Wp28
I had that dream again...
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- Jan 8, 2003
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CHARLOTTE -- While the rest of the league was making headline deals Friday, the Carolina Panthers were making travel arrangements.
At the end of the first day of the free agency period, the Panthers hadn't struck any new contracts, but they had talked with the agents for free agent quarterback Jake Delhomme, guard Mo Collins and running back Stephen Davis.
Delhomme will be here Sunday, a bit later than originally expected, but here none- theless.
If the Panthers sign the New Orleans backup, he'd have the inside track for the starting job ahead of Rodney Peete, who's about to sign a three-year contract extension.
Although the 28-year-old Del- homme has just two career starts -- including a forgettable four-interception day at Ericsson Stadium the last game of the 1999 season -- the Panthers are impressed with his arm and leadership ability.
The other free agents the Panthers are bringing in won't need plane tickets, but will cost more to bring here.
Collins is expected to be one of the most sought-after interior linemen now that the Washington Redskins went on a lineman spree Friday, signing New York Jets guard Randy Thomas and former San Fran- cisco guard Dave Fiore.
The Jets, who lost Thomas to the Redskins' quick strike, are also expected to have interest in Collins, who grew up in Charlotte.
Thomas set the economic bar high for premium guards, getting a seven-year, $28 million deal from Washington, with $7 million up front in signing bonus. Collins won't demand that kind of contract, but he won't be cheap.
It could be several more days before Davis arrives, but the Panthers may try to play on the former Redskins back's desire to be near home since they can't spend with the other teams believed to be interested. Houston is expected to make a serious play for Davis, but there are mixed signals coming out of Dallas regarding the Cowboys interest. Tampa Bay and New England could also be involved, but none of those places are home. Davis grew up in Spartan- burg and lives near Columbia.
Panthers general manager Marty Hurney wouldn't confirm that Collins or Davis had visits scheduled, only saying no visits were set up for Friday or Saturday.
After the initial burst of calls which were placed Friday, the Panthers hope to let the market settle a bit before filling the rest of their free-agent needs.
Agents for a number of mid-range offensive linemen said the Panthers expressed interest in their clients Friday, with the addendum that it might be a few weeks before they're ready to make any moves.
Hurney said the Panthers' need to improve their offense is obvious, and that would be where they'd spend the majority of their free-agent dollars. He also said he hoped to follow a similar approach to last year, when low-risk, low-signing bonus deals brought the team productive players such as Peete, Mark Fields, Terry Cousin and Lamar Smith.
"We could get some deals that fit in three days, a week or two weeks," Hurney said. "Our attitude and our approach are going to define free agency rather than a timeline."
Darin Gantt:
At the end of the first day of the free agency period, the Panthers hadn't struck any new contracts, but they had talked with the agents for free agent quarterback Jake Delhomme, guard Mo Collins and running back Stephen Davis.
Delhomme will be here Sunday, a bit later than originally expected, but here none- theless.
If the Panthers sign the New Orleans backup, he'd have the inside track for the starting job ahead of Rodney Peete, who's about to sign a three-year contract extension.
Although the 28-year-old Del- homme has just two career starts -- including a forgettable four-interception day at Ericsson Stadium the last game of the 1999 season -- the Panthers are impressed with his arm and leadership ability.
The other free agents the Panthers are bringing in won't need plane tickets, but will cost more to bring here.
Collins is expected to be one of the most sought-after interior linemen now that the Washington Redskins went on a lineman spree Friday, signing New York Jets guard Randy Thomas and former San Fran- cisco guard Dave Fiore.
The Jets, who lost Thomas to the Redskins' quick strike, are also expected to have interest in Collins, who grew up in Charlotte.
Thomas set the economic bar high for premium guards, getting a seven-year, $28 million deal from Washington, with $7 million up front in signing bonus. Collins won't demand that kind of contract, but he won't be cheap.
It could be several more days before Davis arrives, but the Panthers may try to play on the former Redskins back's desire to be near home since they can't spend with the other teams believed to be interested. Houston is expected to make a serious play for Davis, but there are mixed signals coming out of Dallas regarding the Cowboys interest. Tampa Bay and New England could also be involved, but none of those places are home. Davis grew up in Spartan- burg and lives near Columbia.
Panthers general manager Marty Hurney wouldn't confirm that Collins or Davis had visits scheduled, only saying no visits were set up for Friday or Saturday.
After the initial burst of calls which were placed Friday, the Panthers hope to let the market settle a bit before filling the rest of their free-agent needs.
Agents for a number of mid-range offensive linemen said the Panthers expressed interest in their clients Friday, with the addendum that it might be a few weeks before they're ready to make any moves.
Hurney said the Panthers' need to improve their offense is obvious, and that would be where they'd spend the majority of their free-agent dollars. He also said he hoped to follow a similar approach to last year, when low-risk, low-signing bonus deals brought the team productive players such as Peete, Mark Fields, Terry Cousin and Lamar Smith.
"We could get some deals that fit in three days, a week or two weeks," Hurney said. "Our attitude and our approach are going to define free agency rather than a timeline."
Darin Gantt:
