SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- When Sherrod Martin signed his contract on Sunday morning, he could rest easily -- literally as well as figuratively. But his sound sleep will be due as much to heeding the advice of veterans, who told him that a key to making it through camp is a well-appointed bed.
"A comforter and a pillow. I talked to some guys ahead of time, so they kind of gave me heads-up to help myself," Martin said. "Bedding is where it's at. Good rest."
It might sound like the last thing that should occupy a rookie's mind at the cusp of their first NFL training camp, but when two-a-days, practices in the scorching South Carolina sun, weightlifting and meetings begin to tax the body, perhaps nothing is more vital to success than some solid sack time.
Pillows ... comforters ... sheets ... an in-room fan ... anything that helps facilitate a good night's sleep is welcome.
"Probably the biggest thing is comfortable sheets, but they were already here," said defensive end
THE BIGGEST OBSTACLE TO A GOOD NIGHT'S REST for the rookies might be their anticipation of what is to come. For some, the stomach butterflies began multiplying before getting behind the steering wheel in Charlotte for the 75-mile drive to Wofford College.
"A lot of anxiety," Brown said. "On the drive here this morning from Charlotte, I had a lot of thoughts go through my mind -- just thinking about what it was like going from high school to college, and then making the transition into training camp.
Added cornerback
It hasn't really been all that long; Sunday was the 47th day since organized team activities concluded June 16. Those sessions gave the rookies a taste or two of camp life, but offered nothing close to the full-speed, full-contact meal that awaits at 9 a.m. on Monday.
"At OTAs, we came in and didn't know what to expect because we didn't see the vets out there like that," cornerback Captain Munnerlyn said. "Now they say it's going to be a different ballgame. It'll be tougher. People will be playing from their lives."
Or at least their livelihoods.
AS FOR MARTIN ... his signing ensures that the Panthers will have all of their draft picks in before camp for a second consecutive season. Last year,
To make room for Martin on the 80-man roster, the Panthers waived tight end Kevin Brock, who had joined the team as one of their undrafted rookies two days after the NFL Draft.
ROARS* OF THE DAY:
* Because the term "tweet" is almost as loathsome a word as "irregardless" and "sticktuitiveness," each of which I avoid at all costs.
9:38 A.M. EDT: Fitting that a backfield guy has an impressive carry: rookie
11:21 A.M. EDT: Conveyances ahoy for the #Panthers: #DeAngeloWilliams on a scooter; #ChrisHarris on a #Segway. (Click here for a photo.)
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