Preseason Week 1: Carolina 20, Giants 10

The Cam Newton era in Carolina has begun.  Panther fans started booing Jimmy Clausen almost immediately, and were chanting "Cam Cam" after four minutes into the first quarter.  He can do no wrong in Charlotte and Jimmy Clausen can do no right.

5 Things you need to know:

1.  Newton is the fan favorite even though the other two quarterbacks scored touchdowns, and he did not.
2.  The Panthers did not have a single draw play on 3rd and long last night, which pleased many fans.
3.  After Newton's second incomplete pass in the end zone, he was given a standing ovation by the entire Panthers stadium.
4.  By the looks of last night, the Panthers will not be nearly as bad this year as people expect them to be.
5.  Cam WILL be the starter, eventually, just not as quickly as "Cam Nation" wants him to be. 

Cam Newton signs 4-year, $22 million contract

Late yesterday Cam Newton came to terms with the Panthers.  He signed a 4-year, $22 million contract, with all of the money guaranteed.  He has been working out with Steve Smith for most of the offseason, so look for it to be the Cam-Smitty show this year. 

Smitty is Staying.....

Steve Smith has decided to stay with the Carolina Panthers, his current contract goes through 2012.  He said he would retire a Panther, and that could be in "1 year or in 5 years". 

Sad Day in Carolina....Last Original Panther Says Good-Bye

It was a sad day in Carolina.  After signing Olindo Mare from the Seattle Seahawks it became apparent that Kasay would no longer be needed for the Panthers.  John Kasay was the only original Panther and a fan favorite.  Fans have long forgotten about Kasay kicking the ball out of bounds with minutes to go in the Superbowl loss to New England.  The fans remember all the times Kasay won games with seconds to go.   

Double Trouble Returns in Carolina

Many Panther fans were pleasantly surprised when Deangelo Williams and the Carolina Panthers came to terms with a 5-year, $43 million contract with $21 million guaranteed.  It was widely reported as late as Wednesday morning that Williams would be leaving the Panthers.  Deangelo Williams appeared on Sportscenter and expressed his pleasure in this new deal. 

Panthers Sign DE Charles Johnson

The Panthers have signed Defensive End Charles Johnson to a six-year, $72 million contract, with a $30 million signing bonus.  With Johnson's 11.5 sacks in 2010 he left many Panther fans asking the question "Peppers who?"