Geoff Hangartner News

The Panthers finally have Julius Peppers' signature on a contract. With dwindling options, his side has begun making conciliatory noises about a long-term deal.

Maybe the idea of Mackenzy Bernardeau being the Carolina Panthers' top backup offensive lineman makes you nervous.

FEBRUARY 23: Defensive lineman Paul Kruger of Utah runs with the football during the NFL Scouting Combine presented by Under Armour at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 23, 2009 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Hakeem Nicks, who played at Charlotte's Independence High and North Carolina, was just taken in the first round overall by the New York Giants.

The Panthers appeared to be following their draft board on Sunday, addressing needs at defensive tackle and creating competition at fullback, but also taking a running back, a position where Carolina is well stocked.

Now that the NFL draft is over, the Julius Peppers saga enters a new phase. Since Peppers was not traded, the Panthers are waiting to see how Peppers approaches the one-year contract tender offer the team gave him when they made him their franchise player.

Penn State center A.Q. Shipley was the only offensive lineman whose arms measured shorter than 30 inches at the NFL scouting combine in February.

This was not what A.Q. Shipley wanted to hear. Sitting in Joe Paterno's office at Penn State, Shipley considered the question his football coach had just asked him.

The Carolina Panthers haven't signed one player from another team in free agency.

Say this for the Carolina Panthers - they're consistent in their approach. That was general manager Marty Hurney's theme Thursday at his annual pre-draft press conference.

Caught a few NFC South nuggets as I was listening to Sirius NFL Radio while making a long drive Wednesday.

Carolina Panthers coach John Fox praised the development of second-year receiver Dwayne Jarrett on Wednesday and said he's hoping for better things from the former Southern Cal All-American next season.

Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers, who has 70.5 sacks in seven seasons, would likely play linebacker if traded to a team like New England that runs a 3-4 defensive scheme.

The decision to franchise defensive end Julius Peppers is costing the Carolina Panthers a few very good role players.

Carolina Panthers franchise player Julius Peppers may one day end up a member of the New England Patriots.

Sunday afternoons will be more fun this fall throughout upstate New York with the arrival of Terrell Owens in Buffalo.

The Carolina Panthers could see this one coming for two weeks. Ken Lucas saw it coming about four months ago.

The following is a summary of the news involving free agents, trades and other contract-related news around the league for Saturday, Feb.

No deals were done in advance of those visits. The Buffalo Bills began the search for a replacement for guard Derrick Dockery by setting up a Friday visit for Panthers guard Geoff Hangartner .

Shortly after signing with the Buffalo Bills on Saturday, offensive lineman Geoff Hangartner kidded by overstating his size.