Brad Hoover became the sixth veteran player to be released in the last four days. (Photo by John Clark)

   CHARLOTTE -- Proving once again that nobody over the age of 30 is safe on the Carolina Panthers roster, the team on Monday informed fan favorite Brad Hoover he's been released.

   "I want to thank the organization for 10 great years and the fans that supported me," Hoover said in a statement released through his agent Tim Irwin. "I leave with a heavy heart. But I will be trying to play somewhere else."

   The team confirmed the move late Monday.

   "Brad has been here since the day I arrived in Carolina," said Panthers coach John Fox. "When things were difficult he was a leader and someone the players and coaches always knew would be accountable. On the field, he was the ultimate competitor and set a physical tone in both his style and attitude."

Jake Delhomme was released on Friday along with four other players. (AP Photo)

   CHARLOTTE – Jake Delhomme’s agent Rick Smith was wandering around the back of his Chicago-based office Thursday morning when his cell phone rang.
   He picked up it and on the other end was Panthers GM Marty Hurney.
   “What’s up, Marty?” Smith asked.
   “I’m in your lobby, Rick… we need to talk,” Hurney told Smith.
   “You mean you’re here… in Chicago?” said a puzzled Smith. 
   “Yes,” Hurney replied. “Come let me in.”
   When the Panthers made the decision to release Delhomme a couple of days ago, Hurney felt it necessary to fly to Chicago and meet with Smith in person to inform him of the news.
   Why?
   First off, it was the right way, the classy way.
   But more importantly, it showed how much respect Hurney and the rest of the organization had for Delhomme. A phone call wouldn’t do. Not for Delhomme. Not for a guy who has meant so much to this franchise.

The Panthers have decided to go with Matt Moore as their starter. (Photo by John Clark)

  CHARLOTTE -- In an emotional day that left coach John Fox, general manager Marty Hurney and quarterback Jake Delhomme in tears, the Carolina Panthers officially parted ways with Delhomme and four others Friday as part of a youth movement.
   Along with Delhomme, defensive tackles Maake Kemoeatu and Damione Lewis and linebackers Na'il Diggs and Landon Johnson were released. With the exception of Johnson, who turns 29 next week, all of the players were on the wrong side of 30.
   "This is a difficult time of the year," Hurney said at a Friday morning press conference at Bank of America Stadium. "We have made difficult decisions with guys who have been here with us awhile and done everything we've asked of them. I think the common theme is we have some young players who have shown the ability and potential to step up."
   At a press conference a short while after Fox and Hurney spoke, Delhomme broke down upon entering the press room after seeing many of his friends in the organization gathered to hear him speak. He held his hand over his head and wept for several minutes before gathering himself to speak.
   "When I signed here in '03 I wanted a chance to play quarterback in the NFL," Delhomme would later say. "I got that chance and I think I made the most of it. I ran with it and we had a good run. Six out of seven years have been outstanding. I'm leaving with no animosity whatsoever."