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PANTHERS
Fox: Stewart to get
shot at kick returns
At Oregon, back had average of 28.7 yards
CHARLES CHANDLER
cchandler@charlotteobserver.com
First-round draft pick Jonathan Stewart could be the Carolina Panthers' primary kickoff returner next season as well as their featured running back.
Coach John Fox dropped the news at a Charlotte Touchdown Club luncheon Wednesday when asked who would be the team's kickoff returner.
It's an area of serious concern for Panthers fans because the team ranked last and next-to-last in the NFL over the past two seasons, respectively, with the two worst yards-per-return averages in team history (19.4 in 2006 and 19.1 in '07). The Panthers haven't had a kickoff return for a touchdown since Rod Smart did it in 2003.
Fox noted that Stewart was one of the nation's top kick returners during his college career at Oregon.
"He's the guy who'll start off with those duties when we get to (training) camp," Fox said.
Stewart returned 58 kickoffs at Oregon for a 28.7-yard average, with two touchdowns. He ranked third in the Pac-10 as a junior.
"Based on past history, he can do it," Fox said.
Stewart also rushed for 1,722 yards and 11 touchdowns last season.
The Panthers expect him to compete with DeAngelo Williams for the starting running back position.
Stewart was unable to participate in minicamp practices this month because he's recovering from surgery to repair a turf-toe injury. He's expected to be ready by the time training camp opens in late July.
When asked by the Observer if he was concerned that returning kicks could expose Stewart to too much injury risk, Fox said: "It's no different than when (receiver) Steve Smith was our punt returner. We'll evaluate that as we go."
Smith said in recent seasons that he didn't want to do the double duty. However, Stewart said the day the Panthers drafted him that he welcomed it.
"I hope so," he said. "Returning kicks is another offensive possession. It's an opportunity to get the game rolling for the offense."
At 5-foot-10, 233 pounds, with 4.45-second speed in the 40-yard dash, Stewart would be one of the NFL's biggest, most powerful kickoff returners.
Carolina's other top candidates for the job are free-agent signee Ricardo Colclough and second-year pro Ryne Robinson, who had 26 of the Panthers' 60 kickoff returns last season for a 23.0-yard average.
Charles Chandler: 704-358-5123
