Panthers work out four veteran defensive tackles

By Darin Gantt - Darin Gantt

CHARLOTTE -- Perhaps concerned about their depth at the position, the Panthers worked out four veteran defensive tackles.

Such off-day tryouts are nothing new, as teams constantly work to update their emergency lists. But Tuesday's visitors were of a more accomplished variety than the normal spare parts and practice squad hopefuls.

Highlighting the list was 12th-year veteran Michael Myers. The 32-year-old was last with Cincinnati, but has also played with Dallas, Denver and Cleveland in his career.

They also looked at former Jacksonville and Houston contributor Anthony Maddox, along with Amon Gordon (last with Baltimore) and former second-round pick Junior Siavii.

The Panthers are confident in starters Maake Kemoeatu and Damione Lewis, but their backups are veteran Darwin Walker and former practice squader Gary Gibson. They also have sixth-round pick Nick Hayden on the practice squad.

The bulk workout means they're keeping a close eye on what's out there, since they might need help soon.

The Panthers also worked out five other players: Quarterback Jeff Rowe, wide receivers Jayson Foster and Marco Thomas, defensive end Charles Bennett and linebacker David McMillan.

Bennett, from Camden, spent three years with Tampa Bay, but is coming off a 2007 knee injury. Rowe, a former fifth-round pick, was cut by Cincinnati this summer, so the Bengals could keep little brother Jordan Palmer as the backup to Carson Palmer.

• FORMER PANTHERS NEWS: Denver, long a home for wayward boys, worked out former Panthers corner Ricardo Colclough on Tuesday.

Colclough was going to make this team, before getting arrested for drunk driving the night before final cuts.

Miami, the current employer of former Carolina offensive coordinator Dan Henning, picked up a pair of his old hands..

The Dolphins signed guard Evan Mathis and fullback Casey Cramer. Mathis was cut this year, just two years removed from starting 15 games at right guard. Cramer had been with Tennessee since leaving here.

Also, veteran guard Milford Brown signed on with Jacksonville, which lost both starting guards to injury last week. Brown was described as one of this year's tougher cuts by general manager Marty Hurney, and a guy they'd have likely looked to if the injuries to Jeff Otah or Travelle Wharton would have been more serious.