The Carolina Panthers added two more seventh round drafts picks on Monday as compensation for losing LBs Chris Draft and Vinny Ciurciu in unrestricted free agency after the 2006 season. That gives the Panthers 10 picks in all, including three in the seventh round and two in the third.

   The Panthers will pick 13th, 43rd, 67th, 74th, 109th, 141st, 181st, 221st, 241st and 250th.

   The NFL announced the 2008 Kickoff Weekend schedule, which features four national games -- and the Carolina Panthers are not included on the list.

   That's hardly a surprise given Carolina's record last season and the fact they're a small market team.

   At the NFL owner's meetings on Monday the NFL announced the New York Giants will host the NFL East rival Washington Redskins in the season opener Sept. 4, continuing the tradition of the Super Bowl champion hosting the Thursday night season opener. Kickoff will be 90 minutes earlier than usual because of the Republican National Convention.

   On Sunday night, the Indianapolis Colts will host the Chicago Bears in the first regular-season contest at the new Lucas Oil Stadium. ESPN will feature a Monday night doubleheader on Monday night with the Green Bay Packers hosting the Minnesota Vikings in the early matchup and the Oakland Raiders playing host to the Denver Broncos in the late contest.

   The rest of the 2008 regular-season schedule will be completed and announced in April, possibly even this week.

   Some of you have asked when the NFL will release its 2008 schedule. There's nothing confirmed at this point, but it looks like it will be the first week of April, possibly on or around April 3. You can see it on NFL Network if you have access to it. Otherwise, you'll just have to read about it. We already know who the Panthers are playing, so now it's just of matter of when.

   8 p.m. As is normally the case this time of the year, the Carolina Panthers are attending Pro Day workouts for many of the top college prospects.

   On Tuesday, Panthers coach John Fox, defensive coordiantor Mike Trgovac and defensive line coach Sal Sunseri were in Gainesville, Fla., to watch Florida defensive end Derrick Harvey, a player many mock drafts have the Panthers taking with the 13th overall pick.

   Meanwhile, in the Northeast, general manager Marty Hurney, offensive line coach Dave Magazu and director of college scouting Don Gregory were taking a closer look at Boston College offensive tackle Gosder Cherilus. He's considered a low first-round or early second-round pick.

   Don't read too much into any of these visits since the Panthers will likely meet with most of the top 25 picks or so at some point.

   4:10 p.m. Love the D.J. Hackett signing.

   Kudos to GM Marty Hurney and right-hand man Rob Rogers for getting that deal done. And, here's the kicker -- they did it on the cheap. Getting Hackett for an average of $1.75 million per year is ridiculously cheap given his potential.

   The details of the contract were not released, but I'm guessing the larger portion of the $3.5 million contract is due in the second year so if things don't work out -- or if Dwayne Jarrett shows improvement this season -- the team could always reconsider what to do with Hackett after the season. But my guess is they will want to keep him around after they see him on the field.

   4 p.m. As an update to the earlier Julius Peppers' posting, he is working out in Arizona, which would explain why he didn't attend the ACC Tournament. Denver is obviously a little closer. Once again team officials said they have no plans to trade Peppers.

   11 a.m. Carolina Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers was in Denver over the weekend to take in a Denver Nuggets basketball game. That prompted the Rocky Mountain News to write a story about whether the Broncos might be trying to swing a trade for Peppers.

   I can tell you this. Like the rumors in the past, everyone that matters that I've spoken with has denied that Peppers is going anywhere. Quite frankly, at this point, the Panthers would be fools to trade Peppers, who has one year left on his contract.

   Basically what I think this visit to Denver means is this: Peppers is a basketball fan, plain and simple. He's friends with Carmello Anthony. The curious thing, however, is why he didn't stay in Charlotte and watch his alma mater win the ACC Championship. Hmmm.

    Regardless, I will check this out further.

    Anyway, here's the link to the story:

   http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/mar/17/peppers-at-nuggets-win-reason-unknown/

   10:20 a.m. For those of you anxious to hear more about the future of receiver D.J. Hackett, keep in mind that he's on the West Coast in Seattle, so he's three hours behind. So while lunch time is fast approaching here, it's quite possible Hackett hasn't even awoke in Seattle.

   That said, I wouldn't be surprised if a deal gets done today one way or the other. Although Washington was the only team that  made a formal offer to Hackett last week, that changed on Sunday when the Panthers began talking numbers with his representatives.

   Everything I'm hearing is Hackett will either sign here in Carolina or re-sign with the Seahawks.

