Kris Jenkins to Jets?

The Panthers tried it last year and weren't successful. However, this year the Panthers have a suitor for the contraversial, former all-world DT Kris Jenkins...the J-E-T-S JETS, JETS, JETS! According to PFT.com, who was quoting a guy on NFLN, the New York Jets are making a push at Carolina for Jenkins.

As Carolina continues to clean house this offseason, the "Cardiac Cats" are now all but gone. We already lost Stephen Davis, DeShaun Foster, Mike Minter, Brentson Buckner, Ricky Proehl, and now Jenkins is likely gone this offseason. I remember when Jenkins was a straight up beast in 2003, he was so good that year that many considered him the best DT in all the NFL. Always controversial with his wieght issues, he added to his resume by ripping his teammates following a 20-7 loss at home to Tampa Bay last season. It's clear that the marriage is over and one way or another Jenkins has likely played the last of his football in Carolina. I don't really know how I feel about Jenkins anymore. He hasn't had nearly the year he had in 2003 (thanks in large part to injuries in 2004 and 2005). But, I think he crossed the line by ripping his teammates last year. A lot of Panther fans would disagree with that, but that's something that you tell your teammates straight up, behind closed doors. You don't call out your team through the media. That's a sign of someone who wants out. Could he get his wish this weekend/earl next week?

The Moose is Back...

According to profootballtalk.com, the Carolina Panthers and WR Muhsin Muhammad are reportedly close to a deal that will pay the 35 year old wideout $1.5 Million a year. If this turns out to be true, the Panthers will at least have a viable number 2 reciever next year. Even though his numbers were way down last year in Chicago, they had QB issues all year long, much like Carolina. With a (hopefully) healthy Delhomme next year, a reliable number 2, DeAngelo's emergenance as the primary back, and the always dangerous Steve Smith, the Panthers could be a playoff team again next year. Granted, we were all saying these things 2 years ago when Keyshawn signed here. Only time will tell if this signing yields the Panthers a playoff spot. In any event, glad to have you back Moose.

Muhsin Muhammad Back to Carolina?

Muhsin Muhammad, a long time Panther from 1996-2004, was released by the Chicago Bears this week, making Muhammad an unrestricted free agent. Growing up, I loved Muhsin Muhammad. He was Carolina's Steve Smith before Steve Smith. I remember back in the late 90's, he was one of the only WR to lead the NFC in receptions 2 years in a row. And, what Panther fan could forget his remarkable 2004 year (93 catches, 1,405 yards, unreal 16 touchdowns) . With 16+ guys on DL that year, Muhammad was one of the bright spots and nearly led the Panthers to the playoffs after a 1-7 start. Not only was Muhammad great at catching the football, but he was also a dominant run blocker. It's funny, but Keyshawn Johnson was brought in to fill the void that Muhammad left. Now, the Panthers can regain Muhammad via FA.

With Muhammad avaible, it would be interesting to see if the Panthers pursue him at all. He's getting up there in age, 35, but so was Keyshawn when he played here in 2006 and he had a productive year. However, I doubt that Carolina will go after him. The Panthers really need to solidfy the number 2 reciever spot, and there are younger options out there (see Bryant Johnson, Arizona WR likely to be a F/A). The Panthers will also push for TE Alge Crumpler this off-season.

But, how much fun would it be to have old #87 back (although, a number change would be needed as Jeff King has #87. How ironic would it be if Muhammad choose #19?) in Carolina blue. The only viable scenario to bring Muhammad back would be if the Panthers are really serious about Dwayne "go watch some film" Jarrett being the future number 2 to go alongside Smith. Bring in Muhammad, have him start at the number 2 next year while mentoring Jarrett. I really wish that the Panthers would have kept Keyshawn Johnson, because he wanted that role. Remember how excited Johnson looked on ESPN when Jarrett was drafted? Cutting Johnson last year was a bonehead move, in my opinion.

So, will Muhammad be a Panther next year? Unlikely. But, it would be fitting for him to come back to Carolina to break the 10,000 yard mark.

F/A Wishlist: Alge Crumpler, TE

NFL teams around the league and starting to make their cuts, or "salary cap casualties". We've already seen it in Carolina with Dan Morgan and Mike Wahle gone (and, now the Panthers are trying to move Foster and his $4.75 million cap figure). The Atlanta Falcons are one such team that has been cutting players left and right, with the recent one being Alge Crumpler, a big time TE who has 316 receptions that have been good for 4,212 yards and 35 TD in his 7 seasons at Atlanta.

Alge Crumpler would be a big get for Carolina. Jeff Davidson, 2nd year OC, has been talking about getting the TE more involved in the offense. Having a TE who led the Falcons in receiving 3 times in 7 years would be huge. Crumpler can stretch the field, go over the middle, and is a huge mismatch for any safety in the redzone. This would really open things up for one Steve Smith, who has been quietly begging for some help. Crumpler would give the Panthers another threat besides Steve Smith, one that Safeties and Linebackers would have to respect.

And, it doesn't hurt that when Crumpler was a rookie he said it would be a dream come true to play for the Panthers. Crumpler is a Greenville, NC native, went to North Carolina in college, and I'm guessing would still love to come back. If the Panthers can get Crumpler for the right price, it only makes sense. Get it done, Hurney!

