Rivera says Panthers WR Smith didn't break finger in practice

SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith injured his finger during Tuesday's padded practice, but coach Ron Rivera confirmed it's not broken and isn't anything that will keep the player out of any regular-season games.

Smith, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, sustained a cut near the base of his left middle finger that required stitches, but X-rays revealed no broken bones. Smith injured the finger while attempting to catch a pass in Tuesday morning's practice.

"There was no dislocation," Rivera said. "The ball went right in between (his fingers)."

Smith left the morning practice early to have his finger checked out by the medical staff. He didn't participate in the night practice and is expected to miss about a week or so. Smith was spotted in the team's dining room a few hours after the injury with the middle finger on his left hand heavily wrapped.

Smith is the Panthers' all-time leader in touchdowns and figures to play a pivotal role in their offense this season.

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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Report: QB Moore to sign with 'Fins following Panthers stint

Quarterback Matt Moore was headed to Miami on Friday to sign a two-year, $5 million contract with the Dolphins, according to The Oregonian.

La Canfora: Dolphins still want Orton Don’t read too much into the Dolphins signing Matt Moore as it relates to Kyle Orton, says Jason La Canfora. Miami still wants Orton, and know he could beat out both Chad Henne and Moore to become the starter. More ...

The newspaper reports that incentives could push to deal to $7.5 million for Moore, who leaves a crowded quarterback situation with the Panthers for a Dolphins team that was said to be in pursuit of Denver Broncos passer Kyle Orton.

Dophins owner Stephen Ross told the Sun-Sentinel Friday that the Orton deal "is dead."

If Orton is indeed out of the picture, Moore will compete with Chad Henne for a starting role with the Dolphins just one season after being named starter for the Panthers. Moore was unseated by rookie Jimmy Clausen as the season progressed after Moore completed just 55.2 percent of his passes, tossing five touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

Moore started 13 games in three seasons in Carolina, going 7-6. In 2009, Moore led the Panthers to four wins in its final five games, setting the table for his starting opportunity in 2010.

His future in Carolina grew cloudy after the team finished 2-14 and drafted Cam Newton with the No. 1 overall pick in April.

Moore was signed by the Panthers in 2007 as an undrafted free agent out of Oregon State.

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Williams agrees to five-year, $43M deal to stay with Panthers

The Carolina Panthers promised they'd be aggressive in free agency, and they stayed true to their word Wednesday.

In perhaps the wildest day of transactions in franchise history, running back DeAngelo Williams agreed to a five-year, $43 million contract, NFL Network insider Michael Lombardi reported, and linebackers James Anderson and Thomas Davis also agreed to five-year deals, people familiar with the deals told The Associated Press.

Williams, who's guaranteed $21 million in his new deal, also drew serious interest from the New York Giants and Denver Broncos, Lombardi reported, but the Panthers were able to keep their all-time leading rusher.

Fantasy: Panthers RBs' stock down The reality of DeAngelo Williams re-signing with Carolina is that neither he nor RB Jonathan Stewart will be overly reliable in stats, Michael Fabiano writes. More ...

The Panthers also agreed to terms with seven free agents, including kicker Olindo Mare, defensive tackle Ron Edwards, tight end Ben Hartsock, fullback Rick Brockel, defensive backs Cletis Gordan, Devon Hall and Kevin Payne. Free agents can't officially sign until Friday.

The addition of Mare signals the end of the John Kasay era in Panthers history. Carolina is expected on Thursday to release the only player remaining from the 1995 expansion roster.

Going after Mare over Kasay was due in part to the NFL's new rule that moved kickoffs up 5 yards to the 35-yard line. Mare has more leg strength than Kasay, who ranks eighth on the career NFL scoring list with 1,823 points.

Mare, who'll receive a four-year, $12 million contract, is just three years younger than Kasay, 41, but still has good leg strength and converted 73 of 83 field-goal attempts the last three years with the Seattle Seahawks.

But keeping the 28-year-old Williams was the big news. A Pro Bowl selection in 2009, Williams decided to stay in Carolina to play alongside best friend and fellow running back Jonathan Stewart. Williams said Monday night during an online chat that his goal was to retire as a Panther.

Williams posted back-to-back seasons of more than 1,100 rushing yards in 2008 and '09 before sustaining a season-ending foot sprain during Week 7 of the 2010 campaign. The Panthers held out hope that Williams would recover before the end of the season, but they eventually placed him on injured reserve in mid-November.

The flurry of moves came one day after defensive end Charles Johnson agreed to a six-year, $72 million contact with the Panthers.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Panthers, LB Johnson agree to six-year, $72 million contract

Free-agent defensive end Charles Johnson agreed to a six-year, $72 million deal to return to the Carolina Panthers, a source with knowledge of the situation said Tuesday.

