The Carolina Panthers have officially reached terms with LS J.J. Jansen on a new 4-year deal, and LB Jason Phillips on a 1-year deal, the team announced today.

Typically the signing of a long snapper and a backup OLB mean very little, but when we examine the moves through the lens of the off-season we start to see some interesting things take shape. Firstly we have Jansen, who at this point is entering his 4th season, this is important because it's in the 4th year of veterancy that the NFL's minimum contract balloons greatly, and typically you see long snappers at minimum salary. Around the league this spot is typically rotated and populated by rookie and backup centers to keep the cost down, however the Panthers have elected to keep the veteran, and reliable (0 bad snaps in 2011) Jansen.

This could mean that the Panthers will be looking to make a move at kicker or punter this off-season. Both Olindo Mare and Jason Baker were near the bottom of the league at their respective skill, and what better way to ease in a rookie at either position than ensuring you have a reliable long snapper to set them up for success? It's definitely something to watch.

More after the jump

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Hat tip to Tim Long our Social Media Czar for linking this on the CSR Facebook page. If you have not 'Liked' the CSR FB then you need to get on it!

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The Panthers announced a couple things yesterday sure to interest some of you. They notified their PSL owners no increase in ticket prices will occur for the 2012 season:

The Panthers say they have informed permanent seat license (PSL) owners they will not raise season ticket prices for the 2012 season.
There was a spike in interest in Carolina following the arrival of No. 1 overall draft pick Cam Newton, The Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Apparently the Panthers have this hot shot rooke QB that generated a lot more attention to the team in 2011. Maybe you have heard of him? I'm being facetious obviously. So guess how much Panther TV viewership was up last season?

Consequently, television numbers were up in North and South Carolina with the team experiencing a 25 percent increase in viewership. The average weekly telecast was seen by approximately two million people.
The Panthers have sold out 93 consecutive home games and Carolina director of ticketing Phil Youtsey says "that's a tribute to our fans."

25% is a pretty big jump but is still no surprise to me. The kid is just getting started...

As we discussed on Cat Scratch Radio last night I was not impressed with this year's line up of Super Bowl commercials. I found a couple to be 'chuckle' worthy but that was about it. While I did like the Clint Eastwood spot I prefer by SB commercials on the humorous side so that's my focus with this poll. There was no horse passing gas or frogs croaking in unison. Instead it was a fat dog, Seinfeld, Stamos, a baby and believe it or not a car that a guy thought was a hot chick. So here's a link if you haven't seen the videos and my top 7 to pick from:

1 - Happy Grad - Dude thinks his parents bought him a sports car instead of dorm fridge he is looking past. Pretty funny celebration fail

2 - Fat Dog - Dog gets stuck in dog door trying to go outside (supposedly to chase a car)

3 - Speed Dating E-Trade Baby - The 'speed dating' line in the hospital new born room at the hospital is a good chuckle

4 - Hot Chick is a Car - This one had me guessing til the end, the coffee cream on the lip had my interest

5 - The Tease - Seeing Stamos get head butted for being a douche is good TV

6 - Seinfeld Wants a Car Really Bad - Soup Nazi reference was good

7 - Think Fast - Dude saves his boss using his car

So take the poll if you choose!

via i1086.photobucket.com

The long, excruciating wait known as the off season is upon us. Just like the other teams in the league, Carolina will be busy breaking down scouting reports, attending the combine and pro days, making roster moves and determining which players can turn the franchise into a playoff competitor. Just like everyone else in the football world, I am analyzing the draft class and free agents that could be targeted by the Panthers over the next few months. After the jump, I will take a look at possible moves the Panthers front office will make to build the 2012 team.

Welcome to the off season.....

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I have to admit that I was skeptical about how well the turn-out would be for this draft exercise, and I was pleasantly surprised. My idea continually evolved as I was able to see where CSR nation stood when it came to who they had their eyes on in the upcoming draft. It will certainly be interesting to see how the draft ultimately turns out because some of these very players that you voted for may actually don the Panther's blue and black next season. Let's go ahead and get to the results, which were fairly close. Drum roll please.

1st place- With 19% of the vote

1st round: DT Michael Brockers LSU

2nd round: CB Chase Minnifield Virginia

4th round: OLB Sean Spence Miami

More results after the jump...

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Tip of the hat to 'pantherdiehard' for his fanpost bringing this to my attention

Less than 20 days after Alabama CB Dre Kirkpatrick was arrested for marijuana possession the charges have been dropped.

For those who doubted: NO CHARGES FILED against me for marijuana bust in Florida. #innocent #Bama #NFLDraft

Dre Kirkpatrick, via Twitter

It should be interesting how analysts view this news, as many had revised their mocks and dropped Dre K as many as 15 spots in the wake of the arrest. The off-field issue is secondary of course to his on field play, something that is still somewhat of a mystery. The combine will be vital to Kirkpatrick as he hopes to prove he is a true cornerback, and not a safety in CB clothing. Should he be able to win over scouts that he has the ability to play outside then he's a likely lock as a top 10 pick, however he could be available in the 20's or later if he shows that he will need to be converted to safety in the NFL.

Whether he's a corner or a safety when it all shakes out, the Panthers are in dire need of both positions. Kirkpatrick is definitely a player to watch moving forward.