Panthers Sign WR DJ Hackett

by Jaxon on Mar 17, 2008 1:19 PM EDT in Panther News

It looks like the Panthers won the bidding war for free agent WR DJ Hackett.

Free agent wideout D.J. Hackett agreed to two-year, $3.5 million deal with Carolina on Monday as the Panthers continued to upgrade their receiving corps.
The former Seahawk chose Carolina over Seattle, Washington and Tampa Bay, according to his agent, Kevin Robinson.

This a big signing for the Panthers. Unlike the Toefield signing this will reduce the pressure for the Panthers to draft another WR early in the upcoming draft. We have to pray this guy stays healthy. If you recall he was a huge factor in the Seahawks play-off game win against the Redskins this past post-season. He has great hands and can get open on key third downs. Again, a big signing that really shores up our receiving corps.

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good move...jarrett who?

I'm glad we got him. He has good hands and work ethic. He's a good #1 receiver, so having his talent at #3 should be a real bonus. He certainly understands what it takes to win, and working under Holmgren has taught him things like making tough catches and blocking downfield. With Moose and Hackett on the team, putting two and three people on Smith could prove to be deadly.

by usana_gaines on Mar 17, 2008 2:55 PM EDT reply actions

Hackett Should be #2

He is faster and has better hands than Moose. In my view this pretty much takes WR off the board in the upcoming draft. Good, because picking receivers is tough.

by Jaxon on Mar 17, 2008 3:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Hackett IS #2

From Hacketts attorney:

Robinson said the Panthers told Hackett during his visit last weekend that he'd start at wide receiver with Steve Smith.

Moose and Jarrett are fighting for #3 in my view. Hell, Jarrett is just fighting to stay on the team I think.

by Jaxon on Mar 17, 2008 3:28 PM EDT reply actions

Sounds good

Seems like the Panthers are constructively going after what they need, not throwing money at a big name to do it all.

So I guess we'll see OT, RB, DE first three picks in the draft, we wait to see which order.

We'll see if it all pays off in the winter.

by JIMcK on Mar 17, 2008 3:30 PM EDT reply actions

I'm guessing DE, OT, DT

first three picks, then a safety.

by Jaxon on Mar 17, 2008 4:04 PM EDT up reply actions

D-Will

as a feature back or do you think Toefield is a starter?

Yeah I forgot DT, still got a big KJ shaped hole to fill. And that is a BIG hole, in more ways than one ;) Although Lewis and Kemo isn't a disaster.

by JIMcK on Mar 17, 2008 7:24 PM EDT up reply actions

with this Hackett signing

the Panthers now have much more flexibility for this year's draft ..they can ignore WR and get their FS. with the departure of Kris Jenkins, and continued development of C. Johnson/McClover, I see the Panthers trading down that #13 and nabbing a DT like Kentwan Balmer.. this way they can still get their stud LT, DE, or RB(Please let it be Matt Forte) in the 2nd , or Matt slips to their early 3rd round... then they get their S, perhaps another fullback (Hester/Schmitt) to groom behind Hoover, QB, 3-7 rds etc...

i try not to get too excited, but this year looks promising as hell after this Hackett signing!!

by jake2smitty on Mar 18, 2008 9:48 AM EDT up reply actions

Reserved enthusiasm

I think they have made some prudent, difficult moves this off-season though I think they still have their core players. It does look promising on paper but I will wait for camp before I get too excited.

by Jaxon on Mar 18, 2008 10:32 PM EDT up reply actions