PANTHERS 101

The Carolina Panthers were very busy this week, tweaking their roster and priming for what the team hopes to be a breakout season.

After signing free agent bruising running back Mike Tolbert last week, the Panthers added another weapon in the backfield alongside DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart.

However, adding Tolbert – another player connected to Ron Rivera's days as defensive coordinator in San Diego – also meant that someone had to go.

That someone was inevitably running back Mike Goodson, who was traded to the Oakland Raiders for offensive lineman Bruce Campbell on Friday.

Goodson, who has spent his entire three-year NFL career backing up Williams and Stewart, is excited to get an opportunity to complete for playing time on the Raiders.

"Being behind DeAngelo and Stewart for a couple of years has been difficult just wanting to play and being a competitor," Goodson said. "I wasn't looking to leave but anywhere that gave an opportunity, I'm definitely up for that."

Goodson rushed 125 times for 501 yards and three touchdowns and added 43 receptions for 329 yards during his stint in Carolina. At the tail-end of the Panthers abysmal 2-14 campaign in 2010, Goodson recorded three consecutive 100-yard rushing games.

Campbell, a former fourth-round pick out of Maryland, excelled at the NFL combine two years ago, but wasn't able to earn a starting spot in Oakland. The 6-foot-6, 315 pounder ran a 4.85 40-yard dash, did 34 reps on the 225-pound bench press and recorded a 32-inch vertical leap.

Panthers general manager is impressed by Campbell's physical gifts and hopes he can build off his strengths in Carolina.

“Physically, he’s everything you’re looking for,” Hurney said. “He’s a 6-6, 320-pound lineman with 36-inch arms. He’s very young in terms of being an NFL player. His first two years out there helped him, and hopefully he’ll continue to improve.”

The Panthers also signed Antwan Applewhite on Friday, who shined as a versatile defender amidst all the injuries last season.

The 6-foot-3, 258-pound Applewhite played in 12 games last season after being signed in October. He finished the season with 21 tackles, two sacks and one forced fumble and showed the ability to play multiple positions.

The Panthers also agreed to terms with wide receiver Chris Manno on Tuesday. Manno, 26, is a former Hofstra walk-on and All-Pro AIFA receiver. The 5-10, 185-pound Manno also played for the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2011 preseason, but did not make the final roster.

 

Tags: Antwan Applewhite, Bruce Campbell, Carolina, Carolina Panthers, Chris Manno, Football, Mike Goodson, Mike Tolbert, NFL, Ron Rivera

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