NFL: Panthers Notebook

Associated Press

The Panthers notebook ...

SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Chris Gamble feels old at 27. Jordan Gross was struck by all the new faces in the stretching lines at practice. And Jeff King knows the few veterans remaining must take on much larger roles.

After an offseason roster purge, the Carolina Panthers are left with the third youngest roster in the NFL and an urgent need at training camp to fill a leadership vacuum.

“This game is a young man’s game,” coach John Fox said Saturday. “There’s transition, there’s change every season. With both free agency and the draft, there’s going to be change. We kind of just hit it that way this year.”

Did they ever. In an effort to begin a youth movement and shed payroll ahead of possible labor unrest next year, the Panthers rid their roster of starters Jake Delhomme (35 years old), Muhsin Muhammad (37), Brad Hoover (33), Keydrick Vincent (32), Julius Peppers (30), Damione Lewis (32), Maake Kemoeatu (31), Na’il Diggs (32) and Chris Harris (27).

“Even in team stretch line and team takeoff and all that, you look to your left and right and definitely some familiar faces are gone,” said Gross, the starting left tackle. “But it’s good, there’s more energy.”

SPEEDY GOODSON

The white shoes may make it look like Mike Goodson is faster these days. A year’s experience and a better understanding of the offense helps even more.

The second-year Carolina Panthers running back with the shiny shoes is getting an extended look early in training camp because of injuries to Jonathan Stewart and Tyrell Sutton.

After the former fourth-round pick had just 22 carries as a rookie last year, he spent the offseason making sure he’s comfortable with the offensive system.

BIG CAT ARRIVES

Panthers owner Jerry Richardson, 18 months removed from receiving a heart transplant, appeared to have more energy than in the past as he watched the morning practice while zipping around on a golf cart.

Richardson, who turned 74 two weeks ago, had several passengers in his cart during the workout, including general manager Marty Hurney and receiver Steve Smith, who is sidelined with a broken arm.

“It’s great. The guys love seeing them. We enjoy it,” coach John Fox said. “Luckily, Steve Smith had him in the right areas of the field so we didn’t get him hurt.”

MARTIN’S FINGER

Receiver Charly Martin is out indefinitely after breaking a finger on his left hand in practice on Friday.

EXTRA POINTS

Ex-Panthers DE Julius Peppers’ return to Charlotte was the hottest ticket on the opening day of individual ticket sales for Carolina. The Chicago game on Oct. 10 quickly sold out. Tickets remain for all other games. ... A large crowd showed up for the evening practice, the first held at Gibbs Stadium on the Wofford campus since Fox became coach in 2002. There was a live band, concessions sold and other activities that had some joking it felt like a high school game. “State championship’s over,” Fox joked after the workout. ... The Panthers were greeted with unseasonably cool conditions for the morning workout, which also included a brief downpour. “I told the guys we ordered it up just perfect,” Fox said. “We had two hot days and Marty (Hurney) has got this new machine down here that can control the weather and made it nice, about 82 degrees this morning.” ... Fox said QB Matt Moore is having an “outstanding camp.” ... The team worked on field goals for the first time, with 40-year-old kicker John Kasay looking accurate from mid-range. ... The Panthers practice once on Sunday at 3 p.m.