His goal: Be unstoppable no matter what plays he runs.

Another goal: Finish his career as one of the leading pass-catchers in NFL history.

Smith, the Panthers' star receiver, revealed Monday that he has a laminated piece of paper listing the league's all-time leaders in receiving yards.

Atop that category is former 49ers great Jerry Rice (22,458), followed by ex-Raider Tim Brown (14,934).

Smith said he typed a challenge for himself and affixed it to the paper: “Where will I be at the end?”

At age 29 and entering his eighth NFL season, Smith has 431 receptions for 5,927 yards and 37 touchdowns.

He'll need many more outstanding seasons to get near the top of the all-time list.

“Only time will tell where I will be,” said Smith. “It doesn't matter where I would like to be. What matters is where I will be at the end.”

Smith is a work in progress, but has matured greatly since he came to the NFL as a dynamically talented player with an explosive temper.

His streets-of-L.A. background continues to drive him to succeed, but he's learning how to channel his energies, even in practice.

Smith said kicker John Kasay has cautioned him that as he gets older, he must learn to practice smarter rather than going all-out all the time.

Smith admits that isn't easy.

“As you get older, you have to resist the temptation to overdo it, resist the temptation to go out there and show everybody you still have it,” he said. “I think that's the biggest thing I have to fight.”

Conversely, Smith said he's

calmest when things are the craziest – like when the Panthers are running a hurry-up drill to rehearse the offensive plays they'll run in the last two minutes of a half or a game.

“I am at ease and at peace in two minutes because it's so chaotic and I just kind of cruise through,” he said. “A storm is going on. Guys are yelling, trying to get the play in, but I'm just kind of sitting there, checking at the line with the ref, making sure I get the play and looking at the defense.

“Because it's chaotic, I can work perfectly. I guess growing up, (it was) chaotic back home, so that's kind of my comfort zone.”

Smith has befriended some legendary receivers of the past, such as Rice and former Dallas star Michael Irvin, who has also endured some chaos.

When Irvin came to town to speak at a Charlotte Touchdown Club luncheon this summer, he went to dinner with Smith and fellow Panthers receiver Ryne Robinson.

“It was a regular old three wide receivers chomping it up, talking about politics, religion, all the way to football and all that stuff,” said Smith.

Irvin, a Hall of Famer, has seen highs and lows ranging from his three Super Bowl titles to struggles with drugs and other legal problems. However, he has persevered and, like Smith, relied on his Christian faith as he's gotten older.

“I relate to Michael because he's a man who has faults, has failed, he's stood up and said, ‘I failed,'” said Smith. “But does that mean you go in a shell and wither away? No, he's taking it all in stride and moved forward.

“I've had the opportunity to meet and to learn who he truly is, more than a 10-minute conversation. That's the part that has grasped me and made me look at him differently and have a real relationship.”

Beneath it all, Smith knows people view him a bit like Irvin. Some judge him for his mistakes and are reluctant to acknowledge that he's a far different person than when he entered the NFL in his early 20s.

“That's one of the reasons why I prefer not to talk to the media, not because I hate you guys or dislike you,” he said. “People cast perceptions.”

Smith particularly takes issue with the notion that he's tried to re-cast himself in recent years with what amounts to public relations spin moves.

“I'm not trying to spin anything,” he said.

“I know impressions are important, but when you sit down with (somebody) for 10 minutes or 45 minutes, you have no way to know what's in that person's heart.”

“I'll say this with 100 percent confidence: I think he's going to have his best year ever,” Gross said Monday after getting bull-rushed backward by Peppers during a morning training camp practice.

“He's better than I've ever seen him. Barring anything unknown, there's no reason he won't go out and just set records. He looks really, really good.”

Peppers, 28, is coming off the worst season of his career. After recording 531/2 sacks in his first five seasons, he had 21/2 last year. His 55 tackles were one shy of a career low.

Gross wouldn't speculate on why Peppers had a down year.

“He got sick, (but) he's the only one who can tell you what he was going through last year.”

Like in previous years, Gross has to block him in practice. He said Peppers looks more imposing than ever and offered reasons for the improvement.

“I know he really enjoys being on the defensive right side,” Gross said of Peppers' offseason switch from left to right end. “I think it's a bit of a new challenge for him.

“I know he's been training all offseason. I've talked to him as much as he'll talk and he said he just feels stronger, faster, bigger than ever. It's definitely true just in these few days I've been going against him. He's been making me earn everything I've been getting.”

Peppers' skills and strength are more well-rounded than when he first entered the NFL in 2002. Back then, he was known as a quick, athletic pass rusher, but now he gets more straight-ahead push. Gross found that out when he was shoved back quickly by Peppers' bull rush Monday.

