Panthers Release C Justin Hartwig; Jarrett Busted

In a slightly surprising move the Panthers released center Justin Hartwig.

Hartwig was a prominent free agency signing for the Panthers in 2006. However, he missed most of that season with injuries.

I think this may be an indicator the Panthers are about to sign another free agent, my guess is one of the three defensive tackles they have entertained recently. With Kindall Moorehead going to Atlanta the Panthers are very thin at DT and need an experienced back-up behind Kemo and Damione Lewis.

It seems Hartwig peaked when he was with the Titans. He was injured shortly after starting his career with the Panthers and hasn’t been the same since. My enduring memory of him is from last season’s Titans game. After Hartwig expressed excitement at the opportunity to be matched up against old teammate Albert Haynesworth, Haynesworth smoked him for a sack (or was it a just a big hit?) on the first play they matched up. Let’s just say Hartwig didn’t look so good that day.

Hartwig has good size and comes with valuable experience so I’m sure he won’t stay unemployed for long. Hell if David Carr can get an interview that should encourage a lot of aging veterans.

============

WR Dwayne Jarrett Busted for DWI

We can add a new name to the Panthers rap sheet:

Jarrett was pulled over in suburban Mint Hill at 3 a.m. Tuesday, police spokesman Lt. Sergio Carrera said. An officer spotted Jarrett's car cross the center line and run a red light, Carrera said. The 21-year-old player failed field sobriety tests before he was given a breath test.

This doesn’t surprise me one bit. I have read several comments on message boards that Jarrett was gaining quite the reputation as the party guy who would close up bars and buy the house for the night. It would seem the rumors may have been true.

These two paragraphs accurately sum up Jarrett’s Panthers career.

The Panthers drafted the former Southern California star in the second-round last year. Three days later, the Panthers released Keyshawn Johnson, believing the 6-foot-4 Jarrett would replace him as the No. 2 receiver opposite the smaller and speedy Steve Smith.

But Jarrett struggled to learn the playbook and adapt to the NFL game and was beaten out for a starting job. He was on the inactive list for six of the first eight games. He played more later in the season but finished with only six catches for 73 yards and no touchdowns.

So after a season like that and now a drinking and driving charge I would say his chances of being a ‘bust’ have gone up to 60-70%. I hope I am wrong. I know this guy has tremendous talent. You don’t set the Pac 10 career receiving TD record on luck. I would just like to know his Wunderlic score because anybody driving around Charlotte at 3am drunk is a dumb ass, especially when you can afford a taxi. Grow up! You're not in college anymore.Here’s a clue, it’s called "On-Star." Press the freakin button and they will come get you, put your car on a flat bed truck and take your drunk ass home. But I digress...

I think the chances of the Panthers drafting a WR early in this draft just went up too. If Jarrett is suddenly not an option then we need to start grooming another WR What ever happened to Taye Biddle?