Brandon LaFell News

Tom Sorensen has been a columnist at The Observer for 20 years and has been at the paper for 25, writing about nearly every sport in the Carolinas.

So, this is more of a "nail in the coffin" type of post because I'm really getting about as sick of discussing David Gettis and Brandon LaFell as I am arguing with Tater that Armanti isn't going to be our backup 3rd string QB and likely might not be with the team this year.

Each morning, I like to start the day off with a workout - usually a morning jog.

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith smiles as he talks with wide receiver Brandon LaFell following LaFell's touchdown pass reception vs the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during second quarter action on Saturday, December 24, 2011 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.

Ron Rivera views Steve Smith and Brandon LaFell as his starting receivers. The Panthers' coach is anxious to see who steps up to claim the No.

Ron Rivera will be all smiles if Carolina can win 11 games in 2012. But how can that happen? Streeter Lecka/Getty Images The Carolina Panthers finished 6-10 last year, but it was one of the most surprisingly optimistic 6-10 seasons in recent memory.

The wide receiver position is one of the biggest and most competitive position battles that the Panthers coaching staff will get to see throughout the rest of the offseason.

One of the best things about the Carolina Panthers since Ron Rivera became head coach is the forthright nature by which he addresses the media, and fans.

I think that the defense will make major improvements, going from terrible to average.

The Observer's Joseph Person had a very interesting, one-on-one interview with Panther coach Ron Rivera that we published in Sunday's and Monday's newspapers.

Baltimore Ravens , Brandon LaFell , Braylon Edwards , Cam Newton , Carolina Panthers , David Gettis , Deangelo Williams , Greg Olsen , Houston Texans , Jacoby Jones , Joe Adams , Jonathan Stewart , Keyshawn Johnson , Mike Sims-Walker , Mike Tolbert , NFL , Patrick Crayton , Plaxico Burress , Steve Smith A little bit of a stir was caused this week ... (more)

The Carolina Panthers exited the draft with only Joe Adams from Arkansas at the wide receiver position, leaving the onus on a familiar cast of characters for the 2012 season.

FYI...By Friday morning, the Panthers will have welcomed over 45 new faces to Panther nation, but fans should be prepared to say goodbye to over half of them by the end of the weekend.

The Carolina Panthers , who at 6-10 in 2011 improved their record by four wins over the previous season, are an NFL team on the rise and they will improve their record by the same margin in 2012.

Despite an aggressive early pursuit free agent WR Jacoby Jones rebuffed the Carolina Panthers ' ovetures, instead electing to sign with the Baltimore Ravens on a 2-year, $7 million deal.

Panthers' defensive end Charles Johnson underwent arthroscopic surgery Friday to relieve swelling in his right knee, general manager Marty Hurney said.

Released by the Texans on Tuesday, Jones spent Thursday checking out a potential landing spot .