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Posted on Fri, Feb. 08, 2008
Deadline looming for Carr, Morgan
On Monday, teams can begin cutting players
CHARLES CHANDLER
[email protected]
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.
Morgan was once the centerpiece of the defense, but injuries, including a string of concussions, sidetracked his career. The emergence last season of rookie Jon Beason at middle linebacker might have made Morgan expendable.
He's scheduled to count $4.55 million against the cap next season. Releasing him would save about $2.1 million.
Cutting Carr isn't as easy for Carolina as many fans might think. His struggles were obvious when he filled in for injured Jake Delhomme. However, the organization admires his natural talent and overall classiness.
Carr's cap number was forecast to be $4.35 million, but the Panthers could save $2.8 million of that by releasing him.
The Panthers won't let right tackle Jordan Gross get away in free agency. He was one of the NFL's top blockers last year and is an ideal fit for the Carolina organization.
If the Panthers can't get a multiyear deal done by Feb. 21, they'll likely put the franchise tag on him when free agency opens Feb. 29. That will require the Panthers to give him a one-year contract tender of $7.455 million, the average of the top five 2007 salaries for offensive linemen.
Gross said he thinks chances are good that a long-term contract agreement will get done because both sides are willing.
Things aren't as clear with left tackle Travelle Wharton, who is also eligible to become an unrestricted free agent. There are signs the Panthers would like to keep him, but he might opt to test a free-agent market that is low on good tackles.
The best alternative to play the left side is Dallas' Flozell Adams -- if he doesn't remain with the Cowboys. However, his price tag and age (33 next season) might be too steep for the Panthers.
If Wharton leaves, he could be replaced by an early-round draft pick or by moving Gross to the left side. One of the plusses with Gross is that he has played right and left tackle. The right side seems his more natural position, but he said he doesn't mind where the Panthers use him.
Notes
• 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.
Turner's asking price could be expensive. It wouldn't be shocking if the Chargers try to keep him, especially since Tomlinson injured his knee in the playoffs.
• Hopes remain high in the Panthers organization that receiver Dwayne Jarrett, a second-round pick last season, will develop into a starting-caliber player.
Though Jarrett clearly had a disappointing first season, the fact that rookie receivers rarely flourish in the NFL at least buys the Panthers time with him.
Deadline looming for Carr, Morgan
On Monday, teams can begin cutting players
CHARLES CHANDLER
[email protected]
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.
Morgan was once the centerpiece of the defense, but injuries, including a string of concussions, sidetracked his career. The emergence last season of rookie Jon Beason at middle linebacker might have made Morgan expendable.
He's scheduled to count $4.55 million against the cap next season. Releasing him would save about $2.1 million.
Cutting Carr isn't as easy for Carolina as many fans might think. His struggles were obvious when he filled in for injured Jake Delhomme. However, the organization admires his natural talent and overall classiness.
Carr's cap number was forecast to be $4.35 million, but the Panthers could save $2.8 million of that by releasing him.
The Panthers won't let right tackle Jordan Gross get away in free agency. He was one of the NFL's top blockers last year and is an ideal fit for the Carolina organization.
If the Panthers can't get a multiyear deal done by Feb. 21, they'll likely put the franchise tag on him when free agency opens Feb. 29. That will require the Panthers to give him a one-year contract tender of $7.455 million, the average of the top five 2007 salaries for offensive linemen.
Gross said he thinks chances are good that a long-term contract agreement will get done because both sides are willing.
Things aren't as clear with left tackle Travelle Wharton, who is also eligible to become an unrestricted free agent. There are signs the Panthers would like to keep him, but he might opt to test a free-agent market that is low on good tackles.
The best alternative to play the left side is Dallas' Flozell Adams -- if he doesn't remain with the Cowboys. However, his price tag and age (33 next season) might be too steep for the Panthers.
If Wharton leaves, he could be replaced by an early-round draft pick or by moving Gross to the left side. One of the plusses with Gross is that he has played right and left tackle. The right side seems his more natural position, but he said he doesn't mind where the Panthers use him.
Notes
• 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.
Turner's asking price could be expensive. It wouldn't be shocking if the Chargers try to keep him, especially since Tomlinson injured his knee in the playoffs.
• Hopes remain high in the Panthers organization that receiver Dwayne Jarrett, a second-round pick last season, will develop into a starting-caliber player.
Though Jarrett clearly had a disappointing first season, the fact that rookie receivers rarely flourish in the NFL at least buys the Panthers time with him.
