You remember Aaron Francisco don’t you? Among the biggest of the not very big names the Panthers brought in over the off-season. He was suppose to compete for a job at safety and play a lot on special teams. As the AP’s Mike Cranston writes, Francisco has a hamstring injury, and, as a result, may not make the team. Be nice if a local publication would have provided these sorts of details…
Bonus injury question: Speaking of injuries and (lack of) press coverage, what’s Jeff Otah’s status these days? Besides still being on the physically unable to perform list?
Bonus bizarre Panthers coverage: ESPN’s NFC South blogger Pat Yasinskas, rating (healthy) linebackers in the division has Jon Beason ranked first, Dan Connor sixth (?!?), James Anderson 11th, and Jamar Williams 14th. On Williams, Yasinskas says:
While Anderson will open as the starter on the strong side, he hasn’t really distanced himself from Williams. If Anderson stumbles at all, the Panthers won’t hesitate to start Williams.
Williams has been hurt for the past few weeks, so it’s unclear how the Panthers could have any idea exactly how good he is. And let’s also not forget that Anderson got a ton of playing time last season over Connor, and that Connor is the guy that comes off the field in nickle situations.
