CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Rookie cornerbacks James Bradberry and Daryl Worley are slowly helping Carolina Panthers fans forget about Josh Norman.Granted, it has taken some time and some agonizing growing pains.After a rough start to the season due to injuries and the rookie learning curve, the teams second- and third-round draft picks have emerged as a positive in an otherwise disappointing 5-8 campaign.If they continue to grow at this pace, theyll be good football players for us, coach Ron Rivera said. ... You like how physical they get with their hands. They play with vision. They break on the ball pretty good.The decision to part ways with Norman -- whom the Panthers will face Monday night when they visit the Washington Redskins -- wasnt a particularly popular one among the Carolina fan base.General manager Dave Gettleman put the $13.9 million franchise tag on the All-Pro, then abruptly rescinded it, allowing Norman to become a free agent.The Panthers paid dearly early on this season for that move.Their pass defense was among the worst in the league after six games, and downright embarrassing at times.Atlantas Matt Ryan threw for 503 yards and four touchdowns against the Panthers in a 48-33 Week 4 win over Carolina. Two weeks later, Drew Brees torched the Panthers secondary for 465 yards and four TDs in the Saints 41-38 shootout victory.After Julio Jones piled up 300 yards receiving against the Panthers, Norman told ESPNs The Dan Le Batard Show, You get what you pay for.Bradberry and Worley were part of the problem then, but have since worked to be become major cogs in the solution.Carolinas best defensive game came last Sunday when it forced five interceptions and had five sacks in a 28-16 win over the San Diego Chargers. Worley, in particular, stood out with 10 tackles and his first interception.To watch Daryl play the way that he played -- those are moments that will live with me forever, Panthers defensive coordinator Sean McDermott said. Its kind of like your kids. It gives you chills because you say, `Gosh, hes getting it. He understands.Rivera and McDermott rave about Bradberry, the teams more physical cornerback.Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins can see why.I think theyre playing well, especially when you factor in that theyre rookies, Cousins said. Its hard to come into this league and play right away and understand coverages and concepts and play fast. Very impressive that theyve been able to play at a high level as rookies. Its not easy to do.Unlike Norman, neither Bradberry or Worley is known as a trash-talker.But that doesnt mean they lack confidence on the field. Bradberry believes he and Worley can be bookend starting cornerbacks for the Panthers for the next decade.Thats the plan, Bradberry said.Added Worley: Thats the way everyone else sees us, so hopefully that picture is painted right.Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, who got a day off from practice on Wednesday, wouldnt compare either to Norman. But he said the improvement hes seen from the rookie tandem has been impressive.The one thing I can tell you is from OTAs to now, they are different players, Newton said. And that is what you need to see in this league. It is a production-based league. And if youre not producing then somebody is always looking for a better you.Newton nicknamed Bradberry Major James because he comes from a military family, although he said the Samford product has a goofy side most dont know about it.I got comfortable with the guys around here and started to loosen up a little bit, Bradberry said with a laugh.Newton nicknamed Worley Lil Daryl.But hes come with some big plays of late.I feel like I am finally at the same stage I felt leaving college, where I feel like Ive seen everything, said Worley, who played at West Virginia. Anything that is new to you, its going to be like a whirlwind presented to you. 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Michael Gallup Jersey . -- The Bishops Gaiters are showing they belong among the countrys top varsity football teams. EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- Neither the Minnesota Vikings nor Adrian Peterson have been willing publicly to put a timetable on his potential return to the field nearly three months after he tore the meniscus in his right knee.Peterson made two points clear, though, in his first comments to reporters since he got hurt. He is trying to get in position to return this year, but if the Vikings are eliminated from postseason contention he wouldnt come back and risk re-injury.For obvious reasons, Peterson said Wednesday. Im not really going to get into details about that, but my vision is making it to the playoffs. Thats what I believe, and thats what I have my eyes on right now.Peterson rushed 31 times for a mere 50 yards in two games before he went down Sept. 18. Without the four-time All-Pro running back, the Vikings are last in the NFL in rushing with 72.4 yards per game and 3.0 yards per attempt.The 31-year-old Peterson, who is making $12 million this season, has one more year on his current contract. None of the $18 million he could earn in 2017, though, is guaranteed.Im going to play it by ear and just keep working, and when that time comes, it will come, said Peterson, who led the league with 1,485 yards rushing and tied for the lead with 11 touchdowns in 2015. You guys will know whats going on. Well just wait and see.Coach Mike Zimmer has consistently dismissed questions about Petersons status this season. He said there are no factors beyond Petersons health that will determine if and when he plays again.The guys that are out here, Im trying to coach the best I can, and when he comes out, Ill try to coach him the best, whenever that is, Zimmer said.Peterson has maintained a presence on the sideline, often seen encouraging a teammate after a bad play or trying to pump up one of his fellow running backs during the course of a game. Whether or not at his age coming off an injury behind a shaky offensive line he would provide a significant increase in rushing production is uncertain, but his return would unquestionably lift the spirits of a Vikings squad that has lost six of the last seven games.Peterson, who is 11 weeks outt from a surgery that carries a minimum recovery estimate of three months, famously returned from a torn ACL and MCL on his left knee suffered in the second-to-last game in 2011 to play in the opener in 2012.dddddddddddd He said he felt back to normal about six weeks ago, though he acknowledged the stark difference in cutting and sprinting on the side when there are no defensive players trying to take him down.While Peterson was speaking in the locker room, Zimmer was at the podium in the indoor practice facility trying to focus his comments on upcoming opponent Jacksonville rather than the star running backs rehab or the coachs own condition following surgery to repair a detached retina in his right eye.In the latest setback in a season that has been blemished by a whole bunch of bad luck, free safety Harrison Smith could miss multiple games with a severely sprained left ankle, according to a person with knowledge of the situation speaking on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press. Smith has a Grade 3 sprain, according to the person, who was not authorized to address the injury that was aggravated last week against Dallas.Harrison Smith is a pretty tough guy, and he plays all the time, Zimmer said. When hes hurt, he plays. He always plays, so I dont care about reports. I just go by what happens in practice.Either Anthony Harris or Jayron Kearse would replace Smith in the starting lineup.I definitely feel like Id be ready for the opportunity to go out there and make it better than my last start. So were just going to take it as it comes, Kearse said. Harrisons a great player, so its always going to be big thing when you lose a guy like that. But us as young guys, me and Anthony Harris, whoever gets the nod, we have to go out there and perform. There cant be a drop-off.---AP Sports Writer Jon Krawczynski contributed to this report.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL--Follow Dave Campbell on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/DaveCampbellAP Cheap Jerseys Store Discount NFL Jerseys Wholesale Authentic Jerseys Cheap Jerseys 2018 Wholesale Jerseys Free Shipping Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys ' ' '