Sports News and Trade Rumors: Pro Sports Daily

Panthers sign two more draft picks

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June 29

Gaston Gazette

"The Carolina Panthers have signed fourth-round draft choice (111th overall) Mike Goodson from Texas A"

Panthers vets eager to see Peppers back in uniform

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June 27

Charlotte Observer

"If the reaction of two Carolina Panthers leaders is any indication, defensive end Julius Peppers can expect a warm reception from his teammates when training camp begins in early August. "Not surprised at all about Julius," quarterback Jake Delhomme said by text message about the news that Peppers had signed a one-year tender with the team Wednesday. "All of us will be elated he will be present on the first day of camp." Linebacker Jon Beason writes on his blog (jonbeason.com) that he feels the same: "We're glad to have JP back and I think he's happy, too. In some ways that's the way I expected the procedure to unfold. The Panthers would have had to trade him for lesser value because his ..."

Long-term deal could be next for Peppers

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June 26

Charlotte Observer

"Recent face-to-face meetings with Carolina Panthers officials not only led defensive end Julius Peppers to decide to sign his contract tender to play for the team this season, but also resulted in him becoming open to their long-stated desire to sign him to a long-term extension. Peppers' agent, Carl Carey, told the Observer late Wednesday night that Peppers was satisfied with the contract tender he signed (which could be worth a mind-boggling $19.183 for the 2009 season), but also was willing to consider a more permanent arrangement. "Julius has always had tremendous respect for the individuals in the organization, and he had the opportunity to sit down face-to-face and talk with people ..."

Two twists in Peppers saga

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June 25

Charlotte Observer

"The five-month Julius Peppers saga took two dramatic turns Wednesday. First, the Carolina Panthers announced their Pro Bowl defensive end had finally signed his offer sheet and would play for them this season. Then, late in the evening, agent Carl Carey said Peppers was satisfied with his contract situation, and also open to considering a possible long-term deal. For about two years, Peppers has resisted the Panthers' attempts to sign him to a contract extension, turning down offers that would have made him the NFL's highest-paid defensive player. Peppers' change of heart apparently occurred after recent meetings with team officials. "Julius has always had tremendous respect for the ..."

Peppers signs offer sheet, to play for Panthers

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June 24

Charlotte Observer

"The Panthers announced this afternoon that defensive end Julius Peppers has signed his offer sheet and will play for the team this season. A conference call has been scheduled for this afternoon. Peppers' agent, Carl Carey, told the Observer that : "Julius is more than satisfied with the outcome and is prepared and ready to play football." Carey said a statement from Peppers was forthcoming in which Peppers said he'd had "positive and productive" conversations with the Panthers and that he was "optimistic" about the upcoming season. Peppers will be perhaps the highest paid player in the league with a contract that could pay him up to $19.183 million this season. He has a guaranteed ..."

Tendon injury makes Stewart a spectator

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June 18

Charlotte Observer

"For the second straight offseason, Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart missed most of the significant on-field work at minicamp and summer school. This time the injury - considered mild - involves his left Achilles' tendon. Last season as a rookie he was recovering from toe surgery. Stewart has been at practice, but mostly just listening to the play calls and watching other running backs take his turn. That has caused some teasing among his teammates. "They're out there busting their butts and I'm just sitting on the sideline for the second year in a row," Stewart said. "I've been taking some heat for that." He said he didn't need surgery, but was supposed to rest the tendon ..."

Raising Arizona good move by Fox

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June 17

Charlotte Observer

"John Fox gave the Carolina Panthers something to chew on Tuesday just after they finished their final summer school practice and just before they left for a six-week vacation. Some of what he told them was familiar, but some was new. As usual, the Panthers coach told his players he didn't want to read about them in the newspaper during their free time unless it was for winning the lottery. He told them to be safe as they scattered around the country. And he told them something else: Remember Arizona. Fox has always been a coach of measured responses, sometimes frustratingly so. He's a man who usually folds losses away in a corner deep in his mind because he knows the past can't change. ..."

