Carolina Panthers News

After testing free agency, Brayton signs 3-year deal with Carolina Panthers
Comment
March 18
Charlotte Observer
 
"The Carolina Panthers aren't going into next season without a returning starter on the defensive line after all. Unrestricted free agent defensive end Tyler Brayton, who started 31 games the past two seasons, agreed to terms Wednesday to re-sign with a three-year deal. Terms weren't disclosed. "Tyler is relieved and pleased," said his agent, Tom Mills. "The two years he's spent with the Panthers have been his two most enjoyable years as an NFL player. He's pleased to have the opportunity to continue his career there." Brayton made it clear late last season that he wanted to stay with the Panthers, saying he'd be "heartbroken" if the team didn't want him to return. However, following ..."
Next season is Fox's last chance
Comment
March 18
Charlotte Observer
 
"As the Carolina Panthers have dismantled a large part of their foundation brick by brick this offseason, I keep wondering how this fits into the future of head coach John Fox. Fox is under contract through 2010, but that's all. He badly needs a good year. The Panthers' personnel moves, on the other hand, have been dominated by fiscal conservatism and a "go young" mission. The Panthers' front office appears to be at peace with the notion of taking one step back now to take two steps forward later. The Panthers need to win, for Fox's sake. But they also want to rebuild. And those two ideas are at cross-purposes. The two highest-profile players most closely tied to Fox are gone. Julius ..."
Former Panthers shopping for teams
Comment
March 17
Charlotte Observer
 
"Former Panthers linebacker Landon Johnson, who was released earlier this month and now is a free agent, is scheduled to visit the Detroit Lions today, according to his agent, Andy Simms. Simms described it as "a feeler visit" and said Johnson is trying to get a sense of the market for him. Simms said Johnson also has received interest from other teams. Johnson was a backup linebacker and special teams player for the Panthers who was thrust into a starting role when Thomas Davis suffered a season-ending knee injury last year. Later, Johnson was injured and wound up with Davis on injured reserve."
Carolina Panthers seem keen on ASU's Armanti Edwards
Comment
March 17
Charlotte Observer
 
"Appalachian State quarterback Armanti Edwards said Tuesday the Carolina Panthers seemed more interested in him than any of the NFL teams he's spoken with so far. But as much as he thinks they like him, he's not sure what they want to do with him. Such is the problem with the celebrated Mountaineers passer, and the reason he was catching punts and running receiver drills at his pro day workout Tuesday. The Panthers were one of 10 teams watching, and they'll be back Thursday for a private session with the two-time Walter Payton Award winner (the FCS version of the Heisman). What they're going to ask to see is a mystery to the multi-talented Edwards, the only player in NCAA Division I history ..."
Sources: Panthers' Marshall not at workout
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March 17
Charlotte Observer
 
"The Carolina Panthers opened their offseason conditioning program Monday, with one notable absence. Cornerback Richard Marshall wasn't there, according to two team sources. The sessions are voluntary, though most of the players under contract attended. When Marshall, a restricted free agent, was given the second-round tender offer of $1.759?million, there was speculation he would be an attractive option for teams in need of a cornerback. If Marshall signed an offer sheet with another team, the Panthers would have seven days to match. If they didn't, they'd receive a second-round pick as compensation. Marshall's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said late last week there was "nothing new" regarding ..."
Sources: Marshall not at workout
Comment
March 16
Charlotte Observer
 
"The Carolina Panthers opened their offseason conditioning program Monday, with one notable absence. Cornerback Richard Marshall wasn't there, according to two team sources. The sessions are voluntary, though most of the players under contract attended. When Marshall, a restricted free agent, was given the second-round tender offer of $1.759?million, there was speculation he would be an attractive option for teams in need of a cornerback. If Marshall signed an offer sheet with another team, the Panthers would have seven days to match. If they didn't, they'd receive a second-round pick as compensation."
With Quinn moved, QB pool gets thinner
Comment
March 15
Charlotte Observer
 