On Sunday, Peppers put a lightning-quick spin move on backup tackle Frank Omiyale in one-on-one drills.

“There's really not going to be anybody better than him this year,” said Gross. “If he keeps on the same pace he's on now, he's just going to kill people.”

Seward a bit ‘rambunctious'

Monday morning's practice was the most physical so far of Panthers training camp. But reserve linebacker Adam Seward got a little carried away when he tackled fullback Brad Hoover by grabbing and driving him into the turf.

At this stage of camp, defenders are allowed to hit, but not wrap up a ball carrier and bring him to the ground. That's what happened on one play, when DeAngelo Williams bounced off defensive tackle Maake Kemoeatu and plopped straight to the ground.

Seward's tackle of Hoover had quite a bit more juice than that, and it earned Seward a mild rebuke from coach John Fox.

“It's all about the tempo of practice,” said Fox. “We call this our ‘thud' tempo now. This got a little too rambunctious.

“We want to keep guys off the ground as we get ready for live contact. But we still want to get the defense ready and not beat up our offense.”

Hoover said he wasn't worried about Seward's hit. “That's all right,” he said, laughing. “It happens.” But it was obvious in the way Hoover responded that Seward might want to prepare for some kind of payback down the line.

Seward, incidentally, kept playing hard. His helmet flew off during one play.

Diggs holds forth on Favre

Panthers linebacker Na'il Diggs is struggling with envisioning former teammate Brett Favre quarterbacking any team other than Green Bay.

“I just still cannot picture him in another uniform,” said Diggs, who played with the Packers for six seasons (2000-2005). “So, until he does, I still won't believe it.”

But Diggs admitted it's becoming more likely that Favre will finish his career with a team other than the Packers. In the most trumpeted story of the NFL preseason, Favre is in a showdown with Green Bay's management over his desire to come out of retirement.

Favre announced he was leaving the league in March, but now says he's changed his mind. Green Bay has talked him out of reporting to its camp, insisting that Aaron Rodgers is set as the new starting quarterback.

Among the teams said to be interested in acquiring Favre is Tampa Bay, Carolina's NFC South rival.

Diggs said he saw the split coming in recent years.

“I think they're a little bit less tolerant of Brett's back-and-forth decision-making,” said Diggs.

Notes

Wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad sat out that very physical morning practice, then returned for the second of the day's sessions. Muhammad, who's been in the league 13 seasons, isn't hurt. The Panthers just want to keep him refreshed as training camp progresses.

“It's called a 35-year-old-veteran's rest,” said coach Fox.

Right guard Keydrick Vincent, who signed as a free agent in the offseason, practiced with the first team. Toniu Fonoti, another free agent, had been with the first team when training camp opened. Fox said not to read anything into it and no decision has been made. They're just getting Vincent a look with the other starters.

Former Clemson basketballer Sam Perry is an intern in the Panthers' football operations department. Perry said he wants to eventually become a college athletics director.

Observations

Quarterback Jake Delhomme had a little fun with safety Chris Harris. After scrambling and completing a sideline pass to Ryne Robinson with Harris in his face, Delhomme playfully yelled “First down!” at Harris and patted him on the helmet.

It's always interesting to see how intricate these practices are. Tight ends coach Geep Chryst threw passes to his players, who were lined up by themselves in a two-tight end set. There was also a passing drill Sunday afternoon that was defended only by three linebackers and two safeties.

When flags were thrown before one play because of an offside call (yes, they use officials during practice), Delhomme and tight end Jeff King were the only players who kept going. It added up to a long completion over the middle from Delhomme to King.

The Panthers cut one receiver Monday and signed another. The team waived Josh Davis, who played at York (S.C.) Comprehensive High and had been bothered by a calf injury to start training camp. The Panthers signed receiver William Buchanon, a free agent who spent time last season on the Oakland Raiders' practice squad.

Among the players sitting out Monday evening's practice were receivers Steve Smith and D.J. Hackett, and running backs Nick Goings and Jonathan Stewart. Goings, who sprained his ankle Sunday, was out of a protective boot that he wore later Sunday.

Monday evening's practice was lighter than the morning's, with players in shorts rather than their uniform pants. It was the defense's turn to make big plays: Cornerback Ken Lucas picked off a Matt Moore pass and returned it for a touchdown and, after LaBrandon Toefield was stripped of the ball a few plays later, Nate Salley scooped it up and took it into the end zone.

“I think the facts are clear on the case at this point in time, and I don't plan any discipline,” Goodell said during a visit to Bills training camp.

