Clan-Members » 4, also in the Byron Bay region, leaving

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Carolina Panthers were finally getting some stops and pressure on the quarterback, the kind of defensive play the reigning NFC champions will need if they have any chance to reach the playoffs after a 1-5 start.The question now is whether the Panthers will be without some of their top defensive players -- including star linebacker Luke Kuechly -- as they try to keep that momentum going.Kuechly, a three-time Pro Bowler and former NFL defensive player of the year, was carted off late in the fourth quarter of Thursdays 23-20 win against New Orleans to be evaluated for a possible concussion. The defense also lost sack leader Mario Addison with a right foot injury and nickel cornerback Leonard Johnson with a chest injury.The Panthers were also without backup linebacker A.J. Klein and reserve safety Colin Jones with concussions.We hate those guys go down like that, defensive end Kony Ealy said, but weve just got to go out there and keep grinding like they were still on the field, you know?The injuries offered some jarring moments for a team that spent three-plus quarters keeping Drew Brees and the Saints in check roughly a month after surrendering 523 yards to them on the road. The Saints had 203 total yards and trailed 23-3 entering the final quarter before making a late push to get back in the game.I said it leading up to this week: no balls over our head, safety Kurt Coleman said. We didnt give up the big play. This offense is very dynamic. Drew is very smart. What they do well is really beat you with a lot of trickery and hit you over the top and they make a lot of big plays.We really went into it saying, `Hey, if you throw the checkdown, weve got to make the tackles.The Panthers had strung together three solid defensive performances since the 41-38 loss to New Orleans on Oct. 16. They gave up 340 yards and had two takeaways in a 30-20 win against Arizona in a rematch of last years NFC championship game, gave up 339 yards in a 13-10 win at Los Angeles then held Kansas City to 256 yards in a 20-17 loss last week.During that stretch, they surrendered just four offensive touchdowns. And on Thursday, they didnt surrender one until nearly 50 minutes into the game, finished with three sacks and held the Saints to 107 yards rushing.Thats how we like it, defensive end Charles Johnson said. Thats how the D-line takes their pride. We dont want (defensive coordinator Sean) McDermott to have to call blitzes. ... The D-line is supposed to take care of the quarterback and take care of the run.But the injuries, Kuechlys in particular, hung over that performance and leaves uncertainty entering next weeks trip to Oakland.He was hurt as he tried to tackle Tim Hightower and Hightowers helmet struck him first in the facemask and then possibly the chest. Kuechly laid on the ground for a while, then sat up and appeared to be crying as the cart picked him up to go to the locker room with 4:41 left.He missed three games with a concussion last season. Coach Ron Rivera said he wouldnt speculate on Kuechlys status.Im praying that everything was just precautionary and everything that comes back is all right, Coleman said. Bottom line is I want him to be healthy.---Follow Aaron Beard on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/aaronbeardap---More AP NFL at http://pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Cheap Puma Trainers .ca! 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Australian and NSW State of Origin back-rower Greg Birds NRL career is seemingly over, after he was released from the final year of his Gold Coast contract to join Catalans Dragons in the English Super League.The Titans met the 32-year-olds request for a release on Wednesday night, before the 235-game NRL veteran joined the French-based club on a five-year deal.Bird played for the Dragons in 2009, after they resurrected his career following his sacking from Cronulla at the end of the 2008 season.I had always intended to return to the Dragons and promised (Catalans chairman) Bernard (Guasch) I would come back and win a premiership, Bird said.They reached out to me and offered me a long-term deal this week which I was only too happy to agreed to.Birds exit from the Titans comes after he was believed to have found himself under the eye of NSW Police and the NRLs intergrity unit last month, following an alleged incident at a Brunswick Heads pub where he was denied entry.He later took to social media to deny anyy wrongdoing in the matter, where he claimed he ran in to break up a scuffle between a friend and security.dddddddddddd.A co-captain with Nate Myles in 2013 and 2014, he was stripped of the position after he was caught urinating near an unmarked police car in late-2014, also in the Byron Bay region, leaving him on his last chance at the Titans.He played 129 games for the club on his return from France and helped the Titans to the finals in his first and last seasons there in 2010 and 2016.No one can doubt the commitment Greg has played with throughout his career whether it be for his club, his state or his country, Titans chief executive Graham Annesley said.He is a fierce competitor and always gives 100 per cent which is why his teammates at all levels love playing alongside him.Bird played 18 Origin games and 17 Tests, but was dropped from both Origin and Test sides this year. 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