02-08-2008, 09:15 AM
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#1 (permalink)
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Both of them
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,225
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Deadline looming for Panthers' Carr, Morgan
http://www.charlotte.com/panthers/story/483881.html
Quote:
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.
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Deadline looming for Panthers' Carr, Morgan
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