Panthers Getting Busy Signing Rookies

by Jaxon on Jul 18, 2008 1:22 PM EDT

I wasn't going to get too excited about the Panthers signing their late round draft picks. Several of these guys may not make the roster. The word is now that they have signed their second 3rd round pick LB Dan Conner. Things are finally starting to heat up.

So if I'm keeping track correctly we've signed the following so far:

3rd round - LB Dan Conner

5th round - TE Gary Barnidge

6th - DT Nick Hayden

7th round - G Mackenzy Bernadeau and DE Hilee Taylor

That five down with four to go:

1st round: RB Jonathan Stewart and OT Jeff Otah

3rd Round: S Charles Godfrey

7th Round: OT Geoff Schwartz

The word is that Charles Godfrey is close to signing and will probably be next. I don't know what Schwartz' problem is but he better get over it. The money will dry up quick once they start talking to Stewart and Otah. Of the late round picks I think Schwartz has the best chance to make the team because we lack depth at tackle. Otherwise none of the picks past the 3rd round are locks to make the roster.

On another note it must be exciting for these guys to get signed. I imagine most are not from families with a lot of money so getting that signing bonus has to be awesome. Most will probably run down to the local car dealer and get a new car. Who wouldn't? A new house would be next for the top 4 picks I would imagine. Of course they probably have lots of friends and family coming out of the woodwork looking for them to share the wealth. That would be a nice problem to have. But I digress.

So I'm portending how much time either Stewart or Otah will miss of training camp waiting for their agent to get something done. History indicates either one or both will miss some camp time which leads me to my next poll.

Poll

How much training camp time will Jonathan Stewart and Jeff Otah miss due to contract negotiating?

None, both will be on time

28 votes

Otah will be on time, Stewart a little late

17 votes

Stewart will be on time, Otah a little late

17 votes

Both will be a little late

22 votes

One or both will miss several weeks

2 votes

86 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 4 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

the important guys

Otah won’t get signed until the tackles drafted in front of him sign. I’m not worried at all. There were so many tackles selected, that I think it will be hard to haggle on his worth in any direction. Stewart may take longer, but we have to see how much McFadden got, and how much Forte got from the Bears last week and find something good in the middle. Stewart might take longer as there is always a bigger threat that he may be too run down to play in seven years from now, unlike Otah, just because of the position each guy plays. Also, Stewart wants #13 pick money, not “share-the-load with another 1st rd pick” money. We’ll see, but Otah getting signed is more important to the team right now in my opinion. Godfrey is too.

by usana_gaines on Jul 19, 2008 4:01 PM EDT reply actions