Former Giant and current Panther Chase Blackburn breaks out his Big Blue notebook
In the offseason, Chase Blackburn signs with the Panthers and will face his former team Sunday.
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Spencer Paysinger hoped that Chase Blackburn's old notebook would help him this season. Instead, it just may help the Carolina Panthers counter the Giants' defense on Sunday.
Blackburn started at middle linebacker for the Giants last season, but he'll be on the other sideline on Sunday in Carolina. The veteran signed with the Panthers in the offseason, and while he's been limited to special teams duty so far in 2013, he likely shared some valuable secrets with the Panthers this week.
After all, Paysinger said Thursday, his note taking skills were once the stuff of legend. "I remember when he signed with Carolina (in May), I sent him a message," Paysinger said. "I said, 'Let me get your notebook so I can study.' Because the coaches always talk about how he's a master note taker."
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But Blackburn declined, messaging www.panthersnflofficialshop.com/panthers-greg-olsen-jersey-c-22.html back: "I've gotta keep it for when I play you guys."
The Giants weren't just concerned about Blackburn's knowledge of the offense this week, either. Special teams coordinator Tom Quinn added that Blackburn is "probably one of the smartest guys I've ever been around," and his knowledge of the Giants' return schemes could also hurt. "You do have to be aware that he does know all of the return schemes, coverage schemes and calls," Quinn said. "So you have to make adjustments that way."
Once the cerebral Blackburn left, the Giants were left to find a new defensive play caller. And they settled on Paysinger. The third year linebacker has called plays through the first two games, and defensive coordinator Perry Fewell said he's done "a nice job," even if he is inexperienced Panthers Greg Olsen Jersey in that role.
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"He's (doing) on the job training, so to speak," Fewell said, "but I don't see any weaknesses in him. I thought he did a good job last week in communicating. I thought he did a good job the week before in communicating."
Still, Fewell indicated that he and Paysinger are still learning to work together.
"We're getting better," he said. "We're working to get better. I think we'll become better."
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