"The Panthers don't have as many of their own free agents to sign as they did last year. And this year's group might not have the big names who will be eligible for free agency in 2013.

But several of the 10 players who can become unrestricted free agents when the league year ends March 13 made lasting impressions during coach Ron Rivera's first season in Charlotte.

Tight end Jeremy Shockey was lauded by Panthers owner Jerry Richardson and others for the nasty streak he brought to a team missing that edge throughout the two-win season in 2010. He was a nice complement to Greg Olsen, but Shockey will turn 32 in August and likely will be looking for a deal worth close to the $4 million he made last season.

That could be prohibitive to a team that is tight against the salary cap after last summer's spending spree. The Panthers locked up seven core players with long-term deals, including all three starting linebackers, defensive end Charles Johnson, safety Charles Godfrey, running back DeAngelo Williams and center Ryan Kalil.

The Panthers have a cap number of about $123 million, for a 2012 cap projected to range between $121 million and $125 million."