Today the Carolina Panthers released three veterans: RB Nick Goings, WR D.J. Hackett, and OL Jeremy Bridges in a cap related move.
Goings, an 8 year vet, was a special team great but otherwise hadn't done a whole lot since 2004, when he ran for 100 yards in 4 straight games after injuries to the rest of the Panthers backs. He was pretty expendable this year, however, after DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart took charge at the RB position, and will save the Panthers 820k.
Hackett was actually kind of a surprise to me. He'll save the Panthers 1.2825 million and he's always had troubles with injuries, but he's been pretty great when healthy. I understand that when you're struggling to get under the cap you have to make moves, but it's a shame they had to cut this guy, and I'm wondering if he'll receive interest from some WR starved team like the Bears or Eagles.
Bridges saved the Panthers $2.375 million, and that's a lot of money to save considering he was kind of a plug and play offensive lineman. Versitility is a plus, but sometimes it just means you're not good enough to start somewhere full time, and this is more a case of that. But he'll be back somewhere.
Also, apparently Ken Lucas may be cut or traded, saving the Panthers $2.375 million. But that's speculation more than anything.
Panthers Release Goings, Hackett, Bridges
