Some leftover notes from Monday...
You might think Brett Basanez would be celebrating the release of quarterback Lester Ricard, which leaves him clearly as Carolina's No. 3 quarterback behind starter Jake Delhomme and backup Matt Moore.
However, Basanez doesn't feel like he's guaranteed a roster spot.
He remembers 2006 well. That's the year the Panthers surprised everyone and cut him and Stefan LeFors while keeping just two quarterbacks (Delhomme and Chris Weinke) on the opening day roster. Basanez was later signed to the practice squad.
Basanez is hoping the Panthers keep three quarterbacks like they did last year -- and that they don't look outside the organization for that third guy.
When asked if he thinks at all about whether the Panthers will keep two or three this year, Basanez laughed and replied, "I'm supposed to say no, but sure, it always crosses your mind. The biggest thing is when it comes in, just let it go right through your head. Don't even acknowledge it.
"It's really about how you play. You want to force them to keep you. You want to play well enough to where they say, 'We want to keep this guy.' Hopefully they have seen enough of me in practice where they have seen that spark."
Basanez knows Thursday night's game against Pittsburgh will be a big test for him.
Delhomme and Moore aren't expected to play too much and with Ricard now gone Basanez could work the entire second half against the Steelers. Needless to say, he's excited about the opportunity to showcase his skills.
"To get to go out and prove yourself against a team that historically has had a great defense is awesome," Basanez said. "It's good for us because Pittsburgh is a 3-4 team and we play a 3-4 team the first week of the season (in San Diego). But I'm chomping at the bit to get out there."
As for Ricard's release, Basanez called it a complete surprise.
"It was unexpected and it was sad," Basanez said. "He was part of our quarterback family. When something happens like that, it brings you back. He had no idea and we had no idea. You never know when it's going to happen. So you try to get as much good stuff on film as you can and hopefully it will work out."
--Muhsin Muhammad was asked about the progress of second-year wide receiver Dwayne Jarrett on Monday.
"I wasn't here before, so I don't know what Dwayne's history," Muhammad said. "I just know what I see now. We've been really pushing him hard to work, just to work hard. That way, you don't have to turn it on, or try to turn it on, in a game. That's what you do all the time, and he's done that. He's really working hard. It's kind of showing up in the games. He's working hard in knowing exactly what to do out there and just finishing. He's making some plays. He's gaining some confidence in his game, and that's one of the most important thing at this level, confidence."
--With safety Chris Harris returning to the field on Monday, the Panthers now have their entire starting defense healthy. They hope to keep it that way this week and get through the Steelers game without any injuries. Like the offense, the defensive starters are only expected to play a series or two.
--Charles Johnson said he's excited about his progress this off-season after seeing limited action as a rookie. He's been working at left end on nickel packages with Tyler Brayton shifting inside to defensive tackle.
"I've grown a lot this year," Johnson said. "I've got into the playbook and stayed around here in the off-season a lot and I just tried to get my experience in. I've tried to get everything, physically and mentally, just right."
--Looking ahead to the regular season opener against San Diego, here's one storyline to follow. Pro Bowl linebacker Shawne Merriman remains up in the air as to whether have surgery to repair torn ligaments in his knee. Merriman said he wants to play, but is worried about suffering a career-ending injury.
Obviously, Carolina's chances of winning on the road increase if Merriman doesn't play.
Here's the link to the story: http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3552936