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Henning shares insights
Panthers offensive coordinator amuses
There was nothing dull or predictable about the speech Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator Dan Henning served up Thursday at a Charlotte Touchdown Club luncheon.
Henning, who sometimes gets criticized for his play calling, delighted a capacity crowd of more than 500 with inside information, humor and colorful storytelling.
Among the highlights:
• Henning said the Panthers' annual golf outing, when players and coaches take a break from June camp for a round together, is a sight to behold.
"That needs to be filmed one of these years because it's a classic," he said. "If the golf balls were different colors, it would look like an Easter egg hunt out there."
• When he was given free entry to an Independence High game a few years ago, he wondered if the person at the gate knew his identity. Instead, Henning learned he got in because he's a "senior."
• Henning, 63, said fans shouldn't be concerned that first-round pick DeAngelo Williams, a running back from Memphis, is only 5-foot-9.
"He's not small; he's short," said Henning. "He looks like Mighty Mouse."
Henning said Williams was the running back the Panthers most wanted in the draft. He said team officials favored him over Minnesota's Lawrence Maroney, who was chosen by New England six spots before Carolina picked, and Southern California's Lendale White, a second-round pick by Tennessee.
"This was the guy we were after," Henning said. "We have an unusual individual here in DeAngelo because he's the fourth-leading rusher in the history of the NCAA. Now, you've got to do a lot of running (to do that).
"He's a bright-eyed guy. He's got flash and quickness."
• Henning said general manager Marty Hurney was "adamant" that the Panthers draft a running back to pair with Deshaun Foster, who has dazzled at times but has had injury problems.
"We all love Deshaun Foster, but Deshaun Foster has not been able to fulfill a whole year for us," said Henning.
As for Eric Shelton, the Panthers' 2005 second-round pick who spent his rookie season on injured reserve, Henning said the team still hopes he can fit into the rotation as a short-yardage, goal-line back. He said Shelton also could be used to pound the ball at the defense at the end of games.
• Henning heaped praise on all-pro receiver Steve Smith when answering a question about Hall of Fame running back Barry Sanders, whom Henning coached in Detroit.
"There are unique people you run into, unique athletes you run into," said Henning. "We have one here in Steve Smith. He's the best wide receiver with the football in his hands that I've ever seen.
"Barry Sanders was the most dynamic guy with the ball in his hands as a back that I've ever seen."
Another extraordinary athlete is Carolina defensive end Julius Peppers, whom Henning said he'll continue to use as a receiver during certain goal-line situations.
"He's the most amazing big athlete I've seen," Henning said. "He can jump through the roof and he's got hands as big as those chandeliers up there. He's a force. As long as you're down there tight and don't have to get away from people, he's as good a threat as we've got."
Henning said he's been asked why the Panthers haven't gotten the ball to Peppers more effectively. He said they've thrown to him five times in three seasons. Three times, that resulted in interference penalties against the defense to give the Panthers a first-and-goal at the 1. Quarterback Jake Delhomme overthrew Peppers twice, said Henning.
"Somewhere along the line, we'll get him the ball for a touchdown," he said.
Henning is close friends with Dallas coach Bill Parcells and poked a little fun at the Cowboys' decision to sign controversial wide receiver Terrell Owens, who fell out of favor in Philadelphia after two seasons. Henning said the Panthers were able to sign ex-Cowboy Keyshawn Johnson "when Keyshawn got dropped because of the celebration of the prodigal son out there in Dallas."
• Henning knows fans sometimes don't like it when he calls running plays on third-and-long. But when he calls a run for fullback Brad Hoover, he said at least he hears the crowd yell "Hooooov!" instead of "boooo!"