average to a league-leading 1.97. In Interleague play, he has a 17-7 record and is 5-0 with a 1.20 ERA over his

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Panthers offensive tackle Jordan Gross is saying goodbye to the NFL after 11 seasons. The Panthers confirmed the three-time Pro Bowl left tackle will announce his retirement at a news conference on Wednesday at the stadium. "Jordan has been a great Panther and he will be missed," Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman said Tuesday in a text message. Cam Newton agreed. The Pro Bowl quarterback said in a text message, "It was truly a pleasure to play with Jordan. He always had my back. He will be missed." Just wholl replace Gross at left tackle is uncertain. Gross, 33, was a first-round pick by Carolina in 2003 and started a franchise-record 167 games. He went to his third Pro Bowl this past season as an alternate. Gross contract had expired with the Panthers earlier this month, but there was still some question as to whether he might agree to return for one more season. He went on vacation with his family last week to Idaho to contemplate whether or not to retire. Gross told the teams website, Panthers.com, that it was the right time to step away. "Ive played a lot of football here, and Ive seen a lot of guys come and a lot of guys go," Gross told the website. "Sometimes it ends well for guys, and sometimes it is not the ending they were looking for." Gross said he didnt want to leave until the team was in good position for sustained success. He believes the team is there now. "There is good, young leadership, there are talented players, and there are guys that really want to work hard and want to win," Gross said. Former quarterback Jake Delhomme, who played with Gross from 2003-2009, called him the "ultimate professional." "He was a hell of a player, and a great gentleman," Delhomme said. "The thing is I dont believe he got the respect he deserved around the league." Delhomme said the 6-foot-4, 305-pound Gross was extremely athletic, humble and driven. "We he was a rookie in 2003, his initial thoughts heading into minicamp were Oh gosh, please dont (stink)," Delhomme said with a laugh. "That was the mentality he always took. It wasnt a fear, but it was a mentality of, hey, Ive got to be good every day. Thats how Jordan prepared every day." Panthers tight end Greg Olsen said he spoke to Gross recently and half-jokingly tried to convince him to return. But he said Gross already had his mind made up. "Hes such a great player and Im really happy for him," Olsen said. "When I talked to him, I know he feels good not only about his body of work and his career, but also the impact he had on this organization. He was always a stand-up guy. He has the respect of all of his teammates. Hes the type of guy you want if youre an NFL franchise." Gross joined the Panthers in 2003 and stepped right in as a starter, helping Carolina reach the Super Bowl as a rookie. However, Gross spent the next 10 years trying to get back, but the Panthers could never make it past the NFC championship game. Gross decision creates a void for the Panthers at left tackle. Bruce Campbell, Garry Williams and starting right tackle Byron Bell are potential replacements, but the team could look for help in free agency or the draft. The Panthers have the 28th pick in the draft. Olsen said it will be difficult to replace Gross after the Panthers went 12-4 this past season, but said young players will have to step up. "Jordan has been top notch for his whole career," Olsen said. "Hes tough to lose. But every year it happens around the league -- you lose players to retirement or injury. You have to move on and fill that role." Wide receiver Steve Smith is the only remaining player from Carolinas Super Bowl team in 2003 that lost 32-29 to the New England Patriots on a last-second field goal by Adam Vinatieri. Gross current and former teammates immediately took to Twitter to comment on the news. Said Smith: "Since 1999 until 2day (at)J2theGross and I have been in same huddle. Today its has stopped I salute JG, great player better man!!! Love ya." Said Panthers defensive end Charles Johnson: "One of the best to ever play in a panther jersey. I wish he would stay but you gotta do what u gotta." Offensive lineman Geoff Schwartz, a former teammate of Gross with the Panthers, wrote that Gross "was an outstanding mentor and Im so thankful he decided to help me when I was a young naive rookie." Jaromir Jagr Jersey . TSN 1290s Jordan Cieciwa, Big Marv and Toby are here to give their predictions on who will leave with the belt and who will take some of the other key bouts on the card. Johny Hendricks vs. Bobby Orr Jersey . - The Denver Broncos kept rookie wide receiver Tavarres King from joining the Green Bay Packers by promoting him to their active roster Tuesday. http://www.bruinsstore.com/ . -- One shot came out of bottom of a cactus, the other from the base of a desert bush with