Notebook

Full contact, and it feels so good

The Carolina Panthers did their first full-scale hitting of training camp Wednesday morning with eight short-yardage plays.The contact was resoundingly welcomed by players who aren't allowed full hitting in offseason minicamps and early training camp practices.

"You saw the beast come out in a lot of guys today," cornerback Ken Lucas said.

The defense dominated eight plays treated as third-and-1 situations.

In four plays matching the starting offense and defense, the lone first down was disputed -- a run by rookie DeAngelo Williams that appeared to barely get the necessary yardage. The line judge ruled that Williams didn't get the yard, but coach John Fox thought he did.

On the other three plays involving the starters, Williams was stopped immediately by defensive tackle Kris Jenkins, Lucas broke up a pass from Jake Delhomme to Keyshawn Johnson, and running back Eric Shelton broke a tackle attempt by Dan Morgan at the line on a 5-yard run that ended in a fumble.

Starting running back DeShaun Foster didn't participate because he was held out of the morning practice to rest.

In four plays involving the backup offense and defense, the lone first down was a run of about 10 yards by undrafted free agent rookie Alex Haynes.

Safety Mike Minter was so excited about the live plays coming that he didn't even wait for them to begin before popping wide receiver Drew Carter with a big hit.

"You're just so jacked up all day long because you know what's going to happen at the end of practice," Minter said. "Normally, I go and just tag somebody, so I got a little excited."

Minter likes Shelton's tough running

Shelton drew praise from Minter for his effort in the goal-line drills. Even though he fumbled to cost the offense a first down, Shelton ran the ball with more authority than he did in last year's training camp.

"He kept it going; he kept fighting," Minter said. "You definitely see a different attitude with the big guy.

"But it all comes down to when we get in the preseason games. Then we'll get to see exactly what happens."

The Panthers are hoping Shelton, a 2005 second-round pick, can be a short-yardage force this season. He struggled as a rookie in last season's training camp and spent the year on injured reserve.

A chip off the old Metcalf block

Receiver Terrance Metcalf, whose father Terry and brother Eric were NFL stars, is trying to learn the Panthers' offensive system quickly after signing with the team this week."Coming here is a little bit harder because I have to play catch-up with everybody else who has been here a couple of months, but it's coming along," he said.

Metcalf was recently released by Kansas City and was with Tampa Bay last year.

He said he was one year old when his dad retired, but he loves watching film of his father running the ball for the old St. Louis Cardinals. Terry was a three-time Pro Bowler in the 1970s.

"It's like a highlight reel that keeps going, keeps making people miss and scoring with all types of run plays, passing the ball and kick returns," Terrance said. "Even as a son to a father, I felt like a fan."

Asked if he sees some Metcalf-type skills in Panthers All-Pro receiver Steve Smith, the younger Metcalf said: "A little bit. He has a ways to go to get there."

Panthers donate $1 million to hospital

The Panthers announced that they've made a $1 million donation to the Levine Children's Hospital, which is scheduled to open next fall on the Carolinas Medical Center campus in Charlotte.

The 10th floor of the facility, the medical and surgical floor, will have a distinct Panthers theme, including player pictures, team colors and autographed items.

Sights And Sounds

 Former Panthers running back Stephen Davis, a Spartanburg native, showed up after the afternoon practice and went inside the Wofford building leading to the players' locker room. He politely declined comment to the media. His career likely is over because of chronic knee problems.

 Defensive end Julius Peppers had a dramatic interception in the morning practice when he tipped a pass by Chris Weinke and caught it.

 Offensive tackle Todd Fordham is one of several Panthers growing beards. Asked why, Fordham said he's too tired to shave.

NICKNAME GAME: Minter calls outside linebacker Keith Adams "Little Bullet" because the diminutive Adams (5-11, 238) is such a fast, hard-hitting player.

INJURY UPDATE: Receiver Steve Smith (hamstring), kicker John Kasay (leg), tight end Kris Mangum (foot), defensive end Al Wallace (knee), Adam Seward (heel), defensive end Devan Long and receiver Chris Samp (ankle) continued to sit out of practice recovering from minor injuries. Foster practiced in the afternoon.