- Thread starter
- #1
- Joined
- Jan 18, 2006
- Messages
- 45,654
- Reaction score
- 33
In their latest effort to secure a proven receiver to pair with Steve Smith, the Carolina Panthers have turned to a familiar face, reaching a contract agreement Wednesday with veteran free agent Muhsin Muhammad.
Also Tuesday, the Panthers released quarterback David Carr, who disappointed in his first season as a backup to Jake Delhomme.
Carr was let go a year after he signed a two-year, $6 million deal with the Panthers following a five-year stint as a starter in Houston. Carr struggled so badly when he took over for the injured Delhomme last season that he was eventually demoted to third-string.
"He did everything we asked, but unfortunately it didn't work out like anyone had hoped or expected," general manager Marty Hurney said. "David is an excellent person and we wish him the best."
Released by the Bears last week, Muhammad played the first nine seasons of his career (1996-2004) with the Panthers before signing with Chicago in 2005. After his release, the 12-year veteran generated interest from four teams, but quickly focused on rejoining the Panthers, given his familiarity with the franchise and the fact he still owns a home in the Charlotte area.
Muhammad, 34, will sign a two-year contract, the financial details of which were not immediately available.
"I did talk to Steve and he felt like he needs another complement on the other side of him," Muhammad said at a news conference. "He kind of coerced me into coming back. He welcomed me back with open arms. ... We're excited about playing again with each other. We've always maintained our friendship outside of football."
The Panthers appeared to be his first choice from the beginning.
"Moose from day one urged me to do my best to return him to the Panthers," said agent Joel Segal, who declined to reveal financial figures.
The addition of Muhammad should provide the Panthers with a wide receiver who, despite his age, will be capable of reducing some of the double coverage that Smith faces on a weekly basis. Typical of the disproportionate distribution in the Carolina passing game over the past few seasons, Smith had 87 receptions in 2007, and no other Panthers' wide receiver posted more than 38 catches.
Only once in the past four seasons -- in 2006, when Smith had 83 receptions and Keyshawn Johnson had 70 -- have the Panthers had two wide receivers with more than 50 catches each.
Even in a down year for Muhammad in 2007, the veteran had 40 catches for 570 yards and three touchdowns. The receptions represented the fewest for Muhammad since 1997, his second season in the NFL, but that total was affected by the lack of consistency that the Bears experienced at the quarterback position, where they used three different starters.
Bringing Muhammad back for a second stint also gives the Panthers another veteran presence in a locker room said to have lacked leadership in 2007.
Carolina officials are hopeful that second-year wide receiver Dwayne Jarrett, a second-round choice in 2007, will advance sufficiently in 2008 to challenge for a starting role. If that's the case, Muhammad could end up being the No. 3 receiver, working primarily out of the slot. But if Jarrett stumbles again, after appearing in only seven games as a rookie, when he registered six catches for 73 yards, Muhammad could claim the starting spot opposite Smith.
"If I'm the No. 3 receiver, they're going to have a real good No. 3 receiver on the field," said Muhammad, who is 64 yards shy of 10,000 yards receiving in his career.
Muhammad represents a big target, works the middle of the field well, and has always been a productive red zone receiver.
In 172 appearances, including 160 starts, Muhammad has 742 catches for 9,934 yards and 56 touchdowns. The former Michigan State standout, selected by the Panthers in the second round of the 1996 draft, has seven seasons with 60 or more receptions and three years with 1,000 yards receiving.
Muhammad's best season was in 2004, with the Panthers, when he had 93 catches for 1,405 yards and 16 touchdowns. That season earned Muhammad the second Pro Bowl berth of his career. He earlier went to the Pro Bowl in 1999.
The durable Muhammad, who has missed only 20 games in 12 seasons, has started in 14 or more contests in all but one of the past 10 seasons.
Saying he's motivated to win a championship for Charlotte, Muhammad was eager to get to work. He already worked out a deal with tight end Jeff King to wear No. 87 again.
"Everybody is extremely excited that he's back," Hurney said. "He brings an attitude. He brings a work ethic. He was somebody that was extremely highly regarded when he was here. It was a sad day when he left and it's a happy day now that he's back."
