
Archive for the ‘Carolina Panthers’ Category
The Cards Go With The Marshall Plan

Carolina Signs Cam Newton
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.
Greg Olsen Dealt to Carolina
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
Steve Smith Likely To Stay In Carolina
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.