TruBlueCowboy
New Member
- Messages
- 7,301
- Reaction score
- 0
Gotta say, this is a great deal for the Panthers. Key is the man they need to compliment Steve Smith and maybe help out in the running game.
http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/sports/football/nfl/carolina_panthers/14164935.htm
PANTHERS IN THE OFFSEASON
Panthers, Keyshawn will talk
Receiver could fill offensive gap
After wading through the pool in the early stages of free agency, the Carolina Panthers are jumping in head first by talking today with receiver Keyshawn Johnson.
Johnson, one of the biggest names in free agency this offseason, arrived in Charlotte on Wednesday night. He will visit today with team officials, according to league sources.
The Panthers usually avoid mere flirtations in free agency and appear ready to seriously bid for a player they believe could take them to the next level after losing to Seattle in the NFC Championship this past season.
Johnson's price tag is believed to be a two- or three-year deal worth about $4 million a season -- and the Panthers have enough salary cap room to make it happen ($5.6 million). Johnson left a visit with the New York Giants earlier this week after not accepting an offer of $3 million a season. He also might visit Seattle.
Panthers general manager Marty Hurney met Johnson at the airport Wednesday night. The Panthers don't comment on potential free agents.
Although the allure of New York is appealing to Johnson, who began his career with the Jets, sources close to the player said he was excited about the possibility of joining the Panthers.
They said he believes he could help spark an offense that relied almost entirely on receiver Steve Smith last season, and that Johnson wants to play for a team that has a chance to be a Super Bowl contender. The same sources said Smith has talked to Johnson to encourage him to join the Panthers, and said Johnson's interest in Carolina has a lot do with the presence of offensive coordinator Dan Henning.
Johnson and Henning were together with the Jets and Johnson has said Henning is the best coordinator he's ever played for. At least on paper, Johnson would appear capable of correcting one of Carolina's biggest problems last season.
Although Smith led the league in receiving, the offense lacked other threats. Keary Colbert, last year's other starting receiver, had only 25 catches and the running game struggled at times. The Panthers believe a healthy DeShaun Foster and some adjustments on the offensive line can help the running game, but adding Johnson could provide the perfect complement to Smith.
At 33, Johnson still is viewed as one of the league's better possession receivers. He had 71 catches for 839 yards and six touchdowns last season. At 6-foot-4 and 211 pounds, Johnson also is a strong blocker and that's something the receiving corps hasn't had since the departure of Muhsin Muhammad after the 2004 season.
The first overall pick in the 1996 draft, Johnson spent his first four seasons with the Jets. He had two 1,000-yard receiving seasons in New York and was traded to Tampa Bay in 2000.
Johnson's best season was 2001 with the Bucs when he had 106 catches for 1,266 yards. But Johnson and Tampa Bay coach Jon Gruden clashed in 2003 and that led to Johnson's departure. He joined Dallas in 2004 and turned in two solid seasons.
With Johnson, Carolina's receiving corps could be nearly set. Colbert could be the No. 3 receiver with Smith and Johnson as starters.
http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/sports/football/nfl/carolina_panthers/14164935.htm
PANTHERS IN THE OFFSEASON
Panthers, Keyshawn will talk
Receiver could fill offensive gap
After wading through the pool in the early stages of free agency, the Carolina Panthers are jumping in head first by talking today with receiver Keyshawn Johnson.
Johnson, one of the biggest names in free agency this offseason, arrived in Charlotte on Wednesday night. He will visit today with team officials, according to league sources.
The Panthers usually avoid mere flirtations in free agency and appear ready to seriously bid for a player they believe could take them to the next level after losing to Seattle in the NFC Championship this past season.
Johnson's price tag is believed to be a two- or three-year deal worth about $4 million a season -- and the Panthers have enough salary cap room to make it happen ($5.6 million). Johnson left a visit with the New York Giants earlier this week after not accepting an offer of $3 million a season. He also might visit Seattle.
Panthers general manager Marty Hurney met Johnson at the airport Wednesday night. The Panthers don't comment on potential free agents.
Although the allure of New York is appealing to Johnson, who began his career with the Jets, sources close to the player said he was excited about the possibility of joining the Panthers.
They said he believes he could help spark an offense that relied almost entirely on receiver Steve Smith last season, and that Johnson wants to play for a team that has a chance to be a Super Bowl contender. The same sources said Smith has talked to Johnson to encourage him to join the Panthers, and said Johnson's interest in Carolina has a lot do with the presence of offensive coordinator Dan Henning.
Johnson and Henning were together with the Jets and Johnson has said Henning is the best coordinator he's ever played for. At least on paper, Johnson would appear capable of correcting one of Carolina's biggest problems last season.
Although Smith led the league in receiving, the offense lacked other threats. Keary Colbert, last year's other starting receiver, had only 25 catches and the running game struggled at times. The Panthers believe a healthy DeShaun Foster and some adjustments on the offensive line can help the running game, but adding Johnson could provide the perfect complement to Smith.
At 33, Johnson still is viewed as one of the league's better possession receivers. He had 71 catches for 839 yards and six touchdowns last season. At 6-foot-4 and 211 pounds, Johnson also is a strong blocker and that's something the receiving corps hasn't had since the departure of Muhsin Muhammad after the 2004 season.
The first overall pick in the 1996 draft, Johnson spent his first four seasons with the Jets. He had two 1,000-yard receiving seasons in New York and was traded to Tampa Bay in 2000.
Johnson's best season was 2001 with the Bucs when he had 106 catches for 1,266 yards. But Johnson and Tampa Bay coach Jon Gruden clashed in 2003 and that led to Johnson's departure. He joined Dallas in 2004 and turned in two solid seasons.
With Johnson, Carolina's receiving corps could be nearly set. Colbert could be the No. 3 receiver with Smith and Johnson as starters.
