SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- Ben Boulware is pretty sure that Luke Kuechly regrets ever sharing his cellphone number. And he might even be second-guessing sitting near the undrafted rookie linebacker during meetings.
Because Boulware realized before the start of Panthers training camp that his best opportunity to learn might be to pick the brain of the former NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
That means texts. Lots and lots of texts. And whispers and interruptions during meetings. Anything to gather information on how he can be good enough to earn a full-time job with the Carolina Panthers.
“I’m pretty sure I’ve probably made Luke mad numerous times because I’m annoying him,” Boulware said Wednesday before the official start of Panthers training camp. “I realized that he’s the best in the business. I realized what he’s done in his career and what he will continue to do. He’s a football guru, and you don’t have a guy like that in a lot of situations or other organizations.
“So, yeah, I’m a sponge with him. Blowing him up every single day. If we’re in meeting rooms, I’m tapping him on the shoulder. I’ve been annoying him, but in a good way.”
It’s the only way Boulware can think of to gain the knowledge to steal Kuechly’s job from him.
Not anytime soon, mind you.
“I just want a job, I’m not trying to start or beat out Luke or T.D. [Thomas Davis],” Boulware said. “I just want to make the team at this point.”
Although Boulware played for the national-champion Clemson squad and was named ACC Defensive Player of the Year, he managed to slip through the NFL draft without being picked.
A native of Anderson, South Carolina, Boulware said he was thrilled to sign with Carolina and have an opportunity to make the Panthers team that plays about two hours from his hometown -- even though it means he’ll definitely be behind Kuechly, Davis and Shaq Thompson on the depth chart.
Trying to make a team with one of the most talented linebacker corps might seem to be a difficult obstacle, but Boulware simply shrugs off the hurdle.
“They definitely take more than just two linebackers,” he said. “I realize that there’s spots open. There’s not much security when it comes to being in the NFL, so everyone’s fighting for a job out there. I’m probably not fighting for the No. 1 job, but I’m fighting for a spot, really. I realize that I wasn’t going to go in and try to start, but there’s spots open.”
If the 6-foot-1 player who quickly is becoming a fan favorite for his outgoing personality and lustrous beard can’t make his mark as a linebacker, he’ll focus on special teams, he said.
All while he continues to pester Kuechly to gather information.
“I think he understands how much I want this job and how much I want this opportunity,” Boulware said. “I think he’s OK with it, but probably sometimes he’s getting a little annoyed.”
