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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." Custom Hockey Jerseys China . After Gasquet beat fifth-seeded Ivan Dodig of Croatia 7-5, 6-3, Tsonga followed up with a 6-7 (3), 6-2, 6-2 win against sixth-seeded Edouard Roger-Vasselin in an all-French match. Clearance Custom Hockey Jerseys . The next step is a better finish. Bae played bogey-free Friday on another gorgeous day at Riviera for a 5-under 66, giving him a one-shot lead over Aaron Baddeley and Robert Garrigus going into the weekend. http://www.customjerseyshockey.com/ . Defencemen Drew Doughty, Shea Weber and forward Ryan Getzlaf also scored for the Canadians, who started their gold-medal defence 2-0. 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SALT LAKE CITY -- The Atlanta Falcons cut rookie free agent linebacker Torrey Green on Thursday amid news that Utah law enforcement authorities were investigating allegations of sexual assault made against Green while he was a student at Utah State last year.Falcons owner Arthur Blank said Green was cut Thursday morning after the team learned of the allegations the night before.We dont want anybody connected to the organization who has those kinds of accusations around them, Blank said.No number was listed for Green to reach him for comment. Messages left with his agent Dominique Price were not returned.The Cache County Attorneys Office is reviewing all the cases again after The Salt Lake Tribune reported the allegations in July, according to police in Logan, Utah.Green was not named in the Tribunes story last month but he denied the allegations in a July interview with the paper and said everyone makes mistakes.This isnt just Salt Lake, this isnt just Logan, this isnt just Utah, the whole U.S. is about to hear about something thats blown out of proportion basically and thats going to ruin a young mans career, Green told the Tribune in remarks published Thursday.Logan Police Capt. Curtis Hooley said Thursday that his department investigated three separate allegations of sexual assault made by three women against Green in January and November of 2015. The three alleged incidents occurred off the campus but involved other students at Utah State in Logan.ddddddddddddMessages left with the county attorneys office were not returned.Hooley said two cases were closed because there wasnt enough evidence to warrant charges.A third case is still open while police investigate and speak to witnesses who were friends of the woman.Green was interviewed by the police officer who investigated all three cases but was never arrested or charged with a crime, Hooley said.Hooley said a fourth case was investigated by the nearby North Park Police Department.North Park Police Chief Kim Hawkes confirmed Thursday that his department had a sexual assault case involving Green but declined to say whether the investigation was closed or what became of it.He deferred all questions to the county attorneys office.Green, who is from Rubidoux, California, graduated from Utah State this spring.He signed a free agent contract with the Falcons in April.Falcons coach Dan Quinn and general manager Thomas Dimitroff said Thursday that they felt Green faced an uphill battle to make the roster.He needed to go take care of his business, and we needed to do the best thing for the organization, Dimitroff said.---Associated Press Writer George Henry in Flowery Branch, Georgia, contributed to this report.---AP NFL website: http://www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '