Carolina Panthers backup defensive back (and special teams gunner) Dante Wesley has been suspended without pay for one game by NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations Ray Anderson for a flagrant violation of player safety rules. Specifically, on a punt coverage play yesterday, Dante left his feet, launched himself like a missile and made shoulder and forearm contact with the neck and head area of Tampa Bay Bucs punt returner Clifton Smith, who had not caught or touched the ball and was in a defenseless posture.
The suspension will sideline Dante for the Panthers game vs. Buffalo this Sunday.
In …read more

Any speculation about the Carolina Panthers trading All-Pro defensive end Julius Peppers can be put to rest now. Julius signed his one-year, $16.7 million franchise tender today—about five months after he said he wanted to be traded from the Panthers.
Yes, Julius said he would never sign a long-term contract with Carolina and begged the team not to place the franchise tag on him. Of course, they did it anyway, understanding the exorbitant amount of money they would have to pay him. It also meant another team couldn’t sign him unless it gave Carolina two first-round draft picks in return. And …read more

Coming off what was probably the worst game of his National Football League career, Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme signed a five-year contract extension today that will most likely keep him in Carolina for the rest of his playing days. The deal is worth $42.5 million, with $20 million guaranteed.
Jake was happy to get this deal done before his contract was up at the end of the 2009 season:
“My wife and I were very happy, but truly, honestly, we’re more excited to know that we can be in Charlotte, North Carolina. That meant the most to us. It’s such a …read more

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The Carolina Panthers signed All-Pro offensive tackle Jordan Gross to a six-year contract extension today, keeping him with the only team he’s ever played for in his National Football League career. Jordan was drafted by the Panthers in 2003. The deal includes more than $30 million in the first three seasons. Panthers general manager Marty Hurney recognizes the talent:
“Jordan’s one of the leaders of our offensive line and our team. He’s an excellent fit. He’s a perfect fit for our team and our organization. He’s one of the top left tackles in the …read more

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The Carolina Panthers signed cornerback Chris Gamble to a six-year contract extension today. The deal is worth $53 million and includes $23 million worth of guaranteed bonuses. This “early” signing will keep Chris off the free agent market this offseason. A day after Thanksgiving, Chris was thankful, indeed:
“I am very excited just to get it out of the way. I want to be in Carolina. I didn’t want to be with another team. I like the organization, the coaching staff, the fans (and) my teammates. I wanted to get it out of the way. Luckily …read more

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Carolina Panthers receiver Steve Smith has very quietly returned to the team after serving a two game suspension for bloodying teammate Ken Lucas’ nose during training camp. Fortunately for the Panthers, they’re already 2-0 and one would assume they’re only going to get better with Steve back in the lineup. Steve was candid in answering questions from the media and says he and Ken have settled their differences:
“I can’t really say exactly everything that I have felt and thought. I know I’m not a victim, as people may think. I know I’m not giving them …read more

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Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith was suspended for two games following a training camp fight with teammate Ken Lucas yesterday. Ken left the practice field with ice over his left eye and a broken nose. Steve will continue to practice when camp resumes Monday and he will be allowed to participate in the team’s preseason games, but he’s out for the first two regular season games, costing him more than $205,000. According to Panthers head coach John Fox:
“What (Steve) did was wrong and we take very serious and he is being punished severely …read more

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Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme was back under center during his team’s voluntary minicamp today. It seems like a miraculous recovery considering Jake went through “Tommy John surgery” (doctors replaced the failed ligament in his right elbow with a tendon from his left thigh) just eight months ago. I thought his career was over. But it looks like he’s stronger than ever and Jake is optimistic about his full recovery:
“It felt great. I think mentally I was a little rusty, but that was to be expected. It was good to be out there …read more

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Carolina Panthers QB Vinny Testaverde says he’s going to retire after today’s game against the Tampa Bay Bucs. He’s 44 years old and has just completed his 21st NFL season. It sounds like the logical thing to do (unless you’re Brett Favre), but can we believe him? He saved what was left of the Panthers’ season, starting five games and adding an additional 1,000 passing yards (almost) to his career stats. Not bad for his age. But his body wore down late in the season, and he was sidelined by back pain and …read more

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Carolina Panthers head coach John Fox is giving the starting quarterback nod to the ageless Vinny Testeverde again this week against undefeated Indianapolis. The reasoning is that David Carr is not 100%, although he is listed as probable on the latest injury report. Coach Fox said:
“It’s not a season-long decision. It will be game to game. Contrary to popular belief, this wasn’t about keeping our opponent in the dark as much as it was us sorting it out. I think we have two starting quarterbacks, albeit not our original starter.”
I’ll go ahead and …read more