Will Brett Favre come out of retirement for the third time? Is Ahmad Bradshaw bound for Miami? Find out where players might end up in NFL.com's free agency tracker. More...

Johnson's contract, which he can't sign until Friday, comes with $32 million guaranteed, the source said. Johnson opted to re-sign with the Panthers after the NFC South rival Atlanta Falcons hotly pursued him.

The Panthers made Johnson a top priority after he shined last season in place of Julius Peppers, who left for the Chicago Bears in free agency.

"The Panthers told me the whole time they were going to come after me hard," Johnson said Tuesday after the team announced it had come to undisclosed financial terms with the player. "I had to see it to believe, but they did."

Johnson said he was "blown away" by Carolina's offer, and the money convinced him to choose the team over the Falcons and Denver Broncos, who also expressed interest.

"Could you have turned that down?" Johnson said with a laugh.

The Panthers put the full court press on Johnson. General manager Marty Hurney, coach Ron Rivera and several members of the defensive staff flew to Miami on Monday night in an effort to make sure Johnson wouldn't get away.

"A lot of people in my family were rooting for me to sign with Atlanta because it was closer to home and they could come see me play," said Johnson, a native of Hawkinsville, Ga. "But I think they understand."

Johnson had a breakout season for the Panthers in 2010, with 11.5 sacks in his first year as a starter. He had a combined 10 sacks in his previous two seasons playing behind Peppers and Tyler Brayton.

Johnson said he was impressed at how important the Panthers made him feel by bringing a good portion of the coaching staff on the trip.

"They showed so much respect for me; I wanted to show it back," Johnson said.

Aside from the money, Johnson said his love of the Charlotte community played a role in his decision.

"Once you are settled in somewhere you get comfortable," Johnson said. "Money aside, it wasn't a hard decision for me to leave because I am tied into Charlotte."

NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Moore ready to move on, says Panthers won't re-sign him

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- A year ago, Matt Moore was preparing to enter training camp as the Carolina Panthers' starting quarterback.

Now he's looking for a job.

Moore arrived at Bank of America Stadium on Tuesday morning, but he exited less than 30 minutes later while fellow quarterbacks Cam Newton and Jimmy Clausen remained inside to go over the playbook with new quarterbacks coach Mike Shula. Even more telling for Moore's future: He left the stadium without a playbook in hand, while other players departed periodically carrying a three-inch binder.

Moore, an unrestricted free agent, seemed resigned that the Panthers have no intention of re-signing him come Friday. The Panthers previously said they're considering bringing in a more experienced quarterback to mentor Newton and Clausen.

"The main goal right now is to have a job and get in there and get your hands dirty and get to work," Moore said of his future.

When asked what jersey number rookie Cam Newton will wear because Clausen is already No. 2, Moore laughed and said, "He's probably going to wear No. 3."

That's the number Moore wore for the past four seasons with the Panthers, including last year when he entered training camp as the starter, only to be benched after two games. Moore later returned to a starting role, but he tore the labrum in his right shoulder against the New Orleans Saints in Week 9 and went on injured reserve.

Moore said he left the stadium Tuesday without talking to general manager Marty Hurney or any members of the coaching staff.

Moore said the purpose of his visit to the stadium was to get his shoulder checked out by the training staff. Moore added it's fully healed.

"Said hello and goodbye," Moore said.

Moore said he is a starting-caliber quarterback in the league.

"I think so given the right situation and the timing," Moore said. "A lot of things have to fall into place for that to happen, but yeah, I feel good. I feel like I can come in and compete."

Moore said he spent time this offseason working out with Newton, the team's No. 1 draft pick. Newton declined comment when he arrived at the stadium and as he left for a lunch break with running back Jonathan Stewart.

Clausen said he's eager to get going with the lockout over.

"We're grinding right now," Clausen said. "We have to get ready to go. Obviously we're a little behind because there is a new coaching staff and a new playbook. We just have to keep grinding each and every day."

Notes: Panthers defensive end Charles Johnson, considered the team's top free agent, said on Twitter he had a conversation with the team Tuesday and it "went great. Not good, but great!!" The team can't sign free agents until 6 p.m. ET Friday. ... The Panthers agreed to terms on a one-year contract with safety Kevin Payne, who previously was with St. Louis and Chicago.

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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Panthers rookie Newton expresses support for Smith staying

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- As the Carolina Panthers try to retain their core group of players -- they agreed to terms with defensive end Charles Johnson on Tuesday -- there remains uncertainty as to whether or not wide receiver Steve Smith will be dealt.

Wyche: Newton off to good start Cam Newton has yet to take a snap at an official NFL practice, let alone a game. But the No. 1 overall pick already is showing signs
he gets it, Steve Wyche writes. More ...

» Panthers prep Newton | QB opens up

Smith reportedly has asked to be traded, and first-year coach Ron Rivera has said he'll address the receiver's situation once the NFL lockout ends, which it has. But rookie quarterback Cam Newton said he wants Smith, one of the best receivers in the NFL, as his main target.