Goodell based his decision on the fact that Lynch eventually agreed to plead guilty to a traffic violation, which is not a violation of the NFL's personal conduct policy. Lynch initially faced more serious charges.

Lynch had angered prosecutors over what they said was his lack of cooperation with their investigation into the hit and run.

Around the league

CINCINNATI: Pro Bowl receiver Chad Johnson didn't participate in the first practice of training camp because his right ankle hasn't fully recovered from surgery. Johnson is expected to be ready for the start of the regular season.

DALLAS: The foreclosure sale of cornerback Adam Jones' Tennessee home has been postponed for a second time.

Jones had defaulted on a mortgage with U.S. Bank, according to a notice of foreclosure sale published in June. The foreclosure sale scheduled on the steps of the old Williamson County Courthouse originally had been set for June 27 before being reset for Monday.

Now the sale is set for noon on Aug. 22, according to a recording at the office of attorney J. Phillip Jones, the trustee appointed to the case.

TENNESSEE: All-Pro placekicker Rob Bironas strained a groin muscle during a special teams drill. Bironas is coming off his first All-Pro and Pro Bowl season after making 35 of 39 field-goals and scoring 133 points.

He played with the Arena League's Carolina Cobras in 2004.

Backup punter Josh Miller also pulled a groin muscle, and that forced the Titans to use third-string quarterback Ingle Martin to kick a few punts during the morning session.

Defensive end Ulrich Winkler of Germany hurt his left knee and had to be helped off the field.

Today, Godfrey is a rookie in the NFL and the role's reversed.

“I have no problem bringing anybody to the side who I think is capable of helping me,” said Godfrey, the Carolina Panthers' third-round draft pick and the leading candidate to be the team's starting free safety. “I'll ask questions. If I don't, I won't get answers.”

Godfrey is getting help from players like strong safety Chris Harris and cornerback Ken Lucas, veterans who know it's in their best interest to get this rookie up to speed – mentally and physically – as quickly as possible.

“For him to be a first-year guy, he's a good listener,” Lucas said of Godfrey on Sunday, a few hours before the team practiced on its second day of training camp at Wofford. “He didn't come in with an arrogant attitude. He's willing to learn.”

Lucas also said Godfrey is benefiting from a new defensive philosophy for the Panthers, one that relies more on players using their instincts, not thinking about what they're supposed to be doing.

“It's simplified our system,” said Lucas. “For (Godfrey), it cuts down on mental mistakes safeties have made when they've come in here in the past. There was a lot of thinking in the process. This has allowed us to go out there and play.

“It's really a simple game. It takes a lot of thinking out of the defense. It's you and the guy in front of you. May the best man win, is what it boils down to.”

Coach John Fox wouldn't go into specifics about the new defensive philosophy. But with a unit that's undergoing significant change – most notably Julius Peppers moving from left to right end, Thomas Davis switching from strongside to weakside linebacker and introducing Godfrey into the mix – he said it makes sense to keep things simple.

“We had some guys who'd been with us for some time – the Dan Morgans, veterans,” Fox said. “But now we … have those youthful guys. You've got to simplify it some so they can operate and play. You can't be out there thinking in this league.”

When the first-team defense was off the field Sunday, Godfrey spent a lot of time standing with secondary coach Mike Gillhamer, picking his brain while watching the second- and third-teamers go through drills. He also occasionally conferred on the sideline with Harris.

“We talk,” Harris said. “He's always trying to get an edge. He'll pull me over to the side and ask me about plays. He's a guy who wants to be good. He wants to learn the game.”

What Godfrey most needs to develop, Lucas said, is a sense of trust with the rest of the secondary.

Lucas said that was key to the Panthers' most recent playoff appearance, in 2005, when they advanced to the NFC Championship game. The Panthers haven't had a winning season since.

“I want to trust him,” said Lucas of Godfrey. “In '05, I'd tell (Mike) Minter and (Marlon) McCree, ‘I'm going to jump this. You back me up.' That's why we had as much success as we had. Hopefully we'll have that chemistry that you need.

“Last year, it wasn't where we needed it to be for us to be as successful as we wanted to be.”

Godfrey made news after April's draft because of a tattoo he wears on his hand bearing the logo of the Houston Texans, the team he followed while growing up in nearby Baytown, Texas.

Godfrey said he's not getting more tattoos, not that his new teammates would have noticed.

“I didn't pay any attention to his tattoos,” said Lucas. “I'm more concerned about him being in the right place.”

Teams he's worked for have been to two Super Bowls with them – the 2003 Panthers with Stephen Davis and the 1994 Chargers with Natrone Means.

