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CHARLOTTE, N. Willy Caballero Manchester City Jersey .C. -- Panthers offensive tackle Jordan Gross is saying goodbye to the NFL after 11 seasons. The Panthers confirmed the three-time Pro Bowl left tackle will announce his retirement at a news conference on Wednesday at the stadium. "Jordan has been a great Panther and he will be missed," Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman said Tuesday in a text message. Cam Newton agreed. The Pro Bowl quarterback said in a text message, "It was truly a pleasure to play with Jordan. He always had my back. He will be missed." Just wholl replace Gross at left tackle is uncertain. Gross, 33, was a first-round pick by Carolina in 2003 and started a franchise-record 167 games. He went to his third Pro Bowl this past season as an alternate. Gross contract had expired with the Panthers earlier this month, but there was still some question as to whether he might agree to return for one more season. He went on vacation with his family last week to Idaho to contemplate whether or not to retire. Gross told the teams website, Panthers.com, that it was the right time to step away. "Ive played a lot of football here, and Ive seen a lot of guys come and a lot of guys go," Gross told the website. "Sometimes it ends well for guys, and sometimes it is not the ending they were looking for." Gross said he didnt want to leave until the team was in good position for sustained success. He believes the team is there now. "There is good, young leadership, there are talented players, and there are guys that really want to work hard and want to win," Gross said. Former quarterback Jake Delhomme, who played with Gross from 2003-2009, called him the "ultimate professional." "He was a hell of a player, and a great gentleman," Delhomme said. "The thing is I dont believe he got the respect he deserved around the league." Delhomme said the 6-foot-4, 305-pound Gross was extremely athletic, humble and driven. "We he was a rookie in 2003, his initial thoughts heading into minicamp were Oh gosh, please dont (stink)," Delhomme said with a laugh. "That was the mentality he always took. It wasnt a fear, but it was a mentality of, hey, Ive got to be good every day. Thats how Jordan prepared every day." Panthers tight end Greg Olsen said he spoke to Gross recently and half-jokingly tried to convince him to return. But he said Gross already had his mind made up. "Hes such a great player and Im really happy for him," Olsen said. "When I talked to him, I know he feels good not only about his body of work and his career, but also the impact he had on this organization. He was always a stand-up guy. He has the respect of all of his teammates. Hes the type of guy you want if youre an NFL franchise." Gross joined the Panthers in 2003 and stepped right in as a starter, helping Carolina reach the Super Bowl as a rookie. However, Gross spent the next 10 years trying to get back, but the Panthers could never make it past the NFC championship game. Gross decision creates a void for the Panthers at left tackle. Bruce Campbell, Garry Williams and starting right tackle Byron Bell are potential replacements, but the team could look for help in free agency or the draft. The Panthers have the 28th pick in the draft. Olsen said it will be difficult to replace Gross after the Panthers went 12-4 this past season, but said young players will have to step up. "Jordan has been top notch for his whole career," Olsen said. "Hes tough to lose. But every year it happens around the league -- you lose players to retirement or injury. You have to move on and fill that role." Wide receiver Steve Smith is the only remaining player from Carolinas Super Bowl team in 2003 that lost 32-29 to the New England Patriots on a last-second field goal by Adam Vinatieri. Gross current and former teammates immediately took to Twitter to comment on the news. Said Smith: "Since 1999 until 2day (at)J2theGross and I have been in same huddle. Today its has stopped I salute JG, great player better man!!! Love ya." Said Panthers defensive end Charles Johnson: "One of the best to ever play in a panther jersey. I wish he would stay but you gotta do what u gotta." Offensive lineman Geoff Schwartz, a former teammate of Gross with the Panthers, wrote that Gross "was an outstanding mentor and Im so thankful he decided to help me when I was a young naive rookie." Willy Caballero . Its been a successful Games for Canada, which will finish near the top of the medal standings again. From repeat gold medal winners to multiple medal winners to undefeated teams to acts that define the Olympic spirit, there are many solid candidates who could be considered to receive the honour. Sergio Aguero Shirt . Later, his catcher delivered the deciding stroke. Price struck out 10 in his Detroit debut and was long gone when Alex Avila homered in the 12th inning to lift the Tigers over the New York Yankees 4-3 Tuesday night.TORONTO -- Watching his Los Angeles Dodgers waste opportunity after opportunity, manager Don Mattingly was feeling