Panthers Trade Rumors

"The Carolina Panthers have called a 1 p.m. press conference today to announce the retirement of long-time defensive end Mike Rucker, according to sources. Rucker, 33, had been contemplating retirement at the end of last season, but then told reporters a few weeks later that he planned to return for 2008."

"Tomorrow is the deadline to sign restricted free agents to offer sheets, and barring a late change, the Patriots are not planning to sign Carolina linebacker Adam Seward, according to a league source."

"A veteran backup quarterback isn't on the Carolina Panthers' shopping list, coach John Fox says. Neither starter Jake Delhomme's recovery from elbow surgery nor the youth of understudies Matt Moore, 23, and Brett Basanez, 24, fazed Fox as he sounded beyond content about the position heading into the 2008 season."

"If all goes well for the Carolina Panthers, there's a decent chance D.J. Hackett could be heading back to Charlotte today -- and this time to stay."

"Carolina Panthers general manager Marty Hurney says he isn't trying to trade Julius Peppers, but among those sitting prominently courtside in the Pepsi Center for a Nuggets game Sunday night was the three-time Pro Bowl defensive end."

"Seattle free agent receiver D.J. Hackett declined to act on an offer Thursday from Washington because he wants to make his visits to Tampa Bay and Carolina, according to a source close to the situation. Hackett was due to arrive in Tampa Bay early Thursday evening to visit the Bucs. He's scheduled to arrive in Charlotte late today, with his visit here continuing into Saturday."

"Oakland restricted free agent cornerback and kick returner Chris Carr has visited Tennessee and Cleveland in addition to Carolina. He has yet to be signed to an offer sheet."

"The Carolina Panthers will host a visit Friday from free-agent receiver D.J. Hackett, formerly of Seattle. Hackett, 26, is considered by many experts to be one of the best two available receivers, along with Arizona's Bryant Johnson. There is competition; Hackett visited Washington on Wednesday and was to visit Tampa Bay today."

"The Panthers hosted a visit Monday from Oakland restricted free agent Chris Carr, a kick returner and backup cornerback. The Panthers have yet to sign Carr to an offer sheet.If they do, the Raiders have the right to match. If the Raiders don't match, the Panthers won't owe any compensation because he joined the Raiders as an undrafted free agent in 2004."

"The Bucs have a shot at landing either Cardinals playmaker Bryant Johnson or Panthers speedster Drew Carter. Jets speedster Justin McCareins also could wind up in Tampa."

"The Carolina Panthers hosted a visit Thursday from Cincinnati free-agent linebacker Landon Johnson, one of the highest-rated players available at his position. Johnson (6-foot-2, 232 pounds) started all 32 regular-season games the past two seasons for the Bengals and has led the team in tackles three of the past four years."

"Former Panthers linebacker Dan Morgan is going to sign with NFC South rival New Orleans, a source close to the situation confirmed. Morgan had an injury-plagued career for the Panthers, including concussions, but was one of the NFL's best middle linebackers when healthy. He's expected to play outside linebacker for the Saints with Jonathan Vilma, recently obtained from the Jets, in the middle."

"Carolina free-agent defensive tackle Kindal Morehead was scheduled to visit Atlanta and is expected to sign a multi-year deal there. Carolina apparently wasn't interested in re-signing him."

"Carolina could be on the verge of losing another linebacker, restricted free agent Adam Seward, who visited New England on Thursday. He has been a backup and special teams player."

"The New England Patriots are interested in Carolina restricted free-agent linebacker Adam Seward, and another veteran free agent's interest in signing with the Panthers waned Wednesday. Seward is to visit with the Patriots today. They can sign him to an offer sheet, but Carolina has the right to match. If the Panthers don't match, New England would owe Carolina a fifth-round pick as compensation."

"I also spoke with the agent for free agent offensive tackle Barry Sims early Tuesday night. It looks like there is a good chance a deal might get worked out with the Panthers, as the two sides are expected to talk numbers on Wednesday."

"The Indianapolis Colts and Carolina Panthers are competing to sign defensive end Tyler Brayton. A 2003 first-round draft pick by Oakland, Brayton visited the Colts on Monday. He met with the Panthers over the weekend."

"The second day of the free agency signing period passed Saturday without a big-splash signing by the Carolina Panthers, but the team was steadily active as promised. The Panthers neared agreement on a two-year, $4 million deal with Cleveland cornerback/kick returner Ricardo Colclough, a former second-round pick."

