CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Derrick Brown's eyes cut toward a member of the Carolina Panthers' communication department when asked about the nearly three-hour bus ride -- conservative, based on traffic and road construction -- to Clemson University in South Carolina for Thursday's padded practice.
"I didn't know we were riding the bus,'' the Pro Bowl defensive lineman said with a look that suggested he hoped it wasn't true.
NFL players today typically ride buses only short distances for road games -- to and from the airport for chartered flights and between the team hotel and the stadium.