PaCkFan_n_MD
09-02-2007, 08:04 PM
Panthers reshuffle roster,
add safety Manuel
PAT YASINSKAS
pyasinskas@charlotteobserver.com
The Carolina Panthers sent in their "final'' roster Saturday and blew it up again Sunday.
As expected, the team wasn't finished when it got down to the NFL-mandated 53-player limit. The preseason-long search for safety help intensified as other teams made their cuts.
The Panthers quickly pounced on safety Marquand Manuel, who was released by Green Bay on Saturday. Manuel has agreed to terms with the Panthers, according to two league sources.
Carolina also has reached agreement with cornerback Dante Wesley, who was with the Panthers from 2002 to 2005. He was cut by Chicago after last season and was released by New England on Saturday.
The Panthers don't comment on potential signings, but the sources said Manuel and Wesley likely will sign their contracts Monday and join the team Tuesday when players return to practice. The Panthers did make official changes with three roster spots Sunday.
Tight end Michael Gaines (shoulder) was placed on the injured reserve list and will miss the season. Offensive tackle Rashad Butler and guard Will Montgomery were released.
The Panthers filled those roster spots by claiming quarterback Matt Moore, tight end Marcus Freeman and tackle Frank Omiyale off waivers. But the Manuel move clearly was the biggest of the day because he has a chance to make an immediate impact at a position where the Panthers desperately have been searching for answers throughout the preseason.
Veteran safety Mike Minter retired early in training camp because of chronic knee problems and the Panthers traded for Chicago's Chris Harris, who has been working as the starting strong safety. Journeyman Deke Cooper has been working with the first team at free safety. Second-year pro Nate Salley opened camp as a starter, but he has dropped on the depth chart after missing a large chunk of the preseason because of a knee injury. Undrafted rookie Quiton Teal also made the roster, but could be a candidate for the practice squad once Manuel is signed.
Manuel, 28, was a starter for the Packers last season, but lost his job in training camp. He spent the previous two seasons with Seattle and was a starter for most of the 2005 season. A sixth-round pick by Cincinnati, Manuel spent the first two years of his career with the Bengals. He had 81 tackles and an interception last season.
The loss of Gaines shouldn't have a huge impact. Although Gaines was the starter last season, he fell behind Jeff King on the depth chart in training camp and there had been speculation he might be released. Freeman, a former Notre Dame player who was released by Baltimore, will pair with rookie Dante Rosario to be the blocking tight ends.
Butler, a third-round pick last season, likely will end up back on the practice squad if he clears waivers. The Panthers also would like to put Montgomery on the practice squad, but he might draw interest elsewhere.
The signing of Moore means the Panthers plan to carry three quarterbacks after only keeping Jake Delhomme and David Carr on the initial roster. Moore played at Oregon State last year and was in Dallas' training camp before his release.
add safety Manuel
PAT YASINSKAS
pyasinskas@charlotteobserver.com
The Carolina Panthers sent in their "final'' roster Saturday and blew it up again Sunday.
As expected, the team wasn't finished when it got down to the NFL-mandated 53-player limit. The preseason-long search for safety help intensified as other teams made their cuts.
The Panthers quickly pounced on safety Marquand Manuel, who was released by Green Bay on Saturday. Manuel has agreed to terms with the Panthers, according to two league sources.
Carolina also has reached agreement with cornerback Dante Wesley, who was with the Panthers from 2002 to 2005. He was cut by Chicago after last season and was released by New England on Saturday.
The Panthers don't comment on potential signings, but the sources said Manuel and Wesley likely will sign their contracts Monday and join the team Tuesday when players return to practice. The Panthers did make official changes with three roster spots Sunday.
Tight end Michael Gaines (shoulder) was placed on the injured reserve list and will miss the season. Offensive tackle Rashad Butler and guard Will Montgomery were released.
The Panthers filled those roster spots by claiming quarterback Matt Moore, tight end Marcus Freeman and tackle Frank Omiyale off waivers. But the Manuel move clearly was the biggest of the day because he has a chance to make an immediate impact at a position where the Panthers desperately have been searching for answers throughout the preseason.
Veteran safety Mike Minter retired early in training camp because of chronic knee problems and the Panthers traded for Chicago's Chris Harris, who has been working as the starting strong safety. Journeyman Deke Cooper has been working with the first team at free safety. Second-year pro Nate Salley opened camp as a starter, but he has dropped on the depth chart after missing a large chunk of the preseason because of a knee injury. Undrafted rookie Quiton Teal also made the roster, but could be a candidate for the practice squad once Manuel is signed.
Manuel, 28, was a starter for the Packers last season, but lost his job in training camp. He spent the previous two seasons with Seattle and was a starter for most of the 2005 season. A sixth-round pick by Cincinnati, Manuel spent the first two years of his career with the Bengals. He had 81 tackles and an interception last season.
The loss of Gaines shouldn't have a huge impact. Although Gaines was the starter last season, he fell behind Jeff King on the depth chart in training camp and there had been speculation he might be released. Freeman, a former Notre Dame player who was released by Baltimore, will pair with rookie Dante Rosario to be the blocking tight ends.
Butler, a third-round pick last season, likely will end up back on the practice squad if he clears waivers. The Panthers also would like to put Montgomery on the practice squad, but he might draw interest elsewhere.
The signing of Moore means the Panthers plan to carry three quarterbacks after only keeping Jake Delhomme and David Carr on the initial roster. Moore played at Oregon State last year and was in Dallas' training camp before his release.