Third year receiver David Gettis had this to say about his long awaited return, “It’s a blessing to be back after a lot of hard work, not just from me but from the training staff and from my family praying for me. It’s been a long time – a year and a half,” he said. “This is what I love to do, what I’ve dreamed of doing since I was little. To have it taken away hurt, having to sit there and watch the team go on without you.”

“You kind of feel like you don’t belong in one sense, but it inspired me to work hard in my rehab to get back to being able to contribute.”

Nov. 27, 2011; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Carolina Panthers defensive end Thomas Keiser (98) seen during warmups before the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory credit: Michael Hickey-US PRESSWIRE

As for the rest of the injuries, which there have been a lot, most things have cleared up. Defensive Ends Antwan Applewhite and Thomas Keiser practiced on Wednesday, after suffering injuries to their hamstring and elbow, respectively. Both players have missed two games because of their injuries. Mike Tolbert and Charles Johnson were also banged up after the Redskins game, but the Official Panthers website reported they practiced and were ready for Sunday.

Rivera had this to say about the player’s returns, “It’s good to see. You saw a lot of guys with a little bit more energy today,” Rivera said. “They were moving around pretty well. We’ll try to be smart again tomorrow and give some rest to some of those guys, but Thursday is a pretty important day as far as putting your base in as well as doing nickel and red zone stuff.”

As I’m sure you know they face Denver Broncos this Sunday, and I’ll be there, sporting my Newton jersey, and screaming at the top of my lungs. I pray we will be singing “Sweet Caroline” around the final seconds, Go Panthers!!!

Courtesy of the Winston-Salem Journal

Yes it is only the fifth day of training camp, but man it sounds like the offense is doing a bunch of different things that you would have never have seen, and I mean ever in one hundred million years, under the John Fox offense of run, run, pass.

But Fox is gone and some players like DeAngelo Williams seem excited that the offense is opening up.

“The ‘is what it is’ is no more. It’s time to go,” Williams said Sunday to the Charlotte Observer

It seems as though head coach Ron Rivera is a bit more open minded when it comes to offensive packages. So far, the Panthers have been practicing a couple different plays, including a reverse, double reverse and wait for it…… an option with Cam Newton leading the charge. (more…)