BREAKING NEWS: Panthers release three, including Goings and Bridges
Written by Steve Reed
2/25/2009 12:30:48 PM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHARLOTTE -- The Carolina Panthers released running back Nick Goings, offensive lineman Jeremy Bridges and receiver D.J. Hackett on Wednesday opening up more than $4.5 million under the salary cap.
Bridges' release saved the Panthers approximately $2.75 million, Hackett $1.3 million and Goings $745,000.
According to one league source, the Panthers are trying to shop cornerback Ken Lucas but they might release him if they can't find an interested party.
The Panthers got quite a bit out of Goings, who came to Carolina as a rookie free agent in 2001 and rushed for 1,470 yards in his career, including 821 yards in 2004 after Stephen Davis, DeShaun Foster, and Rod Smart were placed on injured reserve.
His 2004 season included five 100-yard games in eight starts. He also caught 110 passes for 880 yards and three touchdowns in his career.
A productive special teams player throughout his career, Goings ranks fifth among Panther with 53 career special teams tackles. He is also 10th in team history in games played with 105.
Bridges came to the Panthers as a free agent at the beginning of the 2006 season and started the final 14 games of the season. He moved to guard where he started 10 games in 2007 and played primarily a reserve role last year, starting four games.
Hackett played one season with the Panthers and caught 13 passes for 181 yards while playing in nine games with two starts.
“Nick has been a valuable member of our team since I have been in Carolina. As a starter or in a reserve role, his versatility and contributions on special teams, along with his unselfish attitude, were important to our team and locker room,” said head coach John Fox. “While Jeremy and D.J. were not here as long, their contributions were significant in the success of our season last year. Jeremy’s flexibility meant a lot to the football team.”
[URL="http://www.carolinagrowl.com/Read.aspx?Story=1039"]Link[/URL]
Calendar
