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Archive for the ‘Carolina Panthers’ Category

The Cards Go With The Marshall Plan

Posted by Brad On July – 30 – 2011

The Arizona Cardinals have moved quickly to address the void created by the departure of Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie with the signing of former Panthers’ CB Richard Marshall to a one-year contract. News of the deal was broke by Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic Saturday morning and has since been confirmed by the Cardinals.

Marshall was one of the more underrated free agents in this year’s crop, IMO. While he’s not a shutdown corner by any stretch of the imagination, Marshall is a top-notch #2 CB. He’s never missed a game in his five-year career and is one of the best run-support CBs in the league.

Marshall’s career totals include 381 tackles and 14 INTs, two of which are of the pick-six variety. He’s coming off of a solid ’10 campaign in which he set a career-high for tackles (91, fourth on the team) and chipped in with 3 INTs.

Durable, productive, physical and young (only 26), Marshall may prove to be a wiser, more economical investment than rumored alternative Asante Samuel. With Marshall and talented rookie Patrick Peterson set to start at the corners, the Cardinals have definitely upgraded from last season’s tandem of Rodgers-Cromartie and Greg Toler.

Blog, Carolina Panthers

Carolina Signs Cam Newton

Posted by Brad On July – 29 – 2011

MICHEAL PROFETTA

The Carolina Panthers and #1 overall pick Cam Newton have reached an agreement on a four-year deal worth over $22 million that is fully guaranteed, according to various sources.

Due to the newly-implemented rookie salary scale, Newton’s contract is a far cry from Sam Bradford’s 6-year, $78 million deal ($50 million guaranteed) in 2010. A reasonable rookie salary and the #1 overall pick in the draft signed, sealed and delivered in a timely fashion…and without any drama?! I don’t know about you guys, but I could learn to like this.

Blog, Carolina Panthers

Greg Olsen Dealt to Carolina

Posted by Brad On July – 28 – 2011

News broke this morning (at least for me) that Greg Olsen agent had contacted teams to let them know he was available for trade. Well that didn’t take long for Carolina to jump on that opportunity.

The Panthers needed a TE and they went and got one. The deal is said to involve a player and a draft pick for the rights to Greg Olsen. The player is not believed to be Steve Smith.

Olsen is 26 and has posted 194 catches, 1,981 yards receiving, and 20 TD’s in his four year career. His best season came in 2009 when he caught 60 balls and 8 TD’s.

This trade may go a little way in making up for the boatloads of cash that Carolina dropped off at Charles Johnson and DeAngelo Williams respective doorsteps this week.

EDIT: The deal is said to just be for a 2012 3rd round pick

Blog, Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears

Steve Smith Likely To Stay In Carolina

Posted by Brad On July – 28 – 2011

MICHEAL PROFETTA

Various outlets ranging from cbssports.com to Pro Football Weekly have reported that Carolina’s Steve Smith will not be leaving the Panthers, despite long-standing trade rumors to the contrary. Rookie QB Cam Newton has been lobbying on behalf of the mercurial wide receiver in recent weeks. Newton’s efforts may have had more than just a little to do with today’s news.
This may actually benefit all parties involved. While Smith isn’t quite the terrifying threat that he once was, he can still go get the rock. He should offer Newton a valuable, veteran security blanket in the passing game. Last season, Smith became disgruntled with Jimmy Clausen’s inability to connect with the deep ball. Newton’s downfield hose could invigorate the veteran, adding a big-play dimension to what should be an improved Panthers’ offensive attack this season.