DeAngelo Williams, who was recently informed by the Panthers that he will be released, was unhappy with the team’s support (or lack thereof) last year at the time of his mother’s death. “That was the end. That was it. Nobody came to the funeral,” Williams told WBTV’s Molly Grantham. “The owner didn’t reach out. He didn’t say anything. Never talked to me. Nobody upstairs ever talked to me. The only two people who ever said anything to me was coach Rivera and Dave Gettleman. . . . There’s nothing that coach Rivera and Dave Gettleman can do to me that will make me mad or make me hate them because in my darkest hour they were there for me. More from the NFC South..
- While Williams said the Panthers informed him they didn’t run the ball enough to justify his contract, Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer notes that only four teams had more rushes than Carolina last season. Meanwhile, over the last three seasons, only the Texans ran the ball more than the Panthers. Williams’ release had more to do with his declining production and his age, according to a team source.
- Two team negotiators confirmed to Joel Corry of CBSSports.com (on Twitter) that the Panthers will get a $1MM 2016 salary cap credit from Williams’ option bonus that’s being prorated by cutting him.
- The Saints have a tough cap situation this offseason and some tough decisions to make. Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (via Twitter) would put money on linebacker David Hawthorne, guard Ben Grubbs, and Brodrick Bunkley getting cut. Meanwhile, he sees wide receiver Marques Colston, guard Jahri Evans, and linebacker Curtis Lofton agreeing to pay cuts. Pro Football Rumors recently looked at the Saints’ situation as a part of our ongoing Offseason Outlook series.
- Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com (on Twitter) is hearing from agents that the Falcons are still evaluating which players fit their scheme before re-signing or releasing anyone.
- D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution looked at pending Falcons free agent Javier Arenas. The fifth-year cornerback played just 54 snaps in six games and couldn’t win the nickelback job on the worst defense in the league. It doesn’t seem all that likely that new head coach Dan Quinn will push to re-sign the unrestrictd free agent.