PANTHERS REPORT
Panthers say QB Newton, DE Hardy ready to practice
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) β Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman says Pro Bowlers Cam Newton and Greg Hardy will be ready to practice when the team begins training camp Friday night.
The same can’t be said of often-injured running back Jonathan Stewart.
Gettleman says Newton has been cleared medically following ankle surgery on March 19 and is expected to participate in all drills.
The GM says Hardy, convicted on two counts of domestic violence last week, will not face any suspension from the Panthers at this time. Gettleman called it a “very serious matter” but says the team plans to follow the NFL’s lead and “respect the legal process” and wait until after Hardy’s appeal is heard.
Stewart, who missed 17 games the past two seasons, pulled him hamstring in workouts and will miss 1-2 weeks.
PANTHERS-MOVES
Panthers sign2 veterans to address offensive line
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) β The Panthers have announced they have signed guard Fernando Velasco and center Kevin Matthews, giving Carolina some experienced depth on the offensive line heading into training camp.
Velasco has NFL experience, starting 11 games at center for Pittsburgh last season before suffering an Achilles injury. Velasco signed with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted rookie and spent his first two season on the practice squad. He moved into a starting role in 2012, starting 13 games at center and three at guard.
Matthews is the son of Hall of Fame guard Bruce Matthews. Also an undrafted rookie, he played in 14 games in 2012 but was cut last year in training camp by Washington.
To make room on the roster Carolina waived center Jared Wheeler and linebacker Billy Boyko.
CANADIAN WOMEN’S AMATEUR
James shoots record 63 in Canadian Women’s Amateur
WOODSTOCK, Ontario (AP) β North Carolina State senior Augusta James broke the Canadian Women’s Amateur record and course mark Thursday with an 8-under 63 to take a six-stroke lead into the final round.
“It’s maybe my second or third bogey-free round ever, I think it might be my first one in a tournament,” James said. “It’s always good to have one of those, you come so close sometimes and I’m happy that I could eliminate the big mistakes that would turn into bogeys or doubles.”
James, from Bath, Ontario, had a 12-under 201 total at Craigowan Golf and Country Club.
Canada’s Brooke Henderson and Australia’s Su-Hyun Oh were tied for second. Henderson, the defending champion, had a 70, and Oh shot 67.
The winner will receive spots in the Canadian Women’s Open and U.S. Women’s Amateur.
S CAROLINA-SPURRIER
Spurrier: Gamecocks ‘close’ to being title team
BLYTHEWOOD, S.C. (AP) β South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier felt it would take time to turn the Gamecocks from a mid-level program into a Southeastern Conference power, so he’s a bit surprised when outsiders wonder why he’s entering his 10th season at the school.
Spurrier, pointing to the team’s record book, said he knew he needed about 10 seasons or so at seven wins a year to become the Gamecocks’ leader in all-time coaching victories.
Spurrier upped that timetable the past few years with three straight 11-win seasons. And he’s not planning to slow down this fall, despite having lost the No. 1 NFL draft pick in Jadeveon Clowney and quarterback Connor Shaw, who Spurrier calls the best QB in South Carolina history.
The Gamecocks are picked to win the SEC Eastern Division.
BROWN-DAVIS-ESPN
Mack Brown to serve as ABC studio analyst
BRISTOL, Conn. (AP) β Former Texas coach Mack Brown will serve as a studio analyst for college football games on ABC.
Brown stepped down in December after 16 years with the Longhorns, winning the national title after the 2005 season.
Brown will appear on “College Football Countdown” and offer pregame, halftime and postgame commentary for the games on ABC, including “Saturday Night Football.” He will work with host John Saunders and former Florida State quarterback Danny Kanell.
ESPN also said Thursday that former Miami and North Carolina coach Butch Davis will serve as an analyst for ESPN2’s studio coverage on Saturdays.
Davis was fired by the Tar Heels in 2011 during an NCAA investigation. He led the Hurricanes back to national prominence while coaching them from 1995-2000. In between, there was a mostly unsuccessful NFL stint with the Cleveland Browns.