"If the Panthers are looking for someone to challenge Matt Moore for the starting QB job, the search is apparently going to take some time. With Cleveland's Brady Quinn shipped to Denver Sunday -- for FB Peyton Hillis and two conditional draft picks, per Fox's Jay Glazer -- another potential option was crossed off the list. It's unclear whether the Panthers ever showed any interest in Quinn, but his trade at least dilutes a shallow pool a little more. The Panthers don't seem to be in the mix for Derek Anderson, who's scheduled visits with Seattle and Arizona. Those same two are said to be negotiating with San Diego backup Charlie Whitehurst."
James Hall concludes visit with New Orleans Saints: Delhomme Signs with Browns
Comment
March 14
New Orleans Times-Picayune
 
"On the eve of visiting the New Orleans Saints to discuss entering the backup stage of his NFL career, quarterback Jake Delhomme instead signed a two-year deal with the Cleveland Browns late Saturday, according to published reports. ESPN, quoting an unnamed league source, reported the contract just hours after Saints officials, citing a cancelled flight, said Delhomme's slated visit to New Orleans had been pushed back to Sunday. Neither Delhomme nor the Saints responded to requests for comment Saturday and it was unclear where the tale of the cancelled flight originated, but it certainly was understandable why Delhomme would prefer a deal with the Browns: he should have a shot at the ..."
Jake to Cleveland: Good For Him
Comment
March 14
Charlotte Observer
 columnist Scott Fowler
"Good for Jake Delhomme, who has signed a deal with the Cleveland Browns. I'll predict right now Delhomme will be Cleveland's starter on Opening Day 2010. Browns team president Mike Holmgren told The Cleveland Plain Dealer Friday that while Delhomme wouldn't necessarily be the starter for the Browns if he signed that Delhomme certainly had the "potential" to fill that slot for the Browns. And what about Brady Quinn, Cleveland's incumbent? My guess is he will be traded. If you read between the lines, it doesn't seem like Holmgren likes him much. Quinn has gone 3-9 as a starter in Cleveland. Delhomme is 58-40 as a starter in his career. Delhomme's main competition will probably come from ..."
Panthers free-agent basket nearly bare
Comment
March 14
Charlotte Observer
 
"The Carolina Panthers have been one of the nine least active teams during the NFL's nine-day-old free agency signing period. As of Saturday night, Carolina was one of 16 teams that hadn't signed an unrestricted free agent - a veteran of six years or more whose contract with his previous team expired. However, seven of those clubs either had traded for a likely starter or signed a potential front-liner recently cut by another team. Barely a whisper has been heard from the Panthers, who signed former Colts defensive tackle Ed Johnson, a street free agent, before the full-blown signing period opened March5. Since then they've only signed Wallace Wright, a wide receiver and special teamer whom ..."
Source: Panthers not pursuing Quinn
Comment
March 14
Charlotte Observer
 
"Though there has been speculation that Carolina might be interested in acquiring Cleveland Browns quarterback Brady Quinn, the Panthers so far have shown no interest, according to a league source. The Browns are expected to try to trade Quinn now that former Carolina starter Jake Delhomme has signed, joining fellow newcomer Seneca Wallace, who was obtained from Seattle in a trade last week. The Browns' quarterback position in being overhauled under new team president Mike Holmgren. Already, Derek Anderson was released. Quinn, a 2007 first-round pick, has some natural connections with the Panthers. Quarterbacks coach Rip Scherer coached him his rookie year in Cleveland. Also, Carolina head ..."
QB Jake Delhomme agrees to 2-year deal with Cleveland Browns
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March 14
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Jake Delhomme is "very, very excited" about coming in to be the starting quarterback of the Browns and will be here Monday for the start of the off-season program, a league source said Saturday. Delhomme, 35, agreed to terms on a two-year deal, agent Rick Smith confirmed for The Plain Dealer. Terms were not disclosed, but the source said Delhomme will make $7 million — a starter's salary — in 2010. It was attractive enough for Delhomme to cancel his visit to his hometown Saints, the team that signed him as an undrafted rookie in 1997. Delhomme would have been the backup to Drew Brees in New Orleans."
Munnerlyn on pay boost: It's a blessing!
Comment
March 13
Charlotte Observer
 