"According to league sources, cornerback/kick returner Ricardo Colclough is close to signing a two-year deal with the Panthers that could pay him around $4 million. There are still a few items that need to be worked out in the contract before the deal becomes official. Barring any snags, look for an official announcement sometime next week."

" Although the Panthers did meet with nine-year veteran defensive tackle Rod Coleman and were scheduled to visit with ex-Carolina safety Marlon McCree and defensive end Tyler Brayton from Oakland over the weekend, they haven't signed anyone. But that doesn’t mean the signings aren’t coming."

"The Carolina Panthers wasted little time diving into free agency once it opened a minute after midnight Friday. According to sources, the Panthers arranged a Charlotte visit from Oakland Raiders defensive end Tyler Brayton, a former first round pick. The Panthers apparently are interested in him competing for playing time at the right defensive end position, manned last season by Mike Rucker."

"Tight end Alge Crumpler, who battled through injuries last year and was released by the Falcons after his seventh NFL season, plans to meet with several teams in Indianapolis beginning Friday... Crumpler listed at least seven teams that he might meet with: Green Bay, Buffalo, Detroit, Seattle, Carolina, Tampa Bay and Tennessee."

"Given the Bears' contract offers to three of their own free agents — Lance Briggs, Bernard Berrian and Brendon Ayanbadejo — that would come as little surprise. As good as Alan Faneca would look at left guard penciled in next to Olin Kreutz, the bidding for Faneca could enter territory the Bears might not believe they have to enter. The same scenario could play out in the Michael Turner sweepstakes, with teams such as Carolina and New Orleans rumored to have interest."

"The Carolina Panthers plan to explore the possibility of signing former Pro Bowl tight end Alge Crumpler once he officially appears on the NFL waiver list, according to sources. Though the Falcons announced the release of Crumpler and other players on Friday, their names did not appear on the league's waiver list late in the afternoon."

"Looking to overhaul an offense that ranked 29th in the NFL last season, the Carolina Panthers appear ready to make a major change at running back. The team is considering either trading or releasing starter DeShaun Foster, which would save $4.75 million under the salary cap."

"The idea that the Panthers are willing to part with Foster is a pretty good indication the team could be preparing to make a play for a big-time free agent running back like San Diego's Michael Turner, Dallas' Julius Jones or Derrick Ward of the New York Giants, or that the team is considering selecting one in the NFL draft."

"Then the Panthers should grab a power back to share the load with DeAngelo Williams. My No. 1 choice? San Diego's Michael Turner. Turner turns 26 today. He is stuck behind LaDainian Tomlinson with the Chargers, but he's a 5-foot-10, 237-pounder with 4.4-second speed in the 40-yard dash. He could be the Stephen Davis of 2003 here. "

"Mike Wahle, a one-time Pro Bowl left guard, was on his way to Seattle on Tuesday to meet with the Seahawks today, the team confirmed. Wahle, 30, was one of two former starters released by the Carolina Panthers in a cost-cutting move Monday after three seasons there. He's a 10-year NFL veteran who was originally selected in the second round of the supplemental draft in 1998 by the Green Bay Packers."

"Carr looked frightened in the pocket and his teammates quickly lost all confidence in him. By the end of the season coach John Fox was even afraid to play Carr, demoting him to third string. With a cap figure of more than $4 million, keeping Carr would be, well... ludicrous."

"One of the most intriguing decisions the Panthers face this offseason is whether to keep running back DeShaun Foster."

"An offseason of change for the Carolina Panthers should start taking shape soon. NFL teams can begin cutting players Monday when the league waiver wire opens. Linebacker Dan Morgan and backup quarterback David Carr are among prominent players the Panthers could release in the coming weeks. Cutting them could save the Panthers nearly $5 million under the salary cap, according to salary documents."

"One of the most intriguing potential free agents is San Diego running back Michael Turner, who has excelled as the backup to all-pro LaDainian Tomlinson. Turner fits the big-back mold (5-foot-10, 237 pounds) the Panthers prefer. Signing him probably would mean parting with DeShaun Foster."

