FOXSports.com News for Panthers

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 02:09:50 GMT

The Panthers aren't expected to be particularly active in free agency, getting back to the organizational m.o. of past years. After last season's splash to keep DE Charles Johnson, RB DeAngelo Williams, LB Jon Beason and others, they have limited financial flexibility anyway. They have a few contracts they can extend or restructure to make some room, namely WR Steve Smith, LG Travelle Wharton and LB Thomas Davis, but for the most part, this offseason will get back to their original plan. General manager Marty Hurney prefers to use free agency to find role players rather than stars, so anyone expecting them to make a play for a Vincent Jackson is likely to be disappointed. MEDICAL WATCH: Most of the impact players who finished the season on IR were put there early enough that full rehabilitations are expected by the start of training camp. LBs Jon Beason and Thomas Davis, OL Geoff Schwartz, Garry Williams, Zack Williams, WR David Gettis, TE Gary Barnidge and DT Ron Edwards landed on IR before the end of September, and all are on pace to be ready for training camp. Many of the rest were late adds with less serious injuries, stashed to clear space to promote practice-squad players.

NOTES, QUOTES

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 02:09:46 GMT

--The Panthers had a lot of problems on special teams this year, but the snapping wasn't one of them. Thus, they were eager to re-sign long snapper J.J. Jansen to a four-year contract extension the day after the Super Bowl. The Panthers acquired Jansen in 2009 in a trade with the Packers (for a 2011 seventh-round pick). So far, it's proven a good investment. He had a clean 2011, and was set to be an unrestricted free agent. In three seasons, he had one bad snap (on a punt against the New York Giants in the 2010 opener), giving them the kind of anonymous production you want from that position. --The Panthers also re-signed linebacker Jason Phillips. He was claimed off waivers from Baltimore last September, and recorded three tackles in four games before ending the year on injured reserve with a calf injury. Phillips was set to become a restricted free agent, and they think he can become a solid backup and special teams contributor. --The moves left the Panthers with just 10 unrestricted free agents and one restricted free agent, and of that group, tight guard Geoff Schwartz was the only one penciled into the starting lineup in the preseason. --Quarterback Cam Newton was a near-unanimous pick for the AP's offensive rookie of the year award. He got 47 of the 50 votes for the honor, with Cincinnati quarterback Andy Dalton getting the rest. Newton also won The Sporting News and Pro Football Weekly's version of the award, in addition to making a trip to the Pro Bowl. --The Panthers' first big change of the offseason was a subtle one. They changed their logo slightly, streamlining the design that marked them their first 17 seasons. While the new logo will change the look of their helmets, team officials said no major uniform changes were expected. QUOTE TO NOTE: "No excuses. When you hang the ball up there, against these kinds of players, that's what you get. It's the good and the bad of playing in a Pro Bowl. I learned a lot." -- QB Cam Newton, on his two-touchdown, three-interception Pro Bowl appearance.

INSIDE SLANT

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 02:09:41 GMT

As a result of the aggressive moves they made last offseason to keep their own, the Panthers don't have much to worry about this offseason, at least in terms of their offense. Backup quarterback Derek Anderson, right guard Geoff Hangartner and tight end Jeremy Shockey lead the list of unrestricted free agents, and while Shockey has name recognition, none of them are irreplaceable. In fact, as much as Shockey added leadership and stability to the position (he was acquired before they traded for pass-catcher Greg Olsen), there's a strong feeling that he was a short-term investment. The 31 year old played in 15 games, the most he had stayed healthy for since 2006. And while his 37-455-4 production was good, there's a sense they don't want to overspend to bring him back for a 11th NFL season. He was bothered by a rib problem late in the season, and was noticeably less mobile. He caught just 10 passes over the final five weeks of the season, though three of his touchdowns came during that span as well. The combination of age, injury record and a tight financial situation make it less than certain that he returns. In fact, the Panthers quietly extended the contract of former fifth-round pick Gary Barnidge last December, and some view him as a player capable of matching Shockey's stat line. Barnidge didn't play this year after breaking his ankle in the preseason, and his only stats came in 2009, when he caught 12 passes. But the organization has long thought he could become a downfield threat in the passing game, based on his work at Louisville. Otherwise, Anderson's the closest thing to a need to keep. He has a solid knowledge of coordinator Rob Chudzinski's system, and was a good sounding board for rookie Cam Newton last season. Of course, his value's predicated on him never having to play, because the dynamic running element of the game plan would go away if he ever had to take the field. That's led some in the organization to think they need a backup more comparable to Newton's two-way athleticism, though that's a distinction that may have more of an impact on Jimmy Clausen's future than Anderson's. Hangartner, who played his first four years in the league with the Panthers, was brought back last year as an injury replacement. But with restricted free agent Geoff Schwartz recovering from last year's hip problem, the longtime Panthers' swingman may again be viewed as expendable. Wide receiver Legedu Naanee started 10 games and had respectable numbers (44-467-1), but with a fleet of young receivers pushing for more time -- especially Brandon LaFell and David Gettis -- there's no guarantee the Panthers would bring back another of Chudzinski's experienced place-holders.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:46:48 GMT

NOTES, QUOTES

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:46:41 GMT

INSIDE SLANT

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:46:34 GMT

Panthers re-sign LS Jansen, LB Phillips

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 20:18:14 GMT

The Panthers have re-signed long snapper J.J. Jansen to a four-year contract extension and linebacker Jason Phillips to a one-year extension.

Early predictions for next NFL season

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:42:07 GMT

Ravens could send Lewis into retirement with a Super Bowl run.

Panthers season ticket prices will remain the same

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:14:09 GMT

The Panthers say they have informed permanent seat license (PSL) owners they will not raise season ticket prices for the 2012 season.