Beason brings true grit to 'D'

No matter what changes about the Carolina Panther defense in 2009, one thing will stay the same: Pro Bowl linebacker Jon Beason will provide a shoulder to lean on whenever it gets tough.

And because Beason is so essential, it's good to see he has two functioning shoulders again.

Beason didn't reveal until the offseason that he played the final half of 2008 basically with one good shoulder – his left. His right shoulder required surgery in February, which he postponed until after the Pro Bowl so he could play in that, too.

Why did he play all those games hurt?

“If you can keep playing, you should,” Beason said Friday. “At the time, season was going great.

“I have people out here who depend on me. And I know there are players out here who would play hurt for me, too.”

It's not quite Tiger Woods winning the U.S. Open on one leg in 2008, but it's not bad. Even playing hurt, Beason led Carolina in tackles, made his first Pro Bowl and had a team-high four interceptions (including the playoff game). The 24-year-old has also become the defense's most important leader.

Beason hurt his right shoulder Oct.26 – dislocating it and tearing the labrum while tackling Arizona receiver Anquan Boldin. “It was just one of those things,” Beason said. “Popped out. Dislocated. I just popped it back in and kept rolling.”

Beason would make an interception in the fourth quarter of that game that keyed Carolina's 27-23 win, but it wasn't that simple the rest of the season. If Beason had to make a shoulder-only tackle, he was in trouble.

On his blog at jonbeason.com, the player nicknamed “The Beast” would later write: “When I tackled someone, it was almost like throwing a pillow at them. I had no grip in that arm, no way to stop someone.”

Still, Beason played. It's not surprising. He has the kind of heart and competitive streak the Panthers would love to clone.

Beason could probably play a game today if he had to, but he wasn't practicing at full speed Friday during Panthers' minicamp. He went through some drills but is obviously going to be careful until training camp. He has already learned enough about new defensive coordinator Ron Meeks, though, to know that he likes him.

“A fiery guy,” Beason said. “He wants guys who are reckless, flying around, competing every play. If you're not that type of guy, you're not going to play on his defense. So people got the message real soon.”

Beason said he also liked what the Panthers did in the draft – selecting defensive players with their first three picks – and that he would try to ignore one factor about new defensive end Everette Brown.

Said Beason of Brown: “Good player, good person, works hard – he's just from Florida State.”

A Miami Hurricane to the bone, Beason said he will try to shoulder his way past that fact.

It should be a little easier now.

(charlotteobserver.com)