This is from AUgust 4th, link below-
Quick, someone check on Tater... I'm afraid he may have passed out!
What a difference a year makes, well, not even a year... just six months. I thought we'd see a new, re-energized Armanti Edwards, ready to prove his doubters wrong. However, thus far I never imagined he'd have the kind of improvement we've seen from him. It isn't just the big things like receiving and route running he's doing right, it's the little things too like his hand placement, block shedding, and foot placement; the transformation is truly amazing.
Today via Twitter Joseph Person said that it's more than fans who are being impressed with this wholesale improvement, but the coaches are noticing too.
Joe Person
Rivera says Edwards is in the mix for the No. 2 rcvr spot w/ LaFell and Gettis, who is still out w/ hamstring injury.
This opens up a lot of very interesting schematic plays should Edwards win the job. Not only does it conceivably give you three people who can throw the football (along with the QB and DeAngelo Williams who has been practicing in camp), but it also allows for Smith and Edwards to run the quick slants and cuts while Greg Olsen can stretch the field vertically. When you combine this with the running game and Cam Newton's versatility it could spell nightmares for defenses.For now though we have to give all the credit in the world to Armanti Edwards for stepping up, working hard, and making a good deal of fans eat some crow.
http://www.catscratchreader.com/2011/8/4/2344352/rivera-armanti-edwards-in-the-mix-for-2-wr
AP-August 10th
SPARTANBURG, S.C. (AP) — The last thing Armanti Edwards was worried about as a rookie was throwing passes for the Carolina Panthers. His sole focus, he was told last season, was learning to play wide receiver and return punts, no easy task considering he played quarterback at Appalachian State.
Now that's changed to some degree.
"It's ironic, now I have to get used to playing quarterback again," Edwards said.
He isn't competing for a starting quarterback spot with Cam Newton or Jimmy Clausen, but based on what the team has done in practice offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski plans to use him occasionally in the Wildcat formation — with Newton split out wide.
Although the Panthers are installing an entirely new offensive scheme and are pressed for time in this NFL lockout-shortened offseason, they devoted more than 30 minutes of practice Tuesday morning to Edwards taking snaps out of the shotgun, which goes to show how serious they are about using him.
He ran. He handed off. And, of course, he threw the ball.
There was some good and some bad. He showed great quickness and completed a 65-yard touchdown pass to David Clowney that got a rise out of his teammates. He also under threw a wide open Steve Smith on another deep route and intercepted.
"I'm a little rusty," Edwards admitted with a laugh.
Still, his comfort level in the pocket was reminiscent of what Edwards did at Appalachian State, where he was the only two-time winner of the Walter Payton Award given to the nation's NCAA FCS Player of the Year.
"The one thing you don't want to do is line up where everybody knows where you're going," Panthers coach Ron Rivera said. "You don't want to always be throwing it to the same guy or handing it to the same guy. You also want to create different looks and stress your opponent a little bit."
Rivera said he likes Edwards' elusiveness, his athletic ability and his arm strength.
But more than anything he likes the element of surprise.
"If you can put some doubt in people's mind as to what he's going to do, it's going to help you offensively," Rivera said. "Armanti can be a kind of guy that when he comes on the field it's not always in a Wildcat situation.
"Now you don't know how to prepare for it. One minute the quarterback is under center with Armanti (at receiver) and the next minute Armanti is there and it's, 'Hey is he going to run it or throw it?' It can add to what we do offensively."
Rivera should know.
As a former defensive coordinator Rivera was forced to prepare for similar offenses in the past.
When asked how much time it takes for a coordinator to prepare for such nuances, Rivera said, "Too much. It really does. For a team to only go one or two or three times (a game) it's a huge distraction."
Edwards said the Panthers have already installed five different plays specifically designed for him with more to come.
"It's very exciting to see they have a lot of plays they want to put in down the road depending on what team we play," Edwards said. "This offense is going to be very exciting this year."
The Panthers experimented with Edwards in the shotgun some last year, but only ran two plays all season. He was never a big favorite of former coach John Fox, who had a reputation for playing veteran players over rookies.