"Steve, he's extremely credible around the NFL," Newton said in an exclusive interview with NFL.com and NFL Network. "Everybody knows about Steve Smith's situation. I'm going on to say I really want, not just me, but so many people around the organization want Steve back. I don't know how else to put it. I'm about to speak foreign languages to get Steve back.

"After talking to him, working out with him, he's just at crossroads right now. I'll respect him, whatever decision he makes. Hopefully that decision is to stay in Carolina."

The San Diego Chargers reportedly have expressed interest in Smith, who is coming off a down year in which he finished with just 46 receptions for 554 yards and two touchdowns in 14 games.

Follow Steve Wyche on Twitter @wyche89

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Panthers No. 1 pick Newton: 'I don't bring race into the game'

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Newton: Veteran Smith has attended some Panthers workouts

CHARLOTTE -- Veteran Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith has attended some player-organized workouts, according to rookie quarterback Cam Newton. Newton did not say how many sessions Smith has attended, but did say he has thrown passes to him.

"Steve has been out here and we've had an opportunity to throw it around," Newton said. "You hear a lot of stories like 'He's going to do this, he don't miss any passes.' I learned that first hand."

Smith, who reportedly has asked to be traded, was not in attendance during the media availability portion of Thursday's workout. More than 40 players participated in the final session of the two-week minicamp.

First-year Panthers head coach Ron Rivera and general manager Marty Hurney said they spoke to Smith, 31, about his future with the team before the lockout and the situation would be addressed once the lockout is lifted.

Smith's star has dimmed in recent years as he's dealt with injuries and ineffective play at the quarterback position. A four-time Pro Bowler, Smith is the Panthers' all-time leading receiver. Last season, he caught 46 passes for 554 yards and two touchdowns.

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Panthers WR Smith showers praise on Newton, Rivera

FORT MILL, S.C. -- Panthers receiver Steve Smith describes new Carolina coach Ron Rivera as "a great guy." Smith calls the decision to draft quarterback Cam Newton No. 1 overall "outstanding."

The four-time Pro Bowl pick still isn't ready to say he wants to stay with the Panthers, however.

Smith showed up to take batting practice with several of his teammates before a minor league baseball game Monday night, but he remained tightlipped when asked about his uncertain future in Carolina following a 2-14 season.

"When football gets going I'll be able to evaluate football at that time. But football is not going on," Smith said, referring to the lockout. "So all the what-ifs and speculation and how I feel is what everyone has -- an opinion. I choose to keep my opinion to myself and will continue to take that road."

Smith, who turned 32 last month, was limited to 46 catches for 554 yards and two touchdowns last season amid terrible quarterback play by the NFL's worst offense.

Smith's hesitancy to commit to Carolina has raised speculation he'd like to move to a contending team late in his career. Rivera last week indicated that trading Smith was "not a foregone conclusion," but the first-year coach acknowledged he was uncertain where Smith stood as he comes off his worst statistical season during a year in which he remained healthy.

"He did kind of leave me at a point where I was wondering exactly where did he want to go with this?" Rivera said of their talk before the lockout began. "I will wait until we sit down and talk when the time comes."

Eyebrows were raised when Smith didn't show up for player-organized workouts last week that have drawn more than 50 Panthers players daily at a Charlotte high school. But Smith, accompanied by his wife and three children at the Lehigh Valley-Charlotte Triple-A game, said his absence was for family reasons.

"There's a lot of things on my plate with my wife and her health that my family needs me at home," Smith said, without elaborating. "That's the most important thing."

While Smith comes off the most frustrating season of his career, he said "the fundamental things the Carolina Panthers are doing right now are huge."

In hopes of securing a franchise quarterback for the first time, the Panthers selected Newton, the Heisman Trophy winner from Auburn, with the first choice in the draft.

"The drafting of Cam is outstanding," Smith said. "Met with him a few times and very much impressed by Cam."

Smith said after Rivera replaced John Fox, several people immediately told him it was a good choice.

"When I met Ron I would say they maybe sold him short. He's great, a great guy," Smith said. "My first meeting with him was pretty good, it was outstanding. I walked away very impressed."

Smith, Carolina's alternate player representative for the former union, attended last week's court hearing in St. Louis and called last week's secret meetings between the owners and players "very much a positive."

Smith has been staying in shape by working with a personal trainer, but the labor dispute has put his future -- and the team's -- in limbo.

"You just have to be patient and I'm an impatient guy, so it has been hard," Smith said. "But as they say, when they give you sour lemons you just make lemonade out of it. So that's what we're doing.

"As the (NFL's) lawyer said in the St. Louis case, 'The players are enjoying their off time.' All I can say about that is I have no choice. I'm locked out. I'm forced to do it so I'm going to enjoy it. Why complain? Why gripe about it?"

