Charlotte, NC May 7, 2013 - Eighteen years after signing his first contract with the Carolina Panthers, John Kasay has once again signed with the team.   This time it is a one-day contract as Kasay, who spent 16 seasons with Carolina, retires as a Panther.   “When we came to Charlotte, our oldest son was about six weeks old,” Kasay said. “To be able to watch your family grow, not only in number, b ...

Max Henson Staff Writer CHARLOTTE, NC April 30, 2013 – The Carolina Panthers have agreed to terms with 13 undrafted college free agents. Alabama safety Robert Lester – a three-year starter and three-time national champion – is among those that have agreed to join the Panthers. South Carolina linebacker Damario Jeffery and East Carolina guard Robert Jones are two local products that also have come to agreeme ...

Bryan Strickland Senior Writer CHARLOTTE, NC April 27, 2013 – With their sixth-round pick in the NFL Draft, the Panthers added running back Kenjon Barner to an offensive backfield already backlogged with talent. One thing Barner knows how to do is stand out from a crowd. "Speed is what got me to this point, being able to get away from people and break plays open," said Barner, a speed merchant who piled up ...

Max Henson Staff Writer CHARLOTTE, NC April 27, 2013 – General manager Dave Gettleman wasn't kidding when he said the Panthers needs were effectively addressed in free agency. He entered his first draft as a GM focused on drafting the best available players on his team's board, and that approach was reflected in Carolina's five picks. "We felt like we didn't reach for anybody. We felt we got great value for ...

Senior safety picked 57th overall by the Houston Texans NEW YORK, NY April 26, 2013 — South Carolina senior safety D.J. Swearinger was selected by the Houston Texans in the second round of the NFL Draft on Friday night with the 57th overall pick. A 6-0, 210-pounder from Greenwood, S.C., Swearinger served as a team captain in 2012 and was considered the biggest hitter on the defense and one of the team’s top ...

Max Henson Staff Writer CHARLOTTE, NC April 26, 2013 – Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman believes big men allow you to compete. He also believes in drafting the best player available. Those philosophies made Purdue defensive tackle Kawann Short a clear choice in the second round with the 44th overall pick in the draft. "(Kawann) was at the top of our board," Gettleman said. "I feel great about this pi ...

Chapel Hill, NC April 26, 2013: • In the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft, North Carolina offensive guard Jonathan Cooper was selected seventh overall by the Arizona Cardinals and defensive tackle Sylvester Williams was picked 28th overall by the Denver Broncos. North Carolina has now produced six first-round draft picks since 2008. That is the most of any ACC school. Boston College and Florida State rank ...

Panthers select DT Star Lotulelei with the 14th overall pick in the draft. Charlotte, NC April 25, 2013: Name: Star Lotulelei Defensive Tackle Height: 6-2Weight: 311Age: 23College: UtahHometown: South Jordan, UtahExperience: R Bio TRANSACTIONS Selected in the first round (14th overall) of the NFL Draft by Carolina (4/25/13). COLLEGE Spent final three seasons at Utah after playing one year at Snow College, a ...

Charlotte, NC April 24, 2013: WHAT: 78th Annual National Football League Player Selection Meeting. WHERE: Radio City Music Hall, 1260 Avenue of the Americas, New York City (Between 50th and 51st Streets). WHEN: 8 p.m. ET, Thursday, April 25 (Round 1); 6:30 p.m. ET, Friday, April 26 (Rounds 2-3); and 12 p.m. ET, Saturday, April 27 (Rounds 4-7). The first round will conclude on Thursday by approximately 11:15 ...

Max Henson Staff Writer CHARLOTTE, NC April 24, 2013 – After serving a complementary role in 26 war rooms, Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman will take the lead for the first time when the 2013 NFL Draft begins at 8 p.m. on Thursday night. "I've seen it. I've watched it," Gettleman said, "and I've always sat back and said, ‘OK, what are you going to do if you get the opportunity?'" First, he had to com ...