Highlights from Saturday morning's practice:
1. Jonathan Stewart, fresh off signing a five-year, $20 million contract that included $10.8 million in guaranteed money just hours before, was the field Saturday morning for the team's first practice wearing No. 28. And he got an early "Welcome to the NFL" from linebacker Thomas Davis. On one running play, Davis eluded his blocker and decked Stewart in the backfield, sending him flying on to his back. Stewart later busted one to the outside for a nice run, but later in practice Davis blew him up again on a screen pass.
By the way, Stewart opened as the second team running back behind DeAngelo Williams. He likely will get tonight's practice off to rest his toe, coach John Fox said. Fox said they want to make sure they don't rush Stewart and get him hurt.
2. Thomas Davis has moved to weakside linebacker. That 's a significant change that should allow him to make more plays like he did Saturday. Davis, by the way, is absolutely ecstatic with the move. We'll have more about that in a story later on.
3. That receiver, what's his name, Smith? Well, he made a pretty nice play downfield leaping catch between two defenders to haul in a pass from Matt Moore. Smith wore a yellow visor on his helmet. Later on in practice, Smith understudy Jason Carter made a leaping catch down the left sideline.
4. As for the depth chart, Toniu Fonoti opened with the first team at right guard, while Na'il Diggs worked as the first-team weakside linebacker.
5. Dan Connor, the team's third-round draft pick, worked with the third team at middle linebacker behind starter Jon Beason and primary backup Adam Seward.
6. The offensive line did a lot of work early on with the blocking sleds. That goes along with the entire power-runnng game.
7. Dwayne Jarrett dropped one pass he should have caught, but otherwise looked good.
8. Stanley McClover is back and so is his bark. McClover's teammates began barking in unison when McClover made a tackle for a loss. His teammates then enticed the now short-haired McClover to do the same. He responded with a loud bark, drawing laughs from his defensive mates.
9. Rookie defensive end Hilee Taylor drew the wrath of coach John Fox when he inadvertently ran into fourth-string quarterback Lester Ricard. Fox began shouting, "Stay off the red jerseys!!!" All of Carolina's quarterbacks wear red jerseys during practice.
10. We've already been told that Julius Peppers will not be speaking to the media today. Surprise.
11. There were some comical moments at practice. Early on, fullback Brad Hoover made a nice grab in the flat and attempted to show off by spinning the football, a.k.a. Steve Smith. the problem was the ball didn't spin, but instead bounced harmlessly away drawing a roar from the crowd. Later in practice, Maake Kemoeatu jumped offsides on a hard count by Jake Delhomme. The play ended and Delhomme smiled at Kemoeatu and then promptly kicked him in the rear as Kemoeatu walked back to the defensive side of the ball.
12. Owner Jerry Richardson, who rarely gets out of his cart while watching practice, did so on Friday when he got an up-close view of the individual drills between the offensive and defensive lines.
13. Here's a funny story for you: Just talked with first-round draft pick Jonathan Stewart, who spent last night in the Motel 6 in Spartanburg of all places. He drove here thinking his contract was completed last night, but llater learned it didn't get done until around 7 a.m. When asked why he stayed in a Motel 6 and not a more expensive hotel, he replied, "I didn't have any money." Well, he certainly does now.