The Panthers have reportedly made "significant progress" with free agent Jordan Gross

[NCMTNCAT]

The deal is expected to be worth $9M annually. An agreement will allow the Panthers to slap the franchise tag on fellow free agent Julius Peppers and shop him for draft choices.

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/player_main.aspx?sport=NFL&id=2366

http://blogs.nfl.com/2009/02/16/panthers-trying-to-hash-out-new-deal-for-ot-gross/

[jasonluckydog]

WOOOHOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

so does this mean we cant franchise them both?

[ladypanther]

Great news! (Hope they are right).

[carpanfan96]

woooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooottttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt. yes, Gross got his money gets to stay, and we get to franchise pep and send him out the door for something in return.

[chollar8]

About time.

[chollar8]

WOOOHOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

so does this mean we cant franchise them both?

You can't do that anyways.

[The Answer]

I'm a happy.

[Ncstatefan]

We all knew this was goina happen, don't act so surprised.

[Sam Mills Fan]

Wow, only $9 mil a year? That's less than what Travelle f'ing Wharton made this past season lol.

I guess he really wants to stay here. That's nice.

[The Link]

We all knew this was goina happen, don't act so surprised.

There is still a chance it doesn't get done in time...

[Guest]

if its only 9 mil a year then whats the freaking hold up? I know its the language but what the heck?

[jasonluckydog]

You can't do that anyways.

running joke see a few threads below..

[nosuchthingasapanther]

The deal is expected to be worth $9M annually. An agreement will allow the Panthers to slap the franchise tag on fellow free agent Julius Peppers and shop him for draft choices.

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/player_main.aspx?sport=NFL&id=2366

http://blogs.nfl.com/2009/02/16/panthers-trying-to-hash-out-new-deal-for-ot-gross/

you left out the last sentence of the rotoworld entry...

Extending Gross, however, was always the priority.

according to the entry before this one, the panthers haven't even bothered to talk to peppers.

imo, it looks like they would let peppers walk before losing gross.

[Sam Mills Fan]

Guys, I don't know if you realize just how cheap this is for Gross. He could have made a *lot* more on the open market.

I know he's good friends with Jake, so I guess this should sadly put to rest any lingering doubts anyone might have had on whether Jake would be back next season.