"Defensive end Mike Rucker is coming back, but he's not sure whether it will be with the Carolina Panthers. Rucker's agent, Peter Schaffer, said Sunday that Rucker decided during their meetings in Phoenix this week to return for another season. There had been speculation that Rucker might retire...Rucker, 32, has played his entire career with the Panthers but is eligible to become a free agent Feb. 29."

"Carolina Panthers veteran defensive end Mike Rucker is not ready to hang up his cleats. The longtime fan favorite will return for a 10th NFL season, according to sources close to the player. However, whether or not it will be with the Panthers remains to be seen."

"Last year at this time, Tom Coughlin was No. 1 on the hot seat. Now he's about to get a new four-year, $20 million contract extension. But there are still plenty of candidates to get fired next year..."

" Coming off back-to-back non-winning seasons and with their passing game among the NFL's worst last season, the Panthers can’t afford to stand pat this off-season. They need to be aggressive. They need to inject some life into the offense, as well as the fan base. Well, the opportunity (albeit a slim one) could be at hand. On Wednesday, perennial Pro Bowl receiver Chad Johnson of the Cincinnati Bengals told WFNZ-AM’s Mark Packer that he’d love a chance to play for the Panthers. "Definitely," Johnson told the radio station at the Super Bowl."

"Keary Colbert and Drew Carter are set to become unrestricted free agents and it would surprise nobody if both are allowed to walk. That would leave the Panthers with Smith and last year’s rookies Dwayne Jarrett and Ryne Robinson as their receivers."

"Now the Panthers have three choices: Stand pat and hope that Carter and Jarrett continue to develop; add another receiver through the draft; or buy a No. 2 receiver in free agency. There are some intriguing unrestricted free agents out there, including Randy Moss, who's likely to re-sign with the Patriots."

"The Panthers are interested in bringing Damione Lewis back, agent Drew Rosenhaus said Tuesday. Lewis, the top reserve at defensive tackle, tied for the team lead in sacks with 3.5 despite his backup status."The team has approached me about their interest in bringing Damione back," said Rosenhaus, who expects to speak with Panthers' officials at the Senior Bowl this week."

"The Panthers need a playmaker to take pressure off Steve Smith. In fact, they probably need two. Keary Colbert and Drew Carter are both free agents, so the Panthers could look to replace both. Look for them to address this need in free agency, rather than the draft. It’s hard to count on a rookie to make an immediate impact at this spot."

"We all know Julius Peppers was a superstar in his first five seasons with the Carolina Panthers. And we all saw how his production dipped in 2007. But in agent Carl Carey’s mind, Peppers’ net worth as an NFL player has not changed with his client’s first disappointing season."

"Tennessee's Albert Haynesworth is expected to get the franchise tag, leaving few starting defensive tackles available. Two names Dolfans should watch for: Green Bay's Corey Williams (6-4, 313 pounds) and 49ers backup Isaac Sopoaga (6-2, 334)... Two who will draw interest: Tennessee's Antwan Odom (eight sacks) and San Francisco's Marques Douglas. Figure on Miami adding at least two starting offensive linemen, with two left tackles -- Dallas' Flozell Adams (whom Parcells valued) and Carolina's Travelle Wharton -- on Miami's radar, unless they re-sign."

"Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson held a two-day retreat with general manager Marty Hurney and coach John Fox at his lake house late last week and gave both men assurances they will have an opportunity to turn things around in 2008."

"Cleveland Browns coach Romeo Crennel said this week that the team would be willing to listen to trade offers for quarterback Derek Anderson. Expect Crennel to get plenty. Teams that will be looking for quarterbacks include Miami, Kansas City, Baltimore, Carolina, Atlanta, Minnesota, Chicago and San Francisco."

"The list of candidates to replace Bresnahan as the third defensive coordinator under Marvin Lewis came into clearer focus Thursday, the day after the firings were announced. Besides Carolina defensive backs coach Tim Lewis, a former coordinator with the Steelers and Giants, the Bengals also are believed to be interested in talking to former Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan and current Bengals secondary coach Kevin Coyle."

"The Carolina Panthers front office and coaching staff returned to work Wednesday morning, beginning a series of player evaluation meetings with their full focus toward improving in 2008. Although no moves have been made, there are unresolved questions at several positions, not the least of which is the offensive line...But coach John Fox seemed to rule out the notion that the offensive line might look dramatically different when the Panthers report to Spartanburg, S.C., for training camp in July."