With Josh Norman out of Carolina thanks to a contract dispute and defensive tackle Kawann Short now angling for a big-money deal, Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman fired a warning shot at player agents Wednesday. “I’d like to think agents have figured out they can’t scare me; they can’t squeeze me. I’m not going to panic. It’s a waste of time,” he defiantly told Black & Blue Review (Twitter link).
More from around the NFL:
- Given the high-paying extensions awarded to Fletcher Cox, Keenan Allen and Brandon Marshall within the last week, Conor Orr of NFL.com highlighted other notable players who could cash in this summer. Up next might be the Broncos’ Emmanuel Sanders, whom multiple league sources expect to become the next wideout to land an extension, per Orr.
- After spending last season in Arizona, free agent linebacker LaMarr Woodley tore into Cardinals defensive coordinator James Bettcher in May, referring to the coach as “dumb.” Woodley doubled down on that today, albeit in a less trenchant way, telling NFL Media’s R&B Podcast, “I just felt like the defensive coordinator didn’t listen to his players” (via Jeremy Cluff of the Arizona Republic). Woodley added that all-time great defensive mind Dick LeBeau, who coached Woodley for years in Pittsburgh, listens to his players and makes in-game adjustments based on their input.
- Bills legend Jim Kelly opined last week that Rex Ryan is coaching for his job in Year 2 with the franchise, saying the team has to break its league-worst 16-season playoff drought for Ryan to return in 2017. Ryan responded Tuesday, telling reporters (including Mike Rodak of ESPN.com), “I think if you ask Jim, Jim knows I’m a hell of a coach and a good coach for this team and this community. I think he would tell you that. I hope he would.” In typical confident fashion, Ryan also stated that he “expects to win big-time” this season, per Rodak. Under Ryan last season, the Bills fell from 9-7 to 8-8 and unexpectedly saw their defensive performance decline precipitously.
- Today’s biggest story: The Ravens released offensive tackle Eugene Monroe, whom the Giants are now pursuing. PFR’s Dallas Robinson tried to find a fit for the 29-year-old, listing eight teams (including the Giants) that could sign him.