   Then again, I think he goes where the money is, so it wouldn't shock me if Tampa Bay (which, by the way, has the most salary cap money of the teams involved in the courting process) decides makes a push for him that he ends up there. Yeah, I know, that is kind of straddling the fence.

   The bottom line is the Panthers are still very much in the Hackett sweepstakes.

   10:10 a.m. Profootballtalk.com has reported that Kansas City is interested in signing former Panthers center Justin Hartwig, who was recently released in a salary cap move.

   The Carolina Panthers remain very much in the mix to sign free agent wide receiver D.J. Hackett. The Panthers are still talking numbers with Hackett's representatives, although nothing has been completed.

   Seattle, Tampa Bay and Washington are also interested. One source close to the situation said Carolina is Hackett's top choice if he leaves Seattle.

   Look for a decision in the next couple of days, but right now things look pretty good and this is no time for the Panthers to try to low-ball a guy. If they want the man, then pay the man and get it done.

   Hackett would be an immediate upgrade for the Panthers and have a good chance to start right away opposite Steve Smith, even with the presence of Muhsin Muhammad and Dwayne Jarrett.

   Free agent wide receiver D.J. Hackett has left Charlotte without a contract offer.

   Hackett was on his way back to Seattle Saturday afternoon, according to one of his representatives. However, he left without getting an offer from the Panthers. That doesn't mean the Panthers won't make one soon. So far, Washington is the only team to make Hackett an offer, although Carolina, Tampa Bay and Seattle are also interested. If Hackett does not re-sign with Seattle, Carolina is believed to be his top choice, providing, of course, they make him a decent offer.

   "The visit went well, but right now we're waiting to hear from the team," said one of Hackett's representatives. "The ball is kind of in their court."

   We'll have to wait and see what happens, but the Panthers definitely didn't put the full-court press on him.

   In other news, another former Seattle receiver Darrell Jackson has been released by the San Francisco 49ers. That might decrease Hackett's leverage since there is another legit receiver on the market.

SATURDAY:

   1:45 p.m Still haven't heard anything yet on if there is any progress on talks with D.J. Hackett. He is meeting with the Panthers today. We may something later today -- then again, Hackett may take a few days to decide if he wants to return to Seattle or play somewhere else.

   12:01 a.m. The Panthers huddled with free agent wide receiver D.J. Hackett on Friday night and plan to talk more on Saturday morning.

   Hackett, the top receiver left on the free agent market after Bryant Johnson signed earlier in the day with San Francisco, is fresh off visits from Washington and Tampa Bay. There's also a chance he could sign with his former team, the Seattle Seahawks. If the Panthers are really serious about Hackett then they should make a run at him Saturday morning and try to get him signed before he leaves town.

   This is believed to be Hackett's final free agent trip.

   11:30 p.m. Justin Hartwig visited with Pittsburgh on Friday. St. Louis is also interested in the former Panther.

    8 p.m. The Washington Redskins offered free agent wide receiver D.J. Hackett a contract on Thursday, but he wouldn't commit to anything, telling coach Jim Zorn that he also wanted to visit with Tampa Bay and Carolina. It's also possible he could re-sign with Seattle.

   He was on his way to Tampa Bay on Thursday and will spend the night there and meet more with the Bucs on Friday before arriving in Charlotte late Friday night. He'll meet with the Panthers then and again on Saturday before making a final decision.

   The fact that Hackett hasn't accepted an offer is obviously a good sign for the Panthers.

    7:50 p.m. Detroit released defensive end Kalimba Edwards and running back Kevin Jones on Thursday. Obviously they are two positions of need for the Panthers. I spoke with Edwards' agent, but so far there has been no contact from the Panthers. Haven't spoken with Jones' agent yet.

   2 p.m. While the decision to bring in free agent wide receiver D.J. Hackett (he will visit on Friday) broke one day after the arrest of Dwayne Jarrett on DWI charges, it should not be construed as the team looking for his replacement. In other words, the Panthers aren't about to cut Jarrett, a second-round pick in 2007, if they sign Hackett.

    The fact is when you're drafted in the second round, your leash is always a longer than most.

   But I still believe the decision to take a look at Hackett was, at least in part, to send a message to Jarrett to get his act together -- and to do it now. And one source close to the situation has confirmed that. The bottom line here is Jarrett isn't going anywhere, but clearly the team is irritated with his stupid decision to get behind the wheel of a car at 3 a.m. in the morning when he was (allegedly) smashed. He had better have a good training camp of that impatience is going to continue to grow.

