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CB/WR Chris Gamble (All B1G, All-American, National Champion)

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Fan Q&A: Chris Gamble
June 5, 2006

Panthers.com

With Fan Q&A, it's your turn to play sports reporter. Our next Q&A will be with guard Mike Wahle. Send your questions to [email protected].
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Chris Gamble has 13 interceptions in just two seasons. (AP Photo)
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Between you and Ken Lucas, who will end up with more interceptions this year, and will there be a friendly wager on it, such as the loser dresses up as Sir Purr or something? Jon, Midland, TX
(Laughs) We'll have the same thing we had last year. We'll just compete (for the most interceptions) and whoever wins, wins. But every year we're going to compete to see who gets the most.
You are from Florida. With all the gator attacks in the news, my question is who would win a battle between a 12-foot alligator and Maake Kemoeatu? BigGun, Gastonia, NC
(Laughs) The alligator. You don't mess with alligators.
Who can better cover Steve Smith, Ken Lucas or you? Stan, Lewisville, NC
Ken and I both go at it with him pretty well. Ken knocks some balls down and I do, too. But I'd probably say Ken has a little edge on me there.
Entering your third year in the League, what is different from years one and two? PantherHeel
Just learning more and more. The first season was such a learning experience. The second season I started feeling more comfortable. This season I'm going to feel like a veteran.
What's the hardest you've ever laughed during the course of a football game and what brought it on? Landon, Siler City, NC
We were playing the Saints, and Mike Rucker was going at it with LeCharles Bentley, who I played with at Ohio State. It was kind of funny to me, because he was getting inside LeCharles' head a little.

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Gamble is one of four former Ohio State Buckeyes currently on the Panthers roster, not including two-year Buckeye Nick Goings. (AP Photo)
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Which do you like more, picking off quarterbacks or laying vicious hits? Will, Wallops Island, VA
Picking off quarterbacks.
Since I am both a big Panthers fan AND a big Ohio State fan, I am extremely pleased with the addition of more Buckeyes to the Panthers roster. Do you guys hang out or try to get together on Saturdays for Buckeyes games? Hutch
Yeah, we always hang out. We just brought Nate (Salley) in, so that's four of us with Drew (Carter) and Na'il Diggs. We're going to hang every Saturday with our Buckeye gear on. I feel like I'm back in Ohio again sometimes.
How would you feel if you were needed at wide receiver one day, seeing as how you played it at Ohio State? Tony
(smiles) Oh, I'm still ready. They keep telling me that they're going to put me out there. I'm ready whenever they do.
Chris, you and Ken Lucas are both extremely talented corners. In regards to your playing styles, can you give us two ways that you are alike and two ways that you are different? Chanrock, Outer Banks, NC
I can give you one. I think we're both good ballhawkers. And as far as differences, he is probably more sound in his technique than I am. I'm still learning, but that's probably the biggest difference.
Do you dish out trash talk to receivers, or do you quietly get on with the job? Why? Jason, Sydney, Australia
I get on with the job. If somebody wants to start something, that just makes me want to play harder.

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His dreadlocks suit Gamble just fine, thank you. (AP Photo)
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How many interceptions do you plan to get, and do you look forward to sticking Chad Johnson this season? Dikemba, Lauderhill, FL
Oh yeah, I'm looking forward to playing against Chad Johnson. He's a great receiver and I know he's going to talk trash. I just want to stay focused and play hard against him. As for interceptions, I'd like to get about 10. I just have to stay focused, play my game, not worry about the interceptions and they should come.
How has the addition of Ken Lucas helped you, and do you ever plan to cut the dreadlocks? Jeff Greene, Oklahoma City, OK
I don't think I'm going to cut the dreadlocks. I like the dreadlocks. With Ken, he brought veteran leadership to our team. He's a good corner, and I always look at his work ethic to see what he's doing technique-wise. Watching him play has helped me.
When you get the call to blitz, do you get excited? Do you think you're a good blitzer or is it a weaker point in your game? Lee, Cherryville, NC
I'm a good blitzer. I want to get a sack or cause a fumble. Every time they call my number on the blitz, I'm ready to go.
What is the most memorable interception you have had throughout your career? Kevin, Sherrills Ford, NC
Probably the one I returned for a touchdown at Tampa Bay last year.
Do you think the coaches might use you more this year on punt returns and do you want to? KatDaddy
I want to. We've got Steve (Smith) back there, and he can make it happen, but if he's not available, I'd be available and would try to make it happen, too.