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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Rivera happy Panthers practicing, but he'd like to coach them

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Report: Panthers' Moore might fit into Dolphins' QB picture

Miami Dolphins quarterback Chad Henne acknowledged last week he will "still have to compete" for the starting job with an established veteran after the club declined to draft a quarterback in April's draft.

The Palm Beach Post speculated Tuesday that competitor could be the Carolina Panthers' Matt Moore.

The assertion is based on three factors:

First, Moore has ties to Dolphins coach Tony Sparano and general manager Jeff Ireland as both were on staff with the Cowboys when Dallas signed Moore as an undrafted free agent in 2007.

Second, Moore could come cheap because the Panthers also have quarterbacks Cam Newton -- the No. 1 overall pick in 2011, Jimmy Clausen and Tony Pike, both 2010 draft picks, and veteran Brian St. Pierre on their depth chart. Heading into his fifth season, Moore is an unrestricted free agent whom the Panthers could choose not to re-sign. Depending upon the free-agency rules in any collective bargaining agreement between the owners and players, Moore could become an unrestricted free agent.

Third, Moore has plenty of game experience -- a prerequisite for the Dolphins -- with 11 starts and 20 appearances during the three seasons he's been on the Panthers' active roster. He missed all of 2008 because of a broken leg. Plus, at 26, Moore is young enough to have some upside to develop further.

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Panthers beginning two weeks of players-only workouts

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Perhaps no team is in need of offseason practices more than the Carolina Panthers. After falling behind their division rivals, the Panthers finally gathered Tuesday for their first player-organized workout since the lockout began.

The team that finished an NFL-worst 2-14 in 2010 also did its best to make sure no one saw them.

Players hired a police officer to shoo away reporters from the high school where they were working out on the hot, humid morning. Cones blocked another entrance to the field at Charlotte Christian.

Guard Geoff Schwartz indicated on Twitter that more than 50 players attended.

"Great morning of team activities," he wrote.

Left tackle Jordan Gross, who organized the two weeks of practices with left guard Travelle Wharton, said reporters wouldn't be allowed in until the last day, June 9, to prevent distractions.

"We're just trying to prepare to win some football games," said Gross, who wouldn't reveal the number of players on hand.

A few dozen high-priced vehicles were seen in the parking lot, but the field was out of view from the road. So there was no way of seeing No. 1 overall pick Cam Newton or fellow quarterback Jimmy Clausen or to get updates on players coming back from injury.

The Panthers were the last team in the NFC South to gather in this odd offseason. The Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers already have held player-led workouts.

"It's been so long," running back Jonathan Stewart wrote on his Twitter page. "Time to get better!"

That's for sure. After finishing this past season with the league's worst offense, the Panthers replaced coach John Fox with San Diego Chargers defensive coordinator Ron Rivera. But the labor dispute has prevented Rivera from gathering his team to learn a new system on both sides of the ball.

Then the Panthers drafted Newton. The Heisman Trophy winner from Auburn could replace Clausen, who went 1-9 as a starter with the NFL's worst passer rating in 2010. Throw in the uncertain status of receiver Steve Smith, who has hedged on whether he wants to return, and the Panthers are stuck in neutral.

Carolina was helped by the one day the lockout was lifted in April, allowing Newton and several players to receive new playbooks from the coaching staff. Linebacker Jon Beason said a couple weeks ago they wanted the workouts to closely resemble normal coach-led offseason practices.

"We're going to try to make it as close as (organized team activities) as possible," Beason said. "Meetings, light practice, light workout, conditioning, the same thing that we would usually do."

But Beason acknowledged the Panthers -- with a new coaching staff, 28 potential free agents and possibly a rookie quarterback -- are affected perhaps more than any other team by the lockout. Beason is expected to attend the next court hearing tied to the labor dispute Friday in St. Louis.

"If you look at a team like Pittsburgh or the Colts, teams that are good consistently, they have that camaraderie, they have that chemistry," Beason said. "That's what I think winning is about. Anytime there's a new system, new coaches, not only do you have to learn scheme and terminology, but also personalities. I think that's important."

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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Williams: Decision on my Panthers future depends on QBs

Running back DeAngelo Williams told a Miami radio station Saturday that his decision to remain with Carolina or seek a new NFL home could hinge on what direction the Panthers take at quarterback.

"It's all going to boil down to quarterbacks," Williams said on WQAM-AM. "In this league, the running game is all predicated on if you have a quarterback or not. If you don't have a quarterback, teams stack the box and they force you to do what you do best."

The Herald in Rock Hill, S.C., reported that Williams was in Miami to participate in the celebrity portion of Sunday's Nautica South Beach Triathlon, in which he'll bike 19 miles.

With Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown both scheduled to become free agents once a collective bargaining agreement is reached, the Dolphins are in the market for a potential workhorse back, and Williams, also a free-agent-to-be, has heard his name mentioned.

"It's kind of ironic that I'm here in Miami, because I've heard rumors that I may be at the top of their board this year," Williams said. "I love it here. ... This is a place that I'd love to live.

"I know they've had a lot of talk about the quarterback situation here in Miami," Williams added. "We've had a lot of quarterback talks in Charlotte, too."

Williams clarified that a return to the Panthers isn't out of the question, but he expressed hope that the Dolphins would court him.

"I hope I'm at the top of their list and that they come after me and make a conscious effort to come after me, because it shows that they want me," he said.

The Panthers ranked last in the NFL in total offense (258.4 yards per game) and scoring (12.2 points per game), toiling behind starting quarterbacks Jimmy Clausen, Matt Moore and Brian St. Pierre. Williams topped the list of Carolina running backs who suffered under the team's one-dimensional attack, following his 1,117-yard showing in 13 games in 2009 with 361 yards in six games in 2010.

Panthers coach Ron Rivera said Friday in an interview with WFNZ-AM in Charlotte, N.C., that the team will choose the player in this month's draft who best fills its primary need. Rivera also said he disagreed with the sentiment that there isn't a quarterback worthy of the No. 1 pick, and the team appears open to selecting either Auburn's Cam Newton and Missouri's Blaine Gabbert.

Clausen, the Panthers' 2010 second-round pick, was compromised by nine losses and mostly poor showings in 10 starts last season, but Rivera went out of his way to defend the quarterback while speaking with reporters at the NFL Annual Meeting last month.

"I think he got too much of the blame," Rivera said. "I think he shouldered too much of the responsibility."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Panthers set to narrow candidates for No. 1 pick, Rivera says

Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera is giving little indication how his team will use the No. 1 overall pick in this month's NFL draft.

Rivera said Friday in an interview with WFNZ-AM in Charlotte, N.C., that the Panthers will choose the player who best fills their primary need.

So what is that primary need? Rivera wouldn't say, but he mentioned the team will begin to narrow its options entering the April 28-30 draft.

"We've identified at least eight guys who we believe are going to fill those specific needs," he said. "... The next two and a half weeks, we'll be able to determine who we feel will be the guy who fits that biggest need."

Rivera said that, starting Monday, position coaches and coordinators will meet to discuss each player and how he might fit with the Panthers.

Rivera said Panthers owner Jerry Richardson has met with several prospects, including Auburn quarterback Cam Newton, and that many of the draft hopefuls came in and performed exactly as advertised. Rivera also said he disagreed with the sentiment that there isn't a quarterback worthy of the No. 1 pick.

The Panthers' draft process has been more difficult this year. Normally, teams fill immediate vacancies with free-agent veterans before the draft. This year, without a collective bargaining agreement and with a lockout in place, player movement is halted and teams must adjust their draft strategies accordingly.

"It changes a lot of mindsets. Not just ours, but everyone around the league," Rivera said. "Let's say we take this position. OK, now, that just basically signals to a lot of people of what our intention probably would be in free agency.

"We're in a spot now where we've got to really look at what could happen. We've got to be very careful, very smart how we approach it."

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Falcons earn home-field advantage with win; Fox's tenure with Panthers ends

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Panthers secure worst record, top pick in April's draft

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- It took a rare Sunday off for the Carolina Panthers to finally win something big this season -- the No. 1 overall draft pick.

The Panthers are on the clock for April's draft after wins by Cincinnati and Denver allowed Carolina to clinch the league's worst record.

The Broncos (4-11) rallied with 14 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to beat Houston 24-23, while the Bengals (4-11) got four touchdown passes from Carson Palmer to beat San Diego 34-20 in the snow for their second straight win.

That meant with one week left in the season, nobody can match Carolina (2-13) for futility in the NFL this season.

The only other time the Panthers have had the No. 1 pick -- before their inaugural season in 1995 -- they traded it away for more picks.

Now the question is: Will they draft another quarterback?

The Panthers drafted Jimmy Clausen in the second round of this year's draft, but the former Notre Dame star has struggled to lead the NFL's worst offense. Clausen has a league-low 56.8 passer rating and has thrown just two touchdown passes and eight interceptions while getting little support from an inexperienced group of receivers after Steve Smith.

The Panthers managed 119 yards -- second-fewest in team history -- in a 27-3 loss at Pittsburgh on Thursday.

Sunday's results mean the Panthers' season finale next week at Atlanta won't have any draft impact as John Fox likely coaches his final game. Owner Jerry Richardson has denied Fox a contract extension.

Carolina's good draft positioning won't spill over into the second round.

