Panthers Agree With Tolbert On 4 Year Deal

[panthers55]

Are you sure they inherit the cap hits for the bonus, don't we keep that hit and it doesn't follow the player to the next team. IE, what happened with Delhomme, technically he was cut but you know what I mean.

That is right. We get the whole signing bonus as a cap hit which escalates right away. On the order of 12.8 million.

[Dpantherman]

"Mike is a very versatile player who can do a lot of different things for us," Panthers general manager Marty Hurney said. "He plays fullback, catches the ball well out of the backfield, plays running back, and is an outstanding special teams player.

http://www.panthers.com/news/article-2/Panthers-sign-FB-Tolbert/f8a35df7-958b-4f96-8f7e-3a3e793cf4dc

[jtnc]

CHARLOTTE - Fullback Mike Tolbert, who rushed for more than 1,200 yards and scored 21 times over the past two seasons, has signed as an unrestricted free agent with the Panthers.

Tolbert, who often stood out in a crowded backfield with the San Diego Chargers, joins the "Double Trouble" backfield of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart that has combined for nearly 5,000 rushing yards over the past three seasons.

"Mike is a very versatile player who can do a lot of different things for us," Panthers general manager Marty Hurney said. "He plays fullback, catches the ball well out of the backfield, plays running back, and is an outstanding special teams player.

"It was a good fit and gives us a chance to add another weapon on offense. We are excited about bringing him back to the Carolinas."

Tolbert, a 5-9, 243-pounder, signed with the Chargers as an undrafted rookie free agent from Coastal Carolina in 2008.

He played in all but two games over the past three seasons while taking advantage of opportunities created by injuries. In 2010, when starting running back Ryan Mathews missed four games, Tolbert took over with authority, finishing the season with a team-leading 735 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Last season, when Mathews missed two games, Tolbert gained 490 yards with eight touchdowns and also shined in the short passing game, catching 54 passes for 433 yards with two touchdowns.

Tolbert also tied for the team lead with 12 special teams tackles in 2011 and has 42 career special teams tackles.

[PantherBrew]

P55, you could be right, but I would like to see the actual rule that states that in regards to trades.

Only thing that I found was that the receiving team gets ALL things with that contract.

[panthers55]

I do think that it makes sense that we actually consider converting him to a fullback/tight end. He had more catches than Shockey last year and is a bunch quicker. He offers a lot of versatility and if Stewart leaves even more versatility. I have to admit I never likely playing guys like him who are so big. Once they get in the secondary they are tough to bring down. He could be a dominant fullback/TE in our offense.

[MadHatter]

It will lessen the blow when we lose half of Double Trouble next year.

This is the part that I don't like.

If we don't think we will be able to sign Stewart long-term, it would be massively stupid to just let him walk at the end of the season. Now with DWill and Tolbert on the roster, I think the team is better off trading him for a pick.

[Panthro]

DeAngelo is actually much more attractive for another team to trade for (and less attractive for the Panthers to trade) The Panthers are the ones that payed the signing bonus and the 1st year so the team acquiring him would only have to pay his salary which is below market value. Think Albert Haynesworth in Washington.

[csx]

I do think that it makes sense that we actually consider converting him to a fullback/tight end. He had more catches than Shockey last year and is a bunch quicker. He offers a lot of versatility and if Stewart leaves even more versatility. I have to admit I never likely playing guys like him who are so big. Once they get in the secondary they are tough to bring down. He could be a dominant fullback/TE in our offense.

A 5'9" TE, wonderful

[MadHatter]

I do think that it makes sense that we actually consider converting him to a fullback/tight end. He had more catches than Shockey last year and is a bunch quicker. He offers a lot of versatility and if Stewart leaves even more versatility. I have to admit I never likely playing guys like him who are so big. Once they get in the secondary they are tough to bring down. He could be a dominant fullback/TE in our offense.

He is NOT going to be converted to TE.

However, he could be used in the passing game to offset the catches by our second TE.

Two back sets with Tolbert in the backfield....slide him underneath and in the flat (in lieu of the second TE).

[MGH1989]

A 5'9" TE, wonderful

He would never be an inline tight end, obviously, but he is a good enough blocker where he could take on an H-back type of role, chip at ends and go out for passes in the flat, screens, stuff like that.

[beastson]

On that ESPN link, a lot of fans really want him. Mainly Steelers and Broncos fans

[CRA]

This is the part that I don't like.

If we don't think we will be able to sign Stewart long-term, it would be massively stupid to just let him walk at the end of the season. Now with DWill and Tolbert on the roster, I think the team is better off trading him for a pick.

Here is the problem.

1 - Teams don't want to trade for RBs. They are despite what Carolina culture has created....a dime a dozen in today's NFL.

2 - Whatever you think he is worth and what he is worth to you.....no team will give you.

3 - in addition to that, a team that trades for him would also have to make sure Stewart would sign a long term deal others wise they just traded for someone who will walk after one season.

Lose/Lose scenario.

[megadeth078]

CSX beat me to it. There is no such thing as a 5'9" tight end. Maybe in 2054, the NFL will evolve to a point where 5'9" tight ends are a prerequisite for getting a positive record, but not in 2012.

[Panther53521]

I honestly think this signing means ... bye bye to Goodson, Brockel, and Shockey. More Passing to the FB out of the back field less TE passes. Tolbert will play the FB position in this offense.