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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- The Carolina Panthers finally gave a
glimpse of their revamped defense. But the dream team of Reggie
White, Eric Swann and Chuck Smith didn't stick around long enough
to stop the Baltimore Ravens.
With the Panthers' second- and third-string players in, the
Ravens were able to move the ball just enough Friday night to pull
out a 24-13 victory, their 11th straight exhibition win.
"We were able to do things when they weren't in and that would
make sense, obviously," Baltimore coach Brian Billick said. "They
are going to be a force if they can stay healthy and keep that
dynamic."
Carolina unveiled its new defensive line on Baltimore's second
offensive series.
The results were just what the Panthers had in mind when they
assembled White, Swann and Smith -- all offseason acquisitions -- to
join incumbent Sean Gilbert on the line.
Swann, plagued by arthritic knees, stopped Priest Holmes after a
4-yard gain on the first play of the series. Smith, lured away from
division rival Atlanta, stuffed Holmes for no gain on the second
play.
On third down, with Smith and White waiving to the crowd for
noise, White manhandled fourth-year guard Spencer Folau out of the
way _ clearing a lane that Swann burst through to sack Tony Banks
for a 10-yard loss.
Swann celebrated with his trademark windmill arm sweep.
Folau left with back spasms, while the Panthers' Michael Bates sprained his right knee and did not return.
"I thought I was lucky we got out alive three-and-out,"
Billick said. "Reggie did the patented upfield drop the shoulder,
bring the club and lift you off your feet. I was glad Spencer went
through that because he needs to experience that."
Folau said it didn't look like White had lost a beat during his
one-year retirement.
"He was pretty impressive," Folau said. "I guess though when
you are the best to ever play the position, coming back from a year
off is like riding a bike -- you never forget how to do it."
But the highlight for the Panthers was Swann, who showed after
seven knee operations that he can still play.
"Really I'm just glad for Eric because this guy can still do it
and he proved it," Smith said.
That's all Swann had on his mind after the game, too.
"It was just great being back out there and hushing up some of
the critics who said I was done," he said. "I was fortunate to be
in there with an awesome front four and if we can keep the rotation
going, we showed we can be a great system."
But Carolina used the foursome sparingly -- they were in together
for only 15 plays -- and Baltimore had no trouble moving the ball in
their absence.
Turnovers, though, prevented the Ravens from capitalizing.
Banks picked apart the Panthers on the next series, completing
three long passes to Qadry Ismail and a 15-yarder to Holmes. But
Holmes fumbled on the next play and Carolina's Doug Evans recovered
the ball on the 30 to end the threat.
Two series' later, Banks completed a 32-yard pass to Shannon
Sharpe to set up Obafemi Ayanbadejo's 2-yard touchdown run that
tied it at 7 with 10:42 to play in the second quarter.
Banks left the game after that, finishing 7-of-12 for 116 yards
and an interception.
Trent Dilfer, his replacement, was terrible.
Dilfer played the final three series' of the first half and
failed to get a single first down. He overthrew his receivers badly
on his first six passes and was sacked once for an 8-yard loss.
On his first series of the second half, he was intercepted by
Lester Towns.
He recovered, though, with a 28-yard run up the middle, followed
by a 17-yard touchdown pass to Billy Davis that gave Baltimore a
14-10 lead.
Dilfer finished 2-of-10 with a touchdown.
"Trent is in a tough position because of the snaps that he
takes and the group that he's with when he has to perform,"
Billick said. "That's his plight right now and he understands that
and he's filling his role real well."
The Ravens also got a 4-yard touchdown run from Jason Brookins
in the third quarter, and Matt Stover kicked a 44-yard field goal
in the fourth.
Carolina's offense was decent early, when quarterback Steve
Beuerlein made his first appearance of the preseason.
He didn't miss a beat on Carolina's first drive, using a mix of
short, quick passes and quarterback keepers. He completed all five
of his passes and capped a 10-play drive by zipping a 7-yard
touchdown pass between two defenders to Muhsin Muhammad for a 7-0
lead.
But he left after the first quarter and Carolina's backup
quarterbacks were just as bad as Dilfer.
Jeff Lewis missed his first seven passes. His eighth was
miraculously caught when tight end Kris Mangum pulled the high
floater in with one hand.
He had one decent series, a 17-play series that set up Richie
Cunningham's 30-yard field goal. Lewis finished 7-of-17 for 58
yards.
Third-stringer Dameyune Craig finished 4-of-10 for 30 yards and
an interception.
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