Carolina Panthers fans know that football is a next-man-up sport, especially when it comes to their franchise’s historically transitional offensive line. So what does the current next man up have to say?
Well, that’d be third-year lineman Dennis Daley, and he told reporters on Monday about how ready he is for his sudden opportunity in this Sunday’s starting lineup.
“The next man always has to prepare as a starter and make sure he’s ready to fill the role whenever, cause you never know what’ll happen,” he said.
We do know what’ll likely happen if you’re not vaccinated up to this point, but that void Daley is about to fill was left by right guard John Miller. Miller was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list yesterday and will be away from the team for the next ten days.
Daley, who spent his own time away this summer after the birth of his baby girl, also added that he’s remained prepared in and out of camp, no matter the circumstances.
“As I was gone, I was still studying my book, and still taking everything day by day, watching the practices. So I pretty much stayed ahead by doing that.”
A lack of comfort level won’t be an issue either, according to Daley. He credits his teammates, both past and present, for helping him learn how to man the interior.
“I feel pretty good at that position. I had guys like Trai Turner, when I was a rookie. Trai Turner helped me learn how to actually play guard. And I got John and Pat [Elflein] and all the older guys to help me out.”
The 25-year-old’s willingness and versatility to spread out to either guard or tackle has made him a considerably useful piece for this Carolina offense. He, along with defensive end Brian Burns, have just about made the nearly-vanished draft class of 2019 worth the current regime’s time.
He’ll look to make all that preparation time worth it as well in Week 1 against the visiting New York Jets. Make your newborn baby girl proud, Dennis!
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