Panthers Release Dan Morgan

Dan Morgan, one of my favorite Panthers since his rookie year in 2001, was cut by the Carolina Panthers this week. When thinking about Dan Morgan, unfortunately all many will remember about his time in Carolina will be his injuries. He's been sidelined with everything from broken legs, to concussions, to shoulders, to the most recent achilles tendon that ended his season last year. Many Carolina fans blame the GM for letting go the highly talented Will Witherspoon in 2005 in favor of Dan Morgan. Hey, hindsight is always 20/20. Witherspoon was a talent, but if Morgan were healthy, he'd have been one of the very best defensive players in the NFL.

Unfortnately, though, I find myself applauding the release. Morgan is just too much of a risk to get hurt again and the Panthers could certainly use that cap room to focus on other needs, such as WR, DL, and OL. And, that's not even mentioning the surprising emergance of rookie Jon Beason and his 140 tackles as he took over the MLB spot when Morgan went down.

In the end, I will continue to root for Dan Morgan and hope that he can go somewhere (outside of the NFC South!) and contribute to a team without getting injured again. He was a class act at Carolina who stepped up in big games (in the 2003 NFCCG and SB38, he had a combined 43 tackles), it's just too bad that he couldn't avoid the injury bug. Good luck, Dan.

Super Bowl Memories

Wow, what an f'ing game last night! Despite the lack of scoring (it was 7-3 going into the 4th quarter), this was seriously one of the three most exciting Super Bowls that I have witnessed in my days as an NFL fan. The other two being the "stopped one yard short" Super Bowl XXXIV, and, sadly, Super Bowl XXXVIII...the year my boys represented the NFC and lost by 3 to the Patriots. Big props to David "how did the ball not touch the ground" Tyree, Plaxico Burress, that Giants front four, and Eli Manning. Ballsy performances all around. Here's to possibly the greatest upset in Super Bowl history.

Getting back to Super Bowl XXXVIII, that is my own personal favorite big game. Sure, the Panthers ended up losing the game. But, like the Giants last night, the Panthers were not intimdated by the Patriots and put up one of the more ballsy performances in Super Bowl history. Jake Delhomme gave one of the very best performances by a QB in the Super Bowl (his records for longest touchdown pass and most passing yards in the 4th quarter still stand). Muhsin Muhammad breaking free from out of nowhere to reel in an 85 yard touchdown reception. Steve Smith burning Tyrone Poole. Deshaun Foster's unbelieveable 33 yard run. Delhomme talking trash to Rodney Harrison. Ricky Proehl breaking free to tie the game 29-29. So many great things that the Panthers did....yet came up 3 points short. If only our defense would have gotten one or two more stops...

In all honesty, when Muhammad scored that touchdown to put Carolina up 22-21, I thought it was over. It was how the Panthers played the entire season. Then, Ricky Proehl's touchdown that tied it 29-29, I was thinking "Okay, we've won how many overtime games this year, we're going to win this one." Then, John Kasay kicks the kickoff out of bounds to give the Patriots unreal field position. This was one Super Bowl where my emotions were so up and down. I just hope that if the Panthers ever make it back to the big game, they can give us another exciting game...yet win it this time.

Chad Johnson to Carolina?

Chad Johnson made a plea to Mr. (John) Fox to "come and get me" and that "85 plus 89 equals SuperBowl". Here's the link: http://www.wfnz.com/topic/play_window.php?audioType=Episode&audioId=1381105. Now, this is pure fantasy on Carolina fan's part and probably on Chad Johnson's part as well. But, let's speculate about this for a moment. Having two of the top 5 wideouts in the NFL on the same team, how would NFC teams stop them? With the emerging DeAngelo Williams set to have a monster year when he takes over the reigns from Foster next year, Carolina would have one of the deadliest offenses in the NFC, if not the NFL.

Chad Johnson is obviously not happy anymore in Cincinnati, and the Bengals need to fix their inept defense. Throw the Bengals a couple of draft picks and maybe Chris Gamble or Ken Lucas in the deal (Richard Marshall outplayed both at the end of last year), and both teams benefit. I doubt that the Panthers could get a Superstar like Chad Johnson in this year's draft. In a make or break year for John Fox and Marty Hurney, this could be the type of blockbuster deal that they may need. Now, a lot would have to go Carolina's way if this deal were to happen. First, Johnson is under contract with the Bengals through 2011, so the Panthers would have to take that on their salary cap, which they are already hurting in that area. Granted, they will be able to make some cap room with restructuring contracts, cuts (*cough*David Carr*cough*), and Julius Peppers not meeting his contract incentives this year. Also, the Panthers already traded away their 5th round pick to Chicago in an absolute steal for stud SS Chris Harris. If the Panthers were to deal away 1 or 2 more draft picks, it would be a very quiet draft and other areas such as Defensive Line and Offensive Line, not to mention a power back that the Panthers desperately need, would not be addressed.

That being said, the Panthers would be foolish to pass up on this deal, if the Bengals were willing to listen. The Bengals have said that they will not trade Johnson, but if the right offer were made, I'm sure they would listen. It'd be risky, not only because you trade away draft picks, but also the distractions that a Chad Johnson would bring. But, having a Steve Smith/Chad Johnson tandem along with a healthy Jake Delhomme and an explosive DeAngelo Williams, and the Panthers would have a very talented offense and most surely make the playoffs if everyone remains healthy. Here's to dreaming...