Posted on August 07, 2003

Davis mum on year with Spurrier

By Eric Boynton

Staff Writer

eric.boynton@shj.com

While Stephen Davis is just as ready as his teammates to stop pounding each other and play another team, he's not quite ready to talk about this week's opponent to any extent.

"We're tired of hitting each other," Davis said. "The opportunity to have a real live game, it's great to see where you're at and what you've got to work on."

The Panthers host Washington, Davis's former team, Saturday at 8 p.m., giving the running back his first chance to play against the coach that let him go.

Davis talked about Steve Spurrier's approach to preseason games last year, saying the Redskins' coach put too much emphasis on winning.

"I think he read more into it than what it really was," Davis said.

"Teams were just in their basic stuff, seeing what type of guys could make the team, and we did a lot of stuff as far as throwing the ball and kind of opening up the playbook a little bit."

When asked if he felt Spurrier was learning as he went along in his first NFL season, Davis declined to speak any further about his former coach.

"You know what, I don't want to answer questions, because I'm going to be honest and I don't want to get nothing started. I don't want to talk about it because I know myself and I know it will just stir up some stuff and I don't want to do that."

Davis saw his rushing attempts drop from 356 the year before Spurrier's arrival to 207 last year when he missed four games with injuries. His 5,790 rushing yards are third all-time for Washington and his 45 rushing touchdowns rank second.

He doesn't know how much action he'll see Saturday, but said "I'm going in there thinking I'm going to play as much as possible and I've been preparing like it's a regular game and I'm looking forward to it."

The game at Ericsson Stadium is sold out, but will be televised by WSPA (Ch. 7).

HAPPY CAMPERS: Residents from the Mountainview Nursing Home made their yearly appearance on the sideline Wednesday.

"They've been counting the days and this is something they'll talk about all year," said physical therapist Mitchell Greene. "It's really a big deal for us."

Greene said Davis, Julius Peppers and Chris Weinke rank as the favorite players.

"It shows how blessed I am, everybody doesn't have the opportunities we have," Davis said. "When they come out, I want to show that I appreciate them supporting us.

"Seeing them brightens my day a little bit."

CATNIP: Defensive end Julius Peppers was held out of some drills Wednesday as coach John Fox said "we're just trying to keep some guys fresh.

"He took a little shot on the shoulder (Tuesday) and we just want to make sure he is right for Saturday night."

SCALPER'S PARADISE: The Sept. 28 home game against Atlanta is the first regular season game this year to sell out.

QUOTABLE: "Make plays when the lights are on. We are looking for smart, tough, better-conditioned players. How they perform, that is their test. All of this is preparation. How they perform in game situations, I put a lot of stock in that."

-- Fox, on what impresses him about a young player.

Eric Boynton can be reached at

562-7272 or eric.boynton@shj.com.