D-II star Bell moves up to #3 QB for Panthers

Dalton Bell threw for almost 8,000 yards and 62 TDs at Division II West Texas A&M. With a season-ending wrist injury to reserve quarterback Brett Basanez, the undrafted rookie quarterback has a chance to make the regular season roster. Yesterday, Bell took some snaps with the first string.

Dan Morgan to play Friday

Panthers linebacker Dan Morgan will see his first game action in about a year Friday. Dan hasn't played since last year's season opener when he suffered a concussion. What a difference I hope he makes this season! Above all though, I hope my man stays healthy, in the head.

Panthers get help in Secondary

Needing another experienced safety, the Panthers acquired two-year veteran Chris Harris yesterday from the Chicago Bears for a fifth-round choice in the 2008 draft.

"According to our scouts and coaches he's an instinctive player, and we feel he can come in here and compete," Panthers general manager Marty Hurney said.

"I think we're fortunate the Bears have a real surplus at that position," Hurney said. "Chris is a guy that we feel can come in here, compete and help us."

A former Louisiana-Monroe standout, Harris is solidly built (6 feet tall, 205 pounds), and a good hitter. He was fined $7,500 last December for what the league viewed as over aggressiveness in a game against Minnesota.

In 25 games, including 20 starts, Harris has 112 tackles, five interceptions, eight passes defensed, one sack and one fumble recovery.

Panthère de Caroline?

Trying out for our Panthers 53-man roster is 28 year old linebacker Philippe Gardent (6'1" 240 lbs). This member of France's national bobsled team passed up the Olympics to pursue his dream of playing in the NFL some day.

Is he good? He was the first European-born player to claim NFL Europa MVP. Last year he led the league with 70 tackles and was co-Defensive POTY. This year he had 77 tackles and made the All-NFL Europa defensive team.

He's hoping he can do for the NFL in France what Tony Parker did for the NBA.

Bon chance!

Get tipsy a lil early in Charlotte

A provision expected in the final state budget would allow fans at Carolina Panthers games to buy alcohol one hour earlier than the law now allows on Sundays. North Carolina alcoholic beverage control laws prohibit Sunday sales before noon. But lawmakers wrapping up their negotiations agreed to allow beer to be sold starting at 11 a.m. The change appears to apply only to sales in the stands of Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, where the Panthers play.

Sad news on Tobacco Road today

Wake Forest basketball coach Skip Prosser died on Thursday morning of an apparent heart attack shortly after jogging. Prosser was rushed to Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center.

Prosser, 56, was one of the most well-liked coaches in the industry and known for his witty and sarcastic sense of humor.

He grew up in Pittsburgh and went to high school at Carnegie before attending the United States Merchant Marine Academy.

Prosser has spent the past seven seasons at Wake Forest after spending one year at Loyola (Md.) and seven at Xavier. He has a career record of 291-146.

Prosser led Wake Forest to the NCAA Tournament in each of his first four seasons and the Demon Deacons won the ACC regular-season in 2003. The Demon Deacons have struggled recently — missing the tournament in each of the past two years.

"My thoughts and prayers are with Coach Prosser's family and Wake Forest University. I have gained a lot of respect for Coach Prosser both as a person and as a coach. It is a tremendous loss for our conference and for college basketball." -- N.C. State coach Sidney Lowe.