The Tiger Panthers Issue 1995-08-26
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wmmm ^antli&ti. Preview Capers-crusader, page 2 ► Carolina defense looks to 'step it up,' page 8 mm U> Lesser-known Panthers profiled, page 12 \ A special issue of The Tiger 2/PANTHERS ISSUE The Tiger August 26, 1995 Capers right man, says Richardson by Billy Ebner 1984 and 1985. After the fact, his defense was so good interim sports editor USFL dissolved, Capers and that it was nicknamed Mora moved to the New "Blitzberg." Decisions, decisions, Orleans Saints. Credentials like these are decisions. When the Carolina Although the Saints suf- what got Dom Capers the head Panthers began to look for a fered a losing record (7-9) coaching job for the Carolina coach, it was rumoured the during their first season with Panthers. Capers plans to Panthers went after ex- Capers, they went on to have bring his hard-hitting defense Redskin coach Joe Gibbs. That five straight winning seasons. to the Panthers as well. was not meant to be. Dom These five seasons included "One of the things Job Capers was. the Saints' first-ever winning Gibbs kept emphasizing to me He came to Carolina after season, first playoff game, and was: 'Jerry, you've got to find leaving the defensive coordi- their first NFC West title. a coach that is consumed,' ' nator post with the Pittsburgh During this time, New said owner Jerry Richardson. Steelers. Orleans was known for its Capers is all that and "It is clear that we have to hard-nose defense. In 1991, more. He has a very strong place a premium on superior the Saints' defense led the work ethic and has been coaching to be successful in NFL with 29 interceptions and known to work sixteen hour the NFL," said Panthers' was ranked second in total days seven days a week. founder and owner Jerry defense, rushing defense, and Capers also believes that game Richardson. "In Dom Capers, total defense in the NFL. preparation is an important we are confident that we have After leaving the Saints, factor as well. found the right man to lead the Capers went on to become the Capers is also respected Panthers." defensive coordinator for the by his former players. Many Capers began his coach- Pittsburgh Steelers. During his describe him an even-tem- ing career in 1972 as a gradu- three years there, Capers' pered, communicator. ate assistant at Kent State and defense was one of the best in "There's no barking at has been a coach ever since. the NFL. people, no cursing you out," During this 24-year period, In 1992, the Steelers led said Pittsburgh Steeler and for- Capers has had 20 winning the league in takeaways and mer Clemson Tiger Levon seasons and only four losing were ranked second in points Kirkland. "He just coaches seasons. allowed. The following year, you. If he sees something, His most successful times Pittsburgh had the best he'll tell you like a man." file photo have come in pro football. He defense in the AFC and led the Although the Panthers are has only suffered one losing NFL in run defense. In 1994, only expected to win three or season, since entering the pro- the Steelers led the league in four games during their inau- Head Coach Dom Capers has coached a fessional ranks in 1984. sacks and were ranked second gural season, one thing is for number of outstanding defenses including Capers and head coach in total defense. sure: With Dom Capers as Jim Mora led the No NFL defense gave up head coach, the Carolina the Saints of the late 80s and last season's Philadelphia/Baltimore Stars fewer points in the past three Panthers are sure to turn a few defensive powerhouse Pittsburgh Steelers. to the USFL Championship in • years than Capers' defense. In heads in the NFL. San Fransisco halts Panthers' late comeback SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Panthers' opening, drive ruined by Merton Hanks frustrated Carolina early Hanks' interception. Hanks was 3 yards and his understudy finished the job. deep in the end zone wen he cut in front of Eric Guliford to snare Reich's pass. The San Francisco free safety had' Hanks returned it to San Francisco's an interception in the opening series 16. and his backup, Damon Pieri, picked off a pass in the final seconds in the "Frank threw the interception and 49es' 17-10 exhibition victory over the that killed that drive," Carolina coach, Panthers on Saturday night. Dom Capers said. "We did some good things but we're much too inconsistent "I hope I'm not using them all up to be a good footballteam. We .have to before the regular season," said Hanks, take a look at this because we shot our- who has four interceptions in three selves in the foot tonight." exhibitions. Offensively for San Francisco (2- San Francisco coach George 2), Steve Young completed all seven of Seifert said he was happy with the way his passes and ran for a score while his starting defense played and pleased playing just over a quarter. that Pieri and Chris Hall came up with key plays to stop the Panthers in the He copleted five passes for 67 late going. yards during an 11-play, 83-yard drive that he finished with a 6-yard scramble file photo After rookie Kerry Collins threw a for a touchdown, and threw for 72 28-yard touchdown pass to Dwight yards overall. Top draft pick Kerry Collins led Carolina on its only Stone with 1:53 remaining, Carolina touchdown drive against the 49ers, but the fourth quar- recovered an onside kick and had John Taylor's 21-yard reception moved to San Francisco's 30 when gave San Francisco (2-2) a first-and- ter comeback fell short with an interception. Hall sacked Collins on a blitz. Pieri goal at the 9. Two plays later, with his first half and a 37-yard try with 10:55 San Francisco guard Jesse Sapolu then intercepted his fourth-down pass receivers covered, Young ran up the remaining missed wide right. agreed, saying the Panthers were with 53 seconds left, and the 49ers ran middle untouched for the score. putting together a good team. Carolina out the clock. Carolina used a trick play to set up Ricky Ervins, competing with will face San Francisco twice during Kasay's second-quarter field goal. "I think it's good for them certain- Derek Loville and Derrick Moore for the regular season as a membe of the Guliford took a handoff from Reich as r ly to be working hard all of camp and backfield playing time, swept right for NFC West. if to run a reverse, but pulled up and then have some fun and play in a a 2-yard scoring run with 3:08 left in threw a 51-yard completion to Willie "It's an expansion team as far as game," Seifert said of Hall and Pieri, the third. Ervins stepped out of Shawn Green for a first down at San the label but they've got a lot of quality both first-year players. "If they don't Price's attempted tackle behind the line Francisco's 11. But the Panthers could people," Sapolu said. make this club other people will see of scrimmage and outraced Carlton get no further than the 6, and Kasay that. If they do make it obviously Bailey to the corner of the end zone. "They have talent and play well as came on for the kick. we've seen it. It was an answer to an a unit" added San Francisco linebacker John Kasay converted his 12th opportunity to play." "We know it wasn't the 49ers for Ken Norton Jr. "We'll be playing them straight field goal, a 23-yarder with four quarters, but I think the first half, again." Frank Reich, named Carolina's 11:30 left in the second quarter to pll they'll remember that we played them starting quarterback this week, was 9- Carolina (2-2) within 7-3. He was short Doug Brien kicked a 42-yard field tough," Carolina running back Derrick for-17 for 78 yards, but saw the with a 61-yard try as time expired in the goal with 4:19 left. Lassie said. m August 26, 1995 The Tiger PANTHERS ISSUE/3 II V INAUGURAL SEASON REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE 1995 SEPTEMBER Sun. 3 at Atlanta Falcons 1 p.m. Sun. 10 at Buffalo Bills 1 p.m. Sun. 17 ST. LOUIS RAMS 1 p.m. Sun. 24 open date OCTOBER Sun. 1 TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS 1 p.m Sun. 8 at Chicago Bears 1 p.m Sun. 15 NEW YORK JETS 1 p.m Sun. 22 NEW ORLEANS SAINTS 1 p.m at Sun. 29 New England Patriots 1 p.m NOVEMBER Sun. 5 at San Fransisco 49ers 1 p.m file photo Sun. 12 at St. Louis Rams 1 p.m Sun. 19 ARIZONA CARDINALS 1 p.m Death Valley will see many Sun. exciting faces, like John .26 at New Orleans Saints 1 p.m Elway and ex-Tiger Michael Deari Perry, throughout the DECEMBER course of the NFL season. Jerry Rice, Steve Young and Sun. 3 INDIANAPOLIS COLTS 1 p.m i Jeff George are scheduled to Sun. 10 SAN FRANSISCO 49ERS 1 p.m arrive in December. Sun. 17 ATLANTA FALCONS 1 p.m Sun. 24 at Washington Redskins 1p.m. S'RSWO'S SAM'S CLUB WELCOMES Gourmet Woodfired Pizza Serving Sandwiches, Salads & Pastas PANTHER FANS!!! On the Square in Pendleton • 646-6000 SAM'S CLUB IS YOUR ONE STOP TAILGATE PARTY SUPPLY CLUB! WE HAVE EVERYTHING YOU NEED Z TO PARTY WrraPAmiJER^rYLE!!!!^ _ _ _ CAFFE fe.