FREE AGENCY UPDATES:
9:58 p.m. Just found out that the Panthers are bringing in safety Marlon McCree for a visit sometime in the next few days. That, according to the San Diego Tribune. The news doesn't surprise me at all and in fact when I saw his name on the list of cuts by the Chargers I figured the Panthers would be eager to make a run at him. Can you imagine a secondary with Chris Harris and McCree? They may not be the fastest safeties, but I wouldn't want to be a receiver coming across the middle against them. McCree is just the type of tough, physical player the Panthers need. When he played here he brought a serious attitude. Harris has that same attitude, as well. By the way, the Panthers aren't the only team interested in McCree. He's also going to visit Cincy and Miami.
8:19 p.m. Wonder if Pats fans are getting concerned over Randy Moss not yet having a deal done with New England.
8:17 p.m. I guess it's official now, the best OG is off the market. Alan Feneca signed with the Jets.
8:15 p.m. And, by the way, if the Panthers want to get a backup QB, they had better move soon. Already five QBs are of the market -- Todd Collins, Billy Volek, Cleo Lemon, Chris Redman and Josh McCown. The one free agent who isn't getting much pub is Marques Tuiasosopa, who the Panthers showed interest in a few years ago.
8 p.m. OK, I'm back in the saddle. As the Panthers play the waiting game in free agency, some big names have gone off the board including CB Asante Samuel, WRs Jerry Porter and Ernest Wilford, LB Kawika Mitchell and Reggie Torbor, DT Randy Starks, C Jeff Faine and the two best safeties in Madieu Williams and Gibril Wilson. It looks like Justin Smith, the best DE in free agency, could strike a deal with San Francisco. WR Bernard Berrian is visiting in Minnesota and RB Michael Turner is meeting with Atlanta.
5 p.m. Had to go coach soccer. Hey, I've got a life, too. Actually I don't. I pretty much pulled an all-nighter with the free agency stuff.
3:30 p.m. Marty Hurney talked the media on a conference call and talked at length about the departure of Kris Jenkins. You can read the entire Q and A with Hurney in the "Panther Highlights" section of the website at the bottom of the page. Basically what I got out of it the Panthers are content to start Damione Lewis at defensive tackle. I guess that's why they gave him $14 million over three years. Also, the Panthers plan to be active in free agency, just not today. (read the related story).
1:45 p.m. Here is what Brad Hoover had to say about re-signing with the Panthers he got a three-year deal late Thursday night. "It naturally feels great to re-sign," Hoover said on the team website. "Carolina is where I started and where I ultimately wanted to be," said Hoover, who is from Thomasville, NC, and attended Western Carolina. "I never imagined at all that I would be able to stay in one place and even play as long as I have. It was a dream come true to be able to play in my home state and now to possibly finish out my career here. It couldn't work out any better."
1:07 p.m. OK, so the Panthers don't have a visit set up with RB Michael Turner, but here's a name to keep in mind: Mike Bell. Yes, Bell is under contract with the Denver Broncos for one more season, but it's been rumored that he can be had for a sixth or seventh-round draft pick. Bell would fit a role as a power back opposite DeAngelo Williams and would come very cheap (he's only due to make the league third-year veteran minimum of $445,000 in 2008). He ran for 677 yards and eight touchdowns as a rookie in 2006 but inexplicably fell out of favor with Denver coach Mike Shanahan last year. Bell wound up playing in only five games and carried just six times for 3 yards. The Panthers could trade for Bell and still sign another running back.
1:02 p.m. Don't be surprised if the Panthers try to sign cornerback Richard Marshall to a long-term extension, perhaps as early as next week. Marshall, a former second round draft pick, has clearly outperformed his contract with the Panthers and clearly has star potential. However, Marshall isn't getting paid like it. He is scheduled to make league-minimum base salaries of $445,000 this year and $530,000 in 2009.
12:30 p.m. Wow, how about the Jets giving Kris Jenkins a five-year, $35 million contract with $20 million in guaranteed money?That's outrageous for a player who may be beyond his prime. But hey, more power to Jenkins if he can get that type of money. Obviously the Jets think Jenkins can return to his Pro Bowl days. He sure will be entertaining for the New York media.
12:28 p.m. Just got word of the Muhsin Muhammad contract. Muhammad will earn a $1 million base salary this year and a $1.5 million base salary in 2009. There's no word on his signing bonus, but my guess is it's between the $1-2 million range. That's not a lot to pay a proven receiver.
11:45 a.m. For those Carolina fans hoping that the Panthers might sign Michael Turner, the top free agent back on the market, here's some bad news for you (sorry, I know it's a Friday and all). Turner is scheduled to meet today with Carolina's NFC South rival, the Falcons. Ugh! If the Falcons sign Turner, they're likely to cut veteran Warrick Dunn and pair Turner with Jerious Norwood... The Panthers aren't likely to make a push for defensive end Justin Smith, the top player at his position in free agency. In fact, Smith is visiting with San Francisco.... The Detroit Lions have said they will not trade receiver Roy Williams, so don't expect him to be headed to Carolina. That would have been nice, huh? Also, it appears the Jaguars have signed receiver Jerry Porter.
Keep checking back as I will update this site throughout the day. Steve.