ESPN NFL

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- It's that time of year again when thoughts of retirement begin creeping into the mind of Ricky Proehl.

But after 15 seasons in the NFL, the Carolina Panthers' age-defying wide receiver remains uncertain if he will hang on for another year or give up the game. A final decision probably won't come for a couple of months.

"What I'll do is when the year's over evaluate where I'm at and probably sit down and talk to (head coach) John Fox and go from there,'' Proehl said.

Proehl knows there's a chance Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints -- his 237th in the league -- could his last if the Panthers lose. Carolina (7-8) needs to win Sunday and then get some help from other teams to make the playoffs.

Fox declined to discuss personnel decisions until after the season, but it's pretty clear he believes Proehl can still play at a high level. Proehl, the team's No. 3 receiver, has 32 catches for 472 yards this year.

"I'm very impressed with what he's been able to accomplish,'' Fox said.

Proehl, 36, has one year remaining on his contract. He said he believes his body could withstand at least one more season, but he doesn't know if his mind would be ready for another training camp.

"It's something that gets harder every year to prepare yourself,'' Proehl said. "Training camp's tough for me, at my age. But it's something that I've thought about a long time ago, that I'd never make a decision right after the season.''

Proehl, who played at Wake Forest and lives in Greensboro, said it's also difficult being away from his family for a large part of the year.

Proehl said two years ago the only team he wanted to play for was the Panthers so he could be close to home. And that hasn't changed.

The camaraderie in the Panthers locker room makes him want to keep coming back.

"I think when you're winning and you're playing with a great group of guys it's a lot easier to stay focused on what you want to do in the offseason,'' Proehl said. "You've got a lot of guys in this locker room with the same goals you have.

"When you play with a bunch of individuals that don't work hard, then it is frustrating. Then it's hard to come to work. But this is a place where you've got a great bunch of guys, a great coach, a great staff that makes it fun to come in here every day.''

Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press