Hurney thought of Davis and Means when he started paying attention to Oregon's Jonathan Stewart, whom the Panthers drafted with the 13th overall pick in April's draft.

Now Hurney has the luxury of Means to tutor the prized rookie.

Means is helping running backs coach Jim Skipper, and his primary role is to mentor Stewart.

“I've been where these guys are,” said Means, a former North Carolina and Central Cabarrus High star who lives in Huntersville. “I know things are coming at them 100 miles an hour.”

Means is one of four men – along with ex-Panthers linebacker Lester Towns, ex-Giants defensive lineman Cedric Jones and Nebraska-Omaha assistant coach Chris Simpson – who are serving coaching internships as part of the NFL Minority Fellowship Program.

Means said he'd like to become an NFL coach some day. He has a supporter in Hurney.

“Nate is one of those guys who makes you smile every time you see him and talk to him,” said Hurney. “He's got great passion for the game.”

Hurney said he sees strong parallels between Stewart and Means. Stewart is 5-10, 235. Means played at 5-10, 245.

“They're both physical backs, hard to bring down, faster for big backs,” said Hurney. . “They run with the same kind of powerful running style. ”

Means, who had a brief stint on the Panthers' roster in 2000 before a knee injury ended his career, agrees with the comparison and likes what he's seen so far of Stewart in training camp.

“He did some things today that excited everybody,” Means said following Sunday afternoon's practice. “On a couple of his runs, (you saw) his foot quickness, the ability to get through the hole. He's not a straight-line guy. He's a powerful guy. He has a burst and it appears he has really quick, shifty feet.”

“I think the kid has all the ability and potential in the world to be a very, very good player in this league.”

News and Notes

Strength at the skill positions, too

The Panthers “let's get physical” approach to the season goes far beyond getting heftier on the offensive line.

Receiver Muhsin Muhammad, still vibrant at 35, is back after three seasons with Chicago. His return should do wonders for the Panthers' running game because he's such a good blocker.

He's also extremely strong for a receiver. Safety Chris Harris, another former Bear, said he worked out with Muhammad this summer and marveled when Muhammad did eight bench-press repetitions of 375 pounds.

“I was like, ‘Wow, I couldn't do it (and) I'm 25,” said Harris. “I hope I can look as good as Moose when I'm 35.”

Rookie running back Jonathan Stewart, a first-round pick, is 5-foot-10, 235 pounds and can bench press more than 400 pounds.

In football vernacular, he's a load.

Cornerback Ken Lucas got a first-hand feel for how much Stewart might change the running game when he absorbed an aggressive stiff-arm from Stewart during Saturday's morning practice.

“It was very strong, I must admit,” Lucas, smiling, said of the stiff-arm, which the more physical running backs use to fend off defenders. “I went over to the sidelines and told the guys, ‘We've got us something here.' He's going to be able to get a lot of those tough yards for us when we need them. The more we stay off the field, it helps us as a defense. I welcome him.

“I think he's going to be good for us. He's not a rah-rah type of guy. He just goes out there and gets the job done. It's what this team needs. We need more character guys who are going to go out there and do what they're paid to do.”

Observations

Linebacker Adam Seward flattened running back DeAngelo Williams during a situation drill.

The departure of unhappy defensive tackle Kris Jenkins, traded to the Jets in April, seems to be having a positive effect on defensive tackle Damione Lewis, who is being much more vocal than in his first two seasons with the Panthers.

Steve Smith, per usual, had a dazzling catch Sunday. Quarterback Jake Delhomme threw a pass low and across the middle. Smith dove and reached to bat the pass toward him with one hand so he could make the catch with both hands.

There is legitimate excitement among fans and the players about the running so far of Stewart and Williams. Both drew oohs, aahs and cheers from the crowd Sunday. Williams took a pitch to the right, quickly cut back inside and ran free across the grain to his left.

Defensive end Julius Peppers blew past offensive tackle Frank Omiyale with a super-fast spin move during a one-on-one blocking drill. In fairness to Omiyale, it's doubtful any lineman on the team would've looked good against that move.

Peppers, always a superior athlete, looks even bigger, stronger and more fit this year. He spent the offseason working with a trainer in Arizona. He needs a big year to put last year's 21/2-sack disappointment behind him.

Second-year receiver Ryne Robinson put a nifty stop-and-start move on cornerback Ricardo Colclough that left Colclough literally standing and watching Robinson zoom past him with a reception.

Late in the practice, Colclough got free on a cornerback blitz and zipped into the backfield. Had it been live action, he likely would have decked quarterback Matt Moore.

