Panthers free agent signee DE Tyler Brayton is just looking for some stability in where he is going to line up this fall. His tenure with the Oakland Raiders sinced being drafted in the 2nd round was filled with two positions changes that constantly put him up against the learning curve.

 “I’m not going to sit here and make excuses for myself and say that messed me up,” Brayton said. “It was a challenge to go out and learn outside linebacker and then to be moved to defensive tackle. Overall it helped me be a better defensive football player.”

 Brayton may not use the position changes as an excuse but the Panthers obviously think it had something to do with his failure to meet the high expectations placed on him. I think the Panthers also liked his underachiever status and hope he can revive his career similar to what DT Damione Lewis did last season when he came over from the Rams..

 “He’s a guy that came into the league as a high draft pick and played at a variety of positions,” coach John Fox said. “He's played outside linebacker; he's played defensive end; he's played some defensive tackle in pass-rush situations. He's a guy that we thought had a lot to prove and he's worked that way. Hopefully, he'll get some good snaps for us.”

 I believe Brayton lined up with the 1^st team exclusively at RDE during the Panthers recent mini-camp. If Julius Peppers does move to the left side then that would make sense.

 “It’s not going to be one guy. It will have to be a collection of a number of guys who go out there,” Brayton said. “There are four guys rushing the passer as hard as they can. I think we are going to do real well in that department. I wasn’t here last year so I can’t speak on that, but I think we’re headed in the right direction.”

 Defensive end to me is still the one question mark our defense has going into training camp. The Panthers will desperately need one of their promising young DE’s to play well enough to win the starting job. Better yet, they will need one to emerge as a serious threat to opposing offenses. Tyler Brayton seems like just the guy out to prove he belongs on the field. All he is looking for is that chance.