THURSDAY:

   9 a.m. The Panthers have yet to sign cornerback.returner Chris Carr to an offer sheet. The restricted free agent from the Oakland Raiders met with the team Monday. He is viewed as a return man. The interest is curious since the Panthers have already signed a similar player in Ricardo Colclough. Carr was undrafted, so he wouldn't cost the Panthers a draft pick. However, the Raiders would have seven days to match any Carolina offer.

   Meanwhile, there remains no update on the status of another RFA -- linebacker Adam Seward. He met with the Patriots last week but they've yet to make him an offer.

WEDNESDAY:

  10 p.m. Landon Johnson's base salaries for the next three seasons: $605,000 in 2008, $2 million in 2009 and $2,595,000 in 2010. That totals $5.2 million. Obviously that doesn't include bonuses, which are believed to be $3 million up front. He will also get some workout bonuses.

  9:50 p.m. Another Panthers free agent is off the market. Wide receiver Drew Carter, who started seven games last season for the Panthers, has agreed to terms with the Oakland Raiders. It's unclear how much money Carter will make. Carter was a fifth-round draft pick of the Panthers in 2004 out of Ohio State.  He had 38 grabs for 517 yards and four touchdowns last season.

   5 p.m. Someone asked me recently if I felt David Carr's career was over. I responded, "No way." Even though Carr was beyond awful last season, when you're a failed No. 1 pick in this league there always seems to be another team that feels they can resurrect your career. So I wasn't surprised to see Carr sign a one-year, $1 million deal with the Super Bowl champion Giants on Wednesday.

   In New York, Carr will be reunited with assistant coach Chris Palmer, who was the offensive coordinator when Carr was in Houston.

   You have to wonder though, if John Fox was afraid to play Carr in front of the mean-spirited fans in Charlotte (yeah, right), then can you imagine what Giant fans will do to him? They will eat him alive.

  2:50 p.m. One free agent I thought that made perfect sense for the Panthers to go after was WR D.J. Hackett.

   He's talented, athletic and has good hands. I was surprised the Panthers didn't show much interest in him early on in free agency. Now, they have targeted him and he will visit Friday. Washington and Tampa Bay are also interested. Say what you want, but I think this decision has a lot to do with the arrest of Dwayne Jarrett. If nothing else, it might serve as a wakeup call for the kid. But I think Carolina's interest in Jarrett should be considered serious, not just to teach Jarrett a lesson.

   I said from the start of free agency that I like Hackett and I think he would be a tremendous upgrade. And remember this past off-season when coach John Fox said he wanted to add "more than one" playmaker to the offense. Muhsin Muhammad is one, could Hackett be the second? The Panthers need as many weapons on offense as they can get.

   7 a.m.   One glance at the depth chart and there is a clear need to add an offensive tackle -- one that can either play right tackle or, even better, left tackle, allowing Jordan Gross to move back to his more comfortable position at left tackle. The Panthers have given some strong indications they will use their first round pick (13th overall) to either draft a offensive tackle. There's also a decent chance they will consider combining that pick with some others to move and tacke an even higher-rated tackle. Of course, that all could be a smokescreen, though I doubt it. Defensive end, defensive tackle and running back are also needs for the Panthers.

LT: Jordan Gross, Frank Omiyale

LG: Travelle Wharton, Rueben Riley

C: Ryan Kalil, Geoff Hangartner

RG: Keydrick Vincent, Geoff Hangartner

RT: Jeremy Bridges, Evan Mathis

   5 p.m. The Panthers have released offensive lineman Justin Hartwig. They save $2.1 million in cap space. If you read Carolina Growl last week, you knew this was an option.  We were the first to tell you that the Panthers plan on starting different players at all five line spots. The major changes on the line made him expendable. The Panthers plan on starting Ryan Kalil at center, Keydrick Vincent at right guard, Travelle Wharton at left guard, Jordan Gross at left tackle and likely a rookie tackle to be named later at right tackle.

   12 p.m. Always nice to know that while you were sleeping on Monday night a young Carolina Panthers receiver was out partying -- apparently a little too much. Jarrett's arrest on DUI charges comes at a terrible time for a guy the team was counting on to take a big step forward in his maturity this season. Jarrett was criticized for not picking up the playbook. This won't help his reputation for having a lack of smarts.

   9 a.m. So David Carr is visiting with the New York Giants. Well, the Giants could be getting a real good... person.

   8 a.m. Base salaries for newly acquired defensive end Tyler Brayton -- $800,000 in 2008 and $1.8 million in 2009.