New offensive tackle Charles Spencer, obtained from Houston via waivers last week, worked in some individual drills, but it didn't appear he worked in team situations. He is a former third-round pick and Texans starter who is practicing for the first time in nearly two years following a serious knee injury.

Rookie defensive tackle Nick Hayden, a sixth-round pick, looks strong and energetic. What he might lack in talent, he makes up for in hustle.

Kudos to fourth-team quarterback Lester Ricard for tossing a pass into a big barrel during a drill made popular by former offensive coordinator Dan Henning.

So far, there are only two minor injuries to players in camp. Fullback Nick Goings has a sprained ankle and was wearing a walking boot on his right leg. Receiver Josh Davis hurt his calf.

My underdog has to be a nice guy, fun to watch, a hard worker and unknown. Every summer I find one. He usually manifests himself by the end of the first week.

Jason Carter manifested himself by the end of the first practice.

Carter, 25, must have caught 10 passes Saturday morning, one of which appeared to be intended for Shaquille O'Neal or Yao Ming.

But Carter, 6-feet and 205 pounds, went up along the left sideline and plucked the ball out of the air. He made his quarterback look good.

“I made him look good,” says the quarterback, Brett Basanez. “We work on that all the time. I knew he'd catch it if I put it there.”

Where did you spend your summer vacation? Basanez and Carter spent theirs on the practice field behind Bank of America Stadium. They'd show up about 7:30 a.m. and leave about noon. They'd lift and sweat, and Carter did drills to enhance his speed.

“I heard there were questions about my ability to get behind the defense,” he says.

Carter played on Carolina's practice squad last season before he was called up to the varsity. He wants to stay. Throughout the off-season, Basanez threw passes and Carter caught them – except when Carter wanted to throw.

“I can throw it 70 yards,” he says before practice Sunday. “When I'm warmed up, I probably can throw it farther.”

Carter was once ranked the best run-throw quarterback in the entire state of Texas. As a senior at Caldwell High, he rushed for 599 yards and threw for 1,087.

Texas A&M was 30 miles away and he went there as a quarterback. He left as a receiver.

“He has a cannon,” says Carolina coach John Fox. “He laid down and from his back he threw the ball from one side of the field to the other.”

Fox also likes what Carter does on his feet.

“Every time I looked he was making a play,” Fox says about Saturday. “You pull for him. You can't help it.”

The Panthers, however, are as deep at receiver as they have ever been. What should they do with a player who can catch 10 passes one day and throw a ball from his back 33 yards the next? They should build their team around him.

OK, I get excited about my underdogs.

The Panthers are not as deep at quarterback as they are at receiver. Why not use Carter there? Brett Basanez, how good a passer is your friend?

“The more I see him throw, the more I'm glad he's a wide receiver,” says Basanez.

Yes, but is he an NFL quarterback?

“The more I see him throw, the more I'm really glad he's a wide receiver,” Basanez says.

But some positions are like tattoos. When Carter sees the quarterbacks gather, he thinks, “What if?”

Do you really care where you play?

“I just want the ball in my hands,” says Carter.

So you don't care?

“The quarterback has the ball in his hands all the time,” he says.

When he approaches for an interview, a Panthers employee asks the media to give him room. Where do we find it?

Defensive end Julius Peppers is a big guy. When he walks in, everybody knows. At 6-foot-6 and 330 pounds, Otah weighs 47 pounds more and is only an inch shorter. Four Panthers – Toniu Fonoti, Maake Kemoeatu, Geoff Schwartz and Charles Spencer – are heavier than Otah.

But Otah looks bigger. He looks like an athlete. He moves like an athlete. He's thick but he's not fat. He's graceful. He looks as if he could run the court at power forward. And slip in a couple elbows.

“It looks like Otah has that streak in him,” says Panther quarterback Jake Delhomme. “He has that nastiness to him and that's a good thing. That's what you want in an offensive lineman. I think catching a glimpse of him (Saturday) you could tell that he has that.”

Yet it's Otah's size that distinguishes him. Andre the Giant is the biggest human I've ever seen, and one of the most gracious. He stood in a doorway one night at Grady Cole Center and the doorway disappeared.

Otah lives in Andre's neighborhood. He rises from a table at Wofford and different pieces get up at different times.

Feel small when you stand next to him?

“I feel small when I stand next to a lot of guys,” says Jordan Gross, who is 6-4 and 305 pounds.

Gross is the best offensive lineman the Panthers have ever had. But he's never been to a Pro Bowl. Mike Wahle went in 2005, the only offensive lineman that has been as a Panther.

