PITTSBURGH The Carolina Panthers have had players other than their quarterback take a snap from center. But those players weren't allowed to attempt a forward pass, no matter how hard DeAngelo Williams lobbied.

Armanti Edwards is allowed. With 11 minutes, 10 seconds left in the third quarter at Heinz Field Thursday, the Panthers send Edwards into the backfield and line him up behind center Andrew Crummey. Until then, the game has been unremarkable. Or maybe Pittsburgh's 19-3 victory has been unwatchable. It definitely is one of the two, and might be both. Not one Carolina starter plays.

So Edwards is their quarterback. The Panthers have the ball on their 12. Then comes a welcome-to-the-NFL moment; rookie tight end Jamie Petrowski is called for a false start. Now the Panthers are back on their 7.

On first down Edwards rolls left and hits fellow rookie David Gettis' with a 6-yard pass.

This is the moment for which thousands of Panthers fans, as well as the 25 who are still watching the exhibition on TV, have been waiting.

Edwards was pure magic at Appalachian State, leading the Mountaineers to two small-to-medium school national championships. A quarterback in the hills, he has struggled to adjust to his new role as a receiver and punt returner in Charlotte. His fantastic athleticism has thus far been muted, except for the occasional you-believe-that play in practice or training camp.

But wouldn't you love to see him get the opportunity to be a change of pace quarterback in a real game?

Carolina's offense is predicated on the run. Perhaps the Panthers will become more wide open if they trust the decision making and arm of quarterback Matt Moore. Perhaps wide open simply means that on third-and-long they will not call a draw.

Whether Edwards throws or runs or simply takes a snap, he gives the Panthers an option they've never had. Because when you think of the offense, you think of blocking and running and Steve Smith. You do not think of a college quarterback turned NFL receiver and punt returner lining up Michael Vick-like in the backfield.

And, yes, I know it's a stretch to compare Edwards to Vick. But Vick, after enjoying early success, does not pass well enough to start at quarterback in the NFL. Once defenses figured him out - take a shot at him every time he runs and watch him draw in and slow down as the game wears on - Vick ceased to have a chance to be special.

Vick is nothing but a change-up quarterback. Edwards is, or will be, a punt returner, receiver and, perhaps, a change-up quarterback.

On second down, Edwards rolls right and keeps the ball. But this no longer is Western Carolina he is playing against. This is Duke. Back-up linebacker Patrick Bailey, a former Blue Devil, stops Edwards for a 1-yard loss.

On third down rookie quarterback Tony Pike replaces Edwards.

Edwards returns on the first play of the fourth quarter, rolls left and hits Gettis. But cornerback Anthony Madison also hits Gettis and the ball falls to the turf.

Thus does the evening's experiment end.

What did we learn?

We learned that the New York Giants, against which the Panthers open the season, will have to spend a piece of their precious practice time preparing for a situation they undoubtedly will never see.