Edwards is currently fifth on the depth chart at wide receiver and second at punt returner.
He's not listed at quarterback.
But he'll be out there from time to time, that's for sure.
"We had been talking about this before the lockout and after the lockout," Edwards said. "I knew it was coming. I just didn't know we were going to install some already during camp ... They said once we get good at this we'll do even more."
**********************
August 24th
Edwards already making a difference
A year ago, Armanti Edwards had a dreadful debut as a punt returner in Bank of America Stadium.
It was a different scene Saturday night.
Edwards averaged 23 yards on two punt returns against the New York Giants, offering a glimpse of why coach Ron Rivera believes he can be a difference-maker for the Panthers.
"I was one defender away on two punts from going the distance," Edwards said.
During the offseason, Edwards worked extensively with former Panthers receiver Muhsin Muhammad and former NFL punt returner Gari Scott, refining both skills. Instead of fumbling punts as he did in the exhibition opener last year, Edwards attacked the returns.
"I had a hard time judging the ball last year," Edwards said. "This summer, I tried to focus on catching the ball. Once you catch, it's back to football and what everybody does with the ball - just run with it."
Edwards also caught one pass for 36 yards but dropped one when a Giants defender stripped it from him.
"I've got to catch the balls I get my hands on," Edwards said.
Rivera liked what he saw from the former Appalachian State All-American.
"He gave us some energy," Rivera said. "With his elusiveness and his vision, if we block and do the things we're supposed to do as a special teams unit, the young man's going to do that for us. It's going to fall on us as a special teams unit to give him opportunities."
Read more: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/08/14/2527731/armanti-edwards-already-making.html#ixzz1W0If9EQF
************
No date posted
Armanti Edwards has been enjoying a new lease on life during his second season with Carolina and Saturday's preseason opener even made a favorable impression on one of his toughest critics.
That would be himself, as the former Greenwood and Appalachian State standout quarterback liked what he saw on film after a pair of scintillating punt returns in a 20-10 victory against the Giants.
“After trying to (return punts) for the first time last year to where I was in that first game, I was a little impressed,” said Edwards, adding he didn't feel even a smidgen of redemption in being able to show people his topflight athleticism.
“I'm not out to prove anybody wrong,” he said. “You're going to have your critics and your fans that are behind you.”
Edwards had first-quarter punt returns of 22 and 24 yards that both showcased elusiveness, and later caught a 36-yard pass from Cam Newton to set up a late second-quarter field goal for a 13-10 lead. A bit of his former self returned as well, however, as Edwards couldn't haul in a perfect strike from Newton.
But the positive Edwards bandwagon has surely increased attendance this summer and quite frankly it doesn't matter what the fans think of his ongoing conversion to receiver and return man after his stellar former life as an outstanding dual-threat quarterback.
The speedy 5-foot-11, 182-pounder has the new coaching staff in his corner after never making a believer out of former head coach John Fox despite the team trading up to draft Edwards 89th overall in the third round prior to last season.
The now 23-year-old only saw action in two games and totaled just 7 yards on one rush and two punt returns.
“Last year was one of the low points in my football career,” Edwards said. “You're going to come across that at some point in time and I came across it last year and had to learn how to deal with it. I'm kind of quiet and kept to myself, didn't blame anybody but myself and dealt with it that way.
“It means a lot to put that first year behind me and it's done and over with. Now I know what to expect coming into this year and I tried to work extra hard this offseason.”
Edwards received tutoring on the receiving end from former Panther great Muhsin Muhammad and would also call up current punter Jeff Baker to meet and catch ball after ball off the veteran's foot. Edwards has shown increased knowledge of the nuances of route-running in addition to all the reps simply catching punts, something he'd never done.
“Armanti has done a great job,” Carolina head coach Ron Rivera said. “The hard thing about this year is not having OTA's and mini-camp, but apparently whatever Armanti has done in this offseason in terms of his commitment is most certainly starting to show off.
“The one thing you do see from the time I had an opportunity to meet him before the work stoppage to now, he's transformed himself. Kudos to him. He spent a lot of time with his teammates, developing that bond, and then he developed himself individually. You can see the difference.”
