http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slu...v=ap&type=lgns
Keyshawn Johnson agrees to deal with Panthers
By JENNA FRYER, AP Sports Writer
March 24, 2006
Keyshawn Johnson agreed to a four-year deal with the Carolina Panthers and was expected to sign a contract later Friday.
"The terms have been agreed to, now he's just taken it to someone outside to have the language approved," Carolina general manager Marty Hurney said. "We hope to be able to formally introduce him later today."
Johnson, released last week by the Dallas Cowboys, turned down an offer from the New York Giants and had planned to visit Seattle after meeting with the Panthers. But he never made it out of Carolina, where he spent Thursday meeting with team officials and dining with Hurney.
By the end of the day, Johnson had agreed to a deal worth $19 million, including a $5 million signing bonus.
He will be paired with All-Pro receiver Steve Smith, who lobbied both the team and Johnson to get the deal done, and perhaps become the final piece needed to get them back to the Super Bowl.
"Steve actually called Keyshawn before he agreed to help recruit him," Hurney said. "Anything that is good for the team, Steve wants. He wants to make sure we bring in good people, and he wants to make sure we win."
Johnson gives the Panthers the second receiving threat they so badly needed last year during their run to the NFC championship. With Smith as their lone big playmaker, the Seahawks easily beat Carolina by clamping down on him and bringing the Panthers' offense to a standstill.
Now they'll have Johnson to take some attention away from Smith.
"I think this gives us a very good receiving corps," Hurney said, adding that Keary Colbert, who was the No. 2 receiver last year, had offseason ankle surgery that is expected to make him a bigger threat.
"Keyshawn just gives us a big, physical receiver who plays with passion and emotion and can help this club."
The signing of the former No. 1 overall pick represents a shift for the Panthers, who have made a conscious effort to run a problem-free program since John Fox became head coach in 2002. After a series of off-the-field problems, including the Rae Carruth murder trial, the team has shied away from signing players who have been disruptive with other teams or represent a potential locker-room distraction.
Johnson left the New York Jets and Tampa Bay after wearing out his welcome with those teams. But he did not appear to have any significant problems during two years with Dallas and coach Bill Parcells.
"Everyone we talked to at all of his clubs had nothing but positive things to say about him," Hurney said. "The perception is out there on him, but if you spend any amount of time with him you realize he just wants to win."
Johnson is representing himself because his agent, Jerome Stanley, is serving a one-year suspension imposed by the NFL Players Association disciplinary committee.
Updated on Friday, Mar 24, 2006 10:37 am EST
Panther & Keyshawn agrees to four-year deal
Panther & Keyshawn agrees to four-year deal
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