Fuente: © Carolina Panthers
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NFL: PANTHERS: Fan Q&A: Chris Weinke

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With Fan Q&A, it's your turn to interview the players. Today the subject is quarterback Chris Weinke. If you would like to submit a question for Brad Hoover, John Kasay or Mike Trgovac, send it to bordenb@panthers.nfl.com.

What did you learn most from our 1-15 season? Did you ever get to the point where you wanted to throw up your hands and say, "I give up"? Dimbee, Charlotte, NC

No. Never once did I say or even think about giving up. I think the biggest thing I learned was patience. To keep at it and continue to work hard. I probably learned more in that one year than I have the rest of my years playing football.

Chris, how 'bout those Gators? Natalie, Daytona Beach, FL

How 'bout those Noles? I never lost to those Gators. (laughs)

Do you find it more difficult to prepare for every game as a starter, or to be prepared to come into a game at a moment's notice with the game on the line? Casey, Greenville, SC

Neither one is easy. There are only 32 guys who can start in this League. That job in itself is tough. But I've had the opportunity to do both, and they're both difficult. You just have a different mindset. My mindset now it that I have to prepare as if I'm the starter, even though I'm not, because at any point in time you might get called upon.

Weinke gets a well-deserved congratulations after his game-winning drive in Detroit last season. (Getty Images)

When you were called on to drive the Panthers to a game winning touchdown against Detroit, what was going through your mind? Was this the most exciting moment of your professional career? Derek, Raleigh, NC

I don't think it was THE most exciting time. It was an opportunity, one I had been waiting for, to show these guys -- my teammates and the coaching staff -- that I have been preparing. The opportunity presented itself and I took advantage of it. The most exciting moment was probably my first game at Minnesota. Any time you get a chance to play in the NFL, especially as a rookie starting in your hometown, it's special. I'll always look back and cherish that moment. And I'll always remember it as the most exciting time for me.

If you and Jake had a push up contest who would win? GipeTTo, Charlotte, NC

Standard push ups, or push ups on your knees?

What are your fondest memories about playing pro baseball? Do you regret the time you spent there when you could have been playing football? Do you wonder what could have been had you stuck with baseball? Wes, Charlotte, NC

I don't regret playing baseball. I enjoyed every minute. I don't know if there was one highlight. I enjoyed all six years that I played professional baseball. If I ever looked back and said I regretted my time in baseball, then I would be saying that I didn't learn anything over those six years. The opportunity to play baseball helped me in terms of becoming a better person, a better athlete, and a better student when I went back to school because I was more mature.

What was the number one reason you decided to re-sign with the Panthers? Greg, Huntersville NC

To continue to look at your (crazy outfits) for the next three years. (laughs)

I think that we are lucky to have you as a Panther. What is the highlight of your career as a QB, be it here or Florida State? Kyle, Rock Hill, SC

There are two that really stand out. One was being the quarterback at Florida State when we won the national championship in 1999. The second one was a game I didn't even play in, and that was the Super Bowl. Although I didn't play, there are a lot of guys who play this game who never get the chance to be in that environment. Just standing on the sidelines was a highlight I'll never forget.

How far can you throw the ball? We always hear how you have the strongest arm on the team. I was just curious what your longest throw actually was. Ryan, Charlotte, NC

The last time I tried to throw it as far as I could was in high school. I threw it 72 yards. I never tried in college and I haven't tried here. I'm getting a little too old to throw it as far as I can now. (laughs)

When you were growing up did kids make fun of your last name? Did the same person ever do it more than once? Jeff, Toronto, Canada

If they did it once, they never did it again. (laughs)

Do you see yourself retiring as a Panther? Mark, Jefferson, NC

You never know. I love it here. I love the organization, like the guys I play with and like the coaching staff. But I'll be the first to say I don't necessarily think my career is going to be over in three years. I'm 33 now and I'll be 36 when this contract is up, but I feel like I'm keeping myself in shape and I'm going to play this game as long as I can. If the opportunity comes up to retire as a Panther, though, I'd love that.

If you take off running from the pocket, do you think more about getting the yards you need or where a hit is likely to come from? Richard, Columbus, OH

You can't ever think about where the hit is coming from. The biggest thing is you have to react out there. The game is so fast that if you start worrying about getting hit, that's when you end up getting hurt. I think you just react out there to situations that you see. If you start running, then you get as much as you can, then baseball slide it.

You've found success at several levels in sports. Outside of sports what has given you your greatest sense of accomplishment? Landon, Siler City, NC

That's a question I'll save for my appearance on the Oprah Winfrey show. (laughs)

Chris, what in the world were you thinking when (while you were playing baseball) you were playing first base and Michael Jordan (the NBA star) got his first hit? Did you ask for his autograph? Hayden, East Bend, NC

It was in Birmingham, and I ended up getting his autograph later on a baseball. I still have that baseball. As far as the game went, though, he was just another guy to me.

Chris, could you please explain to us fans exactly what a backup QB does from Monday to Sunday that is different from what the starting QB does? Jonathan, East Bend, NC

The backup quarterback does the exact same thing a starting quarterback does, he just doesn't get as many reps in practice. It's the same routine. We meet the same amount of time with coaches and watch the same amount of film.

What one player on this team do you enjoy playing with the most? - Jerry, Asheville, NC

It's hard to single out one guy. One guy that does stick out in my mind simply because I came in with him and had a prior relationship with him is Dan Morgan. We worked out together prior to the draft and we've been together for five years. I just enjoy watching the way he plays the game.

Chris, in my opinion you're the most important signing we've had this off-season. With that said, I would like to know what goes through your mind when you're looking into the eyes of a huge D-lineman or linebacker licking his chops for a QB. What do you do to stay focused? Hook, Monroe, NC

If you're looking in their eyes, then you're looking at the wrong thing. Our job is to look down field. Once you start looking at those defensive linemen and linebackers, that's when you start making mistakes. People always wonder if we quarterbacks are intimidated by guys. If you get intimidated, you're not going to last in this League very long. notas_de_prensa_archivo