Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, August 30, 1995 TAG: 9508300056
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: ED HARDIN LANDMARK NEWS SERVICE
DATELINE: ROCK HILL, S.C. LENGTH: Long
Randy Baldwin is the starting halfback for the Carolina Panthers, and Derrick Moore is his backup. In one day, the entire makeup of the Panthers' offense was changed.
But for how long?
Carolina suddenly has enough money under the salary cap to go after another player. The Panthers probably have enough to get Deion Sanders' attention if they were so inclined.
More likely, they'll start looking for offensive linemen.
``I would say that's the area we need to be shoring up,'' General manager Bill Polian said. ``If we can.''
The linemen coming free on the waiver wires this week hardly are the kind of building blocks Polian and the Panthers are looking for. Even if one did become available, Carolina wouldn't be able to get anyone for this week.
``It's not critical for this week's game because whoever we got would not be ready,'' Polian said.
The Panthers plan to bide their time as players such as Marion Butts and Johnny Johnson move on and off the waiver wires. And while signing someone like Sanders is an intriguing possibility, a more likely situation involves runners and linemen.
Until something comes available, however, Carolina will go with Baldwin, Moore and a committee of backs that includes fullbacks Howard Griffith and Bob Christian and recently acquired Butler By'not'e.
``I think we have very capable runners now,'' Dom Capers said.
And they also have between $3 and $5 million under the salary cap, depending on whose figures you use. Polian says they don't have near that much. The player's union contends Carolina had $3.1 before waiving Barry Foster.
``What appears to be room is really not much room,'' Polian said.
For Joe Pendry and the Panthers offense, that means not much help in the near future. Carolina will go into Sunday's game in Atlanta with a depleted offensive line and a somewhat unproven backfield. It is, however, an interesting backfield.
Baldwin led the team in rushing in the preseason, gaining 114 yards on 31 carries. Baldwin and Moore, who spent the past two seasons backing up Barry Sanders at Detroit, have 596 yards between them in the past two years.
Baldwin is ready for the challenge.
``I'll be sharp Sunday,'' he said. ``I know that. I'd been waiting for an opportunity. You never know when opportunity will knock.''
Or how it will knock. The Panthers watched Baldwin's preseason work and decided to fire the man directly ahead of him. His preparation will not change, however. Foster missed so many practices and games that Baldwin has been the No.1 back for more than a month.
Baldwin watched Foster beg out of conditioning drills and routine practices. Then he saw Tony Smith, Foster's original backup, go down. On Saturday, Dewell Brewer was injured.
``My part of the puzzle is to stay intact,'' Baldwin said. ``I want to be ready.''
The Panthers are thinking the same thing as they keep one eye on their offense and another on the waiver wire.
Carolina has been very active the past two weeks, not only in waiving players, but also in bringing in players with specific skills. By'not'e was brought in for special teams, though he could be pressed into service as a running back.
But injuries to linemen Matt Elliott and Brandon Hayes depleted the Panthers up front, and that has become the chief concern. Whether Carolina has as much money as some people think might not be much of a factor as the Panthers look for more specific needs.
Baldwin is content to watch it all, keep reading his playbook and try not to read the newspapers. Then again, with all he's been through, he doesn't care who the Panthers put around him. Or in front of him.
``I hope they do bring in more players,'' Baldwin said.
PANTHER MOVES: The Carolina Panthers, struggling to find fresh legs for their running game, signed seven-year NFL veteran Vince Workman Tuesday.
Workman spent four seasons with Green Bay and the past two with Tampa Bay. His best season was 1992 when he gained 631 yards on a 4.0 average for the Packers. He gained 291 yards in 1994.
The Panthers signed three free agents: wide receiver Elbert Ellis, offensive tackle Jason Childs and safety Damon Pieri.
Ellis was cut by Pittsburgh, where he spent the 1994 preseason. Childs and Pieri had been cut by the San Francisco 49ers. Pieri played five games for the New York Jets in 1993.
The Panthers created the roster room by trading wide receiver Michael Bates to Cleveland for past considerations and waiving running back Brian O'Neal and wide receiver Ray Ethridge. Carolina also placed defensive lineman Mike Teeter and defensive back Michael Senters on injured reserve.
Added to the practice squad were: former Georgia Tech linebacker Jamal Cox, who was cut by the Bears, and Alabama linebacker Andre Royal, who was waived by Cleveland.
MILLER TIME: A circuit court judge reversed a decision against selling beer and wine at Clemson's Memorial Stadium, letting the taps flow at Carolina Panthers' games this season.
However, opponents say the setback was expected and they will ask the state Supreme Court to rule on the issue.
Judge Henry McKellar said vendor Volume Services, which would sell beer and wine at the Panthers' eight Sunday games, met all requirements for the permits and found no reason to deny them.
Beer and wine coolers will be on sale starting Sept.17, when the Panthers meet St. Louis in the team's home opener.
Keywords:
FOOTBALL
by CNB