Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, December 16, 1994 TAG: 9412160038
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-10 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: ED HARDIN LANDMARK NEWS SERVICE
DATELINE: CHARLOTTE LENGTH: Medium
The Carolina Panthers are off and running - literally.
The expansion Panthers introduced the 10 players Thursday who will be the building blocks for the NFL franchise that begins play in 1995. If the 10 are any indication of which way the team is headed, fans can expect to see a lot of running plays next season.
The Panthers have signed 10 offensive players - four huge linemen, two running backs, two tight ends, a possession receiver and a big wide receiver whose best skill might be blocking in the open field.
``We'll run the ball,'' said Bill Polian, the Panthers' general manager. ``Every year. Not only the first year but every year.''
Taking the first opportunity for stocking NFL rosters, Carolina started with a splash. The Panthers signed four offensive linemen whose average size is 6-5, 335 pounds. They also signed former NFL stars Willie Green, a wide receiver formerly with the Detroit Lions, and running back Tony Smith, a special-teams player who once had 249 kickoff-return yards in a game, the second-highest total in NFL history.
``We went out and found the best players we could possibly get,'' Polian said. ``We got players a lot of other NFL teams were interested in and players who we think can help us take the first step.''
That first step is likely to be an off-tackle run with 6-9, 375-pound Kevin Farkas and 6-3, 380-pound Carlson Leomiti opening the hole.
Green, a 6-4, 188-pound wide receiver who opened the season with Tampa Bay, might have been the most significant signee. Green had been offered a contract by two NFL teams reportedly headed to the playoffs, but he signed with Carolina for the opportunity to play a key role on a young team and in the community.
``Hopefully, I can be one of the leaders of this young team,'' he said. ``That appealed to me. Also, I'm a single parent, and I wanted to play somewhere I knew I was going to fit in and not have to move in a couple of years. I owe that to my son.
``Also, I'd like to be able to give something back to the community.''
Others were not so altruistic. Leomiti said Charlotte reminded him of home. ``It's a lot like Cleveland,'' he said.
Polian said Leomiti and the new Panthers will be expected to become part of the community, even if they aren't around for very long.
``This is a good group,'' he said. ``Not only do they have talent, they are of great character. They will be the building blocks for the team and the community.''
The rest of the building blocks are running back Randy Cuthbert, a former Duke star; tight end Matthew Campbell, a former Shrine Bowl player from South Carolina; Mike Finn, a 6-5, 275-pound offensive tackle who began the season with the Pittsburgh Steelers; Darryl Moore, a 6-3, 293-pound guard who played for the Redskins; Lawyer Tillman, a 6-5, 254-pound Cleveland Browns running back who will be converted to a tight end; and Eric Weir, a 6-2, 175-pound receiver out of Vanderbilt.
The Panthers signed no defensive players.
``You've got to try to find defensive players when you can,'' Polian said.
``This year's collegiate draft is not going to be very strong for defensive players. You pick the people who have the best chance of making your roster. You can't be choosy. Let's face it, we need 22 players. We need everything.''
by CNB