What Brown is most excited about is playing for new Panthers defensive coordinator Ron Meeks.

Meeks, who replaced Mike Trgovac this offseason, helped develop Robert Mathis (6-2, 245) and Dwight Freeney (6-1, 268) into star NFL defensive ends while in Indianapolis. Like Mathis, Brown is considered a little undersized for a 4-3 defensive end, coming to Carolina with a 6-2, 256-pound frame, although the team believes he can add size and muscle mass.

Freeney has 70.5 sacks in eight seasons with the Colts and has been to four Pro Bowls. Mathis, who lines up opposite him at left end, had 53.5 sacks in six seasons.

"It's encouraging," Brown said. "That's one of the things I looked at when I looked at teams coming out. I looked at coaches and I'd see what kind of style they want, what is their philosophy and what kind of players they want to bring in.

"Definitely coach Meeks in Indianapolis, his guys knew how to get after the passer. They weren't the biggest guys, but you turn on the film they were 100 miles per hour until the echo of the whistle. That's the way I played at Florida State and that is the way I'm going to continue to play. I think I've walked into the best possible situation for me."

"They explained the significance I bring to the team, obviously from a pass rush standpoint," Brown said of his meeting with Meeks.

The Panthers share Brown's excitement, believing he can be a force coming off the end.

"He has a knack for rushing the passer and has pass rush moves," said general manager Marty Hurney, who gave up a first-round pick in next year's draft to select Brown 43rd overall. "We feel like he'll come in and help us right away.

"With my effort and the passion I play the game with, it speaks for itself," Brown said. "I feel like I can't be denied and I'm going to play 110 percent and play 110 miles per hour every play, full speed."

--After two injury-plagued seasons, Troy cornerback Sherrod Martin was fully healthy in 2008 establishing himself as one of the premier pass defenders in the South.

He tied the school single-game record and set an NCAA record for most interceptions in a quarter, picking off three passes in the second quarter in the 2008 Alcorn State game. Those were Martin's first interceptions since Oct. 20, 2005 vs. Florida International. Since then he has undergone three major operations and missed one entire season.

One of the hardest-hitting safeties in college football, Martin was known for initiating contact. He ranks 14th in the school's storied history with 292 tackles, which are the second most by a Trojans defensive back. His 191 solo stops rank 10th overall and set the school all-time record for secondary performers.

"It's about basically making sure I can come in and transition from the college to the pros," Martin said. "I'm a playmaker and I'm always around the ball. I'm a smart guy as far as knowing what is going on around the field. They're going to get a hard ball player."

--Third-round pick Corvey Irvin from Georgia said he was "kind of a lost kid" when he graduated from high school and didn't think he'd go to college. However, he went to Georgia Military College and developed some discipline while also being recognized for his fine play on the field. Later, he transferred to Georgia where he started as a senior.

"After high school I felt like I could use some good discipline, some character and Georgia Military College was the best thing that ever could have happened to me. They gave me a second chance at life. Just do what is right and be a man," Irvin said.

--Once called the "future of the team" by Texas A&M coach Mike Sherman, RB Mike Goodson left the university after his junior year under mysterious circumstances.

No announcement was made of his decision to apply for the 2009 NFL Draft, as he just showed up on the list of players who were leaving school early in January. On Sunday, Goodson avoided the question by saying, "It was time for me to go to the next level."

The Panthers will use Goodson some in the backfield and in the slot.

"Anywhere they put me I'm ready to play," Goodson said. "I think I bring a pretty good slot (receiver) option, but wherever they want me I will be able to play. They said they wanted to test me out on the return game, too. So I'm ready."

QUOTE TO NOTE: "Last year we went primarily offense (in the draft) and I think it was about time we injected some guys in there on defense." -- Panthers coach John Fox on his team's first three draft picks being on defense.