practice, a reminder to himself of his desire to get back on the fi

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- While Leonard Johnson may not be able to save Carolinas struggling secondary on his own, the veteran nickel cornerback has brought some needed energy -- and some playmaking ability -- to a group still looking for an identity after losing All-Pro Josh Norman to free agency this past offseason.Johnson was stellar in his first game with the Panthers last Sunday with eight tackles, a sack and pass breakup in 30-20 win over the Arizona Cardinals.But it was his all-in emotional intensity that teammates said made the biggest impact.He brought electricity, said defensive tackle Kawann Short.Teammates noticed Johnsons upbeat personality when he joined the team for training camp -- even though he was rehabbing on the side with trainers.Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman thought enough of the 5-foot-10 Johnson to sign him as a free agent in July even though he was still working back from a torn Achilles. During rehab, Johnson would wear game pants -- rather than just athletic shorts -- to practice, a reminder to himself of his desire to get back on the field.Hes hungry -- and I like that, Panthers defensive coordinator Sean McDermott said.Johnson stepped into a secondary that had allowed Matt Ryan and Drew Brees to throw for a combined 968 yards and eight touchdowns in two of the three previous games.It didnt take long for Johnson to make an impact Sunday.I noticed it right away, Rivera said. I was like, `OK, hes getting into it. And he was into it. And he was definitely chatty. You could hear him out there. He says some pretty outlandish things in terms of getting after guys and challenging guys. He does bring that energy.Sometimes too much energy.Johnson would have had two sacks on Sunday had he not been flagged for unnecessary roughness when he ripped the quarterback Carson Palmers helmet from his head. That cost the Panthers 15 yards -- and Johnson a $9,175 fine from the league for an illegal hit.He apologized to his teammates at the time, but they simply told him to keep playing hard and bring the energy.He did just that.He brought juice, linebacker Luke Kuechly said. Leonard has love for the game and thats good to have.Added safety Kurt Coleman: Whether he was trying to make a play or trying to hustle to the play, he was full out. Was he perfect? No. But he made a lot of things happen. It was just a great addition to what we strive to be, a team that is running to the ball to make things happen.Rivera said the Panthers have been looking for a slot cornerback similar to Captain Munnerlyn, who left to join the Minnesota Vikings as an unrestricted free agent following the 2013 season.They think they have finally found that replacement in Johnson. Hell get another shot Sunday on the road vs. the Rams.Its only been one game, but hes done some really good things, Rivera said. You can also tell he was rusty. We just feel if we continue to grow and things get better, he can be a big part of what we want to do on defense.Game notes Left tackle Michael Oher (concussion), center Ryan Kalil (shoulder), linebacker Shaq Thompson (knee), cornerback Daryl Worley (elbow) and defensive tackle Vernon Butler (ankle) did not practice Thursday and their status is uncertain for Sundays game against the Rams is uncertain. Kuechly was held out of practice as a precautionary measure with a groin injury, but Rivera said he should be back to work on Friday.---AP NFL website: http://pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL Cheap Timberwolves Jerseys . -- Edmontons Val Sweeting is two wins away from a trip to Winnipeg to play in Canadas Road of the Rings in December. Custom Kevin Garnett Jersey . After slipping from the summit during the week, the Gunners overcame struggling Crystal Palace 2-0 on Sunday thanks to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlains second-half brace. http://www.customtimberwolvesjersey.com/ . Terms of the deal were not immediately available. The 26-year-old finished last season with Clevelands Triple-A affiliate in Columbus after signing with the Indians in August. Kevin Garnett Jersey Large . If ever they start actually putting pictures beside words in the dictionary, the Blue Jays left-handers mug will appear beside “Consistency. Wholesale Custom Timberwolves Shirts . -- Five former Kansas City Chiefs players who were on the team between 1987 and 1993 filed a lawsuit Tuesday claiming the team hid and even lied about the risks of head injuries during that time period when there was no collective bargaining agreement in place in the NFL. SAO PAULO, Brazil -- Max Verstappen says new rules about how drivers are allowed to defend position have removed the art of defending position from Formula One.Verstappen was criticised by fellow drivers for a series of robust defences this year in which he moved under braking while another car was trying to pass. At the U.S. Grand Prix, FIA race director Charlie Whiting introduced a new interpretation of an existing rule to outlaw moving under braking and Sebastian Vettel became the first driver to fall foul of the regulation at the Mexican Grand Prix a week later.That it is just a very complex rule, I think. It is just very difficult, he said. Before there was an art in defending and overtaking, but the defending bit has gone because you cant do anything. You cant defend, basically, thats my feeling.Ferrari is appealing the VVettels Mexico penalty, but Verstappen says the rule has to be obeyed as long as it is in the regulations.ddddddddddddSo of course they thought it was not right so they tried to appeal it but its clearly in the rules that you cant do it anymore so everybody of course has to follow the rules.The 19-year-olds driving has come under intense scrutiny this year, but Verstappen, who has not been involved in any major collisions with other drivers this season, remains unflustered.I think in general not only in Formula One but just in a lot of sports, when younger people come in and they do well theres always a bit of talk going on, I think thats pretty normal. So I dont see it as a big issue, to be honest. ' ' '