Despite some links of Jay Cutler to the Panthers, the team really didn't have any interest in him. Carolina coaches remain committed to Jake Delhomme as their starter and quite frankly Delhomme is a better fit here given the team's desire to run the football.
TEAM NEEDS/OFFSEASON STRATEGY
The Panthers probably won't look for a new return man following the loss of Mark Jones.
The team believes Ryne Robinson, who handled punts and kickoffs in 2007, will do just fine. Robinson missed all of last season with a knee injury he suffered in training camp.
TEAM NEEDS
1. Defensive end: The Panthers still need to find a replacement for Julius Peppers in case the team can't find a trade partner and he winds up holding out.
2. Defensive tackle: One of Carolina's weaknesses last year was a lack of depth in the middle of the line. The Panthers need to add a body here to help out Damione Lewis and Maake Kemoeatu.
3. Offensive line. After losing their top three backups in a span of four days, Carolina's offensive line depth has been depleted.
MEDICAL WATCH: No updates.
FRANCHISE PLAYER: DE Julius Peppers: Tendered at $16.683M.
TRANSITION PLAYER: None
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS:
--LB Donte Curry is a moderate special teams player who can be had on the cheap.
--LS Jason Kyle is an extremely reliable long snapper who the team would like to have back. But he might test the market.
--DT Darwin Walker was inactive for the team's playoff game against Arizona despite having more playoff experience than any player on the roster, so that should tell you all you need to know about his chances of returning to Carolina.
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS (not tendered)
--WR Jason Carter (not tendered as ERFA).
--DT Gary Gibson (not tendered as RFA) was a backup tackle last year and went on IR late in the season with a hand injury.
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
--LB James Anderson (tendered at $1.01M with third-round pick as compensation) has contributed little other than on special teams.
--S Nate Salley (tendered at $1.01M with fourth-round pick as compensation) hasn't played all that much but the Panthers still like his game.
EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS: None.
PLAYERS RE-SIGNED
--OT Jordan Gross: Potential UFA; 6 yrs, terms unknown.
--DT Nick Hayden: ERFA; $310,000/1 yr.
--TE Jeff King: RFA; $1.545M/1 yr.
--CB C.J. Wilson: ERFA; tendered at $385,000; terms unknown.
PLAYERS ACQUIRED
--QB Brett Basanez: FA; 2 yrs, terms unknown.
PLAYERS LOST
--OG Jeremy Bridges (released).
--RB Nick Goings (released).
--WR D.J. Hackett (released).
--OG Geoff Hangartner: UFA Bills; $9.6M/4 yrs, guarantees unknown.
--WR/KR Mark Jones: UFA Titans; terms unknown.
--CB Ken Lucas (released).
--OT Frank Omiyale: UFA Bears; $11.5M/4 yrs, $5.5M SB.
--DT J'Vonne Parker: Not tendered as ERFA/Broncos; terms unknown.
--LB Adam Seward: UFA Colts; 1 yr, terms unknown.
