Associated Press
CHARLOTTE ó The Carolina Panthers will still face a quarterback named Manning in the preseason opener. Only now itís Peyton and not Eli.
The NFL announced a schedule switch on Thursday that calls for Carolina to play host to Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts in their first exhibition game on Aug. 9. Carolina had been slated to face Peytonís younger brother, Eli, and the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants.
The league said the change was made to accommodate stadium availability and local television partner commitments. The Giants will now visit Detroit on Aug. 7 in their first game.
Carolinaís other preseason games are Aug. 14 at Philadelphia, Aug. 23 at home against Washington and Aug. 28 at Pittsburgh.
FAVRE
GREEN BAY, Wis. ó The Green Bay Packers will retire Brett Favreís No. 4 during the season opener against the Minnesota Vikings on Sept. 8.
Packers President and CEO Mark Murphy said the legendary quarterbackís number will be retired in a ceremony at Lambeau Field during the Monday night game. Favre announced his retirement earlier this year, ending a 17-year career.
His number will become the sixth retired by the team. Others are the No. 14 of wide receiver Don Hutson, fullback Tony Canadeoís No. 3, quarterback Bart Starrís No. 15, linebacker Ray Nitschkeís No. 66 and defensive end Reggie Whiteís No. 92.
Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES ó Billionaire developer Edward P. Roski Jr. has made a commitment to build the kind of stadium an NFL team needs to thrive in Los Angeles. Now, heís hoping one will commit to play there.
Roski, a part owner of the Kings and Lakers who has spent years trying to lure the NFL back to this area, unveiled plans for a 75,000-seat facility he said could be finished in time for the 2011 season.
The one obvious obstacle standing in the way is a tenant for the new stadium. Possibilities might include the New Orleans Saints, Jacksonville Jaguars, Minnesota Vikings and San Diego Chargers because of their stadium uncertainties.
Cardinals
TEMPE, Ariz. ó Arizona Cardinals inside linebacker Karlos Dansby signed a one-year tender offer worth just over $8 million as the teamís franchise player.
The Cardinals and Dansby have until July 15 to reach a multiyear contract. If they donít, Dansby canít sign a new contract until after the coming NFL season.
As a franchise player, Dansby gets the average of the top five salaries of players at his position last season ó $8.065 million.
JETS
WASHINGTON ó Thereís no playbook that couldíve prepared Kellen Clemens for this.
The New York Jets quarterback was moved to tears after Pope Benedict XVI blessed and kissed his newborn daughter, Kate Elizabeth, following Benedictís two-hour, open-air Mass at Nationals Park.
Benedict was greeting some of the more than 45,000 in attendance when he came upon Clemens, his wife, Nicole, and their nearly 4-week-old baby, who were sitting on the aisle in one of the rows of floor seating.
iMy eyes welled up with tears, it was such a moving experience,î Clemens said. iI donít really know if we fully understand just how special it was.î