Moorehead re-signing could mean Jenkins out

[RamsSB99]

bySteve Reed
Gazette Sports Reporter

The Carolina Panthers began bracing for the possible departure of defensive tackle Kris Jenkins on Thursday by re-signing longtime backup Kindal Moorehead to a one-year contract, according to league sources.

After failing to generate much interest in the free agent market, Moorehead agreed to a one-year contract that will pay him slightly more than the $721,000 he made last season with the Panthers, according to a league source.

It’s a win-win situation for both sides.

For the Panthers, re-signing Moorehead gives them depth in case a trade for Jenkins goes through. While former first-round draft pick Damione Lewis is expected to start alongside Ma’ake Kemoeatu if Jenkins leaves, the Panthers would have some depth with Moorehead and Jordan Carstens both coming back this season.

For Moorehead, it’s a chance for additional playing time (if Jenkins is traded) and he could help his own market value with a strong season for when he becomes an unrestricted free agent again after the season.

With the arrival of Lewis, Moorehead saw a rapid decline in playing time last season, recording only 17 tackles with six quarterback pressures and half a sack.

In the previous three seasons with Carolina, Moorehead averaged better than 31 tackles per season and had a combined seven sacks, three fumble recoveries and four batted passes.

Moorehead has played in 59 games during his four NFL seasons with 12 starts.

At this point, it appears Kansas City and St. Louis are showing the most interest in Jenkins, although there could be some other unknown teams in the mix.

Here’s an interesting thought: The Panthers are shopping Jenkins and the Chiefs need a defensive tackle; while the Chiefs are apparently shopping returner Dante Hall and the Panthers need a returner.

Hmmm. Wouldn’t it make sense — and help both teams — if they were able to strike a deal involving both players?

Carolina fans keep asking me which direction I think the Panthers will go in the first round of the NFL draft and, quite frankly, I have no idea. They could go in any number of directions, but if I had to lay money on one position it would have to be safety where Florida’s Reggie Nelson remains the logical pick providing, of course, LSU safety Laron Landry is off the board by No. 14.

The reality here is the Panthers need to nail a whole lot more picks than just their first rounder.

In a recent interview, Panthers cornerback Ken Lucas said he isn’t worried about coming into training camp and having to compete with Richard Marshall and Chris Gamble for a starting spot. “Competition doesn’t bother me. You are always competing in this league,” Lucas said. That should be one of the more competitive positions to watch in training camp.

A thought to ponder: If Adam ‘Pacman’ Jones was suspended for one year from the NFL for his run-ins with the law, can you imagine how many years former Carolina Panthers wide receiver/murder conspirator Rae Carruth would be kicked out of the league for under the rules set in place by new commissioner Roger Goodell? Don’t think Carruth should both applying for reinstatement if and when he gets out of jail.

Those expecting to hear David Carr’s thoughts on joining the Panthers will have to wait one more day.

Carr politely asked the team’s PR department to push back an interview with the local media to this morning because he had a number of matters to attend to. Carr is, however, in Charlotte.

[RamsSB99]

At this point, it appears Kansas City and St. Louis are showing the most interest in Jenkins, although there could be some other unknown teams in the mix.

Here’s an interesting thought: The Panthers are shopping Jenkins and the Chiefs need a defensive tackle; while the Chiefs are apparently shopping returner Dante Hall and the Panthers need a returner.

Hmmm. Wouldn’t it make sense — and help both teams — if they were able to strike a deal involving both players?

If KC offers Hall and a decent pick that could tip the scale in their favor.

[general counsel]

i strongly doubt that hall will mean much. rumour is that they are going to cut hall anyway. he was a vermeil guy, not a herm guy. He isnt worth all that much. What they really need is a tight end.

isnt it interesting how from the panthers and their fans perspectives, damione lewis is a good player. just goes to show you that expectations are a dangerous thing. Just because he didnt live up to expectations as the #12 pick doesnt mean he cant play.

ramming speed to all

general counsel

[RamsSB99]

Just because he didnt live up to expectations as the #12 pick doesnt mean he cant play.

I agree he had the best nut cracker move I have ever seen. Who could play after getting their nuts cracked like that? He took that guys mind off the game for sure.

[RamsSB99]

rumour is that they are going to cut hall anyway.

If this did happen do you think we should look at Hall for our return game.

[bruce4life]

yes if hall gets cut he could come in and play the number 4 receiver and play a role in linehans offense like wes welker did