RB Stewart nursing sore Achilles, but says he'll be ready to go at training camp

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June 16

Gaston Gazette

"Running back Jonathan Stewart said a sore left Achilles is what caused him to miss all of the Carolina Panthers OTAs, but that he should be ready to practice when training camp arrives in early August. The injury was apparently related to Stewart overcompensating for a toe problem that slowed him down last off-season. "It just kind of flared up," he said. "I'm pretty much staying off of it to just kind of let it heal." Stewart, who ran for a Panthers rookie record 836 yards and 10 touchdowns last season, didn't practice at all over the past four weeks, but did participate in the conditioning sprints Tuesday that marked the end of this summer's OTAs. He ran at a fast pace and appeared to be ..."

Football for Smith, but futbol for his son?

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June 15

Charlotte Observer

"The way he's able to fight for position, make outstanding plays in the air and use his quickness to leave defenders standing still, Steve Smith has no doubt he could have played other sports. The Carolina Panthers wide receiver - spurred mostly by the participation of his 11-year-old son Peyton - has in recent years taken an intense interest in the other football. He laughed and said the kind of soccer leagues his kids play in really weren't available in the South Central Los Angeles neighborhood he grew up in. "Growing up in L.A., it's kind of out of your element," Smith said. "If you don't grow up playing it, it's not something you pick up when you're 15 or 16. ... I had watched on TV ..."

Will money coax Peppers to play?

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June 14

Charlotte Observer

columnist Tom Sorensen

"The most talked about player at the Carolina Panther's summer school camp is the one who isn't there. Defensive end Julius Peppers has yet to show up. Nobody expects him to. But management and teammates expect to see him Aug. 2 when training camp begins. Peppers' contract expired at the end of the 2008 season, so the Panthers applied the franchise tag. A team applies a franchise tag the way a wrestler applies a headlock. The tag, however, is more binding. It tethers a player to a team for one season whether he wants to be or not. Can you imagine Peppers breaking the hold by declining to go to work? If he plays, he'll make more than $1 million a game. In alphabetical order, name the people ..."

Panthers rookie Brown off to impressive start

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June 10

Charlotte Observer

"Everette Brown's ability to become an impact player in the NFL depends largely on his ability to match up well against much bigger blockers. He's getting a lot of dress rehearsal time during the Carolina Panthers' summer school practices. Though the Panthers won't have full contact in pads until after training camp opens Aug. 2, Brown's already learning from facing massive right tackle Jeff Otah. Brown is a 6-foot-1, 256-pound defensive end with good speed and quickness, but he's dwarfed by the 6-6, 330-pound Otah. "It's been great competition," Brown said Tuesday. "Definitely, I think it puts me ahead of the learning curve in the long run, going against one of the best. "It's really ..."

Panthers' run game gets a key cog back

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June 9

Charlotte Observer

"Keydrick Vincent was breathing heavy but not complaining after running sprints with the Carolina Panthers' other linemen near the end of Monday's summer school practices. Vincent, the Panthers' right guard, flashed his trademark smile and talked about how good it felt to be practicing with his teammates. His only injury of the 2008 season was painfully untimely. After being the lone member of the offensive line to start each of the first 14 games, a groin injury kept him out for the final two games of the regular season and the Panthers' home playoff loss to Arizona, his former team. "It was disappointing," said Vincent. "We were on a roll at the end (of the season). But stuff happens. ..."

Ex-Panther faces traffic, gun charges

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June 8

Charlotte Observer

"Former Carolina Panthers linebacker Brandon Jamison has been arrested in South Carolina on traffic and weapons charges. The State reported Monday that Jamison was arrested early Sunday in downtown Columbia and charged with reckless driving and illegal possession of a gun. Lt. Jay Evans said both charges are misdemeanors. Police said the 27-year-old Hopkins man was arrested after he made a skidding, sliding turn at an estimated 70 mph shortly before 4 a.m. Evans said Jamison gave permission to have his car searched and officers found a .40 Ruger handgun with 10 bullets."

Chances slim for Peppers trade

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June 7

Charlotte Observer

"Two months from now, the Carolina Panthers are scheduled to be nearing the end of their first week of training camp. By then, the Julius Peppers saga either could be old news or big news depending upon whether he has signed his offer sheet and reported to duty. It doesn't look like Peppers has many options. That's been the case since the NFL draft passed in late April. Barring an incredibly creative type of trade, there isn't much another team could offer the Panthers that would help them enough this season to make them consider dealing away their Pro Bowl defensive end. Before the draft, there was always the possibility - albeit remote - that the Panthers could get enough in 2009 draft ..."

