CHARLOTTE, N.C., Sept. 2 (UPI) -- Journeyman quarterback Rodney Peete likely will be named the starter by new coach John Fox for the Carolina Panthers for their season opener, at home Sept. 8 against the Baltimore Ravens.
Peete, 39, would succeed Chris Weinke, who has not performed well during his tenure with the team.
ESPN and the Charlotte Observer both reported Monday that sources say Fox is likely to bench Weinke in favor of Peete and move rookie Randy Fasani to the No. 2 spot, which would drop Weinke to third on the depth chart. A final decision was to be made late Monday.
Peete is a 14-year NFL veteran out of Southern California who was a backup the last two seasons for Dallas and Washington, respectively.
The Observer reported that neither Peete nor Weinke had solid preseasons, but Peete, who has 72 career pro starts, is very familiar with the offensive system of coordinator Dan Henning. The two worked together in Detroit in 1992 and '93.
In the preseason, Peete, who missed time because of a knee injury and a family emergency, completed just 9-of-19 passes for 68 yards in two games. Weinke completed 35-of-59 passes for 270 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions.
When Weinke came out of Florida State in 2001, he already was 29, having played baseball in the Toronto Blue Jays organization for four years. He was the Panthers' No. 1 pick in the 2001 draft.
In his rookie campaign, he threw for 2,931 yards and 11 touchdowns, but was very erratic. Carolina went just 1-15 last season, the final 15 in succession.
