GoPackGo
06-14-2006, 11:30 PM
I always liked Diggs, good for him I guess,
here is an article from the Charlotte Observer
Diggs can fill gap at linebacker
Ex-Packer discovers weather, competition hotter with Panthers
STAN OLSON
solson@charlotteobserver.com
Na'il Diggs
One of the first things former Green Bay linebacker Na'il Diggs did when he signed as a free agent with the Carolina Panthers was ditch his cold-weather gear.
"I got rid of all my heavy coats, man. It felt great," he said, laughing. "Gloves and boots and all that stuff, just gave 'em away."
While the South's warmer weather was enticing, Diggs said the main draw was the team. After the Packers' recent struggles, he was looking for a winner.
"I'm just used to winning," he said recently after a workout. "I want to continue to win football games and put myself in the right position to excel in the future."
If the Panthers are to continue to win, their linebackers must be a key. But the position -- worrisome when weakside starter Will Witherspoon left as a free agent and strongside starter Brandon Short was released -- has seen a flood of reinforcements.
Diggs is among them, and the likely starter at weakside linebacker. But he's just part of the story.
"I know we've got a lot more depth than we've had in the past," said middle linebacker Dan Morgan, the key to the unit. "We've got a lot of veteran guys in there that might not know our system yet but have been there and have played and have been productive."
There is second-year player Thomas Davis, the Panthers' 2005 top draft pick. Shuttled between safety and linebacker last season, Davis has started on the strong side (opposite the tight end) during these voluntary workouts.
That's something of a surprise, because in the offseason many observers thought Carolina would use Davis' quickness to replace Witherspoon. Morgan, though, understands the move.
"I think we want to use Thomas more as a rusher, more in (former strong side linebacker) Mark Fields' mold than the 'Spoon mold," Morgan said. "Kind of blitz him a little more."
Diggs, who has started at both outside linebacker slots, brings considerable experience to the weak side. Although not yet 28, he started 62 consecutive games for Green Bay. He was bothered by knee injuries last season, but topped 100 tackles each year from 2002 through '04.
"Something I definitely took into consideration was the opportunity to start and make a name for myself in the NFL, get back on top where I want to be," Diggs said. "I knew before I got here that they play great defense here, not only at linebacker but D-line to the secondary, and they play good hard football.
"That's what I love about being here, and what I love about the scheme and the players. I'm hoping for the best for our whole (linebacker) corps this year. I'm hoping we can be one of the top corps in the NFL."
Diggs will be pushed by ex-Clemson star Keith Adams, who had 101 tackles for Philadelphia last year. Chris Draft, a former starter in Atlanta who filled in ably at times in 2005, adds quality depth in the middle and on the strong side.
And the coaches are high on James Anderson, the third-round draft pick from Virginia Tech.
"He reminds me a lot of Will Witherspoon. He's an athletic guy and hopefully he can help us out," Morgan said.
Adam Seward, Vinny Ciurciu and Sean Tufts are young and provide depth.
Before you get too excited, though, safety Mike Minter called the group "very young" and added a few words of caution.
"We had Will Witherspoon and Brandon Short -- very smart, veteran guys who had been around," he said. "Now we pretty much have a rookie who's in there, and a guy who's trying to pick up our system from another football team. It's going to be tough, it's going to be difficult, but I think these guys can stand up to the challenge."
The learning will take some time. But that's what these voluntary workouts -- and the training camp that will follow in August -- are for.
Someone asked Morgan if this is as good a bunch of linebackers the Panthers have had since he's been here.
"I think it can be," he said. "We'll know a lot more once we get into camp and everybody knows what they're doing and we've got the pads on. Then I think we'll really be able to tell what we're all about."
here is an article from the Charlotte Observer
Diggs can fill gap at linebacker
Ex-Packer discovers weather, competition hotter with Panthers
STAN OLSON
solson@charlotteobserver.com
Na'il Diggs
One of the first things former Green Bay linebacker Na'il Diggs did when he signed as a free agent with the Carolina Panthers was ditch his cold-weather gear.
"I got rid of all my heavy coats, man. It felt great," he said, laughing. "Gloves and boots and all that stuff, just gave 'em away."
While the South's warmer weather was enticing, Diggs said the main draw was the team. After the Packers' recent struggles, he was looking for a winner.
"I'm just used to winning," he said recently after a workout. "I want to continue to win football games and put myself in the right position to excel in the future."
If the Panthers are to continue to win, their linebackers must be a key. But the position -- worrisome when weakside starter Will Witherspoon left as a free agent and strongside starter Brandon Short was released -- has seen a flood of reinforcements.
Diggs is among them, and the likely starter at weakside linebacker. But he's just part of the story.
"I know we've got a lot more depth than we've had in the past," said middle linebacker Dan Morgan, the key to the unit. "We've got a lot of veteran guys in there that might not know our system yet but have been there and have played and have been productive."
There is second-year player Thomas Davis, the Panthers' 2005 top draft pick. Shuttled between safety and linebacker last season, Davis has started on the strong side (opposite the tight end) during these voluntary workouts.
That's something of a surprise, because in the offseason many observers thought Carolina would use Davis' quickness to replace Witherspoon. Morgan, though, understands the move.
"I think we want to use Thomas more as a rusher, more in (former strong side linebacker) Mark Fields' mold than the 'Spoon mold," Morgan said. "Kind of blitz him a little more."
Diggs, who has started at both outside linebacker slots, brings considerable experience to the weak side. Although not yet 28, he started 62 consecutive games for Green Bay. He was bothered by knee injuries last season, but topped 100 tackles each year from 2002 through '04.
"Something I definitely took into consideration was the opportunity to start and make a name for myself in the NFL, get back on top where I want to be," Diggs said. "I knew before I got here that they play great defense here, not only at linebacker but D-line to the secondary, and they play good hard football.
"That's what I love about being here, and what I love about the scheme and the players. I'm hoping for the best for our whole (linebacker) corps this year. I'm hoping we can be one of the top corps in the NFL."
Diggs will be pushed by ex-Clemson star Keith Adams, who had 101 tackles for Philadelphia last year. Chris Draft, a former starter in Atlanta who filled in ably at times in 2005, adds quality depth in the middle and on the strong side.
And the coaches are high on James Anderson, the third-round draft pick from Virginia Tech.
"He reminds me a lot of Will Witherspoon. He's an athletic guy and hopefully he can help us out," Morgan said.
Adam Seward, Vinny Ciurciu and Sean Tufts are young and provide depth.
Before you get too excited, though, safety Mike Minter called the group "very young" and added a few words of caution.
"We had Will Witherspoon and Brandon Short -- very smart, veteran guys who had been around," he said. "Now we pretty much have a rookie who's in there, and a guy who's trying to pick up our system from another football team. It's going to be tough, it's going to be difficult, but I think these guys can stand up to the challenge."
The learning will take some time. But that's what these voluntary workouts -- and the training camp that will follow in August -- are for.
Someone asked Morgan if this is as good a bunch of linebackers the Panthers have had since he's been here.
"I think it can be," he said. "We'll know a lot more once we get into camp and everybody knows what they're doing and we've got the pads on. Then I think we'll really be able to tell what we're all about."