Panthers players honored to wait tables for charity

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June 5

Charlotte Observer

"Dressed in their bright blue game jerseys, six Carolina Panthers players waited tables Thursday night at a fund-raising dinner aimed to tackle Charlotte's homeless problem. "The fact of the matter is there are a lot of people out there who are not blessed in the same way we are," said punter Jason Baker. "It's an opportunity for us, hopefully, in a small way to bridge that gap a little bit." Baker and teammates Ryan Kalil (center), Matt Moore (quarterback), Kenny Moore (receiver), C.J. Wilson (cornerback) and Gary Barnidge (tight end) set aside their celebrity status to spend the night as servants. "I'll tip waiters a little differently than I did before," said Baker. "It's a cool job, but ..."

Panthers become big losers - of excess weight

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June 3

Charlotte Observer

"There's much less to see when you look at the Carolina Panthers' sideline these days. More than 500 pounds less. In their own competitive, high-stakes version of "The Biggest Loser," coach John Fox, his assistants and the football operations staff have combined to shed over a quarter ton of weight since the end of last season. "I don't quite feel like an old German shepherd anymore," said offensive coordinator Jeff Davidson, who dropped 71 pounds, the most in the eight-week competition. "I think it's helped me dramatically. It just didn't make me better looking." The program was the brainchild of trainer Ryan Vermillion, who became alarmed late last season at the staff's bulging ..."

Moore making most of shot with Panthers

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June 3

Charlotte Observer

"Kenny Moore is trying to prove that he belongs. Last year, Moore attended every workout, practice, and team meeting. He prepared for the games just like every other Panther, but he never got his shot on the field. This season comes with new opportunities for Moore, who is 5-foot-11, 195 pounds. With receiver D.J. Hackett waived in the offseason, there is no clear frontrunner for the fourth receiver spot. Moore, an all ACC receiver while at Wake Forest, is trying to "work on the basics" to standout amongst fellow receivers Ryne Robinson and Jason Carter. You have to "make the coaches believe you can make plays on the field," says Moore. In addition to his receiving ability, Moore feels ..."

Fiammetta adjusting to life in NFL

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June 3

Charlotte Observer

"Life as a rookie in the NFL can be tough, but Panthers' fullback Tony Fiammetta is taking it in stride. Drafted by Carolina in the fourth round (128th overall) out of Syracuse, Fiammetta excelled at the 2009 NFL Scouting Combine, where he led all running backs with 30 repetitions (of 225 pounds) in the bench press. He also finished with a time of 4.6 seconds in the 40-yard dash, .02 seconds faster than former Georgia star and current Denver Bronco Knowshon Moreno. He was the consensus top-rated fullback in April's draft. However, even for the elite collegiate players, the transition to the NFL is difficult. The speed of the game is faster, the players are bigger, and the schedule is ..."

Rookie RB Goodson hoping to provide a curveball in Panthers offense

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June 2

Gaston Gazette

"Mike Goodson didn't play all that much in three seasons at Texas A"

Panthers' Jarrett needs a breakthrough season

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June 2

Charlotte Observer

"In his first two seasons, Dwayne Jarrett has been little more than an afterthought for the Carolina Panthers. In season three, he needs to be much more than that. The 2009 season will be make-or-break time for Jarrett, whose All-American production at Southern California has been lost in translation in the NFL. Jarrett scored 41 touchdowns in only three seasons at Southern Cal, but has yet to score his first NFL TD. This season better be different. Jarrett is a solid bet as the Panthers' No.3 receiver behind starters Steve Smith and Muhsin Muhammad. At the Panthers' ongoing summer school, Jarrett appears to know what he's doing most of the time. "One of my strongest points is just going ..."

Which QB will step in if Jake goes on the shelf?

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May 31

Charlotte Observer

columnist Scott Fowler

"If Jake Delhomme goes down in 2009, what comes next for the Carolina Panthers? You can guarantee this much. It will be a quarterback who is at least 6-3, went to at least two colleges and throws well on the run. That description fits both No. 2 quarterback Josh McCown and No. 3 Matt Moore. Both were almost invisible in 2008 but could be called upon at any time to salvage the 2009 season. "There are still some unknowns about both those guys," Panther coach John Fox said. "They are two gifted players - they've got all the tools. But the preseason will be real important to both of them. Right now Josh is No.2 and Matt is No.3, but our whole football team is an open competition." Make no ..."

