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SPARTANBURG, S.C. (AP) — The Panthers hadn’t even finished their final practice Thursday whenCarolina’s equipment staff started loading tackling dummies, yard markers and exercise bikes into a moving van parked next to the field.

Training camp later concluded with the traditional hazing of rookies being taped to thegoalpost. Veteran linebackers Thomas Davis and Na’il Diggs then each dumped a bucket ofwater on them as coach John Fox looked on.

“I thought it was a good camp,” Fox said. “Guys worked hard.”

It got off to a horrible beginning for Carolina, with starting defensive tackle Maake Kemoeatutearing his Achilles’ tendon less than 30 minutes into the first workout. The team hasstruggled to find a replacement, and depth issues on both lines were exposed in Monday’s exhibition loss to the New York Giants.

But quarterback Jake Delhomme, who sat out Thursday’s practice to rest, believes the Panthers are on the right track.

“I enjoy camp, I really do,” he said. “But you know what, it’s always nice to get backbecause you know it’s getting closer to when the season is going to finally start. Certainly we’ve done a lot of work.”

STILL NO STEWART: Thursday marked the 10th consecutive practice that running backJonathan Stewart has missed because of pain in his left Achilles’ tendon.
The injury kept him out of all offseason workouts. He was practicing once a day and being held out of contact early in camp before being completely sidelined.

HIGH PRAISE: Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden, now an analyst with ESPN, said during Monday’s Panthers-Giants telecast that DeAngelo Williams could be the bestrunning back in the NFL.

Gruden didn’t back down when partner Mike Tirico reminded him of Minnesota’s Adrian Peterson.

“Well, he was coaching the Bucs last year when we had a great game with them on Monday night,” Gross said. “So he might be a little partial.”

BRAYTON’S FAST: While many players no doubt were eager to test their radar detectors on the drive home from camp, they had no chance of going as fast as Tyler Brayton did in the offseason.

The defensive end enrolled in a drag racing school in Gainesville, Fla., where he became a licensed dragster in two of the NHRA’s sportsman categories. Brayton said he once reached 153 mph.

“Whether it be bowling, racing, whatever you’re doing, I love to compete,” said Brayton, who was first exposed to the sport in college at Colorado. “It’s just another outlet for thatcompetitive nature.”

EXTRA POINTS: DT Nick Hayden, who hyperextended his left knee Wednesday night, was back at practice. RB Mike Goodson (bruised leg) was limited. ... LB Thomas Davis (knee), LBLandon Johnson (groin), S Nate Salley (knee) and G C.J. Davis (ankle) sat out. ... G KeydrickVincent bruised his knee in the workout. “Nothing serious,” Fox said. ... The Panthers will hold a walkthrough practice in Charlotte this morning before flying to Miami for Saturday’ssecond preseason game.