Father's Memory Has Da'Quan Bowers Motivated For NFL Draft

Dennis Bowers knew he was dying in August when he challenged his only son with his final wish during an emotional talk inside his Augusta, Ga., hospital room.

Bowers' message to his boy, Clemson defensive end Da'Quan Bowers? Rule the 2011 NFL draft.

"That last night I was able to spend with my father was the most important night of my life," Bowers said. "I'll never forget it.

"It was the most important life lesson I ever learned."
Dennis Bowers was a teacher to the end.

"My father told me what he expected of me as if he knew he was on his dying bed," Da'Quan said.
"His last wish was: 'Challenge yourself this year to be one of the best players in the country. And put your name in the draft. Challenge yourself to be the No. 1 pick of the 2011 draft.'

"That's what I did."

Full Story....................

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2011-03-27-bowers-sw_N.htm

Panthers Need To Rectify Passing Game, One Of NFL's Worst In History

The Carolina Panthers are on the clock, with the No. 1 pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, and their greatest need is the most obvious one. They must find a quarterback who can produce at even an average level by NFL standards.

The organization thought it solved the problem last year -- the biggest issue on any football team -- when it devoted a second-round pick (48th overall) to former Notre Dame star Jimmy Clausen. There were other signs of hope, too: young quarterback Matt Moore played extremely well in place of the injured Jake Delhomme at the end of 2009.

CARRY ON

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/kerry_byrne/03/25/panthers/

In Lockout, Twitter Can Be A Pulpit Or A Distraction

We often think of social media as a powder keg, but in the N.F.L. labor dispute, it may be acting more like a boiling chip. Twitter may provide an instantaneous sounding board for discontented players weary of the party line, but its wide range and immediate feedback create sudden consequences for anyone who stands out from the crowd.

http://fifthdown.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/03/24/in-lockout-twitter-can-be-a-pulpit-or-a-distraction/?partner=rss&emc=rss

History, Picking #1, And Carolina

Tension is mounting. Both parties involved are about as tight-lipped as it gets and the unknown has many fearful.

No, I am not talking about any negotiations between players and owners.

I’m talking about the Carolina Panthers and their first overall selection in April’s draft.
We are about a month away from draft day and normally, we have an idea of whom the first pick is going to be. Sure, teams attempt to keep everything hush until they’re officially on the clock, but thanks to the internet, draftniks always find ways to come to a consensus prior to the official announcement.

Nevertheless, for the first time in perhaps a decade, a number of candidates are in play for the top pick. By now, you turned on your television, saw one-person give their own opinion, and flipped the channel only to have somebody new say the opposite. Bottom line, there isn’t a consensus on who will be No. 1 on April 28.

Of course, that doesn’t stop speculation and there is sure to be much more in the next month. In order to avoid to confusion, I suggest turning to history to narrow down the options.

http://www.fantasyfootballjungle.com/articles/index.php?id=1168

Gabbert Definitely Gave Carolina Something To Think About

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- You have to take a pro-day workout partly as the dog and pony show it is, but Missouri quarterback Blaine Gabbert officially has given the Carolina Panthers a decision to make at the top of the 2011 NFL Draft.

Throwing for the first time before representatives from all 32 teams, Gabbert threw accurately and moved with smooth athleticism in a well-reviewed, 25-minute pro day workout on Thursday at the University of Missouri. If the No. 1 Panthers want to take a quarterback, they now must put Gabbert and Auburn's Cam Newton side by side and choose the one they feel has the most potential to be a clear-cut franchise passer.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/don_banks/03/17/blaine-gabbert-pro-day/

Will NFL, Players Realize Fans' Power ?

The weather forecast for Saturday in San Francisco is 60 degrees, in Boston 53 and partly cloudy. The NHL and NBA are grinding toward their seasons' end and the playoffs, with baseball (unless you hail from Pittsburgh or Kansas City) full of spring possibilities. In Japan, a disaster beyond comprehension has death tolls anticipated to reach the thousands. The United States, barely able to pay its bills at home, heaven help us, might put fighter planes in the skies over Libya.

Events large and small, important and not so will go on Saturday morning. Life will go on, happily for some, in the wake of tragedy for others. In sports, the ball will keep bouncing.

For weeks, in discussing the original March 3 expiration of the NFL's collective bargaining agreement, we've used words like deadline (stretched as it was to this week) and Armageddon, but they are not the right words. The business of the National Football League is currently at an impasse, but the game of football is very much alive. The sport itself literally hasn't gone anywhere. If you love football, go into the garage or a sporting goods store and buy one. Take the ball and throw it with your kids. Play Madden. Get really muddy by playing pick up ball with your friends. Be Tom Brady.

The business of the game is shut down, but fans have lost nothing while gaining something very important: You've learned that those who own the teams, the commissioner who runs the league and, to a far lesser extent, the players who run the routes, sack the quarterbacks and score the touchdowns have so little perspective that they believe their inability to divide $9 billion is, in the real world, important. We all know better.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/commentary/news/story?id=6208732

Is Mallett A Better Fit For Carolina Than Newton ? Five Reasons Why

New Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera has shown more than a little interest in Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton and closely watched the quarterback at Auburn's pro day last week.
The Panthers, who endured awful performances under center in 2010, hold the No. 1 pick in the 2011 draft and will scrutinize Newton at Auburn again during a private workout this Wednesday.