rocks scattered around it. Milan Lucic Jersey . Bookies were offering odds of 13/1 before kickoff that the home team Houston Dynamo would prevail by three goals to nil. Adam Oates Jersey . McCutchen was cut before the series opener against Seattle on Monday night, when Lewis was set for his first start for Texas since July 18, 2012. Texas selected Lewis contract from Triple-A Round Rock.SEATTLE -- Felix Hernandez has been on a record-setting pattern over the past three months and Seattle Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon wants to make sure it continues when it means a lot more. Hernandez (12-3) went eight innings, allowed one run, struck out eight and walked one in the Mariners 4-2 victory over the Atlanta Braves Tuesday. It was his 15th straight start -- dating back to May 18 -- in which he worked at least seven innings and allowed two runs or fewer, an on-going big-league record. Hernandez also tied Gaylord Perrys 1974 streak with Cleveland when he had 15 straight starts with at least seven innings and allowing two or fewer earned runs. Hernandez threw just 97 pitches without a lot of stressful innings. He wanted the chance at his first complete game in nearly two years but that was enough for McClendon. Fernando Rodney worked the ninth, allowed a run but earned his 31st save in 34 opportunities. "It was my decision," McClendon said. "Ill continue to do this. Ill continue to protect my players. Im trying to win meaningful games in September. I want Felix healthy and strong in September. "Im like Frank Sinatra, were doing it my way." Hernandez, who used to bluster and argue to remain in the game, said he has eased his resistance. "I appreciate that," he said. "He said, youre done. Im done." During his 15-game streak Hernandez is just 8-2. His teammates had scored just 10 runs over his previous five starts when he went 1-1 with three no-decisions. But a fourth-inning error by Braves second baseman Tommy La Stella contributed directly the Mariners go-ahead runs. With the score tie 1-all, two outs and runners on second and third, Chris Taylor popped up behind the first-base bag. La Stella camped under it, leaned back and it caromed off his glove. "I was frustrated," Taylor said. "I thought I was right on it. I just got underneath it. I knew guys were on so I wanted to get a hit. Luckily, he dropped it and I was able to get on second in scoring position." Both runners scored and Taylor advanced to second. He scored on Austin Jacksons single to left. The Braves have lost seven straight. "Its just a physical error and you cant do anything about it," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "And it did cost us tthose three runs that scored.dddddddddddd Sometimes its just the way stuffs going." Mariners third baseman Kyle Seager added, "thats what youre supposed to do. When you get an opportunity you take advantage of it. We were to get two runs on that one. Then Jackson got a big hit. Four runs with Felix going, thats a good combination. Alex Wood (7-9) worked six innings, allowing five hits, just one earned run, walked four and stuck out five. "I thought he (Wood) pitched terrific," Gonzalez said. "Getting a couple runs against Felix and you just cant recover." Hernandez lowered his earned run average to a league-leading 1.97. In Interleague play, he has a 17-7 record and is 5-0 with a 1.20 ERA over his last eight starts against National League teams. He has the best ever ERA in Interleague play 2.54. HAWK TALK Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez, OF Justin Upton and 3B Chris Johnson were among eight Braves personnel who visited the Seahawks training camp during Mondays off day. "I got to spend time with Coach (Pete) Carroll a little bit. That was really cool," Gonzalez said. "We talked a little philosophy afterward. Its a different shaped ball but youre still leading men, still managing people." QB Russell Wilson, who signed a minor-league deal with the Texas Rangers this year, also spent time talking with Upton and Johnson. KINGS FULL COURT Whenever Hernandez pitches at Safeco Field, yellow-shirted fans fill the third-base-side lower desk, flashing K signs and chanting when the batter has two strikes. A huge turkey leg, arriving on a silver platter, also is passed around to be consumed by the subjects. Six sections were filled Tuesday, most ever in the lower bowl. The MLB Network filmed the experience to show for a future show. TRAINERS ROOM Mariners: OF Michael Saunders (strained left oblique) was expected to go through the full array of drills to determined his fitness. He has been on the DL since July 11. "My hope is that Michael will be able to go out on (rehab) Thursday," Manager Lloyd McClendon said. Braves: SS Andrelton Simmons had to leave the game with one out in the fourth innings when he sprained his left ankle covered the third-base bag. Ramiro Pena replaced him. Simmons will be reevaluated Wednesday. 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