CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Carolina Panthers are toning down their practice habits on Wednesdays in hopes of keeping players fresh for a playoff run.
The GPS technology that Carolina (8-0) began using last year and fully implemented this season (see this story from August) indicated Wednesday practices that typically are in full pads were taking a toll.
Players weren’t in full pads last Wednesday after a Monday night overtime game or this Wednesday after a Sunday win against Green Bay.
Coach Ron Rivera said the plan is to go lighter on Wednesdays the remainder of the season.
“If it helps the players, if they can get a little more rest, if we can take a little bit of a load off of them, those are things we have to do,’’ Rivera said as he prepared for Sunday’s game at the Tennessee Titans (2-6).
“The truth of the matter is it’s really how you are at the end of the season. Right now, this is all the fluff, this is all positioning, this is all to build your record.’’
Keeping players fresh pertains in particular to older veterans such as outside linebacker Thomas Davis, cornerback Charles Tillman and safety Roman Harper. All are in their 30s.
The Panthers use a GPS device called the Viper pod. It is worn in the back of the pads.
Head trainer Ryan Vermillion experimented with it on two players a year ago. All 90 who reported to training camp this year were fitted with it.
Among the things the device registers are heart rate, acceleration and deceleration, the amount of load experienced on impact, the amount of force applied to one foot versus the other, fatigue level, how much ground is covered and how much of that was at peak performance versus a jog or walk.
Asked if the device simply monitored a player’s steps, Rivera smiled and said, “It’s a little bit more complicated than that, probably a little more complicated than me.’’
But it has led a coach who believes in routine to change his in terms of Wednesday practices.
“We have to look at ways to stay fresh,’’ Rivera said. “With the way things are, trying to make sure you’re trending upward as opposed to plateauing or trending down.’’