   Beason's base salary has jumped to $870,000, more than double the league minimum of $370,000 that he was scheduled to earn.

   Cornerback Chris Gamble also will get a bump in pay for his production, with his base salary increasing from $1.06 million to $1.435 million, a bump of $375,000. That's good for those players, but that's $875,000 more against the team's salary cap. Of course, the Panthers had already planned for such an increase against their cap.

   7 p.m. The Panthers have signed RB LaBrandon Toefield to a one-year deal. He's a big back and that's what they wanted. It's unclear if he's the No. 2 back or not. My guess is the Panthers fill out the rest of the position in the draft. The draft is heavy on running backs this year.

   5:12 p.m. Noooooo. The Panthers are not trading Julius Peppers. Hey, I'm all for fans having their say on message boards, but the problem becomes when some wiseguy starts a rumor and then other people start to believe it. I believe the rumor that the Panthers were trying to trade Peppers -- oh, and Jordan Gross at one point, too -- to the Minnesota Vikings for running back Chester Taylor started on a fan-based website. I won't mention the name because driving web traffic there only adds to fire. The team, and Peppers' agent, Carl Carey, have emphatically denied there is any chance Peppers could be traded. It's not going to happen. That's all I have to say about it. I first heard about it yesterday morning and investigated it just to be safe, but didn't feel it deserved to even be mentioned when there was no truth to it. Honestly, it still doesn't deserved to be mentioned... but people are talking about it, so let me put everyone's mind at ease -- Julius Peppers will not be traded. Now, hopefully this rumor dies soon.

   5 p.m. The Panthers have released cornerback Patrick Dendy. Not a surprise here. There were at least five cornerbacks ahead of Dendy on the depth chart including Ken Lucas, Chris Gamble, Richard Marshall, Dante Wesley and presumably, newly-signed Ricardo Colclough. Dendy was due to make $527,000 this season.

   3 p.m. When I spoke with Andy Simms, the agent for linebacker Landon Johnson, late Thursday night he said his client would decide in the morning whether or not to make any more visits to other teams. When Johnson woke up Friday there was no doubt he wanted to play for Carolina and he quickly agreed to a three-year contract worth about $10 million. It's a good move for Carolina and he will be an upgrade over Na'il Diggs if he starts at weakside linebacker. That also gives Carolina added depth at linebacker in case they lose restricted free agent Adam Seward to New England. Sure, the team has other needs, but adding a quality linebacker doesn't hurt. It's nice to see the Panthers make a move that is a clear upgrade. Now, how about that defensive end, running back and wide receiver?

WEDNESDAY:

   10:35 p.m. It appears the Panthers have backed off on Marlon McCree. It looks as though he will sign with either Buffalo or Cincinnati. Some say he and Chris Harris were too similar. I disagree. I think you acquire as many good, fiery football players as you can. And McCree is one of those.

   7:44 p.m. Saw that Joey Harrington was released by the Falcons and my guess is the Panthers will at least consider talking with him. They met with Harrington before the draft in 2002 and again last year, but didn't sign him. The Panthers say they like the trio of Jake Delhomme, Matt Moore and Brett Basanez, but they could be tempted to add a veteran backup given the uncertainty of how Delhomme will respond to elbow surgery this year. I talked to Harrington's agent Joby Branion moments after Harrington was released and he said his Blackberry "just blew up" with phone calls from around the country. Most were probably reporters, but I'm sure there will be some NFL teams calling. He said he hadn't heard anything from the Panthers yet.

   7:34 p.m. The Boston Globe is reporting that the Patriots are meeting with Panthers restricted free agent linebacker Adam Seward. Huh. Well, if they decide to sign him it's hard to imagine the Panthers not taking the fifth-round draft pick as compensation and running with it. Seward is a decent player, but the Panthers love draft picks.

   7:25 p.m. The Panthers spoke again with the agent for offensive tackle Barry Sims on Wednesday, but there's been no deal reached. I get the impression that Sims, a nine-year vet, is looking for a little more cash in hand than the Panthers want to give out. I wouldn't rule out the team signing him at a later date, but nothing is imminent.

   7 p.m. Doesn't appear the Panthers are interested in running back Julius Jones. He's meeting with Tennessee today.

   4:38 p.m. By the way, someone asked me the other day about the NFL league minimum salaries for 2008 since they often see varying "minimum base salaries" on the site. Your minimum base salary varies based on your total accredited seasons.

