HOT TOPIC: Dan Connor’s first “start” in the middle of Carolina’s defense was a huge success.
   Connor, who took over inside after Jon Beason moved out to weak side linebacker, helped the first-team defense dominate the second-team offense Saturday at Fan Fest with two tackles and a quarterback pressure in the 12-play sequence.
   Connor, a former third-round draft pick, said he feels more confident with each passing day.
   “I feel good in there,” Connor said.  “I know the position inside and out and now I’m just trying to get comfortable playing next to Jon and James (Anderson).”

   As for the middle linebacker position, Connor said, “You’re always grinding. My job is to take on linemen and get Jon and James free to make plays. I’m glad to do it. I’ll take on the big guys.”  

   WHO IMPRESSED: Carolina’s defensive line – both the first and second teams – applied constant pressure with Des Greg Hardy and Tyler Brayton coming up with phantom sacks (defensive linemen weren’t allowed to hit the quarterback) during the scrimmage.

   WHO DIDN’T: After a great training camp, QB Matt Moore struggled in completing 4 of 9 passes for 26 yards as the first-team offense managed just two first downs in three possessions. It wasn’t all Moore’s fault as WR Kenny Moore couldn’t come up with a catch on a long bomb and his offensive line was pretty leaky.

   INSIDE THE GAME: CB C.J. Wilson got his hands on a couple of passes, but couldn’t come up with an interception. “I’d like to see him catch those, but I think he’s working hard and done a good job in camp.” Fox said.

   INJURY UPDATE: The offensive players not participating in the Fan Fest scrimmage included RBs Jonathan Stewart, Tryell Sutton and Mike Goodson, WRs Steve Smith, Charly Martin and Trent Guy, OTs Jeff Otah and Garry Williams and TE Jamie Petrowski. Sitting out on defense were LBs Thomas Davis and Jordan Senn, DT Nick Hayden, DEs Hilee Taylor and Eric Moore, CB Chris Gamble and S Aaron Francisco.
   Expect a good portion of those players to return to practice on Monday.
   The Panthers reported no new injuries on Saturday.

   THEY SAID IT: Panthers coach John Fox on the offense’s struggles: “There’s a lot that goes into offense and everybody has to execute what they’re doing. (Matt Moore) made some good throws. We’d have probably liked to have had a little more productive but that is typically where you are at camp.”

   INSIDE THE GAME: Fox said just being at Bank of America Stadium on Saturday was a learning experience for a lot of players.
   “I think like anything, having a little change is good,” he said. “You break the monotony. I think coming back to Charlotte was good. I think the guys got a taste of what it’s like. A lot of guys have never been in here before because we have such a young team, so I think it’s a good way to get our feet wet before we start real games in the preseason.”

   WHAT’S NEXT: The Panthers are off Sunday. They return to Spartanburg, S.C., on Monday to begin preparing for Thursday night’s preseason opener at Baltimore.