Panthers: Safety Da’Norris Searcy recognized by ESPN
The national media outlet gave the Carolina Panthers safety props Friday..
The Carolina Panthers managed to get some love on a national level Friday courtesy of ESPN. In an article titled “Surprise offseason standouts to know for all 32 NFL teams”, ESPN listed Panthers safety Da’Norris Searcy as the individual who stood out the most during mandatory minicamp.
"Searcy was available after losing his starting job in Tennessee last season, and he flew under the radar among Carolina’s offseason signings. But Searcy is slimmer and more fluid after a diet that, in his words, includes fewer Coronas. He has emerged as the front-runner to start opposite strong safety Mike Adams at a position the Panthers didn’t address in the draft after releasing Kurt Coleman. “I watch him and Mike together, and I’ll tell you what, it’s like two old heads who have been together for a while,” coach Ron Rivera said."
Written by David Newton, this blurb about Searcy is interesting on a couple levels. When you stop and think about it, the fact that the Carolina Panthers did not address the safety position in the draft was a huge gamble. When acquiring him, they must have seen something in Searcy that made them confident he could start come Week 1 against Dallas. So far, it looks like their gamble has paid off.
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Secondly, the fact that Searcy seems committed to eating healthier and following a diet shows he is focused on the task at hand. He is hungry to get out there and make an impact for the team. He seems invested in what the Carolina Panthers are trying to do.
Lastly, the quote from Rivera is very encouraging. It kind of goes back to my second point. Judging by Rivera’s words, Searcy is picking up the defense and is fitting very nicely into the secondary. This is great to hear. That way, he will be all systems go come training camp. With him and Mike Adams being on the same page, that can only mean good things. Searcy is in-sync with a Panthers legend.
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This is beginning to look like a very good signing on the part of Marty Hurney. If Searcy can produce even a fraction of what the Carolina Panthers hope he can, this signing will pay major dividends.