Marshall working to cement role

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May 30

Charlotte Observer

"Here's what goes through Richard Marshall's mind when the ball is snapped as he's lined up as the Carolina Panthers' new starting cornerback. "Stand square," Marshall thinks. "Back peddle. Don't turn too early. Be ready to break left or right when the receiver breaks." If the ball is thrown to the opposite side of the field during the Panthers' "summer school" practice sessions this week, the play - or his mind - doesn't stop for Marshall. "If I'm the right corner and it gets thrown to (Chris) Gamble (on the left side), I've got to run to get over there," Marshall says. "I run until I touch the (receiver). I'm running and running." Marshall's attention to detail has become more important ..."

Beavers gets started on return career

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May 29

Charlotte Observer

columnist Tom Sorenson

"Larry Beavers' receiving numbers were down his senior year. An NFL scout asked his coach why. "Every time he got a kickoff or punt he returned it for a touchdown," said the coach, Mike Drass. "So we didn't have the ball to give him." Beavers' return numbers at Wesley College, a 1,750-student school in Dover, Del., are staggering. They are so staggering that before committing them to print I ran them past the Carolina Panthers, past Wesley and past Drass, who is the school's longtime, and very successful, football coach and athletics director. Beavers averaged 39.5 yards every time he returned a kickoff. He averaged 29.2 yards every time he returned a punt. Coach Drass, how was your field ..."

Richardson visit lifts Panthers

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May 29

Charlotte Observer

"The energetic pace of the Carolina Panthers' practice Thursday morning was unlike most summer school sessions. Players were more vocal and seemed to perform with near regular-season intensity. Afterward, they admitted to being inspired by the surprise appearance of team owner Jerry Richardson, who showed up for his first practice since training camp opened last July. It was his most public appearance since having heart transplant surgery on February1. "He was great," coach John Fox said of Richardson. "He looked great. He's getting stronger by the day. Everything's going well with the procedure he had, and it was great seeing him out here." Fox and general manager Marty Hurney were quick ..."

Richardson receives applause as he takes in practice

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May 28

Gaston Gazette

"Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson made a surprise visit to practice Thursday morning less than four months after receiving a heart transplant. Players applauded when Richardson rode a golf cart onto the practice field at the beginning of the 70-minute workout. Wearing a dark suit and blue tie, Richardson appeared much thinner than before the surgery. After practice he exchanged pleasantries with members of the media and said he "feels great," but didn't want to be interviewed. The players clearly got a lift from seeing Richardson on the sidelines. "He's an owner that many guys on the team have a relationship with and not just, 'Hey how are you doing?'" said quarterback Jake ..."

Starting offensive line returns

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May 28

Charlotte Observer

"All-pro left tackle Jordan Gross is thrilled that, for the first time in his pro career, the Panthers return all their starting offensive linemen from the previous season. But there's this caveat: All the experienced depth from last season is gone. "As it sits now, we can't really afford to have anybody get hurt," Gross said Wednesday after the Panthers opened 21/2 weeks of summer school practice sessions. "Not saying anything bad about our backups, but it's all just so unknown. There is not an established backup now. Just as unique as it is for us to have all five starters back, it's the same with our depth being so limited." Two '08 backups who started some as needed, center-guard Geoff ..."

Peppers the only no-show on Panthers defense at OTAs

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May 28

Gaston Gazette

"Defensive end Julius Peppers was a no-show as the Carolina Panthers kicked off their annual OTAs or "summer school" session on Wednesday, but the rest of the team's defensive starters were back on the field. Safety Chris Harris, defensive tackle Damione Lewis, linebackers Jon Beason and Na'il Diggs and cornerback Chris Gamble all returned to the field after missing time in the rookie minicamp recovering from various injuries. The only players held out of practice Wednesday were running back Jonathan Stewart, receiver Ryne Robinson and tight end Dante Rosario. Also, wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad was excused from practice. Beason and Harris are both recovering from shoulder surgery. Harris ..."

