SchizophrenicBatman
03-25-2007, 09:09 PM
PAT YASINSKAS
pyasinskas@charlotteobserver.com
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PHOENIX --Veteran safety Mike Minter has restructured his contract, assuring he'll spend another season with the Carolina Panthers, according to a league source.
With the Panthers expected to look for youth at safety in the April draft, Minter agreed to a deal that creates $1.43 million in salary-cap space. Minter's base salary for 2007 was dropped from $2.15 million to the veteran minimum of $820,000. His salary-cap figure dropped from $3.35 million to $1.92 million. The move leaves the Panthers with about $9.5 million in salary-cap space.
League sources said the Panthers have advised Minter of their desire to get younger at safety and that he has agreed to stay with the team in whatever role is available. Minter could be a backup if two young safeties are ready to play immediately, or could remain a starter if the team isn't comfortable with the development of the young safeties.
Minter is the only safety on the roster with much experience. Shaun Williams and Colin Branch, who shared a starting role last season, are free agents and aren't expected to return. Second-year pro Nate Salley was primarily a special teams player.
The Panthers could target LSU's LaRon Landry or Florida's Reggie Nelson with the 14th overall pick in the draft.
I find the speculation of bringing in two young guys the most interesting part of this, even though it's likely just journalism being stupid with an extremely stretched quote/rumor. I guess the cap room we've freed up are for a frontloaded new contract for Peppers or Smitty?
pyasinskas@charlotteobserver.com
Related Content
Panthers content to watch free agency from sidelines
Upshaw digs in: No positive test, no action
PHOENIX --Veteran safety Mike Minter has restructured his contract, assuring he'll spend another season with the Carolina Panthers, according to a league source.
With the Panthers expected to look for youth at safety in the April draft, Minter agreed to a deal that creates $1.43 million in salary-cap space. Minter's base salary for 2007 was dropped from $2.15 million to the veteran minimum of $820,000. His salary-cap figure dropped from $3.35 million to $1.92 million. The move leaves the Panthers with about $9.5 million in salary-cap space.
League sources said the Panthers have advised Minter of their desire to get younger at safety and that he has agreed to stay with the team in whatever role is available. Minter could be a backup if two young safeties are ready to play immediately, or could remain a starter if the team isn't comfortable with the development of the young safeties.
Minter is the only safety on the roster with much experience. Shaun Williams and Colin Branch, who shared a starting role last season, are free agents and aren't expected to return. Second-year pro Nate Salley was primarily a special teams player.
The Panthers could target LSU's LaRon Landry or Florida's Reggie Nelson with the 14th overall pick in the draft.
I find the speculation of bringing in two young guys the most interesting part of this, even though it's likely just journalism being stupid with an extremely stretched quote/rumor. I guess the cap room we've freed up are for a frontloaded new contract for Peppers or Smitty?