Cross country flights, lack of sleep and becoming a celebrity father didn't affect Tom Brady's efficiency. Two days after Brady missed practice to fly to Los Angeles where his ex-girlfriend, actress Bridget Moynahan, gave birth to their son, Brady returned to the Patriots and was nearly flawless in New England's 24-7 exhibition win over the Carolina Panthers on Friday.

With or without Michael Strahan, the Giants defense has a lot of work to do after being exposed by the Panthers. Jake Delhomme and Steve Smith combined for an opening-drive touchdown pass and receiver Taye Biddle caught touchdown passes of 23 and 85 yards to lead the Panthers to a 24-21 victory on Saturday night in the matchup of teams looking to rebound from .500 seasons.

Panthers owner Jerry Richardson challenged star defensive end Julius Peppers on Tuesday to step up and become the team?s new defensive leader following the retirement of safety Mike Minter. At the conclusion of Minter?s press conference, Richardson walked up to the podium and looked directly at Peppers, who was sitting in the second row next to Mike Rucker. And then he sent down a very public request ? or, perhaps a demand. ?Julius, you?re coming up,? Richardson said. ?This is your time to step up. And I?m not talking about running and sacking ? I?m talking about leadership. This is your time.? Peppers, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, had no visible reaction and left the room before talking to reporters since he needed to get ready for practice.

Panthers safety Mike Minter, slowed by chronic pain in his knees, has decided to retire after 10 seasons in the NFL, a person familiar with the decision said Monday. The person, speaking on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press because an official announcement will be made Tuesday, said Minter made the decision over the weekend. He did not practice with the team Monday morning.

The Panthers got help at safety Thursday when they acquired Chris Harris from the Bears for a fifth-round draft pick. Harris, entering his third season, started at both safety positions with the Bears and had five interceptions in the past two seasons. Harris also had an interception in the Bears' loss to Indianapolis in the Super Bowl.