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Gamble says he has improved most at tackling since his rookie season. (Getty Images)
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Who is the best wide receiver you have faced, besides teammates? Zack, Wilmington, NC
I want to say Terry Glenn. He is a good receiver.
Which teammate has helped you the most and who did you want to be like growing up? Number one fan, Rapid City, SD
I wanted to be like Deion Sanders. Watching him with San Francisco and Dallas, he was a great cornerback and good kick returner. As for which teammate, I'd say Steve Smith.
What is your ultimate goal as a player? BlindSite, Australia
I want to win first. Stats will come. I'd like to go to the Pro Bowl and win the Super Bowl.
When you are watching film on an upcoming wide receiver, what are you focusing on? Gary, Shelby, NC
I'm focusing on how he comes off the ball, what kind of routes he runs the majority of the time. What kind of blocker he is. Little things like that.
Was there any extra ingredient you could say was evidenced in your national championship team that you think is a significant difference between a championship team and a non-championship team? If so, what was it? Fireball, Cleveland, OH
We just had heart as a team, and a belief we could play against anybody. And we were hungry.
Now that the defensive line has been beefed-up with the addition of Maake Kemoeatu, thus freeing Dan Morgan to put more pressure on the opposing quarterbacks, are you expecting a lot of bad passes to come your way this season? John, Burlington, NC
Oh yeah. I think (the ball) is going to come out quick, so Ken and I could start out with a lot of picks early in the year.
How did you make the transition from college to pros so quickly your rookie year? Mark, Jefferson, NC
Just being hungry and having that confidence. Wanting to start and wanting to play and make things happen.
You were drafted late in the first round because of your supposed lack of experience playing corner. At the time, how did that make you feel and where would you rate your experience level now? William, Raleigh, NC
Oh, I had a chip on my shoulder when I was picked that late, but I told myself that I was going to stay confident and take it out on the opponent, and I think I'm getting better and better each year.
Looking back to your rookie year, what area of playing cornerback did you have to improve on the most, going from the college game to the pro game? David, Rock Hill, SC
Tackling. Coming out of college, I was always diving and missing tackles. But my second year I ended up with a lot of tackles and made more plays and the coaches were kind of excited about that. I just worked on it more and more each day.
 
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Smith's new deal not in works yet


By Darin Gantt The Herald
(Published June 11‚ 2006)


