Update: Panthers Keep Gross; Improve O-Line Through Free Agency or Draft?

[skinsfan_nn]

As this is appearing Gross is a Panther and if I was to bet will remain in NC! We can't afford this guy nor do I think we should try if was available to begin with, stop dreaming folks......

PANTHERS TRYING TO GET GROSS SIGNED
Posted by Mike Florio on February 16, 2009, 8:03 p.m.

With the deadline for using the franchise tag less than 72 hours away, the Carolina Panthers are making a final push toward signing one of their two big-name free agents, so that the tag can be used on the other one.

According to Adam Schefter of NFL Network, the Panthers are hoping to work out a deal with tackle Jordan Gross.

Citing unnamed sources, Schefter reports that the team and the player have made “significant progress,” prompting some to expect that a deal will be finalized this week.

It’s believed that Gross will be paid at a rate of $9 million per year.

Getting a deal done with Gross will allow the Panthers to apply the franchise tag to defensive end Julius Peppers. Based on his 2008 cap number of $13,902,500, the franchise tag for Peppers will require a one-year salary of$16,683,000 — 120 percent of his pay from last year.

Peppers has vowed that he’ll demand a trade if the team uses the franchise tag. Though the Panthers might be willing to comply, it’ll be interesting to see whether a new team will give Peppers a long-term deal premised on a first-year payout of $16,683,000.