SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- The Panthers released veteran offensive lineman Geoff Hangartner on Thursday, paving the way for Garry Williams to take over as the starting right guard. Panthers coach Ron Rivera said after Thursdays practice the move was made so the team to could focus on developing its young guards -- particularly Williams and rookie Edmund Kugbila. The move was a bit surprising considering Hangartner had been running with the first team at camp, and Kugbila, the player Carolina drafted to eventually replace him, has missed the majority of training camp with a pulled hamstring after sitting out OTAs with a knee injury. But Rivera said the team really likes Williams, who started nine games last year at right guard after a season-ending injury to Pro Bowl centre Ryan Kalil prompted the team to shift Hangartner to centre. Williams ran with the first team on Thursday, while Kugbila remained out of action. "We have Kugbila who is in the wings and Garry Williams who has done a really nice job and has had a nice spring in OTAs," Rivera said. "Were excited about what Garry can bring to the table." Rivera said the Panthers had planned on Williams being their starting guard in 2011 before he broke his ankle in the preseason and was sidelined for the season. "He seems to be back in shape playing the way he did when we thought he could be a starting guard," Rivera said of Williams, who has started 20 games in four seasons. Rivera said the team has no plans to bring in a veteran free agent guard from outside the organization to compete for a starting job. "We have a young group of guards that is pretty exciting," Rivera said. Hangartner started 83 games during his eight-year career with the Panthers and Buffalo Bills. Backup quarterback Derek Anderson called Hangartner one of the most popular players in the locker room, saying, "Its tough, but somebody is going to have to step up." Hangartner was due to make $1.575 million this year. Left tackle Jordan Gross, who has played six seasons with Hangartner, said he was surprised and saddened by the move. "He got a text to go see coach Rivera first thing in the morning, and thats never good news," Gross said. "Honestly, I was wondering if he was going to get traded to Denver, because everyone knows they have a (injury) situation there. But yes, it surprised me." Teammates often referred to Hangartner by his nickname, "Piggy." Gross said the move is a solemn reminder that the NFL is a business. "You hope that management knows what theyre doing and that it is for the better and it will make us a better team," Gross said. "Thats really what we have to focus on." NOTES: Gross, the teams 33-year old, two-time Pro Bowl tackle, said Thursday he doesnt want to play for any other team except the Panthers, but said he isnt thinking about retirement. His contract was restructured this off-season in a manner that the Panthers will almost certainly have to release him after this season. But Gross reiterated he wouldnt rule out coming back to play next season for Carolina under a different contract "if they want me back." Discount Shirts China .Y. -- Bills receiver Stevie Johnson has a bone to pick with the NFL schedule maker. Cheap Shirts From China . On Tuesday, Ottawa placed forward Cory Conacher and defenceman Joe Corvo on waivers as trade rumours swirl around the Senators. http://www.cheapshirtschina.com/ . Giroud, who wasnt in the starting lineup for two matches after allegations about his private life and a decline in form, scored twice in the first half. Tomas Rosickys chip made it 3-0 before half time at Emirates Stadium, while defender Laurent Koscielny scored an unmarked header in the second half. Wholesale Shirts China . 4 Villanova with a 96-68 drubbing on Monday. Wragge hit 9-of-14 from behind the arc, matching Kyle Korvers school record for 3-pointers in a game set in 2003, as Creighton (16-3, 6-1 Big East broke a conference record with 21 treys in the rout. Cheap Nike Shirts China . Gerald Green and Miles Plumlee? Green had bounced around the NBA when he wasnt playing overseas. The Pacers gave up on Plumlee after just one season. Now Green and Plumlee are key cogs in the Suns surprising breakout season. CLEMSON, S.C. -- Former Clemson point guard Demontez Stitt was found dead at his home in Charlotte, North Carolina on Tuesday night.Lead investigator Eric Wheeler in the Mecklenburg County Medical Examiners Office said Wednesday in an email to The Associated Press there was no trauma found on the body of 27-year-old Stitt and that foul play is not suspected.Wheeler said a cause of death is still pending.Stitt played with the Tigers from 2007-2011 and is the only one in program history to start on four straight NCAA Tournament teams.ddddddddddddHe averaged 14.5 points and 4.3 rebounds as a senior in 2010-11.Clemson coach Brad Brownell said Stitt was a pleasure to coach, a player with a big smile and competitive spirit. ' ' '