Posted on Thu, Feb. 28, 2008

FREE AGENCY OPENS

Solidifying lines is Panthers' priority

The Panthers need to strengthen their pass rush with an experienced defensive end to play the side opposite Julius Peppers. This should be the top priority in free agency. One option would be to re-sign Mike Rucker, who's an unrestricted free agent. But the Panthers probably could try to find a younger replacement, such as Tennessee's Antwan Odom or Jacksonville's Bobby McCray. Or they could go with someone less expensive.

Ideally, the Panthers will go into next season with a new tackle to pair with Jordan Gross, and with Travelle Wharton moving from left tackle to left guard. The best prospect in free agency is Dallas' Flozell Adams. Don't look for that to happen, however. He turns 33 in May and will carry a heavy pricetag. The best place for the Panthers to fill this need is in a tackle-rich draft, most likely in the first or second round.

With the release of DeShaun Foster, the Panthers need a back to pair with DeAngelo Williams. There's an ideal option in free agency in San Diego's Michael Turner. But he'll be expensive and the Panthers might be better to wait for a less high-profile free agent or, better yet, wait until the draft, as it's a good year for backs, too.

Just because Muhsin Muhammad is returning to Carolina doesn't mean the Panthers are set at receiver. It looks like they're saying goodbye to free agents Keary Colbert and Drew Carter. There are high hopes that Dwayne Jarrett, a second-round draft pick last year, will make strides. But there is still a need for a fourth receiver to provide help for Steve Smith. There are a number of possibilities in free agency, including Jacksonville's Ernest Wilford, Arizona's Bryant Johnson, Houston's Andre Davis, Oakland's Jerry Porter and Seattle's D.J. Hackett.

The Panthers need to upgrade over Deke Cooper, who played here last season. They're good at strong safety with the re-signing of Chris Harris.

There are rumblings that the Panthers want to make some changes to the interior of their defensive line. They could use some more quickness. Kris Jenkins might get traded, which would leave them with only Damione Lewis and Maake Kemoeatu with substantial starting experience.

There's not much available in free agency. But if they want to explore the trade market, Dewayne Robertson of the New York Jets, a former No. 1 pick, is available. He'd fit much better in the Panthers' 4-3 defense than he does in the Jets' 3-4. However, to get him, they'd have to negotiate a pricey long-term deal, making it unlikely.

Attempts to re-sign Brad Hoover, an unrestricted free agent, so far have not been successful. If he doesn't return, they'll need a replacement. With the NFL free agency signing period, and trading period, starting at 12:01 a.m. Friday, Observer staff writer Charles Chandler takes a look at the Carolina Panthers' needs and some possibilities of players they could pursue: