--Offensive tackle Jeff Otah became the latest Carolina player to hit an escalator clause in his contract, bumping up his second-year base salary $500,000 for the 2009 season. Otah was scheduled to make $1.325 million this year, but because of certain incentives reached by the team he'll now pocket $1.825 million.
That's another $500,000 against Carolina's salary cap.
Otah started 12 games for the Panthers last season at right tackle.
Previously linebackers Thomas Davis ($1.5 million) and Jon Beason ($365,000), running back Jonathan Stewart ($1 million) and defensive end Tyler Brayton ($300,000) also hit escalator clauses in their contracts to earn significant bumps in pay. Including Otah, that's more than $3.6 million paid out by the team from incentives reached during their NFC South championship season.
--Long snapper Jason Kyle said via email that he visited recently with the Arizona Cardinals but would only say, "(The visit) went well." Kyle hasn't ruled out a return to the Panthers, but at this point Carolina doesn't have much room to work with under the salary cap.
--Keep an eye on this one. Wide receiver Torry Holt has been released by St. Louis. Obviously this should intrigue Carolina fans since Holt publicly stated twice last year his desire to play for the Panthers before he retires. Holt is clearly on the downside of his career, but he's not the over-the-hill dinosaur many think he is at age 32. In fact, he's four years younger than Muhsin Muhammad and you have to think he still has a few good years left if his knee holds up.
Obviously, the Panthers have Steve Smith, Muhammad and Dwayne Jarrett returning from last season while Ryne Robinson and Jason Carter are coming back from injuries giving them more depth there than most think.
But Holt, if he would come here on the cheap, might be worth it.
After eight straight seasons with at least 1,100 yards receiving, Holt was limited to 796 yards last season.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "Ken Lucas has been a very valuable player for us over the last four years and played an important role on two playoff teams during that span. Ken is a true pro and we wish him the very best. This year, we have re-signed some veteran players and this move means some younger players will have an opportunity to step up." --Panthers GM Marty Hurney on the release of CB Ken Lucas.