CHARLOTTE -- A handful of reports made their way around the Internet last week suggesting the Carolina Panthers and Steve Smith are talking about a contract extension. Some even suggested a deal is near. One of these days, that's going to be at least half-right. Sort of.
Ostensibly, the part about talking is true since the two sides have spoken about the mutual desire to do something, sometime. However, the parties seem to suggest no deal is imminent, and honestly the Panthers have more pressing concerns. Add in the fact that he doesn't want to leave and they don't want him to makes it very likely something will get done -- eventually.
Smith's under contract through 2009, making anything that happens a long-term proposition, the kind of deal that would allow him to retire a Panther. Combined with the fact he just turned 27 a month ago, that makes such talk premature. He signed a six-year, $26-million extension in March 2004. For their money, the Panthers bought a year on IR followed by the league's best receiving season.
The next deal will take him to a new financial level, one certainly surpassing the recent Chad Johnson deal (a six-year extension worth a reported $35.5 million). The two are often compared since they played together in junior college and share a flair for end zone celebrations. And on a prorated basis, their numbers are similar given that Johnson has 21 more starts than Smith.
Johnson has caught 379 passes for 5,556 yards and 34 scores compared to Smith's 261 catches for 3,759 yards and 22 touchdowns. The gap basically represents the lost 2004 season, when Smith broke his ankle in the opener.
But what Smith represents to the Panthers offense equates best with what defensive end Julius Peppers means to their defense, and Peppers is probably next in line for new money here. He's carrying around a whopping $14.8-million salary cap figure for this year, and his deal expires in 2008.
The Panthers also have a few other players to deal with.
If they become convinced this year their offensive line is stable, they'd probably like to stretch left tackle Travelle Wharton's deal beyond 2007. Cornerback Chris Gamble (whose contract expires in 2008) should also be near the top of the docket.
The Panthers have been proactive in keeping their young stars locked up long-term, and that's evident by the pending class of free agents. The stars of the 2006 free agent class are fourth wideout Drew Carter and emergency running back Nick Goings. Wharton and defensive end Mike Rucker are up after the 2007 season, along with wideout Keary Colbert, tight end Kris Mangum, fullback Brad Hoover and not much else of apparent consequence.
· SPEAKING OF SMITH: Far more interesting than last week's practice dust-up between Smith and cornerback Ken Lucas was the aftermath, which shows why certain guys have been here a long time and will continue to work here.
As soon as Smith was pulled away, he was underneath the counseling arm of Karl Hankton. In addition to being the special teams captain, Hankton is one of the respected elders in the locker room, and when dealing with big personalities like Smith's, that's an undervalued commodity. Bottom line, Smith trusts him, and that puts Hankton on a fairly short list.
Hankton then passed Smith off to kicker John Kasay, who stood with him away from the action for at least 20 minutes. Kasay also joined in the post-practice prayer meeting with coach John Fox, and walked back to the locker room with Smith.
It's a collection of small things, but it also shows how some of the old hands earned their tenure.
· EXTRA POINTS: The competition for the weakside linebacker job figures to be the most heated -- and just about only -- competition in training camp. Keith Adams and Na'il Diggs have worked with the starters this summer, and certain packages have featured rookie James Anderson ... Fourth-round safety Nate Salley is expected to make his summer school debut Monday, just two weeks late. He couldn't participate because of the league's agreement with the NCAA that players can't join pro teams until their college class graduates.
 
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Everson Walls was on Cold Pizza this morning to breakdown the "Top 5 (current) NFL DB's". They showed a highlight real of him, and I wasnt amazed that he had 57 career INTs. His list included two scUM players and two Buckeyes:

1) Ty Law - Everson noted that it was his game experience and that he consistantly plays hard every game.

2) Shawn Springs - Everson said that Shawn has bad hands but has been a proven and consistant DB for every team hes been with since he has came out of OSU

4) Chris Gamble - Everson said that it is "athletic arrogance" (a good thing) which OSU players have, that ahs made him the great DB he is today. Likely to go down as one of the best ever if he keeps playing the way he does.

5) Charles Woodson.
 
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jwinslow said:
Walls also added a humorous tidbit that Gamble was 'tried at WR' while at OSU... good reporting espn!
Click to expand...

Yeah I thought the same thing, lol. I know he mainly played DB his Junior season, but I will be damned if we only "tried" him at WR his Soph season (02). Like you said, great research done by ESPN... Howie Schwab doesnt look too credible to me right about now. :biggrin:
 
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CB Chris Gamble

Wonder if Gamble read this qoute this week...be great to see him shut Edwards mouth

Browns | Edwards confident against Panthers' Gamble
Sat, 7 Oct 2006 12:04:12 -0700
Mary Kay Cabot, of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, reports <A href="http://www.kffl.com/team/13/nfl">Cleveland Browns WR Braylon Edwards is planning to humiliate Carolina Panthers CB Chris Gamble during the Week 5 game. The Michigan receiver caught seven passes for 130 yards and two touchdowns against Gamble, a cornerback with Ohio State, the last time they played against each other in 2003. Edwards also caught an 87-yard touchdown pass that was nullified by a holding call. The two came to blows in the first half of the game and Edwards drew Gamble into a personal foul penalty. "I destroyed Gamble every time I played him. If he happens to match up on me, I'll treat him just like I treat anybody else - I'm going to try and destroy him. I know Chris Gamble like the back of my hand. They matched him up on me both years and I know him probably better than anybody in this league," said Edwards.
 
