news-record.com

Ron Rivera said Wednesday that rookie quarterback Cam Newton can take a hit, but the Panthers' first-year coach would like him to take fewer of them.

The 6-foot-5, 248-pound Newton led Auburn in rushing with 1,473 yards and had a school-record 20 rushing touchdowns during the Tigers' national championship season. Rivera does not want to take that part of Newton's game away completely. He just wants to protect his franchise quarterback.

"We'd obviously much rather he pitch the ball than turn it up inside and take shots. But he's a big body. He absorbs the hits very well," Rivera said. "But we don't want to expose him that often."

Newton is averaging eight carries a game, although many have been scrambles.

"We'd probably like to whittle that down as the season goes," Rivera said, "rely on our backs who have really come a long way in the development of our running game."

NEWTON HAS GROSS' VOTE: Left tackle Jordan Gross, the Panthers' longest-tenured player other than wideout Steve Smith, said Newton is a natural leader who is well liked in the locker room. Before the draft a Pro Football Weekly analyst described Newton as a selfish player who would struggle to win the locker room.

Gross said that is not the case.

"Everybody likes him. I'd be surprised if he's not a captain next year on out," Gross said. "He's a leader of the team already."

FIRST LOOK AT HOGAN: Rookie cornerback Brandon Hogan, who has been on the physically unable to perform list with a knee injury, will begin practicing next week. The Panthers then will have three weeks to decide whether to activate Hogan, a former West Virginia standout.

The Panthers believe Hogan, a fourth-round pick, can contribute as a defensive back and punt returner when healthy. But he was slow to recover from ACL surgery in December and did not participate in training camp.

SMITH HIT: safety Roman Harper sat in front of his locker wearing a big grin when asked for his reaction to a $15,000 fine the NFL levied on him for his late hit on Carolina receiver Steve Smith.

Harper shoved Smith to the ground as the receiver slowly crossed the goal line during the first half of the Saints' 30-27 victory over the Panthers.

"I think the NFL got the point. I got the point. Everybody that was involved got the point," Harper continued.

BROWNS: The team will pay Marcus Benard $370,000 for the remainder of this season as he recovers from a motorcycle accident, a gesture they didn't have to make because he sustained a nonfootball-related injury.

STEELERS: running back Rashard Mendenhall will start on Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars after missing a game due to a hamstring injury.