Beason gets chance to show offensive moves

CHARLOTTE -- Jon Beason still looked winded and weary, and this was nearly an hour after his big play.

The Carolina Panthers linebacker got a chance to show some of his old offensive moves after a fourth-quarter interception, the turnover that stopped Arizona's last good chance to stay in the 27-23 loss.

It came on the eighth snap of the drive and after the Cardinals had driven 63 yards. But when the Kurt Warner pass skidded off the fingers of receiver Early Doucet and into Beason's palms, he had room to run. The best move came on Warner, who was juked to the ground effortlessly during Beason's 44-yard return.

Wide receiver Steve Smith was asked who had better open-field moves, him or the linebacker. He couldn't help but laugh.

"I'm not even going to respond to that question," Smith said, before sarcastically adding: "Beason, how about that."

"You know what, I told Steve, the first dude's going to get it," Beason said. "After that man, ... I wish I could get one early in a series so I'm not gassed. You tell Steve, let him play some defense and I'll give him the one-two step real quick."

(heraldonline.com)