PANTHERS DAILY DIGEST

NEWS OF THE DAY

They were getting thin on the defensive line. With starters Damione Lewis and Maake Kemoeatu and top reserve Darwin Walker out, the Panthers were down to four healthy DTs.

They used Ian Scott and former practice-squader Gary Gibson as starters, with just rookie Nick Hayden and Stephen Williams in reserve.

Fortunately, it doesn't seem like any of the injuries were serious, meaning they should have sufficient depth to practice soon.

WHAT WE LEARNED

There have been years when the Panthers' starting WRs might not have made this year's roster. The real competition is from the fourth spot down. Dwayne Jarrett can simply catch things other people can't get to. Ryne Robinson's developing as a wideout and returner as well. Jason Carter's a playmaker (although he had some hiccups Tuesday), and Chris Hannon might be the fastest guy on the roster. That doesn't even get to former first-round pick Travis Taylor.

Figuring that no more than three of them will stay on the 53-man roster, it means there's some real competition and tough decisions looming.

STOCK UP

There was a time when S Nate Salley had a chance to grab onto a starting job and make it his own. He's sort of a forgotten man now, but not in the eyes of the coaches. He picked off a Matt Moore pass, and generally looks smoother than ever in practice. Hard to believe they might have four legitimate options at the position (including Terrence Holt), given how threadbare it's been in recent years.

STOCK DOWN

As intriguing as a prospect as he may be, they're going to have to be patient with OT Charles Spencer. After two years of knee problems in Houston, he was held out Tuesday. Fact is, he's going to need some time to scrape the rust off.

DID YOU SEE THAT?

He's been in and out of practice, but WR D.J. Hackett looks like a guy who can help in the red zone. He caught a pair of touchdowns during the drills against the first defense, and looks like he knows how to use his size to make space down there.

NUMBER OF THE DAY

57

LB Dan Connor's new jersey, after the rookie ditched the 44 he was issued upon being drafted. He got to grab a real linebacker number after Brandon Jamison was released.

SIDELINES

Apparently, Kemoeatu wants to sweat a few pounds off. He walked out to practice Tuesday afternoon wearing a hooded sweatshirt under his jersey as he did conditioning drills on the side. It's not uncommon to see members of the organization in sweats at other times -- since they keep the AC cranked -- but to wear them out to practice was a bit much.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"I'm not one to bite my tongue. I'll definitely go about it a different way if it's a vet. I try not to be a hypocrite. I make sure I take care of home before I open my mouth. I think it was earlier in the season that guys respected my play as a leader. Not so much vocally, but from watching me. I think leading by examples is the key." -- MLB Jon Beason, over his taking the reins of the defense in just his second NFL season.

TODAY

The Panthers will practice twice today, at 9:10 a.m., followed by a shorter session at 3:10 p.m.

This story was originally published July 30, 2008 at 12:36 AM with the headline "PANTHERS DAILY DIGEST."