Some thoughts from Thursday:

    1. Entering his fifth NFL season, cornerback Chris Gamble feels like he's ready to take the next step in his career. On Thursday, Gamble said, "My goal this year is to make the Pro Bowl and that means I have to start every day in practice, grinding it out and making plays."

   When asked what has kept him from that goal, Gamble responded, "Just inconsistency. I have to stay consistent and go out there and have fun."

   Injuries have also played a factor.

   Gamble hasn't started all 16 games since his rookie year in 2004. Last year he missed four starts because of a broken hand and played nearly a month with a cast. A good season certainly would help Gamble's financial situation given that his contract is up after the season.

   Gamble had a combined 13 interceptions during his first two season in the league but has just four interceptions over the last two seasons.

   2. The Panthers should be getting healthy soon at defensive tackle.

   Damione Lewis said he hopes to get back on the field either today or tomorrow. He also said Maake Kemoeatu and Darwin Walker are not too far behind him and should be back by the weekend or early next week. Obviously, Ian Scott will miss a few weeks after suffering a sprained MCL on Wednesday.

   "Every year it seems it's a different position and this year it happens to be us on the line," Lewis said. "We just have to fight through it."

   3. Don't be surprised to see Brett Favre end up in Tampa Bay after Jeff Garcia injured his knee in Thursday morning's practice. Supposedly Garcia was injured during non-contact drills. It makes more sense than ever for the Bucs to go after Favre. That would certainly add even more spice to the Carolina-Tampa Bay rivalry.

   Her'es the link to that story: http://blogs.tampabay.com/bucs/2008/07/gruden-downplay.html

  Some leftover nuggets from Wednesday: 

  1. Fullback Brad Hoover thought about leaving Carolina, but re-signed with the Panthers just hours before the start of free agency.

  "It would be weird to play somewhere else, becuase this is where I started," said Hoover, now in his ninth season. "There was always that possibility but I’m just glad I’m back here and hopefully will close out my career here."

   Hoover really has no challenge for the starting job. The only other fullback in camp is Troy Fleming.

   2. Jordan Gross likes what he sees out of rookie right tackle Jeff Otah.

   "I think he's going to be really good. He wants to work. He's frustrated when he gets beat. He's a huge man, so you can't really coach that. He shows the desire so far to be good and he listens to everybody. There's no reason why he can't be a good player for a long time," Gross said.