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WHAT'S OLD IS NEW AGAIN FOR PANTHERS
Moose gladly back
Muhammad fit and upbeat after 3 years with Bears
STAN OLSON
solson@charlotteobserver.com
New and former Carolina Panthers receiver Muhsin Muhammad looks the same, muscular and fit, the same guy who made defenses think twice before they double-covered Steve Smith.
But it's been more than three years since he left Carolina to sign with Chicago.
"He's somebody I'm not sure we ever replaced," said Panthers coach John Fox.
Friday, as Muhammad walked from the practice fields following the first day of Panthers' mini-camp, he was asked if maybe it would have been better if he had never left. He thought about it for a few seconds, a slight smile on his face.
"That's the nasty part about this business is that we can't really forecast what's going to happen in the future," Muhammad said. "And it's not always what you want and it ain't always pretty.
"But I'm just glad that everything worked out the way it did, and I'm able to come back here and play again. Rewind a few years back and I think everybody wishes that there might have been a different scenario."
There was a bottom line back then, back in 2004 and with Muhammad coming off a 93-catch, 16-touchdown season. The Panthers made him what they thought was a fair offer. The Bears offered more money, and Muhammad was gone.
His production gradually slipped in Chicago, with Muhammad finishing 2007 with 40 receptions and three touchdowns. Most observers felt that with the signing of D.J. Hackett, Muhammad would be relegated to the No. 3 receiver role -- and mentoring second-year big receiver Dwayne Jarrett.
"The last time I checked, man, nothing was given in this world," Muhammad said when asked about that theory.
"I'm just here to play. I'm here to make the team better. May the best man go out there and may the best three be on the field.
"Whatever it takes to get us to the championship game; that's what's going to matter."
Muhammad was wearing No. 87, his old number with Carolina, freely given to him by tight end Jeff King. He even has his former locker.
Earlier, receivers coach Richard Williamson had talked about having "Moose" back again.
"He knows what we do and how we do things," Williamson said. "That makes a difference for somebody to do that."
And, with Muhammad and Hackett, Williamson likes his options.
"I think we've got some competition now, so that's good, that's what this game's all about," he said. "You get better with competition."
Muhammad pointed out that only "eight or nine" Panthers remain from the last Carolina club he played on, but that the game remains the same.
"I don't have any hard feelings or anything like that," he said of his previous departure.
"My approach to this game is just to prepare to win every time I step out on the field; try to get better every time I practice."
