So where does Moose end up, and for how much?

I just wonder what we offered.

 

Yes. And you handle that after you take care of the important guys, not to mention you don't give $600-800k to people who can't play offense or defense.

 

I haven't gotten all the way thru reading all of the replies (I'm on pg. 4) and if this is posted somewhere down the line, forgive me. THis might shed some light on the Moose release: (key in on the bold)


Posted on Sat, Feb. 26, 2005


Panthers release Muhammad

By DAVID NEWTON

Senior Writer


CHARLOTTE — Muhsin Muhammad, who led the NFL in touchdowns this past season and owns nearly every receiving record for the Carolina Panthers, is a free agent.

Muhammad, 31, was released Friday after unsuccessful attempts by Carolina to restructure a contract that would have given him a $12.5 million salary in 2005.

“Muhsin has been a valuable member of our team, and we appreciate everything he has done for the Panthers,” general manager Marty Hurney said.

Muhammad would have received a $10 million bonus on March 1 had he remained with Carolina. By releasing him, the Panthers, if they choose, could re-sign him at a much lower salary-cap figure.

But that figure could be driven high by other teams after Muhammad’s Pro Bowl season, in which he had 93 catches for 1,405 yards and 16 touchdowns.

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Marvin Harris, at 31 the same age as Muhammad, drove the market up last fall when he signed a seven-year extension worth $67 million, including $23 million in guaranteed money.

Muhammad is Carolina’s all-time leader in receptions (578) and receiving yards (7,751), and he is tied with former tight end Wesley Walls for most touchdown catches (44).

Muhammad led the NFC in receptions in 1999 and 2000 and has been selected to two Pro Bowls.

Reach Newton at (803) 802-2091 or [email protected].

 

His last extension I believe was made with the thinking that he wouldn't be a Panther for life that combined with his huge season, he played himself out of the Carolinas. I think the team was planning for the future with the thought that we'd need someone to step into his shoes eventually and if he'd had a pretty good but not spectacular season, we may have been able to keep him at a bargain price while he groomed his successor. Moose made himself a very hot commodity and with as many holes as we have to fill we can't get in a bidding war for one player regardless of who it is. I understand the business side of it provided we DIDN'T low ball him and I can even accept/support it mentally, but that doesn't mean I have to LIKE it.

 

read on aonther board (sorry if this is already been posted here - I didnt see it) that Local radio in Chicage is reporting Moose has agreed to terms with the Bears.

 

BEARS BAG A MOOSE?

Several of our Chicago-area readers have informed us that WSCR radio is reporting that the Bears have agreed to a contract with receiver Muhsin Muhammad, who was cut on Friday by the Panthers.

We've yet to find any corroboration for the move.

On Friday, the Panthers cut Muhammad in lieu of paying him a $10 million roster bonus. The move came after the Panthers and the veteran receiver were unable to agree to terms on an alternative arrangement.

The speed of the signing hints that Muhammad's agent had gauged the market before the Panthers made their move. Alternatively, Muhammad and his agent jumped on the first offer made, without shopping it in search of a better number.

So what we're saying is that either Muhammad's agent is a nincompoop or multiple teams violate the league's anti-tampering rules.

Our money is on the latter.

With that deadline for payment of the $10 million roster bonus staring the Panthers and Muhammad in the face for all of the offseason, it's a no-brainer, in our opinion, that the agent made some discreet contacts with teams -- contacts to which Redskins coach Joe Gibbs might have indiscreetly alluded recently when commenting publicly on Muhammad (a major no-no) and then opinion that his agent's position is, "Show me the money."

The Bears, in the end, apparently have shown him the money. And our guess is that he had a pretty good peek at it well before Friday.

PFT

 

I have a hard time believing that. It is NOWHERE. I have looked on ESPN, SI, Fox Sports, CBSSportsline, and NFL.com and it is nowhere on those sites. It may be wishful thinking on the Bears fans' part. :huh:

 

It was on ESPN, on TV

 

Just heard it on ESPN Radio also per Len Pasqureli.

 

Yeah,I saw it too.

Isn't he from Chicago or that area? If so, at least he gets to go home and play in front of the homeys. We should get a pick for tampering though.