Panther Paw Prints Around the Web

The NFL rumor mill is alive and well. First we had a deal in the works for DE Julius Peppers going to the Patriots and then we had a denial from all parties. Now we have ‘both sides' working a contract extension for QB Jake Delhomme but now his agent says "What extension?". Are the beat writers getting just as bored as we are and just floating these rumors just to have something to talk about? It sure seems that way.

• Here's more evidence the Panthers will look to draft a CB:

"That's hard to predict. Obviously, we wouldn't have (released starter Ken Lucas) if we didn't think so," Fox told reporters including the Charlotte Observer this past week at the league owners' meetings in California." (We have) C.J. (Wilson) and Dante (Wesley). And we haven't had a draft yet. We're not done with the selection process. It's really too hard to predict yet. But with the guys we have, obviously we have a comfort zone with those guys.

• We are still waiting to see if LB James Anderson and S Nate Salley will sign the RFA tenders. I think we've seen the best of Anderson and have the depth to replace him but I'm not sure with Salley. This guy looked like a starter two seasons ago until an untimely injury derailed his opportunity. I like the thought of him as a back-up at both safety spots.

• Panthers HC John Fox is still maintaining he is not worried about Julius Peppers cap hit in the event he returns to the team. 

• CBS Sports Clark Judge says based on history the Panthers will more than likely stumble this season. Stumble on this (the one finger salute) Clark!

• John Fox again, this time claiming his happiness with his back-up QB's.  No one will ever accuse Fox of not backing his players with his full confidence (even if unwarranted).

• Fox says that late in the 2008 season "the light came" on for WR Dwayne Jarrett. So now the rest of us are wondering "Will he open his eyes?" It sure would be nice if this guy could nail down the #3 slot. 

• Panther S Charles Godfrey and TE Jeff King essentially got performance bonuses (200 to 300k) from the league based on pay scale (low) and snaps played (high). That's like me getting bonuses at work for attending every meeting I'm asked to attend. "Here you go Jaxon, since you haven't missed a single ass-chewing, head-banging weekly metrics review meeting all year in spite of being one the lowest paid employees I'm giving you a 30% bonus". Sweet! If only that were true for all of us.