For the first time in over a decade, the Carolina Panthers are set to open a season without wide receiver Steve Smith on the roster. Smith was cut in March as the Panthers overhauled their 29th-ranked passing offence in the offseason. After cutting Smith, the Panthers allowed receivers Brandon LaFell and Ted Ginn to leave in free agency, losing a trio that equated for 149 of quarterback Cam Newtons 292 completions in 2013 and all but seven of the catches made by wide receivers. The Panthers used their first-round draft pick on wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin from Florida State University, and signed veteran receivers Jerricho Cotchery and Jason Avant to rebuild their receiving core. The Panthers also added Ed Dickson, who joins a tight end room that includes Greg Olsen. Olsen led the Panthers in receptions, yards and touchdowns last season. The Panthers are hoping the new additions to the offence will help the team build off of their 12-4 record, which was secured by the strong play of Newton and the teams stingy defence. The Panthers defence averaged 15.1 points against per game and 301.2 yards against per game last season. Both marks ranked only behind the defence of the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks for best in the league. The Panthers are also looking to further their success on the ground this season and improve on their 11th-ranked rushing attack from 2013. The Panthers should be able to do that if running back Jonathan Stewart can stay healthy after missing 10 games last season. Without Stewart, DeAngelo Williams, Newton and Mike Tolbert formed the teams rushing attack, which averaged 4.2 yards per attempt. Stewart missed most of training camp with a hamstring injury, but is expected to be fully recovered for the regular season. After allowing Newton to rush 111 times last season for 585 yards, the Panthers will likely be more cautious with their franchise quarterback this year. Newton underwent ankle surgery in March and was limited throughout the Panthers first three weeks of training camp as the coaching staff attempted to avoid any setbacks. In his first preseason action, Week 2 against the Kansas City Chiefs, Newton made no rushing attempts and was sacked twice in 12 called passing plays. The next week, Newton rushed three times for 12 yards against the New England Patriots, he was also sacked three times. Newton fractured a rib in that preseason Week 3 loss to the Patriots, further questioning his durability entering the season. Newton is expected to play Week 1, but with questions at wide receiver and a lack of depth at quarterback, his health could determine the success of the Panthers in 2014. Notes: Brand New Line: Retirement and free agency claimed three starters from Panthers 2013 offensive line, leaving the team to find new protection for their star quarterback. Matt Kalil will remain at centre this season, but 2013 right tackle Byron Bell has been tasked with moving to the blind side. Amini Silatolu is slated to squeeze between the two holdovers at left guard, while 2014 third-round pick Trai Turner is likely to start at right guard. Who will start at right tackle for the Panthers remains to be determined. Nate Chandler is listed as the starter on the teams depth chart but missed the Panthers third preseason game with an injury. Gary Williams would get the nod if Chandler is unable to play Week 1. Not settling for second-best: After being the leagues second-best defence last year, the Panthers are setting out to be No. 1 this year. In the offseason the Panthers made moves that could potentially have them reach the top-rank. On the defensive line, the Panthers added pass rusher Kony Ealy in the second round of the draft and retained defensive end Greg Hardy, who had 11 sacks with the team last season. The team also overhauled their starting safeties with the signings of Roman Harper and Thomas DeCoud. Alonzo Mourning Jersey . Its a blessing and a burden for nine sons of former NHL players who are all expected to be taken in the first four rounds of the draft this weekend. Kelly Olynyk Jersey . The Toronto Argonauts (11-7) look for an opportunity to repeat as CFL champions when they host the surging Hamilton Tiger-Cats (10-8) on Sunday. http://www.authenticbasketballshopheat.c...on-heat-jersey/. Patrik Bartosak turned away 50-of-52 shots for the Rebels (28-26-4), who halted their losing streak at seven games. Trailing 2-1 after 40 minutes of play, Feser forced overtime with his second goal of the game at 5:35 of the third period. Tim Hardaway Jersey . Yet heading to New York, the Habs remain positive as it all comes down to the one main ingredient that the organization has built its team on - character. Dion Waiters Jersey . Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB Doug Martin broke the news that hes cleared for full activity moving forward.San Jose, CA (SportsNetwork.com) - Antti Niemi stopped 31 shots as the San Jose Sharks blanked the Chicago Blackhawks 2-0 on Saturday night. Joe Thornton and Melker Karlsson each had a goal and one assist for the Sharks, who have won three straight and improved to 5-1-1 in their last seven games. Antti Raanta made 18 saves for Chicago, which dropped two of three games in California. The Blackhawks were coming off Fridays 4-1 win over Anaheim after beginning the stretch with Wednesdays 4-3 loss to Los Angeles. Karlsson charged the crease to pounce on the rebound of a Matt Irwin shot. Raanta made another save on Karlsson, who sent the puck out front from the left side of the net. Chicago defenseman Duncan Keith tried to swat the puck away from Joe Pavelski and wound up puttinng it into an open net at 5:09 of the first period.dddddddddddd Late in the second period with the Sharks on a power play, Niemi made a sequence of saves on Jonathan Toews. The San Jose goaltender received some help from Brent Burns in preserving the lead. Thornton scored an empty-net goal with 1:10 left in the third period as the Sharks posted their sixth win in the last seven home meetings with the Blackhawks. Game Notes San Jose concludes its season-high, seven-game homestand Monday against Edmonton ... The Blackhawks played the fourth of seven straight road games ... Chicago forward Daniel Carcillo served the final game of his six-game suspension for cross-checking Winnipegs Mathieu Perreault in the arm. Wholesale Jerseys 2019 Wholesale Jerseys From China Stitched Jerseys Wholesale Black NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Camo Cheap NFL Black Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Free Shipping ' ' '