Whether it's reading a play, getting to the ball carrier, racking up records or winning awards, the Carolina Panthers linebacker does things before people expect them to happen.

Now, armed with his first Pro Bowl selection, Beason will play in his first playoff game Saturday when the Panthers (12-4) face Arizona (10-7) in the NFC divisional round. It's another milestone for the speedy, instinctive and quietly confident Beason, who in 32 games has established himself as one of the NFL's top linebackers.

"When you plan for it, it's easy when it does happen," Beason said Tuesday of his whirlwind two years. "You don't have to pinch yourself as much, even though I have quite a bit."

When the Panthers selected the 6-foot, 237-pound Miami product with the 25th pick in the 2007 draft, they envisioned him as Dan Morgan's eventual replacement at middle linebacker.
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