New England, not Carolina, will pick 33rd overall. The Panthers traded their 2011 second-round pick to the Patriots last April for an extra third-round pick so they could take Armanti Edwards. The former Appalachian State quarterback was converted to receiver and has spent most of the season deactivated on game days.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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Steelers' Miller expected back on field against Panthers

PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers expect tight end Heath Miller to play Thursday night against Carolina after missing two games with a concussion.

Miller, hurt Dec. 5 in Baltimore, was expected to return for Sunday's game against the Jets, but developed post-concussion headaches and was held out. His replacement, Matt Spaeth, caught a touchdown pass during Pittsburgh's 22-17 loss.

Miller was injured on a helmet hit by the Ravens' Jameel McClain, who was fined $40,000 by the NFL.

Defensive end Aaron Smith (torn triceps) is being fitted with a shoulder brace so he can resume practicing, although coach Mike Tomlin did not say Monday when that might be. The Steelers practice only once this week.

Smith hasn't played since being injured Oct. 24 in Miami.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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Panthers' owner didn't tell coach he was sending apology note

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- As Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson ended his silence by apologizing for his team's ugly season, perhaps the best example of the disconnect with his coach came as John Fox was asked Wednesday about that letter sent to permanent-seat-license holders.

"I have no idea what you're talking about," Fox said.

After being denied a contract extension the past two offseasons, Fox is in the last year of his deal and not expected to return in 2011. Richardson didn't directly address Fox's status in a letter sent out this week to PSL owners, who account for about 60,000 seats at Bank of America Stadium.

Many of those fans have stopped showing up as the Panthers (1-11) have sunk from NFC South champions in 2008 to the league's worst team amid a youth movement that dramatically slashed payroll.

"I know how difficult the season has been for you," Richardson wrote. "As the person ultimately responsible for putting a team on the field, I take full responsibility for our shortfalls. It is agonizing that we have not performed at the level we had planned for and expected."

Richardson defended the decision to shed numerous veterans during the offseason and replace them with inexperienced, cheaper players. The Panthers have lost six games in a row and are the league's lowest-scoring team.

"When the season began, we believed there was every opportunity for success," Richardson wrote. "Many of the players were returning from a team that had finished last year very strong. The motivation for this approach was both performance-based and a commitment to the future. Obviously, we have fallen short, but our faith and commitment are still the same."

The terrible record and Fox's seemingly lame-duck status have made for an odd situation as the Panthers inch closer to acquiring the No. 1 overall pick in April's draft. Fox insists his players are still playing hard.

"I don't think our team's results have been related to effort at all," Fox wrote.

The talent level appears to be far short of making this team competitive, thanks to decisions not to go after a veteran quarterback, wide receiver, right guard and defensive tackles following the offseason purge that left Carolina with a league-low $77 million payroll. That's not counting about $30 million in so-called "dead money" for players no longer on the team that would have counted toward the salary cap this season, if there was one.

"Going forward, our plan of attack is to build through the draft while retaining our core players," Richardson wrote. "We have one of the youngest teams in the league, and a number of those younger players have shown genuine promise in this otherwise disappointing season. We won't give up on them. We also have a solid nucleus of veterans that we will seek to keep intact."

Richardson, who hasn't answered questions from reporters since January 2008, also addressed his role as head of the owners' negotiating committee for a new collective-bargaining agreement. Many have questioned if Richardson's payroll-slashing was to cut costs in anticipation of a lockout.

"Let me be clear: A successful CBA is critical in sustaining the competitive balance of the NFL," Richardson wrote. "We're all in this together, and what is good for football is good for the continued success of each and every team.

"It's important for us to reach an agreement that benefits the fans, players, and teams. I want the players paid fairly, and I want us to play winning and exciting football."

There has been only one win and little excitement this season, but Richardson has been virtually assured of continued sellouts, thanks to the large number of PSL owners who are required to buy season tickets.

"I understand that in a season like this, words can sound hollow, but, as PSL owners, you have my commitment to provide you a team that will make you proud," Richardson wrote.

Several players came to Richardson's defense Wednesday, expressing confidence he'll successfully rebuild the team.

"I think it's just the character here that Mr. Richardson has, and it just goes down from there," defensive end Everette Brown said. "Everybody he brings in, from the staff working in the building to the coaching staff to the players to the equipment room, nobody's letting down, nobody's quitting."

Carolina is just one month from more uncertainty regarding its coach, who apparently wasn't consulted before Richardson sent his letter.

"I want all of you to know that we plan to look at every aspect of our organization," Richardson wrote. "What we do in the future will entirely be geared toward putting the best possible team on the field. I am committed to fielding a winning team, and I'm willing to invest the resources necessary to make it happen."