nervous. He neednt have worried. These days, the Dodgers can do no wrong, even if its late. Mark Ellis hit a two-run homer to highlight a five-run 10th inning as the Dodgers beat the Toronto Blue Jays 8-3 on Wednesday night to complete a three-game sweep. "Were rolling right now. Were going to see how long this roll lasts," said Los Angeles reliever Brandon League, who beat his former team for the second straight game. Yasiel Puig also went deep in the 10th for the Dodgers, who have won six straight and 23 of 28 to go from last in the NL West on June 21 to first place. Los Angeles won its 10th straight road game, the franchises longest streak since the Brooklyn Dodgers won their first 11 away from home in 1955. League (5-3) pitched two innings and Kenley Jansen finished for the Dodgers, who left 13 runners on base and went 2 for 17 with runners in scoring position. "It was one of those games where youre going Man, were letting too many opportunities get away from us," Mattingly said. "That game scared me from the second on, just the way it went. Its nice to come back and get that." The Dodgers loaded the bases in the second but scored just one. They stranded runners at first and second in the fourth and left the bases loaded in the fifth, coming up empty both times. "Early in the year we didnt come back in any games, I dont think," Mark Ellis said. "Lately weve been able to do that. Thats the sign of a good team." Juan Perez (1-2) gave up all five runs and four hits in the 10th inning for Toronto, snapping his streak of 22 innings without an earned run since being called up from Triple-A Buffalo in late May. The Blue Jays were swept for the second straight series, and have lost a season-high seven consecutive games and 14 of 18. Toronto led 8-3 after six innings Tuesday before the Dodgers rallied to win 10-9, but manager John Gibbons said this one was even more cruel. "I thought we were rock bottom last night," Gibbons said. "I guess not." This time, the Blue Jays were up 3-2 heading into the ninth before the Dodgers rallied against closer Casey Janssen. Puig drew a leadoff walk before Janssen struck out Adrian Gonzalez and Hanley Ramirez, then got two strikes on Andre Ethier. When Ethier hit a sinking liner to centre, Colby Rasmus charged the ball but couldnt catch it, then had it bounce off his glove, allowing Puig to score. "I saw with Hanley and Gonzo that (Janssen) kind of forced them to chase some bad pitches out of the zone," Ethier said. "I wwas just trying to get something over the plate to drive. Richard Wright Jersey. " The blown save was Janssens second in 20 opportunities. "I shouldnt have walked Puig in the first place," Janssen said. "Leadoff walks always hurt and tonight it got me." In the 10th, Juan Uribe drew a one-out walk and Ellis homered into the second deck in left, his fifth. One out later, Puig hit his ninth homer and first since July 2. Gonzalez walked, Ramirez doubled and Ethier followed with a two-run double. "It felt good to win this game after having so many opportunities early," Ellis said. Torontos bullpen allowed two home runs for the second straight game. Toronto relievers allowed 18 earned runs in the three games against Los Angeles. "Its frustrating, its demoralizing but weve got to come back tomorrow," Gibbons said. Ethier went 4 for 5 with two RBIs and Puig was 3 for 5 with a walk and two RBIs. "He looked more like himself tonight," Mattingly said of Puig. The Blue Jays broke a 2-2 tie in the eighth against Ronald Belisario when pinch runner Rajai Davis scored from second on a throwing error by Gonzalez. Los Angeles opened the scoring on Uribes bases-loaded sacrifice fly in the second, and Puig made it 2-0 with an RBI double in the third. Dodgers starter Ricky Nolasco held the Blue Jays without a hit until the bottom of the fifth, when Rasmus and Maicer Izturis drew consecutive walks and Brett Lawrie drove them in with a two-out double off the wall. Making his fourth start since being acquired from Miami on July 7, Nolasco allowed two runs and two hits in 5 2-3 innings. He matched a season-high with four walks and struck out five. Toronto starter Esmil Rogers allowed two runs and 10 hits in seven innings, matching his longest outing of the season. The right-hander, who walked one and struck out four, has not won since June 18 against Colorado, a span of six starts. "His back against the wall all night long," Gibbons said. Before the game, the Dodgers placed outfielder Matt Kemp on the 15-day disabled list and activated left-hander Ted Lilly. Kemps move is backdated to July 22, meaning hes eligible to return Aug. 6, but manager Don Mattingly said Kemp might need more time. NOTES: The game was briefly halted in the fourth after home plate umpire Will Little was hit on the left arm by a pitch from Nolasco. Little remained in the game, but left the field for treatment between the top and bottom of the sixth. ... Blue Jays RHP Brandon Morrow will have more tests on his sore right forearm. Toronto GM Alex Anthopoulos said its hard to be optimistic that Morrow will be able to return this season. ' ' ' |