"Carolina Panthers rookie cornerback Captain Munnerlyn began to hear from teammates late last season that there was a perfomance-based bonus system in place in the NFL to boost pay for players like himself, late-round draft picks who were underpaid for the amount of playing time they were getting. Munnerlyn turned pro after his junior season at South Carolina, but slipped to the seventh-round and didn't come away with the lucrative contract he'd hoped. His rookie base salary was $310,000, far better than most people but way down the pay scale in the NFL. "My teammates told me to keep playing football and I'd make up for some of what I lost" by getting drafted late, Munnerlyn said tonight. ..."
Panthers game tickets will rise next season by $1 to $9
Comment
March 13
Charlotte Observer
 
"At a time when the team's purging salary, the Carolina Panthers are asking ticket holders for more of theirs. The Panthers said Friday that they would raise ticket prices between $1 and $9 per seat. A team spokesman said roughly half the tickets in the stadium would go up between $1 and $3 each. It's the eighth time in the last 11 years they've raised prices, after an early trend toward holding costs steady. The team has also announced some new payment options, as PSL owners can break up their season-ticket renewals into three equal payments, due in April, May and June."
Lower-paid Panthers score bonuses
Comment
March 13
Charlotte Observer
 
"Rookie cornerback Captain Munnerlyn, a seventh-round pick who was an integral part of the Panthers' defense and special teams last season, was the team's top earner in the NFL's 2009 performance-based pay program. Munnerlyn earned an additional $209,631 over his base salary, according to an official league document obtained by the Observer. Offensive lineman Mackenzy Bernadeau, a 2008 seventh-round pick who moved into the starting lineup at left guard after left tackle Jordan Gross's season-ending injury, was next on the Panthers' list with extra earnings of $170,186. The league's performance-based pay system sets up a fund on each team to reward players based on how their playing time ..."
Carolina Panthers QB starter Moore says he's ready to work, and get better
Comment
March 13
Charlotte Observer
 
"There's a new chief passer in town. No longer serving behind now-departed Jake Delhomme, Matt Moore will wear the freshly placed mantle of Carolina Panthers' starting quarterback when he walks into Bank of America Stadium Monday for the start of the team's offseason conditioning program. Already, he's trying to set a hopeful tone amid an offseason that's been full of big-name veteran departures and short on free agency additions. Despite the loss of defensive end Julius Peppers in free agency and the release of longtime stalwarts like Delhomme, fullback Brad Hoover, defensive tackles Damione Lewis and Maake Kemoeatu, and linebacker Na'il Diggs, Moore is staunchly declaring that the ..."
Jake Delhomme to spend weekend with New Orleans Saints
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March 12
New Orleans Times-Picayune
 
"Jake Delhomme's career took off when he left the Louisiana nest for the first time in 2003, signing with the Carolina Panthers and immediately leading them to a Super Bowl berth. Now, the New Orleans Saints want the free-agent quarterback to come back home. Delhomme, a Breaux Bridge native, former Louisiana-Lafayette star and former Saints backup will visit the Saints on Friday and Saturday to explore the idea of becoming an insurance policy for Super Bowl XLIV MVP Drew Brees. He'll be the second free agent to visit the Saints this year, following defensive end James Hall, who arrived Thursday. Hall, 32, is a New Orleans native who prepped at St. Augustine and has spent his 10-year career ..."
Jake Delhomme, New Orleans Saints to meet
Comment
March 12
Charlotte Observer
 
