Goopster24 Posted June 8, 2007 Share Posted June 8, 2007 Link CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Carolina Panthers are taking a different track in attempting to bounce back from a disappointing season. The race track, that is. In what coaches and players hope was a bonding experience, the Panthers took a field trip to Lowe's Motor Speedway in nearby Concord on Wednesday. Players took turns riding in stock cars going upward of 180 miles an hour and were still buzzing about the experience as they walked off the field after Thursday's optional workout. Few were spared from embarrassment. "I don't mean to call anybody out, but James Anderson told me he was about to cry before he got into the car," center Geoff Hangartner said of the 232-pound linebacker. "We have video of you throwing up, Michael Gaines," quarterback David Carr told the tight end. "Want me to show it?" The ride along was another event in a unique week for the Panthers. Last Friday, five key players -- quarterback Jake Delhomme, receiver Steve Smith, defensive end Julius Peppers, tackle Jordan Gross and running back DeShaun Foster -- went to owner Jerry Richardson's house and played a variety of sports, including 3-on-3 basketball and tennis. Players and coaches feel they need to get closer after last season's struggles. Carolina started the year with Super Bowl hopes, but went 8-8 and missed the playoffs. "It didn't feel like 8-8," Delhomme said. "It felt more like a 4-12 or a 3-13." Hangartner believes spending time together away from the practice field and weight room is an important element to turning around fortunes. "The closer you are as a team, the better you're going to play together," Hangartner said. "The more you like each other, the more you trust each other. It definitely shows on the football field. Any kind of team-building stuff is always good to do." Panthers coach John Fox wanted to keep the trip to the track quiet. Cameras and reporters weren't allowed. It was just the players and the professional drivers. "We're coming off the pit and the guy's probably going 100," Hangartner said. "It looks like he's going to ram me right into the wall. At the last second he pulls a little wheel turn and then the bank kind of carries you around the corner. It's pretty sweet." There was concern some of the linemen wouldn't be able to squeeze into the cars. Former Charlotte television sports anchor Chuck Howard, who helped with the event, told players if they couldn't fit, there were larger Mustangs they could ride in. Then Howard pointed to a nearby 18-wheeler. "That was for Kris Jenkins," he said. The rotund Jenkins wasn't there. He's been the only player to miss this month's optional workouts. But minus Jenkins, the Panthers have been a cohesive unit the past two weeks. Even if some got queasy as they climbed into a stock car. "I told the guy, 'I hope I don't throw up"' Delhomme said. "He said, 'Just aim that way. Aim out the window.' "How fast were we going? I don't know, 180ish? I don't know, but it was the fastest I've ever gone." Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronco Billy Posted June 8, 2007 Share Posted June 8, 2007 Is it permissible to use "adorable" on a FF board? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goopster24 Posted June 8, 2007 Author Share Posted June 8, 2007 Is it permissible to use "adorable" on a FF board? I just did, boom. PantherDave, paging you.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Men In Tights Posted June 8, 2007 Share Posted June 8, 2007 PantherDave, paging you.... How did Panther Dave not break this story. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twiley Posted June 8, 2007 Share Posted June 8, 2007 Is it permissible to use "adorable" on a FF board? Nope. Man law. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PantherDave Posted June 8, 2007 Share Posted June 8, 2007 (edited) Goop....I would not have "broke this one"...this is a trip for yours truly....hell, if it will get them back to the PO's...send them to Camp Chipmunka and let them sing Com-By-Ya and roast fuggin Marhmellows...in Fox I trust Edited June 8, 2007 by PantherDave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goopster24 Posted June 8, 2007 Author Share Posted June 8, 2007 Goop....I would not have "broke this one"...this is a trip for yours truly....hell, if it will get them back to the PO's...send them to Camp Chipmunka and let them sing Com-By-Ya and roast fuggin Marhmellows...in Fox I trust Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brentastic Posted June 13, 2007 Share Posted June 13, 2007 Awww, that is cute Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peepinmofo Posted June 13, 2007 Share Posted June 13, 2007 Goop....I would not have "broke this one"...this is a trip for yours truly....hell, if it will get them back to the PO's...send them to Camp Chipmunka and let them sing Com-By-Ya and roast fuggin Marhmellows...in Fox I trust Is that anything like Cum-On-Ya? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronco Billy Posted June 13, 2007 Share Posted June 13, 2007 Is that anything like Cum-On-Ya? No, that's what Kobe Bryant sings. It's his thing, ya' know? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh 0ne Posted June 13, 2007 Share Posted June 13, 2007 All this on the same day PantherDave and PSULions had their first "phone conversation" together. Coincidence? I think not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darin3 Posted June 14, 2007 Share Posted June 14, 2007 All this on the same day PantherDave and PSULions had their first "phone conversation" together. Coincidence? I think not. Yeah, first it's the cheerleaders, then it's the Huddle Panther buddies, and now this...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PantherDave Posted June 14, 2007 Share Posted June 14, 2007 I for one can not wait until the bullets are for real-this offseason has been brutal....nothing to do with the ribbing, as it's all good, but this team just played bad, underachieved etc.. They are an every other year team and play much better out of the limelight and with a chip on their collective shoulders. Only time will tell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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