The Panthers held their annual Countdown to Kickoff luncheon on Friday at the Charlotte Convention Center.

   After lunch, the tradition is to call up about six star players on stage to answer questions from the audience. Steve Smith, although arguably the team's best player, wasn't one of those invited up on stage. Along with coach John Fox, those up on stage included quarterback Jake Delhomme, offensive lineman Jordan Gross, receiver Muhsin Muhammad, linebacker Jon Beason, safety Chris Harris and defensive tackle Damione Lewis. It doesn't take much to realize why Smith wasn't selected to be on stage this year.

   Here are some comments from the Q and A period of the luncheon:

    Harris on this year's defense: "The potential on this defense is unreal. As you all know I came from Chicago, where we had a pretty good defense. But I like this defense better than in Chicago. We have guys up front who can get it done. I feel our secondary is as strong as ever with Chris Gamble, Ken Lucas and Little Richard (Marshall). And Charles Godfrey is an athletic safety who can go from sideline to sideline." 

   Delhomme on the Panthers: "I know I keep saying this, but I like this football team. We have the right guys. We got better by addition, but man we got better by subtraction, too. We're doing the right things."

   Delhomme on Gross: "Jordan Gross' name is now 'Franchise.' I love saying that."

   Beason on being a leader on defense: "Being a young guy I just wanted to earn the respect of the veterans in how I played and with my passion and my desire to make plays. That is really where they see me as a leader. I just do do my job as well as I can."

   Beason on Lewis: "I just need him to keep that double team off me so I can run free. Don't worry, I'll give you a shout out in the paper. I'll buy you a nice steak."

   Fox on playing San Diego in the season opener: "A lot of my friends are like, 'Boy, I bet your excited about going to San Diego since you're from there.' But that is a definite no. They are one of the more talented teams in the league on paper. But what is great about the National Football League is that on any given Sunday... I think if we bring our 'A' game we will be just fine."

  ---more to come---