CAR: Davis battles Branch for SS (1 Viewer)

[Tenacious D]

Davis at SS, Minter at FS, Branch out as starter...that seemed to make the most sense fantasy-wise, and it looks like they're headed that way...Panthers | Two to Battle at Strong SafetySat, 30 Jul 2005 20:54:45 -0700Steve Reed, of the Gaston Gazette, reports Carolina Panthers S Colin Branch and rookie S Thomas Davis will battle it out at training camp to see who the starting strong safety becomes. Davis opened camp working with the second team at strong safety behind Branch at practice Saturday, July 30. It's expected Davis will ultimately beat out Branch as the starter at some point during camp simply because of the amount of money the team has invested in him. The move means the Panthers appear to have settled on keeping Davis at safety, at least in their base defense. Davis has the skills to play linebacker as well. Panthers | Minter Working as First Team Free SafetySat, 30 Jul 2005 20:52:02 -0700Steve Reed, of the Gaston Gazette, reports Carolina Panthers S Mike Minter worked with the first team at free safety during practice Saturday, July 30. The Panthers experimented some with Minter at free safety during minicamp, but the move now appears permanent. Defensive coordinator Mike Trgovac said the purpose is to get the best 11 players on the field, and clearly he feels like Minter is one of them.

 

[Weiner Dog]

Panthers | Fox Talks about T. Davis' Role

Sun, 31 Jul 2005 09:16:43 -0700

Panthers.com reports Carolina Panthers head coach John Fox was asked Sunday, July 31, how he will determine rookie S Thomas Davis' position with the team. He replied: "The biggest thing to me is his comfort level. At Georgia, he was used as an early down safety and third-down linebacker. Right now, that is kind of where his role is. How he picks it up and how he develops in that role will determine where he plays. "

 

[Rozelle]

Davis should definatley start when it all shakes out. This kid is going to be dynomite! Davis owners have to be pleased to see him signed and in camp also.

 

[FightingWombat]

Thanks for the report.

 

[Tick]

I'm really starting to think I messed up by not taking Davis in my rookie drafts.

 

[purplehaze67]

I'm really starting to think I messed up by not taking Davis in my rookie drafts.

I'm still not sure, provided he stays as a DB. I mean, yeah he looks to be a good one but it's not like that position is hard to fill or anything. Move the guy to LB and yes, I'd consider him a "must take".

 

[mario8723]

I'm really starting to think I messed up by not taking Davis in my rookie drafts.

I'm still not sure, provided he stays as a DB. I mean, yeah he looks to be a good one but it's not like that position is hard to fill or anything. Move the guy to LB and yes, I'd consider him a "must take".

I still see this kid winding up at WLB. Just too much talent for that spot to not happen. Whether or not it happens this year is another story. I think next year with either Witherspoon or Morgan likely leaving, you'll definitely see Davis there.

 

[The_Hunchback]

I'm really starting to think I messed up by not taking Davis in my rookie drafts.

I'm still not sure, provided he stays as a DB. I mean, yeah he looks to be a good one but it's not like that position is hard to fill or anything. Move the guy to LB and yes, I'd consider him a "must take".

I still see this kid winding up at WLB. Just too much talent for that spot to not happen. Whether or not it happens this year is another story. I think next year with either Witherspoon or Morgan likely leaving, you'll definitely see Davis there.

I think you will see if Witherspoon signs then Davis stays at DB but if Morgan signs then he moves to WLB. Just my

 

[Mr Clean]

I'm glad to see a thread on Davis started.

I read conflicting comments in two different stories yesterday, the first is similar to what was stated above:

THE CHARLOTTE OBSERVER:

Minter will move to free safety to make room for first-round pick Thomas Davis on the strong side. Ricky Manning, a starting cornerback last year, will move to nickel back.

There also will be changes at linebacker. Fields will miss the season after his illness returned. Brandon Short will take his place on the early downs, but it appears the Panthers plan to move Davis to linebacker on third downs.

Then, THE JACKSONVILLE DAILY NEWS:

With Mike Minter out for awhile, Panthers head coach John Fox decided to go with Idrees Bashir at free safety instead of moving Colin Branch back there and using first-round draft pick Thomas Davis strong safety.

Bashir is a player with plenty of NFL experience, coming to the Panthers after starting 51 games for the Indianapolis Colts over his first five seasons in the league.

Bashir came to Carolina sensing he'd have a chance to start, but admitted he was a little surprised when the team drafted Davis in the first round.

"Unfortunately Mike went down for me to get in there, but I'm going to try to capitalize on every opportunity I get and try to show them what I'm worth," Bashir said.

Panthers head coach John Fox said the team made a conscious effort to "bolster" the safety position in the off-season.

Along with Bashir and Davis, the team also signed free agent Marlon McCree and drafted Ben Emanuel from UCLA in the fifth round.

"We have good depth at that position, so with Mike on the shelf for a little bit it will give these other guys some opportunities," Fox said.

Am I reading too much into this, or am I reading it wrong, because it seems like there are two vastly different philosophies being presented.

 

[Tick]

I'm glad to see a thread on Davis started.

I read conflicting comments in two different stories yesterday, the first is similar to what was stated above:

THE CHARLOTTE OBSERVER:

Minter will move to free safety to make room for first-round pick Thomas Davis on the strong side. Ricky Manning, a starting cornerback last year, will move to nickel back.

There also will be changes at linebacker. Fields will miss the season after his illness returned. Brandon Short will take his place on the early downs, but it appears the Panthers plan to move Davis to linebacker on third downs.

Then, THE JACKSONVILLE DAILY NEWS:

With Mike Minter out for awhile, Panthers head coach John Fox decided to go with Idrees Bashir at free safety instead of moving Colin Branch back there and using first-round draft pick Thomas Davis strong safety.

Bashir is a player with plenty of NFL experience, coming to the Panthers after starting 51 games for the Indianapolis Colts over his first five seasons in the league.

Bashir came to Carolina sensing he'd have a chance to start, but admitted he was a little surprised when the team drafted Davis in the first round.

"Unfortunately Mike went down for me to get in there, but I'm going to try to capitalize on every opportunity I get and try to show them what I'm worth," Bashir said.

Panthers head coach John Fox said the team made a conscious effort to "bolster" the safety position in the off-season.

Along with Bashir and Davis, the team also signed free agent Marlon McCree and drafted Ben Emanuel from UCLA in the fifth round.

"We have good depth at that position, so with Mike on the shelf for a little bit it will give these other guys some opportunities," Fox said.

Am I reading too much into this, or am I reading it wrong, because it seems like there are two vastly different philosophies being presented.

I believe Minter is injured currently (something fairly minor), which would explain Bashir practicing at FS.

 

[Bloom]

yes- minter is out for now with a minor knee injury

 

[The_Hunchback]

Panthers end experiment, move Davis to linebackerStaff reportsThe Carolina Panthers' experiment with Thomas Davis at strong safety has come to an end. Defensive coordinator Mike Trgovac said Monday Davis, the team's first-round draft pick out of Georgia, will move full time to strongside linebacker. The move was prompted by a foot injury to linebacker Brandon Short. The seriousness of Short's injury was not known, but Trgovac said the team needs to prepare for him to be out for an extended period.