Barry Sanders, Head Coach Con't

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BOYD ONLY REMAINING HOLDOUT
The Carolina Panthers have successfully signed all their rookies to contracts except for holdout SS JJ Boyd, heading into the first game of the preseason. The following is the contract terms (years/total, signing bonus)

Caruan Lawrence 5/11.0 (2.5)
Noah Wyoming 5/14.99 (5.5)
Denard Bennett 3/1.83 (0.0)
Roscoe Howry 3/1.46 (0.0)
Mike Kerns 3/1.17 (250k)
Jeremy Wright 3/660k (0.0)
Marvin Cherry 3/850k (50k)

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BOYD SIGNS 4-YEAR DEAL
JJ Boyd signed his contract on the eve of the first preseason game against Arizona. The team in not sure how much he will play if at all after holding out through much of the camp. Boyd is expected to start at Strong Safety despite the fact that Chris Harris was in the Pro Bowl last year. The 4-2-5 defensive set uses multiple safeties, and Harris will likely man the #2 SS spot that Ken Lucas played last year. The terms of the contract were 4/2.85 (1.0). The team also announced that they have terminated the contract of ROLB Ian Gold, who was unhappy to be playing with the 3rd squad on defense.

Salary Cap Status: 5.18

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PANTHERS WIN OPENER
Carolina won their preseason opener at Arizona 33-14. The team was balanced on offense and dominant on defense, as they got a good luck at a bunch of their rookie players. CB Denard Bennett looked solid, as is being talked about as a possible starter. QB Noah Wyoming showed why the team traded up for him, and DE Caraun Lawrence is likely to start immediately, causing other teams to inquire into the availability of both Elvis Dumerville, and Charles Johnson.
Carolina traded TE Alge Crumpler to division rival Atlanta after the game to free up some cap space. The Panthers will receive the Falcons 2010 3rd round selection.

Progress Report
C. Lawrence 85 (91)
Wyoming 70 (87)
JJ Boyd 83 (88)
Denard Bennett 80 (93)

Salary Cap Status: 8.90

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BUCS SNEAK BY PANTHERS
In a sign of things that may come, the Tampa bay Buccaneers edged the Panthers 14-13 in week 2 preseason action. The teams are projected to battle for the South Division title after splitting their games last year.
After the game, the Panthers announced that they were releasing veteran K John Hall, which means that rookie free-agent Verdell Franks will start.

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TRADE WINDS ARE BLOWING
Carolina was actively trying to upgrade their FS position, and were in talks with Washington about Laron Landry until the Bengals swooped in with a better offer. This was a huge blow to the team as Landry was a goal that they would have liked to achieve. "Washington simply didn't like the pieces we had to offer," commented GM Gil Darnell.
Darnell later traded away a player that he saw less value in than his predecessor when he traded LB Odell Thurman to Philadelphia for a 2010 3rd round selection. Darnell keeps collecting draft picks in next years draft. The third round pick was the second acquired in as many weeks for the Panthers.
As a result of the success he found in acquiring these picks, Darnell focused on Plan B for free safety, and traded their 2010 3rd round, and 2011 2nd round to Jacksonville for FS Reggie Nelson 83 (86), who was vocal about his desire to be traded.
GM Darnell was not yet finished, and traded away DE Elvis Dumerville, whom he acquired earlier in the season. "Lawrence is going to start and Elvis had only a year left on his contract. It was clear he wasn't going to resign," stated Darnell. Dumerville now finds a home in Arizona and was acquired for the Cardinal's 2010 2nd round, and 2011 6th round selections.

Salary Cap Status: 13.03

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PANTHERS BEAT J-E-T-S
The Carolina Panthers got their second victory of the preseason, defeating the Jets 28-21. The team continues to develop its young talent, and has been very aggressive in making roster changes through trades. Coach Barry Sanders stated that the team may not be done making changes for now.

Progress Report
DT Roscoe Howry 78 (80)
LT Mike Kerns 85 (88)
QB Jeremy Wright 65 (82)
CB Marvin Cherry 68 (74)

QB Tyrone Nash, FB Eric Chambers were released

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DARNELL KEEPS DEALING
GM Gil Darnell has made numerous deals since taking over the "inconsistent" Panthers team, and continued with what he has called, "the final pieces" just days before the final preseason game.
OLB Michael Boley was claimed off the waiver wire, signing a 1 year, $1.0 million contract. The team believes he is an upgrade over Pro Bowl OLB Thomas Davis, who was hours later traded to the Chicago Bears for a 2011 3rd Round selection. DE Charles Johnson, another starter from last years team was also traded, being sent to Cincinnati for a 2010 2nd and 6th round pick.
The team is hopping that Boley will replace Thomas the teams 3rd leading tackler, and rookie 1st round pick Caraun Lawrence will replace Johnson its 3rd leader sacker from last year.

Salary Cap Status: 13.92

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PANTHERS WIN FINAL PRESEASON GAME, SET ROSTER
Carolina defeated St. Louis 31-24 to finish off their preseason with a 3-1 record. "Overall, we are very pleased with the draft class, and were fortunate to find a few diamonds in the rough as far as rookie free agents are concerned," stated GM Darnell. The team will open its schedule next week at home against division rival Atlanta, followed by a trip to New Orleans in week 2.

Progress Report
FS Austin Taylor 80 (83)
K Verdell Franks 81 (87)
LG Zach Buckley 83 (87)
TE Austin Eastwood 60 (65)
WR Greg Clayton 76 (90)
MLB Trevor McClain 76 (80)

FS P.Dixon, SS J.Pope, MLB D.Washington, OLB J.Addis, C D.Conley were released

The team also announced that it has signed FB Dan Kreidler 85 (85) to a 1-year, $1.3 million contract with no signing bonus.

Salary Cap Status: 15.80