SPARTANBURG, S.C.
Jon Beason of the Carolina Panthers made the Pro Bowl the past two seasons as a middle linebacker. There's a good chance he'll start this season in a new position.
The Panthers opened training camp yesterday with Beason at weak-side linebacker in a reworked lineup after Thomas Davis' season-ending knee injury last month. While not complaining, it was apparent Beason isn't crazy about the shuffle after making a team-record 169 tackles in 2009.
"The only reason I'd prefer to be in the middle is because it's something I have done, and I've done it at a high level," Beason said. "I do have that comfort zone. But if it can help the team out, I want to do it. If I've got to go play running back, I'll do it."
Davis' second torn anterior-cruciate ligament in his right knee in less than a year left the Panthers without their speediest linebacker, who was perhaps having his own Pro Bowl season before first being injured in November.
"Thomas is faster than me. Thomas can jump higher than me. Thomas is a better cover guy than me. Thomas hits really hard. He can do it all," Beason said. "He's the prototype (weak-side) linebacker you want in this scheme."
For now, the Panthers have moved Dan Connor to Beason's old spot. James Anderson is playing strong-side linebacker after Na'il Diggs was let go in the offseason.
The other option for Carolina is to insert newly acquired Jamar Williams at weak-side linebacker and keep Beason in the middle. Williams was practicing with the second unit yesterday morning when he appeared to tweak his hamstring.
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