Notes: CB Chris Gamble (hamstring) remained sidelined from practice Wednesday. LB Jon Beason (knee), G Travelle Wharton (toe), DT Ed Johnson (knee) and LB Nic Harris (head) also sat out. ... RB Tyrell Sutton (ankle), S Marcus Hudson (ankle) and LB Jason Williams (knee) were limited. ... The Panthers were forced to practice on their artificial-turf field because the grass fields were frozen amid a cold snap.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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Injuries claim Panthers QB Moore, LB Connor for season

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Carolina Panthers' miserable year took an even darker twist Monday when tests revealed starting quarterback Matt Moore has a torn labrum in his throwing shoulder and will require season-ending surgery.

Moore was injured when Sedrick Ellis drove his right shoulder into the turf on a sack in the second quarter of New Orleans' 34-3 rout on Sunday. In the last year of his contract and after failing to move the Panthers except in their lone victory this season, Moore may have played his last game in Carolina.

But coach John Fox's reluctance to commit to struggling Jimmy Clausen over fellow rookie Tony Pike as Moore's replacement further illustrated his predicament as the Panthers (1-7) flirt with being one of the lowest-scoring teams in NFL history.

"The two quarterbacks on the roster, we'll take a look at them this week and decide who gives us the best chance to win," Fox said.

To make matters worse, the only bright spot for the Panthers this season -- the defense -- took its own hits. Starting middle linebacker Dan Connor is lost for the season after breaking his hip Sunday, and the team has decided not to bring back weakside linebacker Thomas Davis this season from his second major knee surgery in a year.

Fox also confirmed Jonathan Stewart sustained a concussion Sunday and gave no timetable for fellow running back DeAngelo Williams' return from a foot injury.

The Panthers can't seem to hit bottom.

Moore's injury may end a stunning fall after he finished 4-1 as a replacement last season, leading to Carolina's decision to release seven-year starter Jake Delhomme. Moore threw five touchdowns, 10 interceptions, lost two fumbles and had a passer rating of 55.6 this season.

And he's been Carolina's best QB.

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Fox yanked Clausen, the second-round pick from Notre Dame, shortly after he threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown by Jabari Greer Sunday. Clausen has one touchdown pass, four interceptions, two lost fumbles and a 48.0 passer rating.

Pike, a sixth-round pick from Cincinnati, took over and was 6-for-12 for 47 yards against the Saints.

None of the three QBs led the Panthers into the end zone Sunday, leaving them with 88 points at the halfway point of the season. Failing to reach double digits in points in half their games, they're on pace to score 176 points. That's not far off from the pace that would leave them in the top five for fewest points in a season since the 16-game schedule was adopted in 1978.

"We're just out of sorts a little bit," Fox said. "Whether it be somebody seeing the right read, turning the protection the right way, throwing the ball accurately. A variety of things that have occurred to us offensively, not just at the quarterback position."

While Fox said signing another quarterback is unlikely because "I'm not sure there's a huge list available right now," he's ready to experiment.

Fox said third-round pick Armanti Edwards, a college quarterback at Appalachian State who had been converted to receiver, would get some snaps at QB in practice this week.

"If we did not bring in another quarterback, he would be the next best emergency quarterback that we have," he said.

The embattled Fox also has problems at linebacker. Connor was playing well in his first full season as a starter. Davis, who tore his anterior cruciate ligament for the second time in June, was hoping to come off the physically unable to perform list by Wednesday's deadline.

"It's been 5 ½ months and I think in his best interest I wouldn't want to rush that and risk another injury," Fox said on the decision to place Davis on IR.

Davis agreed with the assessment, and is confident Carolina will re-sign him.

"It was a joint decision and ultimately, and I appreciate them for this, they left it up to me," Davis said at halftime of Monday's San Antonio-Charlotte NBA game. "They left me the option of whether I wanted to do it and I made the decision to go ahead and shut it down."

The speedy weakside linebacker was having a breakout season in 2009 when he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in a November game against New Orleans. He was making a rapid recovery seven months later -- clocked at 4.47 seconds in the 40-yard dash -- when he suffered the same injury in a June workout.

The Panthers didn't put him on IR and Davis had said he was determined to play this season despite Carolina (1-7) being in the midst of a terrible season. But Davis acknowledged his knee still isn't 100 percent.

"It's very tough. I know how much hard work I've put in," Davis said. "But even bigger than that, I know how much I want to be out there with my teammates week in and week out. I think of how much work we've put in to get this thing going and it's just not happening right now."

The move means Davis will enter free agency not only with the uncertainty surrounding the expiring collective bargaining agreement, but not having played in more than a year.

Davis believes he'll be in Carolina next season.

"That was a concern going in, but I know what I'm capable of," Davis said. "I have the utmost respect for the organization, and I feel like they're going to do a great job of handling the free agency situation. I've pretty much been assured by them that I'm going to be a Panther, so I hope that it all works out."

Asked if staying in Carolina was what he wanted, Davis didn't hesitate.

"Definitely," he said.

Fox indicated Jon Beason would likely move back to middle linebacker with Jordan Senn a candidate to start at weakside.

