NFL

Panthers offense will face big test from Jets

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Carolina Panthers quarterback Matt Moore has collected praise from all directions in the preseason.

Teammates have staunchly defended him and squashed any talk he might lose the starting job to rookie Jimmy Clausen. Coach John Fox thinks he’s more comfortable than a year ago. General manager Marty Hurney describes Moore’s performance in training camp as “excellent.”

Moore, longtime starter Jake Delhomme’s replacement, has seemingly done everything except get the Panthers in the end zone. Sustained drives are a priority for Carolina as it plays host to the Jets on Saturday night in the second preseason game.

“Where are we? I’m sure we can still get better,” said Moore, expected to play the entire first half against the Jets. “We can still improve on some things as a whole. There are still steps we need to take, but I think we’re where we want to be.”

That’s despite the offense’s struggles in a team scrimmage and then again in the opening exhibition game against Baltimore. The Panthers were held without an offensive touchdown in the 17-12 loss to the Ravens, with Moore finishing 4 of 7 for 32 yards. He was sacked once and fumbled, which Carolina recovered.

Fox blamed much of the struggles on poor pass protection and penalties. With right tackle Jeff Otah (knee) still sidelined and Mackenzy Bernadeau and Duke Robinson competing for the open right guard spot, the offensive line seeks a better performance when it faces a tough Jets defense.

The Jets will be without star cornerback Darrelle Revis, who is holding out in a contract dispute. Though receiver Steve Smith (broken arm) practiced in full Friday for the first time, he’s not expected to play.

Moore’s targets will be Dwayne Jarrett, Kenny Moore, Brandon LaFell and Wallace Wright. No receiver has jumped to the front in the competition for the starting job opposite Smith.

“I think it’s still shaking out,” Hurney said. “We feel like we’ve added speed to the position. We’ve added guys there. We’ve got some guys who have been here that have had very good camps in Dwayne Jarrett and Kenny Moore. And then we have some guys. We’ll see how it plays out.”

Running back DeAngelo Williams will play some, while Jonathan Stewart is expected to sit out again as he slowly recovers from offseason heel surgery.

With Moore far ahead of Clausen, the more intriguing competition for starting jobs is on defense as the Panthers rebuild their line after Julius Peppers signed with Chicago.

The line is further jumbled with defensive end Tyler Brayton, the only returning starter, to miss Saturday’s game with a sprained left ankle.

Free safety Sherrod Martin (groin) is also likely out after missing practice again Friday. Marcus Hudson, the free-agent signing in the offseason from San Francisco, is expected to start in a secondary that gets cornerback Chris Gamble (knee) back after he missed the Baltimore game.

“I feel like we’re growing every day,” Hudson said Friday. “There’s a lot of talent out there. I haven’t seen this much competition in different positions in a while. As far as I know, from what I’ve seen in camp, we’re a pretty good team. But we still have youth we need to get out of us, as far as growing up, maturity.”