"Former Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme is scheduled to revisit his roots as he begins a scheduled two-day stay today with the New Orleans Saints as he continues to seek out his next NFL team. Delhomme, released by the Panthers last week, visited Thursday with the Cleveland Browns. Delhomme is a native of Breaux Bridge, La., and spent his first four NFL seasons as a backup with the Saints before coming to Carolina in 2003 and quickly winning the starting job. If Delhomme returns to the Saints, he'll be the backup behind Drew Brees, who won the Super Bowl MVP in leading New Orleans to the league title last month against the Indianapolis Colts. Delhomme might also draw interest from the ..."
Jake would start for Browns
Comment
March 12
Charlotte Observer
 columnist Scott Fowler
"With Jake Delhomme visiting the Cleveland Browns in search of another job, the question is not whether he'll get one. Delhomme will be working somewhere in 2010 in the NFL. The question is whether he will be a starter. There are very few places you could say yes, but I would bet you Cleveland is one. The Browns' QB situation is a mess, as this article from the Cleveland paper notes. Noted QB guru Mike Holmgren is now the Browns team president and is going to overhaul the QB position. He already has started, in fact, releasing Derek Anderson and trading for former Seattle backup QB Seneca Wallace."
Agent says Moore to sign deal with Panthers today
Comment
March 12
Charlotte Observer
 
"Eagerly embracing his new role as the Carolina Panthers' designated starting quarterback, Matt Moore is scheduled to come to Bank of America Stadium this morning to sign his one-year contract tender and take himself off the free agency market. "It's a done deal," his agent, Lynn Lashbrook, of Portland, said Thursday. "He's excited about getting started for next season." Moore chose not to delay signing his tender until after the NFL's April15 deadline for other teams to sign tendered restricted free agents to offer sheets. "He did not want to wait around," said Lashbrook. "He wanted to send a message to the team and the community. "This is a good marriage. The Carolina Panthers are a good ..."
QB Moore set to sign tender
Comment
March 11
Charlotte Observer
 
"Panthers' restricted free agent quarterback Matt Moore has decided to sign the team's one-year qualifying offer of $3.043 million, according to his representatives. His agents have reviewed the offer and Moore, who has flown to Charlotte from his California home, is expected to sign the offer today or tomorrow. "It's a done deal," said agent Lynn Lashbrook. "He's excited about getting started for next season. He did not want to wait around. "He wanted to send a message to the community and the team. I just think it's a great win-win for both parties." The news was first reported earlier this afternoon by The Oregonion. The signing locks in Moore with the Panthers for the 2010 season. ..."
DE Brayton tests market in Seattle
Comment
March 10
Charlotte Observer
 
"Another Carolina Panthers starter could be on the move. Unrestricted free agent defensive end Tyler Brayton was in Renton, Wash., on Tuesday for day and night meetings with the Seattle Seahawks. The Seahawks could be considering Brayton for a starting job, or at least a chance to compete for the first team. One 2009 Seahawks starting defensive end, Patrick Kerney, might not be retained because of his $5.167million base salary for next season. The Panthers held contract talks with Brayton's representatives before free agency started but were unable to strike a deal, so he chose to test the market."
I'm sorry the "Hoooov" got the ax
Comment
March 9
Charlotte Observer
 columnist Scott Fowler
"The Carolina Panthers have confirmed today that they have released veteran fullback Brad Hoover, one of the team's most well-liked citizens and a heckuva blocking back for the past 10 years. The "Hoov" had one of the great Panther names in history -- it was so easy to yell "Hoooooooooov!" whenever he got one of his rare carries or ran over somebody on a short pass for a first down. The Western Carolina product and Thomasville native was an undrafted rookie free agent a decade ago and made a great career for himself. Stop me if you've heard this before, though: The Panthers are going to go younger and cheaper at the position. Panther coach John Fox said last week that football "was a young ..."
Can Panthers find another QB?
Comment
March 9
Charlotte Observer
 
"The standard Carolina Panthers answer to questions about particular positions is that they search every avenue for help. As it pertains to their quarterback position, they're looking down several dead-end streets. Without a first-round pick (or their fifth- or sixth-round selections), and with no help available in free agency, it's hard to see where they're going to turn. Two league sources said the Panthers have put out word they're looking for someone to compete with Matt Moore for the starting job. That's a slight departure from what they said Friday when they announced the release of Jake Delhomme, but given that Moore's started seven NFL games, it makes sense. If that's the case, ..."
Panthers cut fan favorite Hoover
Comment
March 9
Charlotte Observer
 
