Termine » o snap out of a mini-skid Saturday. Over his p

SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- The Panthers released veteran offensive lineman Geoff Hangartner on Thursday, paving the way for Garry Williams to take over as the starting right guard. Panthers coach Ron Rivera said after Thursdays practice the move was made so the team to could focus on developing its young guards -- particularly Williams and rookie Edmund Kugbila. The move was a bit surprising considering Hangartner had been running with the first team at camp, and Kugbila, the player Carolina drafted to eventually replace him, has missed the majority of training camp with a pulled hamstring after sitting out OTAs with a knee injury. But Rivera said the team really likes Williams, who started nine games last year at right guard after a season-ending injury to Pro Bowl centre Ryan Kalil prompted the team to shift Hangartner to centre. Williams ran with the first team on Thursday, while Kugbila remained out of action. "We have Kugbila who is in the wings and Garry Williams who has done a really nice job and has had a nice spring in OTAs," Rivera said. "Were excited about what Garry can bring to the table." Rivera said the Panthers had planned on Williams being their starting guard in 2011 before he broke his ankle in the preseason and was sidelined for the season. "He seems to be back in shape playing the way he did when we thought he could be a starting guard," Rivera said of Williams, who has started 20 games in four seasons. Rivera said the team has no plans to bring in a veteran free agent guard from outside the organization to compete for a starting job. "We have a young group of guards that is pretty exciting," Rivera said. Hangartner started 83 games during his eight-year career with the Panthers and Buffalo Bills. Backup quarterback Derek Anderson called Hangartner one of the most popular players in the locker room, saying, "Its tough, but somebody is going to have to step up." Hangartner was due to make $1.575 million this year. Left tackle Jordan Gross, who has played six seasons with Hangartner, said he was surprised and saddened by the move. "He got a text to go see coach Rivera first thing in the morning, and thats never good news," Gross said. "Honestly, I was wondering if he was going to get traded to Denver, because everyone knows they have a (injury) situation there. But yes, it surprised me." Teammates often referred to Hangartner by his nickname, "Piggy." Gross said the move is a solemn reminder that the NFL is a business. "You hope that management knows what theyre doing and that it is for the better and it will make us a better team," Gross said. "Thats really what we have to focus on." NOTES: Gross, the teams 33-year old, two-time Pro Bowl tackle, said Thursday he doesnt want to play for any other team except the Panthers, but said he isnt thinking about retirement. His contract was restructured this off-season in a manner that the Panthers will almost certainly have to release him after this season. But Gross reiterated he wouldnt rule out coming back to play next season for Carolina under a different contract "if they want me back." Wholesale Jerseys 2018 .35 million, one-year contract that avoided salary arbitration. Plouffe batted .254 with 14 home runs and 52 RBIs in 477 at-bats last season, his second as a regular in the lineup. Cheap NFL Jerseys 2018 . -- Catcher Brett Hayes has agreed to a $630,000, one-year contract with the Kansas City Royals, avoiding salary arbitration. http://www.wholesalejerseys2018.us.com/ . There are some early surprises in the race for the Hart Trophy, but two of the contenders are the leagues biggest stars over the past decade. There are many more players in contention for the awards than just the three that Ive named, and a good or bad week can easily alter the landscape, but through the first 20 or so games of the NHL season, this is how the awards races look to me. NFL Jerseys From China . -- Kyrie Irvings last-minute 3-pointer helped seal another victory for Cleveland -- and the Cavaliers longest winning streak since LeBron James left. China Jerseys 2018 . The Islanders dealt Thomas Vanek to the Montreal Canadiens after less than a year on Long Island. Meanwhile, the Oilers dealt long-time sniper Ales hemsky to the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday for a fifth-round pick in 2014 and a third-rounder in 2015. NEW YORK -- The New York Mets feel far better about themselves midway through a four-game series against the Chicago Cubs than they did beforehand.However, the Mets and Cubs both know how quickly things can change before the series ends Sunday.The Mets will look to win their third straight against the Cubs on Saturday night when the teams meet at Citi Field. New York hit five homers Friday in a 10-2 win marred by three rain delays.Its baseball, and theres nights where the good teams get beat, Mets manager Terry Collins said. We had two well-pitched games. Weve held that team down. Theyve got a very, very good team, and weve got to continue to play well.The Mets (42-37) scored just 13 runs in the six games prior to Thursdays series opener, but they outscored the Cubs by a total of 14-5 the past two nights.I realize that its the gloomiest days when you lose here, or if you lose two or three in a row, its very hard to deal with, Collins said. But its a long year, and you can have some up times as well.The Cubs (51-28) have spent most of the year enjoying those up times, but they are just 12-13 since June 5 and 4-8 in their past 12 games.Chicago remains 10 games ahead of the second-place St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Central, but the Cubs are only 1 1/2 games ahead of the San Francisco Giants (51-31) in the race for the NLs best record and are in a virtual tie with the Texas Rangers (52-29) for the best record in baseball.Not surprissingly, perpetually upbeat Cubs manager Joe Maddon chose to look on the bright side Friday.ddddddddddddm very happy with where were at, Maddon said. We talked about getting off to a good start so that we can absorb some tough moments. The tough moment for us right now is playing .500. Not bad.Its also easier for a manager to remain optimistic when he has the reigning Cy Young Award winner and an ace left-hander ready to start the next two games. Jake Arrieta, who is 12-2 record and 2.10 ERA, is scheduled to start Saturdays game against Mets right-hander Bartolo Colon (6-4, 2.86 ERA).Veteran Jon Lester (9-3, 2.03) is scheduled to pitch the series finale Sunday afternoon against Mets right-hander Noah Syndergaard (8-3, 2.49).Its the power of 24 hours, Maddon said. Weve got two good pitchers coming up and a chance to split the series.Arrieta will be looking to snap out of a mini-skid Saturday. Over his past two starts, Arrieta allowed seven runs (six earned) and issued nine walks in 10 innings.In five career starts against the Mets, Arrieta is 2-1 with a 1.82 ERA.Colon, the oldest player in baseball at 43, is 3-1 with a 1.80 ERA in his past seven starts. He is 0-2 with a 3.89 ERA in six career starts against the Cubs, who are one of just two teams -- along with the Arizona Diamondbacks -- that Colon has never beaten. Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys cheap jerseys Cheap Jersyes Cheap Basketball Jerseys Cheap NHL Jerseys cheap jerseys Cheap Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Cheap Jerseys From China Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' '