Panthers Make Minor Moves that May Play Big

Here’s a few transactions the Panthers made in the last week or two (no date given) that seem minor on the surface but could play big as we progress into the off-season.

• The Carolina Panthers made a few minor transactions, re-signing a pair of backups—safety C.J. Wilson and running back Alex Haynes—to one-year contracts worth the league minimum of $370,000. Neither player had the freedom to move to another team since they were both exclusive rights free agents.

We’re still not sure if Wilson is a keeper but I liked to looks of Haynes in the preseason last year. Though he’s not very tall he is stout and could be a short yardage option for us. He’s only in his 3rd year so maybe the Panthers will continue his development.

• As expected, the Panthers placed the second round tender of $1.47 million on restricted free agent offensive lineman Geoff Hangartner and the low tender of $927,000 on linebacker Adam Seward and offensive lineman Evan Mathis.

I think Seward and Hangartner still have upside. I’m not so sure about Mathis. I imagine Hangartner will get a chance to compete for the RG starting spot and at the least will be a key reserve along the line in ’08.

• The Panthers did free up a little more than $1 million in cap space by restructuring the contracts of cornerback Ken Lucas and defensive tackle Maake Kemoeatu, according to NFL documents. That’s a sure sign both of those players will be around this season (although there was little doubt otherwise). Lucas’ base salary dropped from $1.3 million to $800,000, while Kemoeatu’s fell from $1.9 million to $605,000. Basically, the Panthers converted the differences into a guaranteed bonus money they can now spread over the remainder of those contracts. Another candidate for a contract restructure is offensive lineman Justin Hartwig, who is due a $2.15 million base salary this season. The only players higher than him are Julius Peppers ($6.5 million), Jake Delhomme ($3.69 million) and Kris Jenkins ($2.95 million).

It looks like Kemo will remain for ’08. I imagine he doesn’t have a lot of trade value and with Jenkins gone, we don’t have enough depth to part ways. Let’s hope he picks it up this year and proves to be a dominate run stuffer. I’m ok with Ken Lucas, he didn’t have a Pro Bowl year but I thought he was solid. I also think he could be moved to free safety as an option that would allow him, Chris Gamble and Richard Marshall to all get on the field at the same time.

• You have to wonder if the Panthers won’t look to do something with John Kasay’s contract. He’s due a base salary of $1.5 million this season, which is a little high for a kicker. Kasay is in the final year of his contract, so the team could look to extend him a few more years if they feel he can still play at a high level.

Considering the Panthers had to add another person to do kick offs Kasay’s tenure in Carolina could be coming to a close. If they don’t extend him then we might see the Panthers make a move for a free agent or in the draft in ’09 to upgrade the position.

Since most of these moved were designed to free up more cap space I think its easy to see the Panthers are not done yet in free agency. They obviously are looking for a DE and I bet a RB is high on the list too. I bet we make some moves to bolster special teams as well. No where to go but up with regards to that.