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buckeyefool;628322; said:
Wonder if Gamble read this qoute this week...be great to see him shut Edwards mouth

Browns | Edwards confident against Panthers' Gamble
Sat, 7 Oct 2006 12:04:12 -0700
Mary Kay Cabot, of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, reports <A href="http://www.kffl.com/team/13/nfl">Cleveland Browns WR Braylon Edwards is planning to humiliate Carolina Panthers CB Chris Gamble during the Week 5 game. The Michigan receiver caught seven passes for 130 yards and two touchdowns against Gamble, a cornerback with Ohio State, the last time they played against each other in 2003. Edwards also caught an 87-yard touchdown pass that was nullified by a holding call. The two came to blows in the first half of the game and Edwards drew Gamble into a personal foul penalty. "I destroyed Gamble every time I played him. If he happens to match up on me, I'll treat him just like I treat anybody else - I'm going to try and destroy him. I know Chris Gamble like the back of my hand. They matched him up on me both years and I know him probably better than anybody in this league," said Edwards.
Click to expand...

Cockbreath had 3 catches for 27 yards.

Gamble had 3 tackles and 2 passes defensed.
 
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Edwards destroyed Gamblor in 2002? That's funny - the only thing I remember Edwards doing was committing offensive PI in the end zone against Gamblor.

Funny how for a horrible team, Cleveburg has a bunch of loud mouthed retards. Eh, probably fits iwth their fan base.
 
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tibor75;628644; said:
Edwards destroyed Gamblor in 2002? That's funny - the only thing I remember Edwards doing was committing offensive PI in the end zone against Gamblor.

Funny how for a horrible team, Cleveburg has a bunch of loud mouthed retards. Eh, probably fits iwth their fan base.
Click to expand...

It's OK folks. He has one of these:

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Cincy

OSU product Gamble burned on big play
BY JOHN ERARDI | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER
Fourth-and-one, everybody in the joint is thinking "run" - including Carolina safety Mike Minter - but cornerback Chris Gamble is thinking, "they're going to do something funny," and sure enough here comes No. 85.
Mr. Gold Teeth himself, Chad Johnson.
"Gutsy call, one-on-one, us in three-deep coverage," Minter said. "And they (the Bengals) throw a deep ball."

From Minter's vantage point in center field, he could see that Carson Palmer's spiral was going to reach Johnson in stride, but that Gamble was stride-for-stride with him.
"Gamble was all over Chad," Minter said.
Said Gamble: "I felt like we'd done a pretty good job on Chad most of the day."
He had no trepidation covering Johnson one-on-one: "I have confidence in myself. I just wanted to get up in him and break it up."
But somehow Johnson got his body into a better position than Gamble's.
"Body-wise, he had me sealed," Gamble said.
Johnson came down with the ball at Carolina's 3, for a 32-yard gain.
Gamble is one of four former Ohio State products on the Panthers. The others are safety Nate Salley, wide receiver Drew Carter and linebacker Na'il Diggs.
Gamble is bringing people to their feet in Carolina - he's their punt returner - much as he did in Columbus.
Gamble said he had been looking forward all week to playing the Bengals.
"Chad's a funny dude," Gamble said. "He didn't do any talking out there. He was real cool about it."
Diggs had a message for the '06 Buckeyes.
"Don't go to sleep against the teams coming up between now and (Michigan)," Diggs said.
"That happened to us (against Michigan State in 1998). I still recall every single thing about that night."
 
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