In the final week before the Panthers return to Charlotte for the start of offseason workouts, Thomas Davis has spent his days like usual – balancing time between the stadium, his family and his foundation.He also shared a few minutes with me for a future story. Scheduled to come out later this spring, it details a little known layer behind his remarkable comeback. But we touched on a number of other topics as well, and since Davis is such a good interview, it was worth bringing back the BBR six-pack:
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[tab_nav type=”three-up” float=”none”][tab_nav_item title=”AWARD OPENS DOORS” active=”true”][tab_nav_item title=”THE SPEECH”][tab_nav_item title=”OFFSEASON OUTLOOK”][tab_nav_item title=”WORKING ON EXTENSION”][tab_nav_item title=”NOSTRADAMUS THOMAS”][tab_nav_item title=”A BULLDOG AND SHAQ”][/tab_nav][tabs][tab active=”true”]It’s impossible to know how many winners were on stage that January night. Yes, Thomas Davis accepted the award, but it’s the lives that moment could affect that matter most to him.After honors had escaped him both on and off the field for years, Davis wasn’t hoping to win the NFL’s Man of the Year award for validation. Instead, he figured it would bring needed attention to his foundation. It has.“It’s been way more than I expected, way more than we could have imagined. We’ve had a lot of people from around the country sending donations, sending well wishes. We have a lot of people wanting to volunteer,” Davis said.For all the Thomas Davis Defending Dreams Foundation does — from a school supply drive to a Youth Leadership Academy — the constant challenge is funding. The award has opened up new avenues.The NFL Foundation and Nationwide donated $50,000. Commissioner Roger Goodell made “a sizable” contribution. More sponsors are coming aboard. Davis’ dream of having a building just for the foundation suddenly looks possible. The award wasn’t just a cool trophy.“We’ve got a lot of stuff in the works right now,” Davis said. “Winning that award made more people recognize what we’re doing, and that’s made people more willing to donate money. And the more money we have, the more work we can do with these kids.”
[/tab][tab]While countless kids stand to benefit from his award, what most will remember is what Davis said after he won.Teary-eyed, his thank-yous included his wife, Kelly, who had “been there for me through everything I’ve gone through, injuries and everything.” Davis then delivered a message to the NFL.
“Let’s take charge. Dare to be different,” he challenged his peers. “Let’s step up and be a village of guys that make a difference. Let’s change this world.”In the weeks since his speech, more players have found problems. But Davis isn’t dissuaded.“I get messages all the time when guys do get in trouble, people saying, ‘This guy wasn’t listening to Thomas Davis when he spoke.’ But for me it’s not really about that. It’s more about shining the light of the positive that’s going on,” Davis said. “Guys are going to make mistakes. We’re in a business where there’s so many people gunning to try to get guys in trouble, or trying to get reactions out of guys, and we can’t go out and make it easy for them to have ammo on us. That’s the message. Let’s do something positive with this platform we have.”So many kids look up to NFL players, and there’s so many guys that if they just took the time — they don’t have to put a lot of money into it — just take the time to talk to a kid, spend time with a kid. Just take advantage of it because there’s so many kids that need it. There’s so many kids that are looking for it, and if guys are willing to step up and do it, we can make a difference.”[/tab][tab]Few gave the Panthers much of a chance to repeat in the NFC South after last offseason’s roster reconstruction. But Davis kept saying it could happen. Even that it would happen. And since it did happen, he feels there are even more reasons to be confident heading into 2015:“It’s a lot different than last offseason. I’m excited that we’ve got a lot of our guys back, and with the additions that we’ve made, I definitely feel we’re a better team.”Of course, the Panthers still haven’t finished above .500 in back-to-back seasons. And while the rest of the division may appear shaky, it’s tough to depend on everyone else having another down year.“We can’t come in, start slow, and think that we’re going to coast our way through this division again and try to win it the end because the teams around us are getting better,” Davis said.”You look at Atlanta, some of the moves they made. Tampa is making strides. New Orleans: People thought they were trying to tank, but you look at some of the additions they made, I think they’re going to be a really good team as well.”[/tab][tab]One thing the Panthers haven’t improved this offseason is Davis’ contract. Renegotiated four times since 2012, it’s set to expire after next season.The 32-year-old is still playing at a high level, and an extension would help lower his nearly $10 million cap hit, so the two sides are fully expected to come to an agreement. They’re talking. It just hasn’t happened yet.”We’re trying to get something worked out. It’s a process, but I’m not stressing over it one bit,” Davis said, before repeating his promise to play for just one team. “Really and truly, I just want to be here. I want to play football here. If I’m not playing here, I’m not playing football.”[/tab][tab]Hours before the Panthers made their first pick in last year’s draft, Davis told WFNZ he hoped they’d take receiver Kelvin Benjamin. Good call.13 days ahead of the upcoming draft, Davis isn’t ready to try going two-for-two.“I have no idea where we’re heading this year in the draft,” he claimed. “I keep listening to people talking about offensive tackle, wide receiver. Heck, I don’t know, we could draft a linebacker in the first round.”I think it’s really going to come down to who’s the best player available when we get ready to draft. If it’s a defensive tackle, if it’s a defensive end, whoever it is I just feel good that we’re going to get a good player with that first pick. Just looking at what’s gone on the last couple years, I’m confident that’s going to happen.”[/tab][tab]
By the time draft night rolls around, it wouldn’t be surprising if Davis is hoping the Panthers take running back Todd Gurley. Not only did they each star at Georgia, but they’ve also been able to swap injury stories.After Gurley tore his ACL last November, he found a mentor in Davis.”He’s working on his quad strength right now, and I told him how important that is. He’s been listening, so he’s getting stronger,” Davis said. “He’s one of the best players in this draft. He’s a really good kid. He’s eager. He’s determined, and I think he’s going to set the league on fire as a rookie.”Davis is also high on Washington’s Shaq Thompson, who many have compared to Davis. They both played linebacker and safety in college, but Thompson even spent some time at running back.Although he’s widely considered one of the best athletes in the draft, Thompson’s 4.64 40-yard dash at February’s combine has left some concerned about his speed. But that could end up as another reminder that football isn’t played with a stopwatch.“Shaq Thompson is a better athlete than I was at this point,” Davis admitted. “You see his ball skills, he’s not a 4.6 kid. If you watch him with the ball in his hand, he continues to run away from people. He comes up, he makes big plays.”I don’t know where that comparison came from, but I’ll take it.”
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