Now here's a newsflash.

Insert the rolleyes smilie here.


Posted on Tue, Jul. 12, 2005


Morgan's agent wants deal

Panthers linebacker about to enter final year of his rookie contract

STAN OLSON

Staff Writer


NEW YORK - With training camp less than three weeks away, negotiations on a contract extension for Carolina linebacker Dan Morgan have made little headway.

"I'm not all that thrilled with where we are now," said Drew Rosenhaus, Morgan's agent. "We're pretty far apart; there's a big difference of opinion in respect to what the two sides think this contract should be."

Morgan is entering the last year of his contract, and Rosenhaus implied Monday that if a deal can't be reached by the start of camp July 29, Morgan could test free agency after the season.

"Once camp begins, if we don't have a deal in place, the odds start to diminish on getting one done," Rosenhaus said. "We've had some negotiations but we're still pretty far apart."

Don't expect Morgan to hold out; he's excited about this season and plans to be in camp. But he doesn't want to be bothered with negotiations once the season begins.

"I don't think he's a big fan of the negotiation process," Rosenhaus said.

Morgan, the team's top draft choice in 2001, has said he would like to remain with the Panthers. He has struggled through injuries in recent seasons, but at middle linebacker is a key member of the defense and was named to the Pro Bowl last season.

Combining base salary and his workout bonus, Morgan will make $919,000 this season. He will count more than $2 million against the salary cap. The latter figure is higher because his original signing bonus is spread over the length of the contract.

Rosenhaus is likely seeking an extension worth between $3 and $4 million annually for his client, according to league sources.

The Panthers must decide as well what to do about starting weakside linebacker Will Witherspoon, also entering the final year of his contract.

 

His boots were made for walking and that just what he should do and when he gets his act together he'll get a concussion for you....

 

let's see now, he averages 10.5 games per year. A salary of 3.5 mil/year (half way between 3 and 4mil asking price) pro rated over 16 games would make his contract worth 5.33 milion dollar per year.

 

It's very simple boys....

If Dan straps it on this year, starts, and dominates, in at least 14 games......then, we can start talking about making him one of the highest paid linebackers in the NFL.....

Until he proves he can play a whole year healthy, he doesn't deserve a dime more than he makes.

 

PFT's take on it.

PANTHERS TO OVERPAY FOR MORGAN?



With agent Drew Rosenhaus still banging the drum for a new contract for linebacker Dan Morgan, there's talk in league circles that the Panthers eventually will cave in and over pay him.



Per The Charlotte Observer, Rosenhaus reportedly wants a deal worth between $3 million and $4 million. One league source thinks that Morgan and Rosenhaus are aiming higher than that -- and that when push comes to shove the Panthers are likely to pay it.



But it won't come easy, if it comes at all.



"I'm not all that thrilled with where we are now," Rosenhaus said. "We're pretty far apart; there's a big difference of opinion in respect to what the two sides think this contract should be."



Morgan isn't threatening to hold out. Instead, Rosenhaus is playing the "pay us before training camp or we'll test the market in March" card.



"Once camp begins, if we don't have a deal in place, the odds start to diminish on getting one done," Rosenhaus said. "We've had some negotiations but we're still pretty far apart."



This is the right tactic for a player to take, in our opinion. Honor your contract, and suggest that you'll exercise your prerogative to explore opportunities elsewhere when your contract expires, if you don't get a deal that you want.

 

:dead-hors

 

I don't have a huge problem with 3.5M

 

Amen. And in this case its the right path for the Panthers. Let the guy establish a market value. Then decide to match or not match. Then he decides whether he wants to be here or not.

Personally, I don't think he's asking for 3.5 mil. We've seen the Obs print that a number of times, and everyone else say no way its that low. Rosenhaus is saing they're no where near close. I think he's asking for 5.

 

I don't either.

 

I do. After taxes that 3.5mil is only about 1.5mil. A man just can't live on 1.5mil!