The Panthers crave a lineman who can create space for the running backs and time for the quarterback. But the position is complex, and Otah is inexperienced even for a rookie. He didn't play football until his senior year at William Penn High in New Castle, Del.

His talent, however, is as undeniable as his size. The Panthers dealt a coveted No.1 pick in the 2009 draft to select him with the 19th pick in this one. He avoided a holdout by signing a contract Friday night.

“I told my agent to get with Marty (Hurney, the Carolina general manager) and I would take what they gave me,” Otah says.

We love it when athletes say this, because if we were in their position we would. We're wrong. We'd hold out for every buck we could get. But it's cool to hear.

Carolina opened training camp Saturday morning, and Otah started at right tackle. Working against him was another newcomer, free-agent Tyler Brayton, who is 6-6 and a wisp-like 280 pounds.

“Big, strong and young,” says Brayton, when asked for a review. At 28, Brayton is six years older than Otah.

Anything stand out?

“His arms are unusually long, and they're powerful,” Brayton says. “Once he gets them around you it's over.”

The duel wasn't one-sided. Brayton is a powerful guy, and Otah made mistakes.

But they looked small.

Favre told si.com that Packers general manager Ted Thompson had asked him for “a couple of days” to resolve the situation.

“I agreed to do that,” Favre told the site. “I don't want to be a distraction to the Packers, and I hope in the next few days we can come to an agreement that would allow me to continue playing football.”

That agreement, presumably, would be a trade. The New York Jets and Tampa Bay Buccaneers have emerged as two potential trade partners for the Packers, and Favre told si.com that he would consider a trade to any team.

Around the league

CHICAGO: Kick returner Devin Hester has signed a new four-year contract with the Chicago Bears.

CINCINNATI: Receiver Chad Johnson had nothing to say when he reported for training camp, ending the Bengals' offseason drama.

Johnson had asked to be traded.

DETROIT: Lions linebacker Ernie Sims missed Sunday's afternoon practice with a hyperextended right knee and sprained right ankle, neither believed to be serious.

NEW ORLEANS: Defensive tackle DeMario Pressley was placed on injured reserve, forcing the fifth-round draft pick from N.C. State to miss his rookie season.

PITTSBURGH: Pro Bowl nose tackle Casey Hampton was placed on the physically unable to perform list after reporting to training camp overweight and failing to complete the Steelers' annual run test.

WASHINGTON: The Redskins signed defensive tackle Zarnell Fitch and guard Fred Matua, and waived defensive end J.T. Mapu and guard Kerry Brown.

Fonoti opens camp as starter

When the first whistle blew for the first Carolina Panthers' training camp practice Saturday morning, offensive guard Toniu Fonoti found himself on the field with the first-team offense.

“To tell you the truth, I didn't see my name anywhere,” said Fonoti, one of three free-agent signees who will compete for the starting spot at right guard. “You wait until practice and just hear what the coach says.”

Drafted by San Diego in 2002, Fonoti (6-foot-4, 340 pounds) has struggled with his weight the past few seasons, serving stints in Minnesota, Miami, Atlanta and Tampa Bay.

But when he was at his best, Fonoti was among the league's premiere blockers and was one of LaDanian Tomlinson's lead blockers in San Diego.

“There's a lot of kinks I need to work out here,” said Fonoti. “It will take a little getting used to. But the coaches want us to be physical. You've got to be big and mash people.”

Fonoti, an American Samoan who left his home of Hauula, Hawaii, to play at Nebraska, is in his sixth NFL season. He'll compete with Keydrick Vincent and Milford Brown for the starting spot alongside rookie right tackle Jeff Otah.

“Jeff and I are brand new guys on the right side,” Fonoti said. “We're still getting used to each other. But eventually we'll get things settled and be ready to go.”

The rest of the line is also revamped, with guard Travelle Wharton and tackle Jordan Gross moving to the left side and Ryan Kalil taking over at center.

And Fonoti certainly hasn't won the job at right guard yet.

“You've got to start somewhere on the depth chart,” said coach John Fox. “These guys are learning. If (Fonoti's) the guy, he'll be there.”

Elevator

ROOKIES: First-rounders Jonathan Stewart and Jeff Otah signed – just in time not to miss Saturday's start. UP

TEMPERATURE: Conditions for Saturday's morning practice were mild, thanks to clouds and a light drizzle. DOWN

HITS: With the pads finally on, there were several crackling collisions on the first day. UP

By the Numbers

3 Regular-season home games (Chicago, New Orleans, Tampa Bay) that sold out Saturday morning soon after single-game tickets went on sale. The Denver game is nearly sold out and fewer than 20,000 tickets remain for the other five home games.

