Even with minicamp now over, the weight room at Bank of America stadium is still buzzing with player activity in preparation for training camp in late July. The staff here at "Mick's Bag" checked on the rumor going around the building that second-year cornerback Captain Munnerlyn can bench press 500 pounds. "Aww nawww, not quite that," he said with his usual broad, infectious grin. "But I can get 400 on a good day!"
A few lockers down from Munnerlyn, linebacker Dan Connor was getting changed after a workout. Hey Dan, is it okay if we mention that you got hitched in April? "Yeah, sure!" he said. Connor married his high school sweetheart, Angela Gardner, on April 23. Were you nervous, Dan? "No, not at all." What was your first dance? "Crazy Love" by Van Morrison. Excellent choice. Congratulations to you both!
On the offensive side of the ball, fullback Tony Fiammetta is excited about his second NFL season. "I've been working hard on my speed, strength, a little bit of everything, really. I am trying to develop more of an NFL-type body. With such a great backfield like we have, I just want to help us get better and solidify the offense any way I can." (Tony, if you ever want to see what an NFL body does NOT look like, there is usually somebody here in the Internet department almost every hour of the day. Feel free to come see us.)
A quarterback and his center have a close relationship on the field. Panthers signal caller Matt Moore and center Ryan Kalil are good buddies off the field as well. "Matt and I and our wives actually caravanned across the country last month," Kalil said. "Yup, we drove to L.A." Moore added. "It was a blast. At one point, I think it was around Memphis, we changed drivers and the girls rode in one car so Ryan and I could talk some ball for a few hours in the other car."
The Panthers sales and marketing staff is doing its part to help the regional economy. Director of sponsor sales and services John Berger reports that things are going very well on that side of the building. "We're excited to announce that Lowe's has renewed with us, continuing a long partnership we have enjoyed with them," Berger said. "Also, Queen City TV and Appliance is the new naming rights sponsor of our South Lawn Village. Queen City and HH Gregg just helped us outfit the stadium with new flat screens all around."
Affiliate manager Eric Fiddleman has also been busy with renewals and pitches in the offseason. Welcome to our newest Carolina Panthers Radio Network affiliate, 99.9 FM the Fan in Raleigh!
Mick Mixon is the play-by-play voice of the Carolina Panthers.
