*The Carolina Panthers made a few minor transactions on Monday, re-signing a pair of backups -- safety C.J. Wilson and running back Alex Haynes to one-year contracts worth the league minimum of $370,000. Neither player had the freedom to move to another team since they were both exclusive rights free agents.
*As expected, the Panthers used the low tender offer of $927,000 on restricted free agent Evan Mathis, meaning any team hoping to sign him away would need to surrender a third-round pick as compensation. Don't expect that to happen. The Panthers are expected to offer linebacker Adam Seward the same contract. He would bring a fifth-round pick as compensation. It's entirely possible that the team's only other restricted free agent, offensive lineman Geoff Hangartner, will receive the second-round tender of $1.47 million. Having to forfeit a second round pick for Hangartner would serve as a deterent for most teams. (UPDATE: On Tuesday, the Panthers did offer Hangartner the second round tender., so he likely won't be going anywhere.)
*The Panthers did free up a little more than $1 million in cap space by restructuring the contracts of cornerback Ken Lucas and defensive tackle Maake Kemoeatu, according to NFL documents. That's a sure sign both of those players will be around this season (although there was little doubt otherwise). Lucas' base salary dropped from $1.3 million to $800,000, while Kemoeatu's fell from $1.9 million to $605,000. Basically, the Panthers converted the differences into a guaranteed bonus money they can now spread over the remainder of those contracts.
*Another candidate for a contract restructure is offensive lineman Justin Hartwig, who is due a $2.15 million base salary this season. The only players higher than him are Julius Peppers ($6.5 million), Jake Delhomme ($3.69 million) and Kris Jenkins ($2.95 million). As for Jenkins, I'm still not sold he will be back this season. He made it clear he'd like to play closer to home (Washington, D.C. area). He does have some trade value so look for the Panthers to shop him again.
*You have to wonder if the Panthers won't look to do something with John Kasay's contract. He's due a base salary of $1.5 million this season, which is a little high for a kicker. Kasay is in the final year of his contract, so the team could look to extend him a few more years if they feel he can still play at a high level.
*A friendly reminder: The NFL free agency signing period and the trading period begins Friday at 12:01 a.m. Look for the Panthers to be active early and try to snare two big names over the weekend.
*There has been no movement on negotiations with free agent receiver Muhsin Muhammad. Although he wants to play in Carolina, it's clear the Panthers aren't going to overpay to sign him.
*Running back Stephen Davis will sign a one-day contract with Carolina this week so he can retire a Panther.