Panthers coach John Fox, his assistants and the team's operations staff have combined to lose 500 pounds since the end of last season. "I don't quite feel like an old German shepherd anymore," said offensive coordinator Jeff Davidson, who dropped 71 pounds. "I think it's helped me dramatically. It just didn't make me better looking." The program, a take on "The Biggest Loser" was the brainchild of trainer Ryan Vermillion, who became alarmed late last season at the staff's bulging waistlines. "I felt they needed it for themselves and for their own health," Vermillion said. "I didn't want them to have cardiovascular problems. I didn't want them to have physical problems."