Panthers to start summer workouts

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May 27

Charlotte Observer

"The Carolina Panthers will return to their practice fields today for the start of a series of summer school practices expected to last until at least June11. The Panthers will gather for nonmandatory, once-a-day morning workouts that are not open to the public. Unsigned franchise free agent defensive end Julius Peppers is not expected to attend, though team officials have said they believe he'll report for the start of training camp Aug.2 in Spartanburg. Neither Peppers nor his agent, Carl Carey, have said when, or whether, he'll sign his contract tender and join the team. Peppers had hoped to be move to another team but was limited by the franchise tag. No team on his wish list was ..."

CB Richard Marshall eager to take advantage of opportunity to start

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May 17

Gaston Gazette

"Bold, confident and ultra-competitive, cornerback Richard Marshall always assumed one day he'd be starting for the Carolina Panthers. Now that that day has arrived, Marshall plans to make the most of it. "Everybody wants to start," Marshall said. "Now that I got my chance I just can't let it slip away. I have to capitalize on the opportunity they have given to me." The team's decision to release veteran cornerback Ken Lucas this off-season paved the way for Marshall, who spent three seasons as a nickel back behind Lucas and Chris Gamble, to snag the only vacancy among the 22 offensive and defensive starters. The opportunity comes just in time. Marshall is in his contract year, which means ..."

Dallas-Fort Worth venues announced for Super Bowl XLV ancillary events

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May 13

Dallas Morning News

"The Super Bowl XLV Host Committee announced today the locations of eight major events and venues - from the NFL Experience to the headquarters hotel - for the 2011 game in Arlington. Dallas will get the largest share of marquee events and venues. The NFL Experience, an 850,000-square-foot theme park, football museum and memorabilia show, will be held at the Dallas Convention Center. That announcement was expected since there are no other indoor venues large enough to accommodate it. In warm weather states, such as Florida or Arizona, the NFL Experience is sometimes held outdoors. The event is booked indoors in regions where cold weather is likely. The Hilton Anatole was chosen as the NFL ..."

Teen healing from burns: 'He should be the hero'

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May 9

Charlotte Observer

"Connor McKemey admittedly was overwhelmed. He didn't expect this. The TV cameras. The media interviews. The Carolina Panthers stars who sat nearby in his honor. That Connor seemed just as big a draw as those millionaire athletes was as surprising to him as anything. "I thought a lot of people were here just to see them," he said. "But I was wrong." The 14-year-old's star was just as bright Thursday at Towne Tavern in Fort Mill during a Meet the Panthers night to welcome Connor home after months of rehab following a December accident that left him burned over 85 percent of his body. Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme, along with players Jordan Gross, Travelle Wharton, Jon Beason and ..."

Rucker to provide preseason color

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May 9

Charlotte Observer

"A familiar face to the Panthers will handle color commentary for the team's final three preseason exhibitions, according to the Panthers website. Former defensive end Mike Rucker will be joined in the television booth by Mike Morgan, who will handle play-by-play duties. Morgan has been a broadcaster for South Carolina basketball and baseball games. Morgan and Rucker replace Gary Williams and former Panthers quarterback Steve Beuerlein in broadcasting the preseason games."

Dungy: Meeks is a good fit

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May 9

Charlotte Observer

"Recently retired NFL coach Tony Dungy said Thursday he believes the Carolina Panthers made a good move by hiring Ron Meeks as their defensive coordinator. Meeks served in the same position the past seven years on Dungy's Indianapolis Colts staff, but resigned after new coach Jim Caldwell took over. "I think they're getting a really experienced football coach who has been in an experienced system who will tailor what he wants to do to the talent that's there," said Dungy. He noted that before joining the Colts, Meeks worked with Chicago head coach Lovie Smith when Smith was the St. Louis defensive coordinator. Meeks was the Rams' secondary coach. "He's been in some successful places," said ..."

Commissioners of the big four sports gather to discuss 'The Future of Sports'

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May 7

New York Daily News

"They are portrayed as having the job security of a Supreme Court justice or the president of North Korea, but even the commissioners of the four major North American sports have to occasionally answer questions about the future of their sports at a time when, as one of them said, the economy is in the greatest downturn since the Great Depression. Wednesday, Bud Selig of Major League Baseball, Roger Goodell of the National Football League, David Stern of the National Basketball Association and Gary Bettman of the National Hockey League assembled at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Midtown Manhattan to discuss some of the issues facing an enterprise with a combined revenue of $21.2 billion. ..."

