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CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- While Leonard Johnson may not be able to save Carolinas struggling secondary on his own, the veteran nickel cornerback has brought some needed energy -- and some playmaking ability -- to a group still looking for an identity after losing All-Pro Josh Norman to free agency this past offseason.Johnson was stellar in his first game with the Panthers last Sunday with eight tackles, a sack and pass breakup in 30-20 win over the Arizona Cardinals.But it was his all-in emotional intensity that teammates said made the biggest impact.He brought electricity, said defensive tackle Kawann Short.Teammates noticed Johnsons upbeat personality when he joined the team for training camp -- even though he was rehabbing on the side with trainers.Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman thought enough of the 5-foot-10 Johnson to sign him as a free agent in July even though he was still working back from a torn Achilles. During rehab, Johnson would wear game pants -- rather than just athletic shorts -- to practice, a reminder to himself of his desire to get back on the field.Hes hungry -- and I like that, Panthers defensive coordinator Sean McDermott said.Johnson stepped into a secondary that had allowed Matt Ryan and Drew Brees to throw for a combined 968 yards and eight touchdowns in two of the three previous games.It didnt take long for Johnson to make an impact Sunday.I noticed it right away, Rivera said. I was like, `OK, hes getting into it. And he was into it. And he was definitely chatty. You could hear him out there. He says some pretty outlandish things in terms of getting after guys and challenging guys. He does bring that energy.Sometimes too much energy.Johnson would have had two sacks on Sunday had he not been flagged for unnecessary roughness when he ripped the quarterback Carson Palmers helmet from his head. That cost the Panthers 15 yards -- and Johnson a $9,175 fine from the league for an illegal hit.He apologized to his teammates at the time, but they simply told him to keep playing hard and bring the energy.He did just that.He brought juice, linebacker Luke Kuechly said. Leonard has love for the game and thats good to have.Added safety Kurt Coleman: Whether he was trying to make a play or trying to hustle to the play, he was full out. Was he perfect? No. But he made a lot of things happen. It was just a great addition to what we strive to be, a team that is running to the ball to make things happen.Rivera said the Panthers have been looking for a slot cornerback similar to Captain Munnerlyn, who left to join the Minnesota Vikings as an unrestricted free agent following the 2013 season.They think they have finally found that replacement in Johnson. Hell get another shot Sunday on the road vs. the Rams.Its only been one game, but hes done some really good things, Rivera said. You can also tell he was rusty. We just feel if we continue to grow and things get better, he can be a big part of what we want to do on defense.Game notesLeft tackle Michael Oher (concussion), center Ryan Kalil (shoulder), linebacker Shaq Thompson (knee), cornerback Daryl Worley (elbow) and defensive tackle Vernon Butler (ankle) did not practice Thursday and their status is uncertain for Sundays game against the Rams is uncertain. Kuechly was held out of practice as a precautionary measure with a groin injury, but Rivera said he should be back to work on Friday.---AP NFL website: http://pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFLUSA Soccer Gear . Ashley Youngs cross was inadvertently headed by Chester into his own net in the 66th minute, allowing United to claim a third straight league win. "We had to dig deep with our fighting spirit and weve done that," United striker Wayne Rooney said. Wholesale USA Soccer Jerseys . 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Cheap USA Soccer Jerseys . -- If Henry Burris has his way, he will be the starting quarterback to lead the Hamilton Tiger-Cats back to the Grey Cup next year.LOS ANGELES -- Blowing fourth-quarter leads have cost the Portland Trail Blazers during their current five-game journey.The Trail Blazers will attempt to end their road woes when they visit the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday night at Staples Center.In Saturdays 118-111 defeat to the Indiana Pacers, the Trail Blazers (12-13) gave up an eight-point advantage in the fourth quarter when their offense abandoned them. Portland, which at one point led the Pacers by 20, managed a season-low 13 points in the final quarter while the Pacers scored 28 as the Trail Blazers stumbled to their third consecutive setback.This wasnt a normal loss, said Portland guard CJ McCollum, who finished with 34 points, according to The Oregonian. Weve had a lot of these games we should win, games were up double digits and they make more plays than us down the stretch, they make more hustle plays. They make aggressive moves toward the basket, they get fouls. They finish the game and we dont.Portland, which is 1/3 on the swing, also was unable to finish in back-to-back losses to the Milwaukee Bucks and Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday and Thursday. Against the Grizzlies, the Trail Blazers surrendered a 13-point edge in the fourth.Another tough loss, Blazers coach Terry Stotts told The Oregonian. Thats three games in a row where our offense kind of let us down when we needed it.Starting power forward Al-Farouq Aminu sat out the Indiana game with a back contusion. His status for Mondays contest is unknown.Clippers forward Blake Griffin (sore right knee) is expected to return to face the Blazers. Griffin was held out mainlyy for precautionary reasons Saturday when the Clippers roasted the New Orleans Pelicans 133-105.dddddddddddd The Pelicans played without Anthony Davis and Jrue Holiday.Los Angeles point guard Chris Paul delivered a performance for the ages, scoring 20 points and recording 20 assists with no turnovers. Paul also snatched five rebounds.That helped the Clippers (17-7) end a two-game losing streak.We have to build on this, said Clippers guard J.J. Redick, who had 16 points against New Orleans. We are trying to be more consistent. We started the season consistently. We were playing a certain way almost every night and we have to get back to that. We havent done that the last two weeks and we are more than capable of doing it.Los Angeles started the season with a 14-2 mark, but dropped five of seven before pounding the Pelicans. Despite a pair of wins already in hand against the Blazers this season, the Clippers expect a stiffer test Monday.The Trail Blazers are a great team, Redick said. They beat us last year in the playoffs. If we move the ball like we did (Saturday), I think we are going to score.The availability of Clippers guard Austin Rivers has yet to be determined. Rivers, who started for Griffin against the Pelicans, took a hard shot to the face in the third quarter from New Orleans forward Terrence Jones. Rivers was treated and returned to the game for 46 seconds in the fourth quarter before team officials became concerned the blow had a delayed impact. ' ' '