The roster shifting means more headaches for Fox, who tried to backtrack from a day earlier when he seemed to blame the front office for offseason moves that slashed payroll and left Carolina as the NFL's youngest team.

"That by no means is an indictment of our personnel by any stretch," Fox said. "I like our football team. I wish we were playing better."

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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Saints take care of business, easily dispatch hapless Panthers

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The record is not as flashy, the offensive numbers not as gaudy and the New Orleans Saints aren't running away from the competition like last year.

The defending Super Bowl champions still like where they sit, however. Of course, everybody seems to gain confidence playing the dreadful Carolina Panthers.

Drew Brees shook off an early interception to throw two touchdown passes and Jabari Greer's interception return gave the defense its first TD of the season as New Orleans routed the Panthers 34-3 on Sunday.

The Saints (6-3) overcame the loss of tight end Jeremy Shockey to a rib injury after his touchdown catch to stay a half-game behind Atlanta in the NFC South. Rookie tight end Jimmy Graham caught his first NFL TD in Shockey's absence and the Saints held Carolina to 195 yards for their second straight win.

"We're used to last year where we ran off 13 in a row. That's hard to do," Brees said. "You know that feeling once you get on a roll and you feel like everything is going to go our way. You just believe it. We want to get back to that feeling again."

Building off an emotional home victory over Pittsburgh a week earlier, the Saints never gave the Panthers (1-7) a chance.

Carolina lost quarterback Matt Moore and running back Jonathan Stewart to first-half injuries, further depleting the league's worst offense. Rookie QB Jimmy Clausen was later benched in favor of rookie Tony Pike.

"Pretty pathetic," said receiver Steve Smith, held without a catch until the final minute. "That would be the only thing I have to say. There are no explanations, no excuses."

Brees overcame his 12th interception to complete 27 of 43 passes for 253 yards. He was replaced by Chase Daniel after Ladell Betts' 1-yard TD run made it 34-3 with 8:12 left.

It ensured the Saints would enter their bye week with as many wins as any team in the NFC.

"I think that this was a game that is really going to give our team the confidence, the know-how and the blueprint to get to where we want to get to," Greer said.

New Orleans got a boost to its banged-up secondary with the return of Greer and Tracy Porter to complete its first season sweep of Carolina since 2001.

The Panthers went 1-15 that season, and this year is looking just as bad.

"I think they tried," coach John Fox said. "I think we're not real good right now -- on offense -- not as a football team."

Moore was 3 of 6 for 13 yards before leaving with an injured throwing shoulder after Sedrick Ellis sacked him in the second quarter. Clausen was no better and Greer returned his poor pass 24 yards to make it 27-3 late in the third quarter.

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The embattled Fox yanked Clausen early in the fourth quarter after he completed 8 of 18 passes for 47 yards. Rookie Pike then made his NFL debut. The sixth-round pick from Cincinnati finished 6 of 12 for 47 yards.

"There probably wasn't much fear of a comeback at that point in the game," Fox said of benching Clausen. "It gave (Pike) valuable time."

By then, the Panthers were down to a skeleton crew and few of their home fans were still in the stands.

Stewart, starting with DeAngelo Williams (foot) missing his second straight game, left in the first quarter with a head injury after gaining 30 yards on five carries.

The Saints won a replay challenge on the play, giving them the ball when it was ruled Stewart fumbled. It set up Brees' 7-yard touchdown pass to Shockey to give New Orleans the lead for good at 7-3.

Shockey, though, injured his ribs on what was his 500th career catch and didn't return. He was sent to the hospital just before halftime.

"We took him just to make sure there was nothing else more serious," coach Sean Payton said. "The X-rays were negative."

The Saints didn't need him, not with the Panthers failing to reach double digits in points for the fourth time in eight games. And even the backups got hurt -- third-string running back Tyrell Sutton left with an ankle injury.

The Saints have had their share of injuries, too, namely to running backs Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas. They remained sidelined and the Saints got off to a slow start.

Brees bobbled a snap and rushed a throw that bounced off Robert Meachem's hands and was picked off by Richard Marshall. He returned Brees' 12th interception -- one more than he had all of last season -- 67 yards to set up John Kasay's 20-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead.

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That was the only offensive success for the Panthers, who finished with 68 yards passing and had two more turnovers to give them 25 on the season.

But with few options, Fox said Moore would start next week at Tampa Bay if he's healthy.

"I think he can operate our offense the best of the quarterbacks," Fox said. "unless we decide to go to the wishbone."

Notes: The Panthers also lost LB Dan Connor (hip) and DE Greg Hardy (head). ... S Darren Sharper (hamstring) and RB Chris Ivory (shoulder) left for the Saints. ... The Panthers several times had no down linemen on obvious passing downs, rushing players from off the line of scrimmage.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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