Carolina puts emphasis on defense

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May 7

New Orleans Times-Picayune

"Despite an embarrassing conclusion to a promising season in 2008, Carolina appears to be the team to beat this season in the topsy-turvy NFC South. The Panthers return 21 of 22 starters from a team that finished 12-4 and won the division. But despite being a 10-point favorite over Arizona in the divisional round of the playoffs, host Carolina lost 33-13. That crushing defeat might explain why General Manager Marty Hurney and Coach John Fox spent their first three draft picks on trying to shore up the 18th-ranked defense, though on that January night at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., it looked much worse. The Panthers selected Florida State defensive end Everette Brown and ..."

New Panther Oshinowo is a definite sleeper

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May 4

Charlotte Observer

"Just a few blocks from Bank of America Stadium, a Carolina Panthers player is living in a sparsely furnished apartment, sleeping on an air mattress, with a television that has no cable or satellite service. Defensive tackle Babatunde Oshinowo (pronounced ba-ba-TOON-day OH-shi-no-wo) was signed by the Panthers in late January and knows from experience that being on an NFL roster can be fleeting. "Until I know for a fact I'm going to be here, I don't want to put (down) roots," said Oshinowo, who calls himself "a man of small means." Though the roster lists him as having one year of NFL experience, he's actually in his fourth season trying to find a home in the league. Cleveland picked him in ..."

A dozen observations from minicamp

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May 4

Gaston Gazette

"It's extremely hard to tell all that much about players when they're not wearing pads and not always going full speed, but with that in mind here are a dozen observations from this weekend's minicamp. 1. RB Mike Goodson looked very quick running from the slot position. I like his speed and I think he definitely gives the Panthers another weapon. 2. OG Duke Robinson is a pretty big guy, but still not as big as Jeff Otah. I think he might turn out to be the steal of this draft for the Panthers when we look back in a few years. 3. I was really impressed with the physicality and speed of undrafted rookie KR Larry Beavers, who averaged something ridiculous like 39 yards per kickoff return at ..."

Energetic Meeks plans to play to his players' strengths on defense

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May 3

Gaston Gazette

"Ron Meeks took over as defensive coordinator of the Carolina Panthers in January and it didn't take long before he delivered a message to his new players. One that came through loud and clear. "He wants guys that are reckless, flying around, competing on every play," said Pro Bowl linebacker Jon Beason. "If you're not that type of guy, you're not going to play on this defense. People got the message real fast." That mirrors the way Meeks played during his tenure as a defensive back in the Canadian Football League. If nothing else Meeks was aggressive and never shied away from contact. Although 26 years removed from his playing days, Meeks still looks like a guy who could lay a hit on you ..."

Panthers' Robinson healthy, excited to be back

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May 3

Charlotte Observer

"There might not be a happier man participating in the Carolina Panthers' minicamp this weekend than Ryne Robinson. Robinson, 23, was to be the team's kick returner last season before suffering torn knee ligaments in training camp. At first, there was hope he'd be ready for the start of the regular season, but the knee didn't respond and he was placed on injured reserve. Thus, this minicamp marks his first practices with the Panthers in about eight months. "It feels like it's been forever," said Robinson. He said he feels as healthy as ever and again is the team's leading candidate to return kicks. "We've seen him do it before," said coach John Fox. "We know he can do it. He's had no ..."

Meeks mum about Panthers defensive scheme

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May 3

Charlotte Observer

"The atmosphere around the Carolina Panthers' defense has already cooled. That's how new defensive coordinator Ron Meeks wants it. It's not just his own brand of energy that Meeks has brought to this weekend's mini-camp - the first on-field contact he's had with his players since he was hired in January. But Meeks also likes to turn down the thermostat in his defensive meeting rooms, keeping temperatures purposefully chilly. "You've got to keep that tension," Meeks said Saturday. "You don't want them to get too comfortable." Meeks' task is to oversee - and improve - a defense that faltered in the second half of the 2008 season. How will he do it? Meeks and head coach John Fox haven't ..."