"After 10 seasons with the Carolina Panthers, fullback Brad Hoover knew the time was approaching when his days with his home-state NFL team would end. He just hoped it would coincide with when he was ready to retire. But when his agent Tim Irwin called Sunday night to say general manager Marty Hurney and coach John Fox wanted to meet with him Monday morning to personally inform him of his release, he knew he wouldn't reach that goal. "Reality has set in and it's here," said Hoover. "They decided to go with a youth movement and I'm not part of it, and I'm very disappointed that I'm not." The new fullback is Tony Fiammetta, a fourth-round draft pick last year who spent most of his rookie ..."
Here's the real reason behind Jake's tears
Comment
March 7
Charlotte Observer
 columnist Tommy Tomlinson
"Jake Delhomme cries. And of course the jokes start right away. We cried, too, when you threw all those interceptions. Maybe he can wipe his eyes with some of that 13 million dollars he's getting. If you look at it in a rational way, Jake had no reason to cry. He had a good run as a starting quarterback in the NFL. He played in a Super Bowl. Fans adored him. He has made more money than most of us will ever see. If he doesn't want to work another day, he doesn't have to. But on Friday, as he talked about being released by the Panthers, he cried. Because he knew something, even if he couldn't put words to it. He's past his prime. It happens fast in sports and the arts, where youth matters. ..."
Jake Delhomme, a stand-up guy, will land on his feet
Comment
March 7
Charlotte Observer
 
"If the Carolina Panthers weren't loyal, they would have kept Jake Delhomme and allowed him to watch Matt Moore play his position. Jake would have worked as hard to be a backup as he worked to be a starter. He would always enhance and never detract. But inside he would rage, hurt and struggle. That offense once was his. He would be so close he could touch it. But he couldn't have it. Fans turned against Jake last season like they have turned on no other athlete in the 29 years I've lived in Charlotte. As tough as his departure is for him and his organization, cutting him made sense. He will play in the NFL next season. Former Panther coaches are scattered across the league. They've seen the ..."
Peppers: I was willing to stay
Comment
March 7
Charlotte Observer
 
"As excited as Julius Peppers is to be a new member of the Chicago Bears - and a very wealthy one - he says things didn't have to turn out this way. In an exclusive interview with the Observer Saturday, one day after signing a six-year contract that can earn him up to $91.5 million with the Bears, Peppers insisted he was willing to stay with the Carolina Panthers. Providing specifics for the first time regarding his contract negotiations with Carolina last summer, he said the two sides were split by a $6 million difference for a four-year deal - or $1.5 million per year. "My feeling is they could have done that," Peppers said. "If they wanted me to stay, it wouldn't have been that big of a ..."
Kemoeatu to visit Redskins on Tuesday
Comment
March 7
Washington Post
 
"Former Carolina nose tackle Ma'ake Kemoeatu is scheduled to visit the Redskins on Tuesday, a league source said. Kemoeatu, whom the Panthers released this week, missed the 2009 season because of an injury."
Fox on contract limbo: Not going to 'treat this season any differently'
Comment
March 6
Charlotte Observer
 
"Aside from cutting the quarterback he's had most of his career success with, Carolina Panthers coach John Fox had to talk about his own future Friday. The Jake Delhomme press conference also provided Fox the opportunity to answer questions about his status. Since being peppered with questions after the regular season finale about the lack of an extension heading into the final year of his contract, Fox hasn't talked to reporters. One tried to gracefully interject the topic Friday, before Fox cut him off. "The last year of my contract - you're not going offend me," Fox said with a laugh. Seriously, the issue was such that Fox was upset as the regular season drew to a close. The Panthers ..."
Peppers excited about Bears' tradition
Comment
March 6
Charlotte Observer
 