   Here they are:

Rookies/0 credited seasons: $295,000
1 credited season:    $370,000
2 credited seasons:  $445,000
3 credited seasons:  $520,000
4-6 credited seasons:   $605,000
7-9 credited seasons: $730,000
10-plus credited seasons:  $830,000

   Don't you wish you could play just one year in the NFL?

   4:30 p.m. Another quiet day in Pantherland. Expect to hear something on contract talks between the team and nine-year veteran offensive tackle Barry Sims, an unrestricted free agent from the Oakland Raiders. I'm a little skeptical of Sims given how bad the Raiders offensive line was two years ago. Still, he's started more than 100 games so he must be doing something right.

   3:50 p.m. Defensive tackle Gary gibson and safety Nate Salley have signed one-year deals for the league minimum of $370,000. There were "exclusive rights" free agents so they weren't going anywhere.

   3:40 p.m. The contract for Ricardo Colclough is clearly a prove-it deal. He will make a base salary of $650,000, but that cap figure will jump to $1.65 million in 2009. If he plays as poorly as he did in Pittsburgh he won't be around long. But he certainly has the monetary incentive to do well.

TUESDAY:

   7:20 p.m. It's official, the Panthers have signed unrestricted free agent cornerback/kick returner Ricardo Colclough from the Cleveland Browns and unrestricted free agent guard Keydrick Vincent from the Arizona Cardinals, the team announced Tuesday. A four-year veteran, Colclough, 25, has played in 36 career games with Pittsburgh and Cleveland and has produced 33 tackles, 2.5 sacks and one interception in addition to averaging 21.7 yards on 49 kickoff returns. Vincent, 29, spent the first four years of his career with Pittsburgh before playing the next two with Baltimore and last season with Arizona. In 2007, Colclough (5-11, 195 pounds) appeared in three games for the Steelers before being waived on October 30. After being claimed off waivers by the Browns, he was inactive for the final nine contests. Drafted in the second round (38th overall) from Tusculum College by Pittsburgh in 2004, Colclough recorded 15 tackles and 1.5 sacks and led the
  

    7 p.m. The Panthers brain trust has went from Boise, Idaho, to Los Angeles today, although it's unclear who they are there to visit with. It's possible the team could be meeting with Sedrick Ellis, who is a top-rated defensive tackle.

   12:01 p.m. Another day of free agency, but no major moves by the Panthers. Carolina's fan base is growing rapidly impatient with the team's front office. The general feeling is that the Panthers aren't going after any big-name players after owner Jerry Richardson promised this would not just be another "ho-hum off-season."

   12 p.m. Well, that's over. Jeremy Bridges has dropped his motion to appeal after being found guilty of assault by pointing a gun back in November. Judge Tom Moore sentenced Bridges to a 60-day suspended sentence, one year of unsupervised probation and ordered him to perform 60 hours of community service. Bridges also had to pay a $500 fine and court costs and surrender his handgun. Bridges decided to drop the appeal after being assured by the NFL there would be no further suspension. Bridges' future with the Panthers could be in doubt with the team looking to overhaul much of its offensive line. The team signed guard Keydrick Vincent to compete at right guard with Justin Hartwig and Bridges.    --Also, cornerback Dante Wesley will make the league minimum for a player with his experience -- $605,000 in 2008 and $620,000 in 2009. That is certainly not as surprising as Hoover's deal.

MONDAY

   11 p.m. A check on NFL documents reveals that fullback Brad Hoover is, in NFL terms, working for minimum wage. He will make the league minimum (for a 9-year veteran) of $730,000 in 2008. Likewise, he will make the league minimum for a 10-year pro in 2009 ($850,000 ) and 2010 ($860,000). I don't know what Hoover's signing bonus was, but judging from those numbers it can't be much at all. Sounds to me like the Panthers gave him a take-it-or-leave it figure and Hoover took it. Good for the Panthers, but not particularly good for Hoover, who can't be real excited about this contract. It also makes Hoover very expendable anytime over the next three years since there won't be much of a cap hit.

     --This kind of flew under the radar, but linebacker Donte Curry has re-signed with Carolina for two more years.

   10:55 p.m. Well, the Panthers seem to be cornering the market on visits with players who have underachieved throughout most of their careers -- DE Tyler Baryton, CB Ricardo Colclough and now DT Ian Scott.

   10:20 p.m. OK, the free agency pay scale is completely out of whack. Need more proof. Well, remember former Panthers tight end Michael Gaines? He just signed a four-year deal with the Detroit Lions worth... get this... $10 million. And $3 million of that is guaranteed money. Wow.

