With $16.7 million tied up in their franchise tag offer to defensive end Julius Peppers, the salary-cap strapped Carolina Panthers have been particularly quiet in the free agent market.
Not only have the Panthers not signed any players, but there also have been no reports of them even visiting with any since March 1. That's not to say the Panthers haven't (they're one of the most secretive organizations in the league and the leaks are few and far between), but not much was expected of the Panthers anyway.
Technically they have all 22 starters returning from last season, but the future of Peppers and cornerback Ken Lucas remain up in the air.
The Panthers unsuccessfully attempted to trade Lucas to the Detroit Lions (he nixed the deal) and are likely to do the same at some point with Peppers.
Although the Panthers can't technically trade Peppers unless he were to sign his franchise tender, his agent Carl Carey is working behind the scenes to find a potential trade partner that would appeal to his client and one that would be willing to satisfy the Panthers desires in terms of compensation. If a deal can't be struck, Peppers would presumably play or the Panthers in 2009 - assuming he doesn't hold out.
The New England Patriots have been rumored to be a potential landing point for Peppers because they not only play a 3-4 defense that appeals to Peppers, but they also have a fine coach in Bill Belichick. The Patriots are also stacked with draft picks.
Of course, finding a deal both sides can live with isn't easy.
As for Lucas, he still could be traded but if there are no takers look for the team to release him down the road. That would free up $2.37 million in salary cap room.
The Panthers are tight under the NFL salary cap, but could open more room by restructuring the contract of quarterback Jake Delhomme. Delhomme has an $11 million salary cap figure and a base salary of $5.325 million this year.
In the meantime, the Panthers have restructured and extended the contracts of three defensive starters - defensive tackle Damione Lewis and Maake Kemoeatu and linebacker Na'il Diggs. They're taken a portion of their base salaries this season and turned them into signing bonuses which can be spread out over the next six seasons.