14 Training camps in Panthers history – all in Spartanburg.

5,000 Approximate number of fans who attended both sessions of Saturday's first day.

Observations

Steve Smith blew by the secondary and caught a long TD pass from Matt Moore. Smith tried to throw the ball into the cheering crowd, but hit the fence surrounding the practice field and needed a second toss.

Fullback Brad Hoover made a nice catch, then tried to spin the ball on its end on the ground, like Smith often does. Hoover's attempt, however, kind of fluttered around on the ground like a wounded quail.

Quarterback Jake Delhomme had a take-charge moment when he ordered the offense linemen to get down into their stances when they were standing after a busted play. That's one of the things team officials love about Delhomme; he's clearly a leader. Any newcomers who haven't learned that Delhomme means business will figure it out quickly.

Julius Peppers is sporting a thicker beard than in previous seasons.

Owner Jerry Richardson attended the first practice, something he rarely does. He cruised around the practice fields on a golf cart with Charlotte public relations executive Steve Luquire.

The Panthers had been hesitant about revealing how much Delhomme would throw during training camp. Looks like he'll be eased in somewhat. Delhomme saw plenty of action during Saturday's morning practice and his passes had plenty of zip. But he spent much of the evening practice with his helmet off, watching backups Moore, Brett Basanez and Lester Ricard take the snaps.

Rookies Jonathan Stewart and Otah and receiver D.J. Hackett – all of whom spent the offseason recovering from injuries – didn't practice Saturday night as a precaution. Running back Nick Goings sprained his ankle, but isn't expected to miss much time.

Quoting

“It almost felt like my rookie year again, coming back to Spartanburg.” -- Wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad , who is back with the Panthers after three seasons with the Chicago Bears.

“I'm a big body-language guy.” -- Delhomme on the unspoken communication he has with his receivers.

“I do not enjoy training camp. I despise training camp. It's not like I'm complaining. But technically I am.” Smith .

“The only thing better than this (for the players) would have been lightning.” -- Fox , on the morning's drizzly, cool weather. Lightning would have canceled the practice.

Key Dates

Saturday: Fan Fest, Bank Of America Stadium, 11a.m.

Aug. 9: Exhibition opener, vs. Indianapolis.

Aug. 13: Training camp ends (subject to change).

Aug. 26: Roster cut to 75 players.

Aug. 30: Roster cut to 53 players.

Sept. 7: Regular-season opener, at San Diego.

Sept. 14: Home opener, vs. Chicago.

The wide receiver had just scored a touchdown in a passing drill, and responded to the cheers of Panthers faithful by tossing the ball towards the crowd.

“He chucked it right to me,” said Avery, of Mount Airy. “I guess I was at the right place at the right time.”

The Carolina Panthers opened their 14th training camp at Wofford College in Spartanburg, S.C. Saturday morning before a few thousand fans who couldn't wait for football season to begin – and who weren't deterred by $4 a gallon gas.

Some fans came for autographs, while hard-core fans showed up because they wanted to judge the skills of particular players. Another faction attended because it's a rare chance to see professional football up close.

Team officials said the turnout was about the same as in previous years. The Panthers will be there for nearly three weeks, with practices open to the public.

At training camp, you can hear assistant coaches bark out instructions and wince when shoulder pads collide at high speeds. Fans can get as close as 10 yards from the action and are free to roam the sidelines.

“My grandmother and I had season tickets for 10 years, but we could never see them this close,” said Ashley Courier, of Spartanburg. “These guys are huge. We can't believe how close you can get.”

Charlottean Marlon Dowdell came to his third Panthers camp with his son, Joshua, 6.

“I really want him to get a concept of their size, their physicality,” Dowdell said. “You just don't get that when you watch on TV.”

Dowdell watched the first part of practice by the fields, and then headed towards a pack of autograph-seekers. He said the best way to get autographs is to come during the week. Barring that, he said, it can be smart to call for a lesser-known Panther.

“It's organized chaos,” Dowdell said. “If you just want Steve Smith's autograph you may have a hard time. Delhomme can be hard too.”

For the record, Delhomme signed plenty of footballs and photos Saturday, as did several offensive linemen.

Single-game tickets also went to sale Saturday. As of 3 p.m., three of the team's eight regular-season home games were sold out: The home opener against Chicago Sept. 14; against New Orleans Oct. 19; and a Monday night game against Tampa Bay Dec. 8.

The team will practice today at 3:10 p.m. It will come to Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte Saturday for Fan Fest, which starts at 11 a.m.

But once he arrived in the town that hosts the team's training camp, he got word the deal wasn't done and he shouldn't report yet.