However it's worth noting they'll also put the seemingly re-ascending Ryan Mallett though his paces in Arkansas on Tuesday, according to the National Football Post.

Which begs the question: Is Mallett actually better fit for Carolina ?

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/thehuddle/post/2011/03/is-ryan-mallett-a-better-fit-for-the-panthers-than-came-newton-here-are-five-reasons-why/1

Owners' Proposal Was Fair

CINCINNATI -- Bengals president Mike Brown has had a front row seat for nearly every labor dispute between the NFL and its players. He admits that this one is a little different since it is a lockout by the owners and not a players' strike.

When the collective bargaining agreement expired Friday, the owners went ahead with their plans for a lockout after the NFL Players Association filed its decertification papers earlier that day. It ushered in the league's first work stoppage since the players strike in 1987.

"The union is entitled to strike, that's one of the strategies that the law gives unions in these negotiations just as it gives us the right to lock out," Brown said. "It's the same for both. Each can create a work stoppage. That's not to say we would have stopped bargaining. We intended to bargain during the lockout. Now that they have decertified I don't know if there is anyone to bargain with."

http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20110312/SPT02/103130339/

NFL Players' Union Moves To Decertify

WASHINGTON

There is no more overtime in labor negotiations between the NFL and NFL Players Association.
Talks for a new collective bargaining agreement fell apart Friday, as the players' union moved to decertify. This will undoubtedly lead to the league's first work stoppage in 24 years.

In a statement, the NFLPA said it would "move forward as a professional trade association with the mission of supporting the interests and rights of current and former professional football players."

The news came Friday afternoon following a contentious Thursday of verbal salvos between both sides during heated negotiations. Nine NFL owners on the league's executive committee as well as a slew of NFLPA executives and player representatives were among those who attended Friday's session at Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service headquarters in Washington.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/NFL-Players-Association-union-decertifies-labor-talks-owners-031111

Deadline Has Arrived / Stakes, Tension Rise In NFL Labor Talks

WASHINGTON — The negotiating gloves are coming off between the NFL and its players.
Tensions between the sides palpably increased Thursday as the NFL's labor impasse, which threatens part or all of the 2011 season, does not appear close to resolution with an 11:59 p.m. ET deadline looming Friday before the current collective bargaining agreement expires.

That means the owners could lock out the players. The NFL Players Association might opt to file an injunction or decertify Friday. Another option: Extension of the deadline for a third time.
The league and the players union met Thursday, but nine owners on the NFL's labor committee who traveled to the nation's capital — including Jerry Jones of the Dallas Cowboys and Jerry Richardson of the Carolina Panthers— were not directly involved in the bogged-down negotiations.

That led to frustration on the players' side as the union claimed no formal bargaining session took place. The talks are being overseen by federal mediator George Cohen.

CARRY ON........... http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2011-03-10-labor-talks_N.htm

Panthers Doing Their Homework On Newton

CHARLOTTE — Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera raised eyebrows at the scouting combine with his effusive praise of Auburn quarterback Cam Newton.
He’ll add to the speculation today, when he’s scheduled to be on hand for Auburn’s pro day workout.

He’ll see defensive tackle Nick Fairley, too, but Fairley seems to have fallen behind Alabama’s Marcell Dareus to be the top interior lineman to be drafted in April. Newton, meanwhile, remains front and center on the Panthers’ draft radar.
In Rivera’s news conference in Indianapolis, the words that echoed were constant references to “franchise quarterbacks.”

He insisted the Panthers would pursue all avenues to find one but made clear they’re looking for something the Panthers haven’t previously had.

CARRY ON................

http://www.thestate.com/2011/03/07/1727327/panthers-doing-their-homework.html







 

How Does Shockey Fit In Carolina ?

Tight end Jeremy Shockey has said he’s signing with the Carolina Panthers. This move has all sorts of implications for the Panthers and Shockey.

Let’s take a look at what it all means.

Is this a sign that owner Jerry Richardson is abandoning years of making it a point to stay clear of guys with character issues? Probably not and I don’t think new coach Ron Rivera has much more influence than predecessor John Fox did in this department. Yeah, the Panthers might be pushing things a bit by signing a flamboyant tight end who has been followed by controversy throughout much of his career. But, if you really look at Shockey’s track record, it’s not like he’s had a slew of major legal issues. I don’t think this is going to suddenly open the gates for the Panthers to jump up and sign Plaxico Burress as soon as he gets out of jail. Shockey’s issues have been more about personality than legal problems. He can be outspoken, controversial and he’s always going to want the football. There’s no crime in any of that.

http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/38114/how-does-jeremy-shockey-fit-in-carolina

Carolina Prepared In Case Of Lockout

CHARLOTTE – Nobody wants to see a lockout, least of all new Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera.

But that doesn’t mean he’s been ignoring the very real possibility of a lockout becoming a reality should owners and players fail to come to an agreement on a new labor deal by Friday.

As a first-year head coach, Rivera is already behind the eight-ball in terms of installing new schemes on both sides of the ball. The likelihood that the owners will lockout players on Friday only puts the Panthers further behind. In a normal year, the Panthers would get an extra minicamp session because they have a new coach. But that, along with the rookie minicamp in April, the three weeks of OTAs in June and possibly even parts or all of training camp could be compromised if a new deal isn’t reached.

http://www.gastongazette.com/sports/charlotte-55543-lockout-panthers.html