Stewart's Rookie Welcome

Just hours after signing his new contract with the Panthers, rookie running back Jonathan Stewart got a double-barreled welcome to the NFL from veteran linebacker Thomas Davis.

Stewart took a handoff during the team's opening training camp practice and was instantly met by Davis. Though full tackling isn't yet allowed, Davis hit Stewart hard and knocked him to the ground. The "pop" could be heard from plenty far away.

Later in the practice, Davis put a big hit on Stewart again when Stewart caught a screen pass.

The practice was Stewart's first with the team since Carolina selected him with the 13th selection of the first round of the NFL draft. He didn't take part in the team's post-draft minicamp because he was recovering from pre-draft toe surgery. Because of academic requirements at Oregon, he didn't attend the team's June practice sessions.

Stewart and Otah came to contract terms less than 24 hours before practice started. Otah's deal was agreed to around 7 p.m. Friday, and general manager Marty Hurney said Stewart's deal was completed around 2:30 a.m. Saturday.

In other notes from the first practice:

-- Steve Smith blew by the secondary and caught a long touchdown pass from Matt Moore. Smith tried to throw the ball into the cheering crowd, but hit the fence surrounding the practice field and needed a second toss.

-- At first glance, fullback Troy Fleming looks a lot like Smith, only bigger.

-- Former Chargers standout Toniu Fonoti worked with the first team at right guard, a bit of a surprise. He's bounced around the NFL the past couple of years battling weight problems, but looks to be in excellent shape. If he can return to the form he had when he was one of LaDanian Tomlinson's lead blockers, the Panthers will have scored big.

-- The Panthers look much deeper, better and bigger at running back this season. Their current depth chart, based on practice carries: DeAngelo Williams, Stewart, Nick Goings, and former Jaguars backup LaBrandon Toefield.

-- Though Stewart and Williams are almost the same height (around 5-10), Stewart is much broader and has a much thicker build. They could make an intriguing combination.

-- Quarterback Jake Delhomme had a take-charge moment when he ordered the offense linemen to get down into their stances when they were standing after a busted play. That's one of the things team officials love about Delhomme; he's clearly a leader and take-charge guy. Any of the newcomers who haven't learned that Delhomme means business will figure it out quickly.

-- Julius Peppers is sporting a thicker beard than previous seasons.

-- There was no one on the injury report -- a true training camp rarity.

-- Another pleasant surprise was the weather. It was overcast and rained for part of the practice. Considering how hot and humid Spartanburg can get in these dogs days of summer, Fox said that was an answer to his players' prayers. He joked that the only thing that would have pleased them more would've been if it was lightning, which would have excused them from outdoor work entirely.

-- Owner Jerry Richardson attended the first practice, something he rarely does. He cruised around the practice fields on a golf cart with Charlotte public relations executive Steve Luquire.

-- Na'il Diggs spent much of the morning practice with the first-team defense. He's competing with rookie Dan Conner, free agent signee Landon Johnson (a former starter in Cincinnati) for the starting job.

Stay tuned for updates right here at charlotte.com.

-- Charles Chandler