Fox believes 'sometimes change is good' when it comes to coaching staff

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May 2

Gaston Gazette

"John Fox doesn't believe the Carolina Panthers defense will change all that much under new coordinator Ron Meeks, but thinks his mere presence will be a big boost. Meeks replaced Mike Trgovac, who left the team this off-season to become the new defensive line coach for the Green Bay Packers. The Panthers gave up 29.5 points and more than 389 yards per game over the final seven weeks of the season. Along with defensive coordinator, the Panthers changed coaches at defensive line, linebacker and in the secondary this past off-season. "Sometimes change is good," Fox said. "I think Ron Meeks is a proven coach in this league and a very fine coach. We have some new additions on the defensive side ..."

New QB coach, new approach

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May 2

Charlotte Observer

"Jake Delhomme has a new quarterbacks coach for the first time in his Carolina Panthers career. He's Rip Scherer, who comes to the Panthers from the Cleveland Browns, replacing Mike McCoy, now the Denver Broncos' offensive coordinator. The difference between Scherer and McCoy - at least on the surface - was apparent Friday, the first day of the Panthers' three-day minicamp on their practice fields next to Bank of America Stadium. Scherer's quarterbacks throw at targeted bags set in netting for passing accuracy drills. With McCoy, Panthers quarterbacks would try totheir passes into a stack of tires, or sometimes a barrel. "I've been throwing into barrels since '03," said Delhomme. "Now we ..."

No Peppers, no problem

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May 2

Charlotte Observer

"Julius Peppers' absence from the opening day of minicamp Friday wasn't a serious concern for Carolina Panthers players or coach John Fox. Though Peppers, a franchise free agent, hasn't signed his contract tender offer, Fox said he doesn't expect the four-time Pro Bowl defensive end to join the team any later than the start of training camp. "That's when our season starts," said Fox. However, neither Peppers nor his agent Carl Carey have commented on the situation in weeks. Peppers didn't get his wish to become an unrestricted free agent in February because the Panthers placed their franchise tag on him, restricting his ability to go to another team. He also didn't get traded before the NFL ..."

Delhomme's new deal cap-friendly

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May 1

Charlotte Observer

"The Panthers saved about $2.5 million under their 2009 salary cap by signing quarterback Jake Delhomme to a contract extension last week that added five years to his existing deal. Delhomme's was scheduled to count nearly $11.1 million against the '09 cap before the extension, but now counts $8.591 million. His numbers are relatively cap-friendly for a starting quarterback in subsequent years -- $4.785 million in 2010, $5.745 million in 2011, $6.705 million in 2012, $7.665 million in 2013, and $8 million in 2014."

Peppers sitting out?

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May 1

Charlotte Observer

"Julius Peppers is expected to be a no-show at the Carolina Panthers' three-day minicamp opening this morning. The remainder of the veterans, draft picks and undrafted rookies are scheduled to be together for the first time, giving coach John Fox and his staff their first look at a team that has only minor differences from last season. Here are five burning questions going into the minicamp, which is not open to the public: What about Peppers? Peppers hasn't signed his contract tender and thus isn't required to attend. General manager Marty Hurney said Thursday that he's had positive discussions with Peppers' agent, Carl Carey, this week. Hurney wouldn't say whether Carey gave any ..."

Peppers will sit out team's mandatory three-day minicamp this weekend

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May 1

Gaston Gazette

"The Carolina Panthers will return to the practice field Friday for the first time since last year's disappointing playoff loss to the Arizona Cardinals, but they will do so without a key member of their defense. According to two league sources, franchised defensive end Julius Peppers will be a no-show when the Panthers take the field for their mandatory three-day minicamp. That's hardly a surprise, but still significant in some respects since it suggests Peppers -- at least at this point -- is still not gung-ho about rejoining the Panthers. Under NFL rules, Peppers doesn't have to attend minicamp because he's not signed his tender. Peppers expressed after the 2008 season he didn't want to ..."

Panthers give 'D' infusion via draft

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April 29

Charlotte Observer

""It was about time." Those words were coach John Fox's way of expressing his delight with the emphasis the Carolina Panthers placed on acquiring defensive help with their early picks in the NFL draft over the weekend. The Panthers used their first three selections - two second-rounders Saturday and a third-round pick Sunday - in an effort to improve a defense that ranked 18th in the league in total defense last season. Despite the fact that he is a former defensive coordinator, this is the first time in Fox's eight years as Panthers' coach that team has taken three defensive players consecutively at the top of their draft. Of the 21 players who comprised the first three picks from the past ..."

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