"Julius Peppers cited the Chicago Bears' rich history as one of the reasons he's excited about his new NFL home. "Getting to come to a place with the deep-rooted tradition in winning is a great thing for me. It's a wonderful thing," Peppers said Friday after signing a six-year contract reported to be worth $91.5 million, with $42 million in guarantees. After playing for the home-state Carolina Panthers, who have a 15-season history, Peppers joins a Chicago organization that was a charter member of the NFL in 1920. "It's one thing to play football in this league and make a living, but it's a totally different thing to come to a place with a great tradition and rich football culture like the ..."
Jake is gone but we aren't going to let his legacy go, not ever
Comment
March 6
Charlotte Observer
 columnist Tom Sorensen
"If all you want from the athletes whose jerseys you wear and autographs you seek are numbers, then you probably celebrated when you read that the Panthers cut Jake Delhomme. He wasn't very good last season. But if you want a guy who played hard and hurt, set every passing record the franchise has and refused to blame TV-star commentator receivers who made him look bad when they cut off their route early, then you'll miss Jake. I will. No matter how much longer I do this, he'll be one of my favorite athletes. I didn't have to spend time with him and write about him. I got to. He was a quarterback who led his team to two NFC championships and one Super Bowl. He was a leader who ..."
Panthers entering zone of unknown
Comment
March 6
Charlotte Observer
 columnist Tom Sorensen
"The Carolina Panthers called a news conference Friday to announce the names of the players they will keep. They've jettisoned so many veterans it's as if they're laying them off. A season ago these guys were good enough to start. Now they're not good enough to keep. Many of you are trying to figure out why. Some accuse the Panthers of being cheap. Jerry Richardson has never been cheap. He has sometimes spent money foolishly (more than $18 million last season to rent Julius Peppers) but he has always spent it. Others believe Carolina has concocted a super-secret master plan to tank in 2010 and become a free-agency force in '11. If owners and players eventually attain labor peace, a salary ..."
Jake Delhomme has no hard feelings for Carolina Panthers
Comment
March 6
Charlotte Observer
 
"Jake Delhomme looked down at the desk in front of him, covering his face with one hand and holding a tissue with the other to wipe the tears from his eyes. He said repeatedly his emotions were rooted in joy, not sorrow. He remembered the day he made his free agency visit to Charlotte in spring 2003. He said he came as "a nobody" - a little-known New Orleans Saints backup quarterback looking for a chance to become a starter. Friday, he left as a somebody, about as big a somebody as has ever worn a Carolina Panthers uniform. This was a business decision, and one Delhomme said "blindsided" him. But it was less about money than starting a new era. The Panthers owed Delhomme about $12.675 ..."
Source: Peppers, Bears finalize deal
Comment
March 5
ESPN.com
 
"The Bears and Julius Peppers finalized a six-year deal to bring the top free agent in 2010 to Chicago, according to a source. Peppers was looking for at least $12 million a year in the early part of the contract. The agreement could be worth $40 million over the first three years. The 6-foot-7, 283-pound Peppers is a five-time Pro Bowler who recorded 10.5 sacks with two interceptions and five forced fumbles last season."
Sources: Peppers and Taylor to Bears imminent
Comment
March 5
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"The Bears signing of free-agent defensive end Julius Peppers is imminent, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. A separate source has told Sean Jensen of the Sun-Times that former Vikings running back Chester Taylor will also sign with the Bears today. A press conference announcing the signings of Peppers, Taylor and tight end Brandon Manumaleuna is expected to be held at Halas Hall later this afternoon. The source said that although the Patriots and Eagles have also made offers for Peppers, the deal the Bears are offering is worth more per season and it would be a huge upset if Peppers left Halas Hall, where he is visiting today, without signing what is expected to be a ..."
Panthers release QB Delhomme, DTs Kemoeatu and Lewis in wild start to free agency
Comment
March 5
Gaston Gazette
 
"The Carolina Panthers were very busy as free agency got underway Friday at 12:01 a.m., but it had nothing to do with signing players. Instead it was about cutting them. Word leaked out the Panthers decided to release three well-known players and former starters -- quarterback Jake Delhomme, defensive tackles Maake Kemoeatu and Damione Lewis and linebacker Landon Johnson -- in financially driven moves. Because this is an uncapped year, the Panthers can erase those players from their books without any future salary cap ramifications in case a new CBA is reinstalled down the road. All three of Carolina's cuts will be announced today. Team officials did not return phone calls seeking ..."
Panthers add Kemoeatu to cut list
Comment
March 5
Charlotte Observer
 
