CARSON http://www.seattleseahawksteamonline.com/phil-haynes-jersey , Calif. (AP) — Seahawks three times in games that count, he knows nearly everything about their defense because of Gus Bradley.Rivers used that know-how to get the Los Angeles Chargers off to a strong start in their first victory of the preseason.Melvin Gordon rushed for a short touchdown to cap a strong 70-yard opening drive by the Bolts’ first-teamers, and Rivers went 6 of 7 for 62 yards in Los Angeles’ 24-14 preseason victory over the Seahawks on Saturday night.Rivers played only two series in his first action of the preseason, but he had six consecutive completions. He also made a few plays by capably eluding the Seattle rush and connecting with strong throws on the run.None of it surprised Seahawks coach Pete Carroll. Bradley, the Chargers’ defensive coordinator, ran Carroll’s defense in Seattle for four years, and Los Angeles’ scheme is awfully similar.“Philip had us a couple of times,” Carroll said. “He knew what he was going against, and he did a great job. He plays against our defense every day (in practice).”Russell Wilson was 13 of 21 for 193 yards while playing the entire first half for the Seahawks (0-2). His offense was limited to two field goals by execution mistakes in the red zone, and Wilson was repeatedly flushed from the pocket by Melvin Ingram while the Chargers’ destructive pass rusher had an outstanding first half.David Moore made the Seahawks’ biggest play of the first half, hauling in a 52-yard catch between two Chargers downfield. Seattle could have kept it closer, but Chris Carson had a touchdown run waved off by a penalty and later fumbled at the goal line in the first half.“In the red zone in particular, we’ve got to stay on schedule,” Wilson said. “That’s the lesson we learned from tonight http://www.tampabaybuccaneersteamonline.com/mike-edwards-jersey , but the great thing was really the score should have been 21-7 pretty early. First three drives, we get three touchdown opportunities, and that’s what we look for. We go to the truth of what we did and where we can get better.”JJ Jones returned a punt 72 yards for a touchdown late in the first half, and Mike Williams caught a 25-yard touchdown pass from Geno Smith in the second half of the Chargers’ preseason home opener in their second season at compact StubHub Center. Coach Anthony Lynn was infuriated by 14 penalties, but otherwise pleased.“Classic example of bend-but-don’t-break defense,” Lynn said. “They didn’t let them in the end zone, and that’s the most important thing.”Smith then made a strong argument for the Chargers’ backup job, going 6 of 8 for 85 yards. His TD pass came on an eye-opening catch by Williams, who jumped over Seattle cornerback Akeem King and hauled in the first score of his NFL career for a 21-6 lead.Seahawks rookie Alex McGough led a solid drive in the final minutes, hitting Malik Turner with a 12-yard touchdown pass.Robert Aguayo hit a 39-yard field goal with 40 seconds left, boosting his bid to win the Chargers’ kicking job.BIG MIKEWilliams was the seventh overall pick in last year’s draft, but the Clemson product’s career got off to a slow start because of injuries. He is healthy and eager to become a force in the Chargers’ already bulging receiving corps alongside Pro Bowler Keenan Allen, Travis Benjamin and Tyrell Williams.“It’s good to see Mike take the drill to the field,” Lynn said. “He’s playing with a lot of confidence right now.”KICKING INJones made another argument for a spot on the regular-season roster with a spectacular burst through the heart of the Seahawks’ punt coverage team on the way to a score. The undrafted free agent from West Georgia has turned heads throughout camp.“That was a backbreaker http://www.tampabaybuccaneersteamonline.com/matt-gay-jersey , and the difference in the game,” Carroll said.INJURIESSeahawks: RG D.J. Fluker dislocated his finger, but Carroll doesn’t think it’s serious: “He’s an offensive lineman. I think he can handle that.”Chargers: S Jaylen Watkins started, but was helped off the field late in the first half with a right knee injury. Ingram fell on his teammate on the play, and Watkins couldn’t put weight on his leg. He will have an MRI exam Sunday, Lynn said.ANTHEM UPDATEChargers left tackle Russell Okung raised his right fist during the national anthem. Three Seahawks stayed off the field during the anthem for the second consecutive week: offensive tackle Duane Brown, defensive end Branden Jackson and defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson.UP NEXTSeahawks: At the Minnesota Vikings on Aug. 24.Chargers: Host the New Orleans Saints on Aug. 25. CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — After focusing on upgrading the team’s overall speed the past few NFL drafts, don’t be surprised if the Carolina Panthers look to add bulk up front this year.The Panthers have needs at left tackle and defensive end following the retirement of Julius Peppers and the release of Matt Kalil. Carolina struggled to protect quarterback Cam Newton last season while the pass rush fell off — two major reasons Carolina finished 7-9.Panthers general manager Marty Hurney predictably didn’t offer many clues to the team’s upcoming draft plans, but said he likes what he sees from both positions in this year’s class.