Tolbert Relishing Opportunity.

[Ivan The Awesome]

Mike Tolbert was happy playing football in San Diego, when free agency arrived and the Panthers came calling he couldn't resist an opportunity to return home to the Carolinas.

It was no cheap decision - it meant leaving $1 million on the table.

A native of Douglasville, Ga., Tolbert played at Coastal Carolina and says the decision to leave the Chargers and take less money was as much about family as it was football.

''I just wanted to raise my daughter in the South,'' Tolbert said when asked why he decided to sign with Carolina. ''I just think this is a better place to raise a family.''

Coach Ron Rivera said he views Tolbert primarily as a fullback, but that his versatility means he'll be able to line up at a variety of positions including as a short-yardage running back, split out wide as a receiver as well as blocking back for Williams, Stewart and quarterback Cam Newton.

He's proven capable of doing all of those during his four seasons with the Chargers, who run a similar offense to the Panthers. Carolina offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski spent three seasons as the tight ends coach under Norv Turner prior to coming to Carolina and brought with him many of the same philosophies.

The stocky 5-foot-9, 243-pound Tolbert started 30 games over the last two seasons for the Chargers, averaging 4 yards per carry while scoring 19 touchdowns on the ground.

He also caught 79 passes for 649 yards during that span, two of those going for touchdowns.

The guy is just awesome. He's going to be a treat to watch this September.

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

Dang, I didn't realize he gave up a million to come here.

That's true commitment.

I don't many goes in the NFL that would do that.

Hopefully we see some Mike Tolbert jersey's at BOFA this year.

[fieryprophet]

He will also save a little bit of money on income taxes here vs. San Diego (maybe around $100k total) but he still took a large pay cut to come here.

[Ivan The Awesome]

I agree with him about raising his kids in the Carolinas. That's where I'd want to raise my kids. Fell in love with the city and the states.

[Guest Irv]

[Guest Bwood]

Fugin love me some Tolbert.

Also love that all my friends like the Chargers and I'm going to go extra crazy if he scores when we're in San Diego this year.

[SCP]

I love relish and I love Tolbert's attitude.

[Darth Biscuit]

Guy is first class... great pickup.

[Argus Plexus]

The Four Headed Monster. Defenses beware, stack the line and you're screwed. Leave your line undermanned, you're screwed.

[KittyLover]

He will also save a little bit of money on income taxes here vs. San Diego (maybe around $100k total) but he still took a large pay cut to come here.

I thought they all "lived" in TX

[rayzor]

The Four Headed Monster. Defenses beware, stack the line and you're screwed. Leave your line undermanned, you're screwed.

it's going to be a beautiful thing to watch.

[longhorncat]

I thought they all "lived" in TX

State taxes are determined by where your games are played.

When we play San Diego, our guys will have to pay CA state tax on what they earned for that one game.

Same for Richardson.

[fieryprophet]

State taxes are determined by where your games are played.

When we play San Diego, our guys will have to pay CA state tax on what they earned for that one game.

Same for Richardson.

Yes, but he will have eight home games in NC vs. eight in California each year.

[Chaos]

I'm still a million dollars shy of being a millionaire.