Duce Staley on Generating a Quick Turnaround, Thoughts on Chuba + D'Onta + More

What it feels like being back in the Carolina's

"It feels good to be back close to home. Just growing up as a kid of course in South Carolina during the time 95-96, of course the Panthers got going there. As a kid, you always dream about if you play in the NFL, you want to play close to home. So, the Panthers was definitely one of those teams that I thought about that hopefully draft me. It didn't happen but here I am now."

What attracted him to Carolina

"First and foremost, Frank Reich. Awesome human being. Was able to win a Super Bowl with him. We talked about my mom of course. She's my heart, she's my rock. So if I had an opportunity to come home, I said to myself a long time ago I would. But getting back to Frank, just being able to spend those years in Philadelphia with Frank Reich and win a Super Bowl, just to see him go out there and effect young men the way he did, it was awesome. And I said to myself I would love to have the opportunity to coach with him again."

Thoughts on D'Onta Foreman and Chuba Hubbard

"Haven't gotten that far but I can tell you firsthand, those dudes are real. We came down here last year and got our a** whipped. Exactly what happened. Those guys were running up and down the field. And of course, as a former running back, you love seeing running backs have success. Not against us of course. But you like seeing it. But man, those two guys...and studying them in college also, I was able to watch film and watch the success they had. I loved them in college and I love them now."

How high on the list of priorities is it to bring back Foreman

"Super high. Super high for me. But you know, my last name ain't Fitterer."

What has him excited about this roster

"I can tell you what's exciting about this team. It's all about grit. And I just left a team, Detroit, where it was about grit. I see a bunch of hungry men. And I can't wait to get out there with them and go to war with them. When it comes to coaching for me, it's a couple of things. Number one, putting them in position to make plays. That's number one. Number two is getting them to run through a brick wall with me and not for me. Because I'm going to be the first one to run through the brick wall. I'm going to lead the charge. Then after that, show them that I love them. You can't go to war with these men unless you show them that you love them."

Having a quick turnaround

"It's all about hard work. Nothing replaces that. And that turn around [in Detroit] came from hard work. If you go back and look at how we started, it wasn't that good. So being able to continue to believe, continue to have grit, continue to set the tone each and every day no matter what, it means a lot. And that's what we'll do. You know, Mr. Tepper, man, just being able to get some of these coaches in the building. That sends a message to this team. He said, basically, I'm going to get some of the best coaches to bring the best out of you. And you can't beat that."

What impressed him during Thomas Brown's interview for the OC job

"Just his conviction. Walking in and a lot of times when you look in the room, you have certain people in the room and you're intimidated. Certain people are. Well, he walked in and set up. He nailed the power point. He made us feel his energy because that's very important. Because once you do that interview, you're talking to us and we're in our mind, visualizing you speaking to the team. Or you talking to the offense. We're asking questions. We may challenge him and things like that. So, the energy alone. The delivery. And being able to have the conviction was second to none."

You can follow us for future coverage by liking us on Facebook & following us on Twitter:

Facebook - @PanthersOnSI

Twitter - @AllPanthers_ and Schuyler Callihan at @Callihan_.

Add us as a preferred source on Google