"After deciding to cut quarterback Jake Delhomme and defensive tackle Damione Lewis earlier Thursday, the Panthers also said farewell to defensive tackle Maake Kemoeatu in the evening. Kemoeatu's agent, Ken Vierra, said early Friday that he was informed around 8 p.m. Thursday that the team had decided to release Kemoeatu, primarly for financial reasons. Vierra said Kemoeatu was scheduled to receive a roster bonus of around $1.7 million on March 15 and would have earned a base salary of $2.6 million in 2010. Kemoeatu has been rehabilitating his torn Achilles tendon, which was surgically repaired last summer and needed followup surgeries to address complications that arose after the original ..."
Releasing Jake was big mistake
Comment
March 5
Charlotte Observer
 columnist Scott Fowler
"Wow. Talk about a blindside hit on the quarterback. The Carolina Panthers' move to release veteran quarterback Jake Delhomme Thursday night was a stunner (see the story here). I know Delhomme would have cost a lot of money to retain. I know he had his worst season ever in 2009 after getting a huge contract extension. But I still believe the Panthers just made a big mistake. The Panthers can spin this one all they like – and certainly they will. That it was a difficult decision but it had to be made for financial reasons. That they love Jake and they didn't want to do it, but that they simply had to because of the young nucleus of players that is going to be clamoring for contract ..."
Chicago Bears begin pursuit of Julius Peppers
Comment
March 5
Chicago Tribune
 
"Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers, the top free agent on the market, has agreed to visit the Bears on Friday, agent Carl Carey told the Tribune as free agency began Thursday night. The Bears also will host running back Chester Taylor — Adrian Peterson's backup with the Vikings — and Rams tight end Brandon Manumaleuna. Agent Ken Sarnoff said Thursday night the Bears are the front-runner to sign Taylor, a restricted free agent. Bears coach Lovie Smith arrived in Charlotte, N.C., early Friday and is expected to return to Chicago later in the day accompanied by Peppers and Carey. No team was allowed to have contact with Peppers until the free agent period officially began at 11:01 p.m., ..."
Panthers release Jake Delhomme
Comment
March 5
Charlotte Observer
 
"Despite their intense loyalty to Jake Delhomme over the years, including when his critics were screaming loudest, the Carolina Panthers made the painful move Thursday night to cut ties with one of their signature players and release their veteran quarterback. Delhomme's agent, Rick Smith, confirmed to the Observer Thursday night that the move had taken place, and that a press conference would be held today to announce his release. Team officials offered no comment Thursday night, and Delhomme didn't return messages. The Panthers are still on the hook for nearly $13 million in guaranteed money from the contract extension they gave him last spring, but making the move now keeps them from ..."
Seahawks could be favorite to land Peppers
Comment
March 4
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"The Bears are expected to make a big push to sign defensive end Julius Peppers when free agency starts tonight at 11:01 p.m. CST. But their greatest challenge may be the Seattle Seahawks. The Seahawks aren't afraid to spend money, and former Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, unlike some of his peers, obviously doesn't have any cash flow issues. Word is, Peppers may command a deal that averages about $14 million a year and includes guarantees of up to $40 million. The McCaskey family has approved about $30 million for free agency, so the Bears would have to get creative to land Peppers or free up some more money."
Are Bears guilty of tampering with Peppers?
Comment
March 4
Chicago Tribune
 
"The Bears could be guilty of tampering if they met last weekend with Julius Peppers' representatives at the NFL scouting combine, as reported by David Kaplan of the Tribune and WGN. The free-agency signing period doesn't begin until 11 p.m. Chicago time Thursday. When contacted by ESPNChicago, an NFL spokesman said: "We do not comment on speculative tampering matters or engage in interpreting the anti-tampering policy.""
Davis, Moore and Marshall receive tenders; Panthers let kicker Lloyd walk
Comment
March 4
Gaston Gazette
 
