"The Carolina Panthers showed Wednesday they were true to their word, agreeing to new contracts with three core players while sending a shock wave through the franchise and across the NFL by deciding to release 41-year-old kicker John Kasay after 16 seasons.

What was expected to be a busy day turned into one of the most dramatic in team history as the team reached agreements with several players, including running back DeAngelo Williams and linebackers James Anderson and Thomas Davis, while making a deal with former Seattle Seahawks kicker Olindo Mare to replace Kasay, a 20-year league veteran and the last remaining original Panther on the roster.

While there are still players to be signed - first-round draft pick Cam Newton isn't yet under contract - the Panthers were at full throttle as the league came to life after the 4-month lockout.

So much happened during the course of Wednesday that the early agreement with Williams, a primary objective for the club, was almost overshadowed.

"We've said from the beginning we're going to be aggressive, but we're going to be aggressive at the right time. That's to sign our own players," Panthers owner Jerry Richardson told the Observer mid-day Wednesday outside Bank of America Stadium.

"I would bet Charles Johnson was in the top five free agents on the market. And I assume DeAngelo was high. ... We will have probably, very quickly, our core players. We're able to do it because we're willing to be competitive and pay what it takes.

"We have such a compressed length of time. We're moving as fast as we can, but I'm optimistic."

The highlights of the Panthers' activity Wednesday include:

Reaching an agreement with unrestricted free agent Williams, reportedly worth $43 million over five years with $21 million guaranteed;

Agreeing to terms with Anderson for a reported $22 million over five years with $8.5 million guaranteed, and extending the contract of twice-injured Davis;

Offering 38-year-old Mare a reported four-year, $12 million contract, effectively cutting ties with Kasay, who reportedly was surprised by the move;

Reaching an agreement with former Kansas City defensive lineman Ron Edwards for a reported $8.25 million over three years;

Collecting agreements with several other free agents, including former New York Jets tight end Ben Hartsock for two years and defensive backs Cletis Gordon and De'von Hall and tight end Richie Brockel. The signing of Hartsock may signal the end for Dante Rosario with the Panthers."