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SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- John Fox was happy, the veterans were
happy, and the rookies were taped to the goal posts as the Carolina
Panthers wrapped up training camp Monday. Fox ended camp two days early for the first time in his five
seasons as coach, saying his players had earned the early departure
from Wofford College. "It was probably one of the better (camps) I've been associated
with," said Fox, who made the decision to end camp early following
Saturday's 17-10 exhibition victory at Jacksonville. "This is my
fifth year and our staff and the core of this football team has
been pretty much intact and I think you just get more comfortable.
It went pretty smooth and it was efficient." The team practiced early in camp during a heat wave, when the
heat index soared over 100 degrees. Also, unlike in recent years,
no practice was moved inside because of rain or lightning. "We know we can practice in the sun. We know that,"
quarterback Jake Delhomme said. "Everybody's going to say it was a
good camp when you break camp, but I think we got a lot of work
done. There were no gym practices, so there was a lot of hitting
and a lot of throwing. We've done some good things, but we're still
in camp mode. We're going to be back at it tomorrow. It's just that
we're going to be doing it 75 miles north of here." Before the players raced home in their expensive cars -- some
already lined up on the edge of the parking lot for a quick getaway
-- the rookies got a taste of traditional NFL hazing. Veteran
receivers Steve Smith and Keyshawn Johnson helped to tape rookie
receivers Daniel Smith, Lynzell Jackson, Jovon Bouknight, Taye
Biddle and Justin McCullum to one goal post. They were then doused
with water and sunscreen. "They kind of snuck up on us. I thought we were clear and free
to break camp -- nope," McCullum said. While that was happening, defensive linemen Devan Long and
Stanley McClover were being taped to another goal post, and James
Anderson was strapped to a chair. Veteran Chris Draft showed Anderson no mercy, giving him a
Gatorade bath. "I'm not exactly a hazing guy. I'm a supervisor hazer," Draft
said. "Our guy James Anderson asked for more tape, like a good
rookie should. We used regular tape, two-inch, stretch tape and
some good pre-wrap. He also asked for some Gatorade, because he
felt a little dehydrated. Now he smells like strawberries." Draft and the Panthers were in a good mood following two decent
performances in a 2-0 start to the preseason. The first-team
defense has allowed only three points in three quarters. While the
offense struggled until late in the first half against the Jaguars,
Johnson has five catches for 65 yards in two games and has become a
favorite target of Delhomme. Draft said he was ready to return to Charlotte get ready for
Thursday's game against Miami. "It's good to get out of here," he said. "It's a little warm.
The beds are a little too small. The cafeteria is a little too much
of the same. It's time to go."
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