The Carolina Panthers have now signed SEVEN undrafted free agents that we know of.

   They are quarterback Taylor Tharp from Boise State, tight end Chris Conklin from Wingate, safety Joe Fields from Syracuse, center Fernando Velasco from Georgia, defensive lineman Brandon Jenkins from Mississippi, wide receiver Damon Morton from Colorado State and cornerback Courtney Gixby from Nebraska.

   There will be more to come.

    Conklin, a 2004 Southern Alamance High School graduate, agreed to a nondrafted free-agent contract with the Carolina Panthers on Sunday night. He told our sister paper, the Burlington Times, "I told you that's how I wanted it to be. I feel great. What better situation than to stay in Charlotte. I had to take advantage of that."

   He enters camp fourth on the depth chart at tight end.

   Tharp basically was signed to help out with reps until Jake Delhomme is ready to throw. Don't get too excited here folks, he stands no chance to make the roster unless someone were to get hurt. Delhomme, by the way, is not expected to practice at minicamp, coach John Fox said.

   "They were kind of the team before the draft that had shown the most interest," Tharp told the Idaho Statesman. "I was just sort of holding my breath. They weren't sure if they were going to draft a guy in the late rounds or not."