Panthers Waive Beuerlein

The Carolina Panthers began a rebuilding phase Monday by waiving quarterback Steve Beuerlein, one of their most popular and durable players.

Carolina Coach George Seifert said he struggled with the move and admitted Beuerlein’s release had upset most of the team’s front office, including owner Jerry Richardson.

The move saves the Panthers about $2 million.

Seifert said Jeff Lewis, who has yet to start a game in five seasons, would go into training camp as the No. 1 quarterback and would be challenged by Daymeune Craig and Matt Lytle. He said he had to waive the 36-year-old Beuerlein, a former Anaheim Servite High standout, to see if one of them can emerge as Carolina’s quarterback for the future.

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Leon Lett, the defensive tackle who was a dominant run-stopper for the Dallas Cowboys, has agreed to a four-year, $9-million contract with the Denver Broncos, Denver television stations reported. . . . Denard Walker, one of the premier free-agent cornerbacks on the market this year, agreed to a six-year contract with the Denver Broncos. Walker, 27, has started 56 games in four years for Tennessee, 15 of them last season. . . . Damon Huard, 27, the Miami Dolphins’ backup quarterback the last two years, was released. . . . The St. Louis Rams acquired linebacker Jeff Gooch from Tampa Bay for a fifth-round draft pick.

Jurisprudence

A student newspaper joined the dispute regarding Dale Earnhardt’s autopsy photos, requesting that it be allowed to see them.

The Independent Florida Alligator, which is run by University of Florida students but is not an official university publication, filed a motion in a Daytona Beach court Friday.

A settlement between Earnhardt’s widow, Teresa, and the Orlando Sentinel, and a bill proposed in the state Legislature limiting access and barring publication of the photos are not in the public’s best interest, Alligator editor Jason Brown said.

A high school basketball coach was charged with smoking marijuana with four students before a state playoff game. Adrian Matthew, a physical education teacher who coaches the boys’ varsity at Lenape High in Medford, N.J., was arrested Saturday at his home in Moorestown. Pat Milich, a district spokeswoman, on Sunday said Matthew was suspended with pay.

Miscellany

Super Saturday at tennis’ U.S. Open has been rearranged, with the women’s final landing in prime time in September. Instead of one session including both the men’s semifinals and the women’s final, the men will play in the afternoon, then the night session featuring the women will start at 8 p.m. in New York.

This is a one-year experiment by CBS Sports. The men’s final will remain at 4:30 p.m. (EDT) on Sunday. For the women, the move is a breakthrough, the first time a Grand Slam final has been scheduled in prime time on U.S. network television.

USC signed Long Beach Poly High linebacker Marvin Simmons to a letter of intent. The Trojans had been waiting to see if the prep All-American could qualify academically. Two other players also signed: Kolomona Kapanui, an all-state tight end from Honolulu, and Matt Hayward, a linebacker and snapper from Glendale Community College in Glendale, Ariz.