According to agent Jim Steiner, the Panthers have not shown any early interest in defensive end Justin Smith, the top-ranked defensive end on the free agent market. I spoke to Steiner at about 12:30 a.m. Friday -- I'm burning the midnight oil here -- and he said, "Nope, there's not any interest from Carolina." The next best defensive end out there is Antwan Odom from Tennessee, but it's beginning to sound like the Panthers might go after less expensive options at that position. A little surprising if you ask me, especially if Mike Rucker doesn't return.

   However, the Panthers will meet on Friday with lesser-known defensive lineman Tyler Brayton from the Oakland Raiders, a former first-round draft pick in 2003. Brayton can play both end and tackle. Here is what you need to know about Brayton: He has just six sacks in five seasons and lost his starting job this past season (he played 16 games as a backup) after starting 47 games over his first four seasons with the Raiders.

   Carolina already met with defensive tackle Rod Coleman on Thursday night, giving him a physical to see if he's recovered from an waterskiing accident that kept him out of most of last season. There are several teams interested in Coleman's services.

   The big news early Friday should be whether or not the Panthers have reached a trade agreement with the Jets for defensive tackle Kris Jenkins. I strongly believe this deal will get done.

    UPDATE: DeShaun Foster must have really wanted to go back to the West Coast because it seems he accepted a horrendous deal late Thursday night to sign with the San Francisco 49ers. Foster inked a two-year deal worth just $1.8 million and will serve as the backup to Frank Gore. Perhaps there was no market for Foster, but that money seems extremely low for a former starter.