   10:11 p.m. Boy, the other teams in the NFC South seem to beefing up. What about the Panthers? So far they've given us Keydrick Vincent and Ricardo Colclough.

   9:30 p.m. Well, there goes two more defensive ends -- Tennessee's Antwan Odom and Travis Laboy are both off the market. That likely leaves as the best remaining defensive end on the free agent market... well, that would be Mike Rucker. I'm not sure what the Panthers are thinking here unless they have a trade it mind with someone. Outside of Rucker, there are Tampa Bay castoffs Greg Spires and Kevin Carter and, of course, Tyler Brayton, who met with Carolina a few days ago. Chris Canty (Dallas) and Antonio Smith (Arizona) are restricted free agents who received first-round tenders, so don't expect the Panthers to try to sign them since they won't part with a first-round pick.

   8 p.m. We have a Julius Jones sighting. He's going to visit with... Detroit. Sorry folks.

   6:40 p.m. Spoke with GM Marty Hurney, who is in Boise, Idaho, with members of the Panthers coaching staff meeting with Boise State product Ryan Clady. He worked out there for the team. The Panthers would have to trade up to get Clady. Carolina has an extra pick to work with and the Jets (their favorite trading partner) pick sixth overall. Maybe the Jets will reciprocate and trade down with the Panthers after trading up last year. There is almost no way Clady drops to No. 13.

   9:22 a.m. Keary Colbert has a new home in Denver and another Carolina receiver Drew Carter could behead to Oakland, the land of free money. Carter reportedly visited with the Raiders over the weekend. If Colbert got more than $2 million a year from Denver, then Carter should command at least that much in free agency. The Panthers don't appear interested in re-signing Carter at this point.

   6 p.m. Not only did the Carolina Panthers decide not to sign Michael Turner, clearly the best running back in free agency, but now they will have to face him twice a year. Turner signed a whoppping six-year, $34.5 million deal with that team down the road on I-85. Turner will get $15 million guaranteed from the Falcons.

  It's been a very quiet day for the Panthers -- again. Anyone else getting impatient.

FREE AGENCY UPDATES FROM SATURDAY:

   11:45 p.m. Well, I wasn't sure it would happen, and definitely didn't think it would happen this soon, but Keary Colbert has found a new home after signing a deal with the Denver Broncos on the second day of free agency. Colbert will make $4.2 million over two seasons, according to ESPN.com. That is providing, of course, the Broncos don't figure out fairly soon that he's awful and cut him after one season. I think I've completely lost faith in Mike Shanahan as a talent evaluator. Anyway, wonder what Drew Carter will get?

   9: 15 p.m. I'm fairly certain there will not be any free agent signings tonight. And, as far as I know there are no free agent visits set up for Sunday. Looks like a pretty quiet first weekend for the Panthers but things should begin to heat up next week.

   8 p.m. Sorry to get you all excited about the interest Javon Walker. According to two sources, the information on ESPN.com was incorrect. The Panthers did inquire about Walker when he was on the trading block, but they have not contacted his agent since Walker is cut. Apparently the team doesn't have any interest in bringing him in.

   5:15 p.m. I wonder if the Panthers would consider moving Ken Lucas to safety. Hmmm. Just a thought.

   5 p.m. Well, the Panthers have signed their first unrestricted free agent and it's... Ricardo Colclough. That's pronounced COKE-lee, for those of you who have never heard of him. He's a former second-round pick of the Steelers, but never started a game. He can return kicks, too. The Panthers gave him $4 million over two years. Curious.

   2:37 p.m. I had a sneaky suspicion the Panthers weren't done at wide receiver even after signing Muhsin Muhammad earlier in the week. According to ESPN.com's Michael Smith, the Panthers are one of at least 10 teams who have contacted Javon Walker's agent with interest in the former Green Bay and Denver wide receiver. According to the story, all four NFC East teams, as well as the 49ers, Bills, Bucs, Panthers, Raiders and Vikings also have reached out to agent Kennard McGuire regarding Walker.However, there were no visits had been scheduled as of early Saturday.

    Now remember, you always have to be careful when dealing with agents since some will try to increase the appearance that there is heavier interest in their client than might really be the case, thus driving up the asking price. But if the report is correct, this would be an interesting move for the Panthers. Walker was an impact receiver with Green Bay and Denver before a leg injury forced him out of much of last season. The Panthers almost certainly would want to give Walker a physical before talking contract, so stay tuned. I will keep you updated.