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Panthers ink OLT Wharton to long-term deal and may tag ORT Gross
By PFW staff
Feb. 15, 2008
Updated at 4:45 p.m. EST Friday, Feb. 15
The Panthers rewarded one of their most-maligned offensive linemen, OLT Travelle Wharton, with a six-year deal Thursday that will pay him base salaries totaling $23.25 million over the life of the contract, beginning with $600,000 in 2008. Wharton, who started all 16 games at left tackle in 2007, has 44 career starts and would have become an unrestricted free agent Feb. 29 had he not been re-signed. It appears that Carolina’s other offensive tackle, ORT Jordan Gross, will either be re-signed or franchised by Feb. 21, the deadline for franchise tags. If Gross does get tagged, he will be paid $7.455 million next season, which is the average of the five highest-paid offensive linemen in 2007.
The PFW spin
With Wharton and Gross back in the fold, the Panthers have flexibility on the offensive line and will not have to scramble to fill holes as they would have done had either player gone elsewhere. At first glance, the Panthers seem to be embracing and investing in what often looked like a mediocre front five last season, but Wharton and Gross may change positions next season and Carolina could still be in the market for another tackle.
The Panthers released veteran OG Mike Wahle, who has since signed with the Seahawks, and the versatile Wharton could be moved inside to fill that void. Gross could then shift to left tackle, a position he’s played before, although he has been better on the right side.
On the interior, the musical chairs could continue as well, as head coach John Fox and GM Marty Hurney look for ways to carve out a starting spot for last year’s second-round pick, C-OG Ryan Kalil. Kalil would fit best at center, which would unseat Justin Hartwig. He could be moved to right guard, relegating Jeremy Bridges, who lost his starting job late last season, to the bench.
Just days ago it looked as though the Panthers faced the nightmarish possibility of replacing two starting offensive tackles, but the re-signing of Wharton and the decision to franchise Gross has calmed fears.
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