Carolina Panthers
Ben Hartsock - #84 - TE
| Status | Active |
| Height/Weight | 6' 4"/ 260 lbs. |
| Birthday | 07/05/1980 |
| Birthplace | Chillicothe, OH |
| College | Ohio State |
| Years played | 10 |
| Drafted | 2004, 3rd round, 5th pick by Colts |
Changes could be in store for Panthers at tight end
With TEs Jeff King and Dante Rosario due to become free agents this offseason, the Panthers are mulling changes at tight end.
Rivera, Panthers focus on fixing offense
Choosing an offensive coordinator will be the most important decision Ron Rivera makes until he decides what to do about the Panthers' situation at quarterback.
Rivera named Panthers head coach
The Panthers introduced former Chargers defensive coordinator Ron Rivera as their new head coach on Tuesday.
Report: Rivera to be Panthers' next coach
Multiple sources are reporting that Ron Rivera will be the next head coach of the Panthers.
Panthers expected to consider drafting defensive end first
Clemson DE Da'Quan Bowers, who led the nation in sacks in 2010 (15½), is one of the favorites to replace Andrew Luck atop the Panthers' draft board.
Luck decision stings, but Panthers have other options
Andrew Luck is staying at Stanford another year, but don't assume that this is the worst thing in the world for the Panthers.
Luck announces return to Stanford
The Panthers better start coming up with their contingency plans for the No. 1 pick in April's draft. QB Andrew Luck has decided to return to Stanford.
Browns defensive coordinator Ryan a candidate for Panthers job
The Panthers have requested permission to interview Browns defensive coordinator Rob Ryan for their vacant head-coaching position, according to a report from PFW's Panthers correspondent Darin Gantt, of the Rock Hill (S.C.) Herald.
First 20 picks in NFL draft order established
The 20 teams that did not make the playoffs can not look forward to where they will select in April's draft.
Falcons clinch No. 1 seed in NFC
Eric Weems had a 55-yard punt return for a touchdown and the Falcons put a decisive stamp on the NFC South title and home-field advantage in the playoffs by beating Carolina 31-10 on Sunday.
Chiefs continue worst-to-first trend
Since 2002, the NFL has produced at least one team every season that has gone from fourth place one year to first the following year, with Kansas City being the latest example this season.
Fox set to coach his final game for Panthers
In a move that comes as no surprise to most observers, John Fox will not return in 2011 as the Panthers' head coach, the team officially announced on Friday.
Addressing DT spot should be high on Panthers' to-do list
Quarterback is a need for the Panthers, as rookie Jimmy Clausen has struggled, but the Panthers have other glaring voids to fill on their roster.
Panthers facing two big decisions
Some troubled franchises can't wait to put the 2010 season behind them, but few will hang a 2011 calendar with more uncertainty at a couple of the most important positions within the organization than the Panthers.
Panthers DE Johnson finishing strong in breakout year
After getting off to a fine start this season, Panthers DE Charles Johnson is finishing it on a tear, making at least one sack in each of the past six games.
PLAYER NEWS
The Panthers have re-signed Hartsock, according to his agent Mike McCarthy.|||||||
Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Hartsock is the second free agent to re-sign, joining linebacker Jordan Senn.
The New York Jets have re-signed tight end Ben Hartsock, a major part of the league's top-ranked rushing offense last season, to a two-year deal worth $3.2 million.Hartsock, 29, played his first two seasons with Indianapolis, and spent two seasons with Tennessee and one with Atlanta. He has 28 catches for 275 yards in six seasons.|||||||
Hartsock, signed as a free agent last August, had one catch - a 2-yard touchdown in Week 3 - but was used mostly as a blocking complement to Dustin Keller. He helped pave the way for an offense that averaged a league-leading 172.2 yards per game behind Thomas Jones, now with Kansas City, Shonn Greene and Leon Washington.
The Jets have signed Hartsock to a one-year deal, filling their need for a blocking tight end, his agent told The Associated Press.|||||||
Hartsock, who spent last season with Atlanta, signed with the Jets on Wednesday, a day after the Falcons released him, agent Mike McCartney said. Hartsock played his first two seasons with Indianapolis and also played two seasons with Tennessee. He has 27 catches for 273 yards in five seasons, but will be counted on to be the blocking complement to pass-receiving tight end Dustin Keller.
The Falcons put Hartsock on injured reserve Wednesday.|||||||
The 264-pound Hartsock, who had only three catches and was essentially another lineman for Atlanta's powerful running game, injured a toe in last weekend's 45-28 victory over Carolina. He is out for the season after making eight starts in 11 games. Justin Peelle, who has nine catches for 99 yards this season, will likely move into the starting role for Sunday's game at San Diego, with Jason Rader taking over the backup role.
The Falcons moved quickly to replace tight end Alge Crumpler by agreeing to terms with Hartsock.|||||||
Hartsock, who was drafted in the third round in 2004 by Indianapolis, is best known for his blocking ability. He has just 24 catches for 247 yards in 45 career games, including 12 catches for 138 yards with Tennessee last season. Terms of the deal were not released.