Edwards said the biggest thing he witnessed in Muhammad wasn't any inside info or tricks of the trade veterans can pass down, but simply how hard the retired Panther worked even now during drills.
“I definitely saw what a hard worker he was and how everything he did we were going at it real hard and I picked up on that,” Edwards said. “I've also been working on trying a few of his techniques to see how they work out. I'm very confident and getting used to running routes and seeing the ball quicker now and it's made things easier.”
He's also become much more natural fielding punts and dismissed any previous fear factor in trying to catch a sky-high ball among the sun or lights with a full stadium roaring and anticipating.
“If you trust the other 10 guys that are blocking, it's not frightening at all,” Edwards said. “Last year I didn't trust myself really. It wasn't the guys that were blocking. I'm progressing and just have to get more practice at it.”
One place where Edwards doesn't need as much practice time is at quarterback, where Rivera has tinkered with Edwards taking snaps where his varied skills are something that could add more twists to an already new attack.
“His elusiveness, his athletic ability and his ability to throw the ball,” Rivera said. “If you can put some doubt in people's mind as to what he's going to do, it's going to help you offensively. Also, Armanti can become a guy that when he comes onto the field it's not always in a Wildcat situation. Now you don't know how to prepare for him.
“One minute the quarterback is under center with Armanti as a wide receiver and the next thing you know Armanti is there. Is he going to run or throw it? It can add to what we want to do offensively.”
Edwards is just as excited about the possibility of an expanded role and the chance for the first player in NCAA Division-I history to top 10,000 passing yards and 4,000 rushing yards over his career to get a chance under center brings a smile to his face.
“I don't know, we're not that far yet,” Edwards replied when asked if he believed he'd get a chance to throw some passes. “I just want to get better at receiver and punt returner and want to get out on the field starting, but that's down the line. I just want to get out there and help anyway I can.”
http://www.goupstate.com/article/20110815/ARTICLES/110819786/1027/OPINION?p=3&tc=pg
Quick, someone check on Tater... I'm afraid he may have passed out!
What a difference a year makes, well, not even a year... just six months. I thought we'd see a new, re-energized Armanti Edwards, ready to prove his doubters wrong. However, thus far I never imagined he'd have the kind of improvement we've seen from him. It isn't just the big things like receiving and route running he's doing right, it's the little things too like his hand placement, block shedding, and foot placement; the transformation is truly amazing.
Today via Twitter Joseph Person said that it's more than fans who are being impressed with this wholesale improvement, but the coaches are noticing too.
Joe Person
Rivera says Edwards is in the mix for the No. 2 rcvr spot w/ LaFell and Gettis, who is still out w/ hamstring injury.
This opens up a lot of very interesting schematic plays should Edwards win the job. Not only does it conceivably give you three people who can throw the football (along with the QB and DeAngelo Williams who has been practicing in camp), but it also allows for Smith and Edwards to run the quick slants and cuts while Greg Olsen can stretch the field vertically. When you combine this with the running game and Cam Newton's versatility it could spell nightmares for defenses.For now though we have to give all the credit in the world to Armanti Edwards for stepping up, working hard, and making a good deal of fans eat some crow.
http://www.catscratchreader.com/2011/8/4/2344352/rivera-armanti-edwards-in-the-mix-for-2-wr
AP-August 10th
SPARTANBURG, S.C. (AP) — The last thing Armanti Edwards was worried about as a rookie was throwing passes for the Carolina Panthers. His sole focus, he was told last season, was learning to play wide receiver and return punts, no easy task considering he played quarterback at Appalachian State.
Now that's changed to some degree.
"It's ironic, now I have to get used to playing quarterback again," Edwards said.
He isn't competing for a starting quarterback spot with Cam Newton or Jimmy Clausen, but based on what the team has done in practice offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski plans to use him occasionally in the Wildcat formation — with Newton split out wide.
Although the Panthers are installing an entirely new offensive scheme and are pressed for time in this NFL lockout-shortened offseason, they devoted more than 30 minutes of practice Tuesday morning to Edwards taking snaps out of the shotgun, which goes to show how serious they are about using him.
