking to improve those positions during this offseason. We also would like to get another big body in the middle of our Defense. We experimented with the 3-4 during the preseason because we have some great linebackers, but it didnt work out because our front three couldnt protect them enough and they were getting man handled. So we will see how things progress during the mini camps and preseason this year.

I know most of you are wondering if the rumors about our current qb are true...and they are. We are wanting to move in a different direction with our quarterback and we think Jake would be well served by a new location as well. We have some deals we are trying to hammer out before the draft, but as of this time our qbs are Brees and Simms. They are both young strong armed guys that given the opportunity they will make some things click we believe. Jake has done alot for this team, but we are going to be trying to move him shortly.

Any Questions?

titansrule · #2 (**permalink**) 12-02-2005

Two questions:

How does the team feel about you trading Jake?

And to OC, Do you feel you can bring the same success you have had with Steve McNair into camp and hence the season for the replacement QB?

holyjabroni73 · #3 (**permalink**) 12-02-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by titansrule

Two questions:

How does the team feel about you trading Jake?

And to OC, Do you feel you can bring the same success you have had with Steve McNair into camp and hence the season for the replacement QB?

Well this is a business. There were some grumblings last year about our QB play. Hes considered one of the better qbs in the league but he didnt hold up his end of the bargain. The team knows that stuff like this happens. Im sure there are some guys that dont like the move, and some that do. We have to do what we think is best for the team and right now this is what we feel is best.

Heimerdinger approaches the podium for his question

I feel that I can bring success to the offense here in Carolina. We have a young team here, but I think the schemes that we will use will benefit our speed. The reason to switch out the quarterback is not mine alone so I didnt come to any conclusion of making Drew or Chris into a McNair calibur quarterback....at least not yet. For those guys to get better they are going to have to work hard and study hard. They are both good guys and we should do very well as an offensive unit with them helping not only the team out but each other as well.

Next Question?

titansrule · #4 (**permalink**) 12-02-2005

How do you feel about Playoff chances?

holyjabroni73 · #5 (**permalink**) 12-02-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by titansrule

How do you feel about Playoff chances?

Every team starts with the same record. Many things determine whether you can make the playoffs.

First you have to have good talent, which I think we do.
You have to avoid injuries and you have to play well within your own division. Injuries are a part of the game and you have to get your other guys ready to play if they occur. The teams ability to overcome these and play well help teams win games too.

You also need some luck from time to time. We had some last year, because the skins dropped their final game for us to get into the show.

I think we have a good shot at making the playoffs, but I bet if you ask the other 31 GMs out there they have just as good a shot as we do.

T.O.F.N. · #6 (**permalink**) 12-02-2005

If you can't find a replacement for Jake, will he still see a lot playing time?

Short · #7 (**permalink**) 12-02-2005

Are Brees and Simms in your long term plans at QB? Or will you look to free agency or the draft for another solution at QB?

Chaos6 · #8 (**permalink**) 12-02-2005

Is there any truth to the Rumors that you are currently in talks with Dallas about a possible trade involving Delhomme?

holyjabroni73 · #9 (**permalink**) 12-03-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheOneFromNone

If you can't find a replacement for Jake, will he still see a lot playing time?

Jake will not be a Panther this year. He will be wearing a different uniform.
--------------- Madden 2007 Next Gen football ---------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Short

Are Brees and Simms in your long term plans at QB? Or will you look to free agency or the draft for another solution at QB?

As of right now they are our plan at Quarterback. We will take a look at some of the young guys in the draft as well, but we wont throw them to the wolves right away. We wont go after anyone in Free Agency, unless they are just too good to pass up.

Chris and Drew will battle it out in preseason and minicamps to see who will be our starting qbs. They are our options as of right now, and I dont really see that changing.
--------------- Madden 2007 Next Gen football ---------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chaos6

Is there any truth to the Rumors that you are currently in talks with Dallas about a possible trade involving Delhomme?

Dallas is very interested in acquiring Jake. There is another team in the mix, but I will confirm that Dallas is in the mix as well. They have a very good and fair offer on the table, and we are looking at all the aspects involved. As soon as we hear from the league offices we will let you know more about Jakes status and where he will be headed.

T.O.F.N. · #10 (**permalink**) 12-03-2005

anyone in the free agency you have your eyes on?

holyjabroni73 · #11 (**permalink**) 12-03-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheOneFromNone

anyone in the free agency you have your eyes on?

At this time no. With that said however it doesnt mean that we wont be lining up in the Free Agent pool. For instance if there is a top notch Offensive Lineman or Corner we possibly could be in the market. I know our main concern around here is getting Manning back into a Panthers uniform. He is a very good young corner and he siad he wants to remain a Panther but we have to hammer out the details on that.

titansrule · #12 (**permalink**) 12-03-2005

Will Manning be tagged?

Short · #13 (**permalink**) 12-03-2005

Any specific reason that Jake must go?