"The Carolina Panthers tendered qualifying offers to eight of their 11 restricted free agents on Wednesday. As expected, linebacker Thomas Davis and quarterback Matt Moore got the highest qualifying offer -- a first-and-third round tender -- which should be enough to deter other NFL teams from signing them to an offer sheet. Meanwhile, tight end Jeff King, cornerback Richard Marshall and defensive tackle Louis Leonard received second-round tenders, and linebacker James Anderson, defensive tackle Tank Tyler and cornerback C.J. Wilson received the original-round tenders, meaning the compensation for losing them is equal to what round they were originally drafted in. The Panthers have seven ..."
QB Moore: Carolina is the place for me
Comment
March 4
Gaston Gazette
 
"Quarterback Matt Moore couldn't suppress his excitement Wednesday night after learning he'd been extending the highest qualifying offer available to a restricted free agent, all but assuring his return to the Carolina Panthers next season. "My wife and I are ecstatic right now," Moore said of receiving the Level 5 tender. "I was surprised. I didn't know exactly what to expect, to be perfectly honest with you. When my agent called and told me about (the tender) I was really excited and really happy. I think it shows they have a lot of confidence in me, which is reassuring." Moore has plenty of reason to be excited. He'll receive what amounts to more than a 562 percent increase in ..."
Time's here to decide keepers for Carolina Panthers
Comment
March 3
Charlotte Observer
 
"The Carolina Panthers have until Thursday afternoon to decide what to do with their 11 restricted free agents. In a year with such a thin crop of desirable unrestricted free agents, some could be in the market for better deals elsewhere. But the Panthers have the opportunity to retain all of them if they want, or get some compensation in most cases. Each player can be offered a one-year, nonguaranteed salary figure, or tender, that gives the team the right to match any deal the player finds on the open market and retain the player's rights. The level of the tender also sets compensation, in draft picks, the team could be entitled to if they choose not to match another franchise's offer."
Eagles QB Vick likes those Carolina uniforms
Comment
March 3
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"Various reports have said the Eagles have to pay Michael Vick's $1.5 million roster bonus Friday, the day free agency starts. Actually, the Birds say the date is March 10, the fifth day of the league year. Most likely, nobody is going to give up anything for Vick until the Eagles pay that money; otherwise, Vick becomes a free agent and can be signed by anyone. In a recent Atlanta radio appearance, Vick said his preference would be to join the Carolina Panthers, who have not been among the teams most frequently linked to him, whatever that means. "Well, you know, it's close to home. I like the uniforms. You get to play against Atlanta twice a year. Ain't nothing better than playing against ..."
Vick expresses interest in Panthers
Comment
March 3
Charlotte Observer
 
"Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick said on a weekend radio appearance (at about the 7:40 mark on the video above) that if he could choose to play for any team in the NFL, it would be the Carolina Panthers. Appearing on the Gangsta Grillz radio program on Atlanta station Hot 107.9 FM, Vick was asked by host DJ Drama to respond to a listener question regarding where he'd like to play. "If I could play for any team in the league, it would probably be two teams, but if I had to pick one, it would probably be the Carolina Panthers," Vick said. When asked why Carolina, Vick responded: "Well, you know, it's close to home. I like the uniforms. You get to play against Atlanta twice a ..."
Indications are Peppers interested in Bears
Comment
March 3
Chicago Tribune
 
"As the Bears move closer to free agency, the player believed to be their top target apparently has a strong mutual interest he expressed as early as last year. When defensive end Julius Peppers wanted out of Carolina after the 2008 season, the fourth ``mystery'' team on his wish list was the Bears, a league source familiar with the five-time Pro Bowl selection's trade demands told the Tribune. The others teams were identified as the Cowboys, Eagles and Patriots. Three of those teams — the Bears, Patriots and Eagles — are expected to make a serious run at Peppers when the unrestricted free agent hits the market at 11:01 p.m. Thursday. The free-spending Redskins also figure to make a play, ..."