He ran. He handed off. And, of course, he threw the ball.
There was some good and some bad. He showed great quickness and completed a 65-yard touchdown pass to David Clowney that got a rise out of his teammates. He also under threw a wide open Steve Smith on another deep route and intercepted.
"I'm a little rusty," Edwards admitted with a laugh.
Still, his comfort level in the pocket was reminiscent of what Edwards did at Appalachian State, where he was the only two-time winner of the Walter Payton Award given to the nation's NCAA FCS Player of the Year.
"The one thing you don't want to do is line up where everybody knows where you're going," Panthers coach Ron Rivera said. "You don't want to always be throwing it to the same guy or handing it to the same guy. You also want to create different looks and stress your opponent a little bit."
Rivera said he likes Edwards' elusiveness, his athletic ability and his arm strength.
But more than anything he likes the element of surprise.
"If you can put some doubt in people's mind as to what he's going to do, it's going to help you offensively," Rivera said. "Armanti can be a kind of guy that when he comes on the field it's not always in a Wildcat situation.
"Now you don't know how to prepare for it. One minute the quarterback is under center with Armanti (at receiver) and the next minute Armanti is there and it's, 'Hey is he going to run it or throw it?' It can add to what we do offensively."
Rivera should know.
As a former defensive coordinator Rivera was forced to prepare for similar offenses in the past.
When asked how much time it takes for a coordinator to prepare for such nuances, Rivera said, "Too much. It really does. For a team to only go one or two or three times (a game) it's a huge distraction."
Edwards said the Panthers have already installed five different plays specifically designed for him with more to come.
"It's very exciting to see they have a lot of plays they want to put in down the road depending on what team we play," Edwards said. "This offense is going to be very exciting this year."
The Panthers experimented with Edwards in the shotgun some last year, but only ran two plays all season. He was never a big favorite of former coach John Fox, who had a reputation for playing veteran players over rookies.
Edwards is currently fifth on the depth chart at wide receiver and second at punt returner.
He's not listed at quarterback.
But he'll be out there from time to time, that's for sure.
"We had been talking about this before the lockout and after the lockout," Edwards said. "I knew it was coming. I just didn't know we were going to install some already during camp ... They said once we get good at this we'll do even more."
**********************
August 24th
Edwards already making a difference
A year ago, Armanti Edwards had a dreadful debut as a punt returner in Bank of America Stadium.
It was a different scene Saturday night.
Edwards averaged 23 yards on two punt returns against the New York Giants, offering a glimpse of why coach Ron Rivera believes he can be a difference-maker for the Panthers.
"I was one defender away on two punts from going the distance," Edwards said.
During the offseason, Edwards worked extensively with former Panthers receiver Muhsin Muhammad and former NFL punt returner Gari Scott, refining both skills. Instead of fumbling punts as he did in the exhibition opener last year, Edwards attacked the returns.
"I had a hard time judging the ball last year," Edwards said. "This summer, I tried to focus on catching the ball. Once you catch, it's back to football and what everybody does with the ball - just run with it."
Edwards also caught one pass for 36 yards but dropped one when a Giants defender stripped it from him.
"I've got to catch the balls I get my hands on," Edwards said.
Rivera liked what he saw from the former Appalachian State All-American.
"He gave us some energy," Rivera said. "With his elusiveness and his vision, if we block and do the things we're supposed to do as a special teams unit, the young man's going to do that for us. It's going to fall on us as a special teams unit to give him opportunities."
Read more: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/08/14/2527731/armanti-edwards-already-making.html#ixzz1W0If9EQF
************
No date posted
Armanti Edwards has been enjoying a new lease on life during his second season with Carolina and Saturday's preseason opener even made a favorable impression on one of his toughest critics.
That would be himself, as the former Greenwood and Appalachian State standout quarterback liked what he saw on film after a pair of scintillating punt returns in a 20-10 victory against the Giants.
“After trying to (return punts) for the first time last year to where I was in that first game, I was a little impressed,” said Edwards, adding he didn't feel even a smidgen of redemption in being able to show people his topflight athleticism.
