Panthers' Teal 'living a dream'

Quentin Teal isn’t taking anything for granted.
The Carolina Panthers safety refuses to let his ego get in the way and continues his humble approach as he begins his third NFL season today against the Eagles.
“You just try to respect the game, or it will bite you quickly and you will be out it,” Teal said Thursday after practice.
Teal’s attitude is due in large part because of his laid-back personality, but mainly because of his jounrey just to get to the NFL.
Teal wasn’t heavily recruited coming out of Marlboro County. Most of the attention went to teammates Syvelle Newton, who landed at South Carolina, and Tymere Zimmerman, who went to Clemson before landing at Newberry.
After a year at junior college, Teal landed at Coastal Carolina and was one of the cornerstones of the fledgling program. In three seasons, he became the Big South’s all-time interceptions leader with 17 and was first-team all-conference three straight years.
But when the NFL draft rolled around, Teal went undrafted and signed as a free agent with the Panthers in 2007 as a long shot to make the squad.
Teal stuck it out and was the only free agent to make the team that year. He became a fixture on the Panthers’ special teams, ranking third in special teams tackles with 13 and had 27 overall.
“I’m living a dream and getting to play a child’s game for a living,” Teal said. “There is nothing I can complain about.”
This year, Teal’s role has increased with the injuries to Panthers’ safeties. Nate Salley is out for the season, and both Charles Godfrey and Chris Harris have missed time because of injuries.
That has left the door open for Teal to showcase his talent, and he’s made the most of it.
Teal finished the preseason with seven tackles and had an interception in the opener against the Giants. He also was impressive during practice, returning interceptions back for touchdowns frequently.
“He’s done a great job,”Panthers coach John Fox told the Rock Hill Herald.
“He’s been a role player. He’s played roles on defense, primarily in our sub packages. But on special teams, he’s done well.
“It’s a good opportunity for him to get reps playing. It’s an opportunity for him to show what he can do.”
And with Harris’ status for today’s opener questionable, Teal might get a chance for his first NFL start.
Still, it hasn’t changed his approach this week. Teal says he tries to prepare every week as if he were going to start.
“You just got to be ready because you never know when you will be needed,” Teal said. “I dreamed of doing this and worked hard toward it. I’m not going to stop now.”

PEE DEE
John Abraham (Falcons) — Will start at defensive end
Fred Bennett (Texans) — Will start at cornerback
Derek Burgess (Patriots) — Will back up Pierre Woods at outside linebacker
Justin Durant (Jaguars) — Starting at middle linebacker
Robert Geathers (Bengals) — Starting defensive end in Cincy.
Albert Haynesworth (Redskins) — Signed $100 million contract in offseason
Lawrence Timmons (Steelers) — Missed Thursday’s game with a high ankle sprain.
Quinton Teal (Panthers) — Backup safety might start today
Phillip Morris (Titans) — On practice squad
Michael Hamlin (Cowboys) — Injured with broken wrist
Robert Ayers (Broncos) — Will back up E. Dumervil at outside linebacker
COASTAL CAROLINA
Jerome Simpson (Bengals) — Listed as third team receiver
Tyler Thigpen (Chiefs) — Third team QB in K.C.
Mike Tolbert (Chargers) — Will back up Jacob Hester at fullback