11:10 PM: For you night owls, I wish I had something new to report, but I haven't heard anything on negotiations between the Panthers and Jonathan Stewart. Marty Hurney isn't returning phone calls from reporters at this point, so the assumption is he's still talking with Stewart's agent Ben Dogra.
7:20 PM: One down, one to go.
The Carolina Panthers have signed first-round draft pick Jeff Otah, according to the team's public relations director Charlie Dayton. However, general manager Marty Hurney is not available at this time because he's working to finish up the contract with Jonathan Stewart.
Details of the contract are not known, but it's believed to be a five-year deal worth more than $14 million with more than $8.2 million in guaranteed money. That's because that's the contract signed by Tampa Bay's Aqib Talib, who was selected one spot behind Otah at 20th overall.
5:27 PM: Coach John Fox said Friday first-round draft picks Jonathan Stewart and Jeff Otah are "fairly close" to signing with the Carolina Panthers and he seems optimistic both will be on the field Saturday when the team begins practice.
However, he said neither player has signed his contract yet.
"I think there is progress," Fox said. "There is no deal done but it is fairly close and there is progress. We will let you guys know when it's official."
When asked if he hopes both picks will be on the field Saturday, Fox said, "That is my hope. Hopefully we will be able to find something out here later tonight or earlier tomorrow."
Fox refused to say which draft pick was closer to signing.
"They are both integral parts of our team," Fox said.
Fox said everyone passed their physical, including newly acquired offensive tackle Charles Spencer, and the team should have the entire team on the field Saturday, providing, of course, Stewart and Otah sign their deals.
Both players are a short distance from training camp, according to Fox.
4:08 PM: I'm hearing from a source that the Panthers are closing in on a deal with tackle Jeff Otah, but that the team is still a good bit away from signing Jonathan Stewart and that he could wind up being a holdout. Howevever, I still haven't heard back from a very busy Marty Hurney to confirm that, so I'm a little reluctant to place too much emphasis on that information.
It would make sense for Otah to be the first of the two to sign.
I should know more after coach John Fox addresses the media around 5 p.m. Sorry to keep you waiting, but keep checking back.
12:30 PM: Just received a phone call from Panthers PR director Charlie Dayton, who said GM Marty Hurney is a little busy to return phone calls to the media right now. Hurney, along with salary cap specialist Rob Rogers, are working around the clock to get Jonathan Stewart and Jeff Otah signed.
But so far nothing is done.
The team's first practice is tomorrow morning.
Coach John Fox is expected to address the media around 5 p.m., after the team meeting.
NOON: Earlier in the day, players began filing into the dorms at Wofford College. One of the big topics was Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre, who is reportedly coming out of retirement and will report to Packers training camp (whereupon he will likely be traded). The Jets and Bucs are two teams believed to be the most interested in Favre.
The Panthers have said they have confidence in quarterback Jake Delhomme and that he's their starter.
When asked about Favre on Friday, Delhomme told reporters, "You do hear about it. You’d have to be living under a rock not to. I’m just glad all that’s not going on in our camp. So far we’re distraction free. That’s a big positive.”
Wide receiver Steve Smith addressed the issue by saying, "Jake’s our guy. Jake’s my guy. Anybody else, I’m not interested.”
8:30 AM: Well, it shouldn't be too hard for the Carolina Panthers and Jonathan Stewart's agent, Ben Dogra, to agree to a contract now.
Ryan Clady, the 12th pick in the NFL draft, and Chris Williams, the 14th pick have both signed contracts with their teams. Clady received a five-year, $17.5 million contract with $11 million in guaranteed money from Denver. Williams received a five-year, $16 million contract with $10 million in guaranteed money from Chicago.
Stewart should fit right in between.
So why don't split the difference boys, and agree on a five-year deal worth $16.75 million with $10.5 million in guaranteed money? Sounds logical to me.
However, what is probably hindering the taliks is Stewart is a running back and may be looking for certain incentives based on performance. The Panthers are expected to continue negotiations today with Stewart and Jeff Otah, the 19th overall pick.