“It’s a strong group up top and it’s a deep group,” Hurney said of the defensive linemen available.Hurney also predicted there will be a handful of offensive linemen who’ll be selected in the first round, and said that the group is strong overall.After Kalil was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury last summer, Carolina brought in journeyman Chris Clark to play left tackle before turning to Marshall Newhouse later in the season. The Panthers re-signed right tackle Daryl Williams this offseason, a move that could potentially mean Taylor Moton will shift to left tackle.But if someone such as Washington State’s Andre Dillard or Florida’s Jawaan Taylor falls to No. 16 http://www.tennesseetitansteamonline.com/a.j.-brown-jersey , the Panthers may head in that direction. Carolina hasn’t drafted an offensive tackle in the first round since Jeff Otah in 2008.On the other side of the ball, the Panthers signed veteran pass rusher Bruce Irvin to a one-year deal, but he’s not viewed as the long-term answer opposite Mario Addison. Clemson’s Clelin Ferrell, Michigan’s Rashan Gary and Florida State’s Brian Burns are potential options with the 16th pick that could help fill the void left by Peppers’ departure.“It’s a good class of edge rushers,” coach Ron Rivera said. “We feel really good about the guys we have seen.”Some things to watch for the Panthers in the NFL draft:NEWTON’S SUCCESSORHurney sounded optimistic about Newton’s recovery, saying the 2015 league MVP is gaining more range of motion in his surgically repaired right shoulder. However, Newton hasn’t thrown a football yet.Newton has two years left on his contract, and it’s possible the team could start looking for a long-term replacement.“Our philosophy is you have to develop young quarterbacks,” Hurney said.One potential option outside of the first round is West Virginia’s Will Grier, who grew up in Huntersville, North Carolina, — about 20 miles north of where the Panthers play their home games. The Panthers have met extensively with Grier this offseason.SAFETY DANCEThe Panthers re-signed Eric Reid to a big contract earlier this offseason, but the other safety spot remains up in the air after the team parted ways with veteran Mike Adams earlier this offseason.Rashaan Gaulden, a third-round pick in 2018 http://www.tennesseetitansteamonline.com/amani-hooker-jersey , and Da’Norris Searcy are potential replacements, but if the Panthers can find a safety with a knack for causing turnovers in the second or third rounds there is a real chance they could fill that need.REPLACING OLSENGreg Olsen has been a magnificent player for the Panthers, but the three-time 1,000-yard receiver has struggled to stay on the field the past two seasons because of foot injuries. All signs are Olsen will be back for another season, but at some point the team will need to look to replace the 34-year-old tight end.Carolina drafted Ian Thomas last year with the 101st overall pick and the jury is still out on whether he can develop into Olsen’s heir apparent. But don’t rule out the team grabbing another tight end at some point during the draft.McCAFFREY’S BACKUPNo running back in the NFL was on the field more last season than Christian McCaffrey. And while Rivera still believes McCaffrey has a chance to reach 1,000 yards rushing and 1,000 yards receiving in a season, he’d like to lessen his role just a little bit.The Panthers have Cameron Artis-Payne coming off the bench, but a back with a similar skillset to McCaffrey — fast, shifty and multi-talented — would be ideal.TEPPER’S TIMEThis will be new owner David Tepper’s first NFL draft since purchasing the Panthers for $2.2 billion last summer, and he’s been heavily involved in the team’s draft process.“He’s very excited and Ron and I communicate with him every day,” Hurney said. “He’s looking forward to being in the draft room. He’s dropped in on our meetings with scouts and has a good feel” for the draft.
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