He needed somewhere to spend the night and didn't choose the luxury accommodations you'd expect for a millionaire-to-be.

His home for a night: Motel 6.

Asked why he picked that motel, Stewart smiled and said, “Because I had no money.”

The standard nightly rate this week for the Spartanburg Motel 6 is $37.99.

He can now afford to stay anywhere he wants.

Stewart awakened around 6a.m. Saturday to find a text message telling him the deal had been struck. He was instructed to go to Wofford and sign his five-year contract, which included about $10.8million in guarantees and a total potential value of about $20million.

He was in uniform by 9a.m. participating in his first football practice since November, when he suffered a toe injury during his final season at Oregon.

Coach John Fox said Stewart is fully recovered from offseason toe surgery, but the team will be cautious with his camp participation.

He'll likely practice only once a day, affording him a break from two-a-days.

On Saturday, it didn't take long before Stewart absorbed his first big hit, taking a handoff and getting crunched by linebacker Thomas Davis.

“Welcome to the NFL,” Davis said he told Stewart.

“He came in free,” Stewart said of Davis. “He welcomed me in pretty well. After that, I was trying to dish out a little bit as well.”

At 5-foot-10, 235 pounds, with sub-4.5-second speed in the 40-yard dash, Stewart appears to have all the attributes the Panthers want in a feature back. He should be able to gain the tough inside yards, but has the speed to break a run outside.

Davis said he's excited about Stewart sharing running duties with DeAngelo Williams, a 2006 first-round pick who's currently working with the first team at running back.

“It seems like we've got a nice little combination of thunder and lighting,” said Davis. “I feel like with Jonathan coming in being the bruiser-type back that he looks like and DeAngelo being the slasher-type back, I'm really looking forward to seeing what they can do.”

Stewart said he was happy with his first pro practice.

He looked strong and explosive at times, though he dropped a screen pass and got hit hard a second time by Davis on a pass play.

“It happens, especially (since) that's my first day,” Stewart said of the drop. “I kind of thought about running before I caught the ball. It's a change of speed compared from college to the NFL. I've just got to get the hang of that.”

Stewart said his teammates were happy that he was present for their first practice and that he didn't begin a contract holdout. But they didn't take it easy on him.

“I was out here kind of like a sheep thrown in a wolves' pit,” he said, smiling.

Thomas Davis said after the morning workout that he'd been moved from strongside linebacker (Sam) to the weakside (Will), where he expects to play off the line of scrimmage more and get to make better use of his speed to make plays.

“The Will is behind the ball a lot more and not on the line of scrimmage as much,” said Davis. “I feel like I'm a faster guy, and I want to get out there and show it off.”

The new strongside linebackers are Na'il Diggs, who started on the weakside last year, and Landon Johnson, a free agent signee from Cincinnati.

Since having a disappointing 7-9 record last season, the Panthers have undergone an overhaul on both sides of the ball. They've got a new-look offensive line with bigger, more physical blockers, and a bruising running back in first-round pick Jonathan Stewart.

They've added new receivers, traded away defensive tackle Kris Jenkins, moved Julius Peppers from left to right defensive end, and drafted a safety starter in Charles Godfrey.

Now, there's news involving the switch of Davis, who has become accustomed to making position changes during his four-year NFL career.

The Panthers envisioned him playing linebacker when was taken 14th overall in the 2005 draft, but he wound up playing safety his rookie season.

He played strongside linebacker the past two seasons, but said Saturday he initially preferred the weakside when he made the move to linebacker in 2006.

“It's way different for me,” Davis said of his most recent move. “It's a lot of learning I've got to do based on what I played last year. I'm up for it. I'm behind the ball and I'm going to have the opportunity to make more plays, and I'm excited about that.”

Davis had a strong debut Saturday during the first practice of training camp, putting two big hits on rookie running back Jonathan Stewart.

“Those are the kinds of plays you can expect from me this year,” he said.

Along the way, Stewart was informed that the deal was not yet done and he was not to report to training camp yet.

That meant he had to spend the night somewhere other than the Wofford dorm rooms where his teammates were sleeping.

The place Stewart chose for his final night without a contract: Motel 6.

Yes, believe it or not, the rather modest hotel chain had to leave the light on for a millionaire-to-be.

Asked why he chose Motel 6 and not more plush accomodations, Stewart smiled and said "because I didn't have any money."

He does now.

He said he was awakened around 6 a.m. with a text message informing him that his contract was finalized and that he could report to camp. He later signed a five-year deal with guaranteed money around $10.8 million.

Wonder how many people staying at Motel 6 have learned they'd suddenly become rich?