“I'm not out to prove anybody wrong,” he said. “You're going to have your critics and your fans that are behind you.”
Edwards had first-quarter punt returns of 22 and 24 yards that both showcased elusiveness, and later caught a 36-yard pass from Cam Newton to set up a late second-quarter field goal for a 13-10 lead. A bit of his former self returned as well, however, as Edwards couldn't haul in a perfect strike from Newton.
But the positive Edwards bandwagon has surely increased attendance this summer and quite frankly it doesn't matter what the fans think of his ongoing conversion to receiver and return man after his stellar former life as an outstanding dual-threat quarterback.
The speedy 5-foot-11, 182-pounder has the new coaching staff in his corner after never making a believer out of former head coach John Fox despite the team trading up to draft Edwards 89th overall in the third round prior to last season.
The now 23-year-old only saw action in two games and totaled just 7 yards on one rush and two punt returns.
“Last year was one of the low points in my football career,” Edwards said. “You're going to come across that at some point in time and I came across it last year and had to learn how to deal with it. I'm kind of quiet and kept to myself, didn't blame anybody but myself and dealt with it that way.
“It means a lot to put that first year behind me and it's done and over with. Now I know what to expect coming into this year and I tried to work extra hard this offseason.”
Edwards received tutoring on the receiving end from former Panther great Muhsin Muhammad and would also call up current punter Jeff Baker to meet and catch ball after ball off the veteran's foot. Edwards has shown increased knowledge of the nuances of route-running in addition to all the reps simply catching punts, something he'd never done.
“Armanti has done a great job,” Carolina head coach Ron Rivera said. “The hard thing about this year is not having OTA's and mini-camp, but apparently whatever Armanti has done in this offseason in terms of his commitment is most certainly starting to show off.
“The one thing you do see from the time I had an opportunity to meet him before the work stoppage to now, he's transformed himself. Kudos to him. He spent a lot of time with his teammates, developing that bond, and then he developed himself individually. You can see the difference.”
Edwards said the biggest thing he witnessed in Muhammad wasn't any inside info or tricks of the trade veterans can pass down, but simply how hard the retired Panther worked even now during drills.
“I definitely saw what a hard worker he was and how everything he did we were going at it real hard and I picked up on that,” Edwards said. “I've also been working on trying a few of his techniques to see how they work out. I'm very confident and getting used to running routes and seeing the ball quicker now and it's made things easier.”
He's also become much more natural fielding punts and dismissed any previous fear factor in trying to catch a sky-high ball among the sun or lights with a full stadium roaring and anticipating.
“If you trust the other 10 guys that are blocking, it's not frightening at all,” Edwards said. “Last year I didn't trust myself really. It wasn't the guys that were blocking. I'm progressing and just have to get more practice at it.”
One place where Edwards doesn't need as much practice time is at quarterback, where Rivera has tinkered with Edwards taking snaps where his varied skills are something that could add more twists to an already new attack.
“His elusiveness, his athletic ability and his ability to throw the ball,” Rivera said. “If you can put some doubt in people's mind as to what he's going to do, it's going to help you offensively. Also, Armanti can become a guy that when he comes onto the field it's not always in a Wildcat situation. Now you don't know how to prepare for him.
“One minute the quarterback is under center with Armanti as a wide receiver and the next thing you know Armanti is there. Is he going to run or throw it? It can add to what we want to do offensively.”
Edwards is just as excited about the possibility of an expanded role and the chance for the first player in NCAA Division-I history to top 10,000 passing yards and 4,000 rushing yards over his career to get a chance under center brings a smile to his face.
“I don't know, we're not that far yet,” Edwards replied when asked if he believed he'd get a chance to throw some passes. “I just want to get better at receiver and punt returner and want to get out on the field starting, but that's down the line. I just want to get out there and help anyway I can.”
http://www.goupstate.com/article/20110815/ARTICLES/110819786/1027/OPINION?p=3&tc=pg
![[scooter]](/data/avatars/m/22/22287.jpg?1659477690){kind=avatar}
another preseason story hyping some scrub. Funny how quickly they go from "contending for a starting role" to "practice squad fodder".