The Colts cleared close to $8 million in cap room Wednesday by releasing defensive tackle Anthony "Booger" McFarland and middle linebacker Rob Morris.
Both players, who entered last year's training camp as starters, spent much of the season on injured reserve. Morris participated in only 57 plays on the Colts defense last year. McFarland missed the entire season.
They were released after they both failed physicals.
Morris is a former No. 1 choice of the Colts who was an excellent run-stopper. During the Colts Super Bowl year in 2006, he moved to strong-side linebacker late in the year and helped improve the team's run defense with his tackling ability and toughness.
McFarland came to the Colts in a trade with the Tampa Bay Bucs in 2006 after Corey Simon was hurt. The Colts gave up a 2007 second-round choice to acquire him. He missed last season with a torn patella tendon.
-- John Clayton, ESPN.com
Titans cut Givens
The Titans released wide receiver David Givens Wednesday after two seasons in which he was bothered by injuries.
Givens, 27, signed a five-year, $24 million contract with the Titans after leaving the New England Patriots in free agency. He started 10 games in 2006, catching 59 passes for 738 yards. His season was cut short by a torn ACL, and he wasn't the same in 2007. He caught eight passes in five games.
The Titans saved $1.6 million of cap room by releasing him.
-- John Clayton, ESPN.com
Thomas among Bills cuts
Veteran running back Anthony Thomas was one of three Bills players to have their contracts terminated by the team on Wednesday.
A seven-year NFL veteran and the league's rookie of the year in 2001, Thomas' numbers dwindled this season. Used mostly as a backup behind rookie first-round draft pick Marshawn Lynch, Thomas finished with career-lows in carries (36) and yards rushing (89).
Linebacker Coy Wire and cornerback Jerametrius Butler also had their contracts terminated. The Bills also waived offensive guard Aaron Merz, a 2006 second-round draft pick, who missed the entire season because of a shoulder injury.
-- The Associated Press
Vikings' QB Holcomb out
Quarterback Kelly Holcomb was released Wednesday by the Vikings, clearing room on the roster for another veteran to push starter Tarvaris Jackson.
Holcomb was 0-3 as a starter last season while Jackson was hurt. In his 11th year in the NFL, Holcomb completed only 50.6 percent of his passes (42-for-83) for 515 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
After spot duty for Indianapolis, Cleveland and Buffalo, Holcomb was traded to Philadelphia last March and then dealt to Minnesota during the last week of training camp when the Vikings were concerned about their depth at the position.
Jackson showed clear improvement down the stretch, but his erratic performances were a big reason why Minnesota missed the playoffs at 8-8. Coach Brad Childress has maintained that Jackson is still the starter, but has also left open the possibility of competition for the job.
-- The Associated Press
Browns release Roye
The Browns terminated the contract of defensive lineman Orpheus Roye on Wednesday, cutting loose one of their most productive players ahead of free agency.
A 12-year veteran, Roye battled knee injuries the past two seasons. The 35-year-old was scheduled to make $3 million in 2008.
Roye had a career-high 95 tackles for the Browns in 2005. He made five starts last season, appeared in 13 games and finished with 34 tackles.
Roye was drafted by Pittsburgh in 1996 and spent four seasons with the Steelers before joining the Browns as a free agent.
-- The Associated Press
Bucs going younger
The Buccaneers had a mini youth movement along their offensive line Wednesday by releasing veterans Kevin Carter and Greg Spires.
Carter, 34, came to the Bucs last year from Miami after he was released and signed a four-year, $25 million contract. He started 14 of the 16 games he played and had 43 tackles and three sacks. He has played for the Rams, Titans and Dolphins before joining the Bucs.
Spires, 33, played the past six seasons with the Bucs and was a full time starter until last year when he started eight games. He's a 10-year vet with experience with the Browns and Patriots. The Bucs saved $9.2 million with their releases.
-- John Clayton, ESPN.com
Saints boot Mare
The Saints, who re-signed kicker Martin Grammatica, released kicker Olindo Mare Wednesday after he failed a physical. He came to the Saints in a trade from the Dolphins last year. He is a veteran of 11 NFL seasons.
