Now, at 35, he's a seasoned veteran with a young understudy.

One of the benefits the Carolina Panthers are getting from re-signing Muhammad after his three-year stay with the Chicago Bears is his mentoring of Dwayne Jarrett, a 2007 second-round pick whose rookie season last year was a major disappointment.

"Moose is great," Jarrett said Wednesday. "Since he got here, he took me under his wing. I'm just trying to learn as much as I can from him."

Jarrett has a lot to learn after catching a mere six passes as a rookie, looking little like he did as an All-American at Southern California (41 career touchdown receptions, a Pac-10 record).

After the season, when Jarrett was supposed to be putting his troubles behind him, he was arrested and later pleaded guilty to driving while impaired.

When Muhammad showed up, he was able to relate to Jarrett's difficulties. Muhammad had past troubles, too, overcoming arrests for marijuana and gun possession to develop into a respected locker room leader.

"There is a path to greatness," Muhammad said, a two-time Pro Bowler with 9,934 career receiving yards.

"Along the way, it's not always sunshine. There are some cloudy days. You've got to be able to, first of all, admit you were wrong in what you did, put it behind you and not make the same mistakes."

Muhammad said he gave this specific advice to Jarrett: "You definitely have to earn your trust back. You've got to win your fans' trust, win your coaches' trust, and win the ownership's trust. That's what you've got to do, so take the steps to do it."

So far, Muhammad said Jarrett has been receptive to his advice.

"I think he's a good kid," Muhammad said. "He's got a good spirit. He definitely has some good physical talent. He can only make this team better if he's better."

Like Muhammad (6-foot-2, 215 pounds), Jarrett (6-4, 219) is a big receiver.

"His body and my body are similar," Jarrett said. "We play the same style -- physical ball, go-up-and-get-it kind of receivers, so he's definitely been a tremendous help to me."

Muhammad said Jarrett is studying the Panthers' playbook and exerting better effort in practice. He said he has encouraged Jarrett to finish off plays in practice more aggressively.

"A lot of times, I saw Dwayne catch a ball and kind of jog a little bit," said Muhammad. "I told him, 'The one thing you don't have to coach is effort. When you catch the ball, get up the field. If you catch a ball, give me 10 yards. I'm going to do it. You do it.' "

Jarrett said he realizes he needs the help.

"It's always good to have somebody who has been through it all," he said. "I was a young guy [last year] coming in and just learning. There are ups and downs and you have bumps and bruises. You just have to keep fighting and getting through everything.

"Everybody's talented here at this level. There are really no slackers and no slouches. By studying and watching film, that's what's going to make you excel on Sundays."

That's the right talk. Now team officials, coaches, Muhammad and other teammates are waiting to see whether Jarrett follows through with his actions.