SPARTANBURG, S.C. (AP) -Training camp isn’t even a week old and Armanti Edwards is physically tired, mentally drained and a bit overwhelmed.
Carolina coach John Fox has got on him about his conditioning. He’s still trying to remember all his receiver routes and where to line up. He’s looked awkward at times catching – and muffing – punts and kickoffs.
Welcome to Edwards’ world, as he transitions from star college quarterback at Appalachian State to rookie NFL receiver and return man with the Panthers.
“I expected it to be rough,” Edwards said Monday, “and yes, it’s what I thought it would be.”
The Panthers have a lot riding on making this project work. Enthralled with the athletic and speedy yet undersized and slight college sensation, the Panthers traded next year’s second-round pick to New England for an extra third-round pick to take him 89th overall.
d that Edwards – the only player in NCAA Division I history to throw for over 10,000 yards and rush for more than 4,000 – wouldn’t be a quarterback.
Trouble is, the 5-foot-11, 182-pound Edwards hadn’t played receiver since his junior year in high school. He never returned a punt or kickoff in his life.
It’s showed. While Edwards has displayed soft hands, his route running needs work and he’s been with the third team at receiver. He’s also had trouble holding onto kickoffs and punts.
So far Edwards’ experience at QB – engineering a monumental upset of Michigan and winning two Football Championship Subdivision national titles – isn’t helping much.
“I thought it would, but not really,” he said. “When you’re learning a new position you’ve got a lot of more things you’ve got to think about. There’s a lot of things going through your head.”
Throw in heavy legs and it’s become even more difficult.
“He’s got a lot more running (to do). I think he’s getting a little more used to that as we move forward,” Fox said. “He’s got good hands and he’s got ability after the catch. I think really if you ask him there’s a lot more running than at quarterback.”
Translation: Edwards, who had no trouble outrunning people in college, needs to get fitter.
run and chase to get a block. There’s a lot more running.”
“It surprised me how tired I was at first. I thought I was in shape until I got out here for the first practice.”
The Panthers aren’t panicking and expected his development to take time. He could even be on the inactive list for games if he doesn’t win the return job and remains buried on the depth chart at receiver behind Steve Smith, Kenny Moore, Dwayne Jarrett and Brandon LaFell.
It hasn’t stopped Edwards from being one of the most watched players at camp. He grew up 45 minutes away from Wofford College in Greenwood, S.C., and Appalachian State is a couple hours away.
Everybody wants to see the first player to win the Walter Payton Award twice as the top player in college football’s lower tier play receiver. Many wonder if the Panthers will try to use Edwards in the wildcat formation.
Not yet. He has enough to worry about already
“That’s up to the coaches,” Edwards said. “Right now everybody wants me to get comfortable at receiver, so I’m trying to focus on receiver right now.”
Edwards, who didn’t return punts until right before his college pro day this spring, blames some of his bobbles and drops to losing concentration because he’s tired. The Panthers run special teams drills at the end of their practices.
when it’s in the air. It just took repetitions.”
While Edwards acknowledged he’s far from comfortable in his new spots, he insists he hasn’t lost confidence. He’s determined to join the likes of Josh Cribbs and Antwaan Randle-El as former college quarterbacks who have excelled as receivers and return men in the NFL.
“I still have to tell myself I’m new to this,” Edwards said. “Everybody around me knows that I changed my position, so I have to stay focused.”
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