Terrence Holt Returns to North Carolina

Okay, so maybe the Carolina Panthers weren't quite done with free agency.

According to Rock Hill Herald reporter-blogger Darin Gantt -- who will never get into a Dallas Mavericks locker room -- the Panthers just signed free safety Terrence Holt, the NC State alumnus who is mostly famous as Torry Holt's brother. Terrence did a decent job at safety for Detroit in 2005 and 2006, which he parlayed into a 5-year, $15 million deal with Arizona last year.

The Cardinals, however, clearly didn't think that much of Torry's little brother, cutting him after just one year. Given that the Panthers are mostly signing cheap free agents who feel disrespected by their previous employers, Holt is a perfect fit here. Plus, he's back home in North Carolina, and he has a shot to start at free safety right away, given that his only competition right now is Quinton Teal and Nate Salley.

This may be the only move Carolina makes to address the safety position this offseason. The team might grab a defensive back in the 7th round again, but that will be about it. Pray for Chris Harris' continued good health, Panthers fans.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

3-20-2008 @ 5:09PM

Harrison said...

Wow! Out of left field, indeed. Maybe this, and Fox and Hurney's cross-country stalking of lineman, is just a way to psyche out the other teams and the Panthers will end up taking Kenny Philips or DaJuan Morgan in the Draft. Morgan could be united with another Wolfpacker in Holt...eh, probably not.

3-20-2008 @ 5:11PM

Dave said...

Harrison: Not if they want their quarterbacks to live, they won't. The Panthers need a tackle who can start NOW in this draft first and foremost.

3-21-2008 @ 7:57AM

Justin said...

Are there any good safeties that'll be available in the second round when we make our pick???

3-21-2008 @ 7:59AM

Justin: That's kind of a moot point, really. I believe the Panthers' first two picks will be linemen -- one on offense, one on defense. Any DBs will be second-day picks.

3-21-2008 @ 2:24PM

rick said...

What does everyone think of this scenario? Parcells would love to trade the 1st pick. We give him our first and 4th, and a 2nd or 3rd next year and we take Jake Long, arguably the best lineman to come up in some time. We've been filling most of the holes this offseason and we could get DE or DT in the second round. I know, I know, 1st picks cost a lot, but we have 13th anyway, we're gonna have to spend the cash.

rick in charlotte

3-21-2008 @ 12:50PM

rick: Jake Long costs too much, and giving up four draft picks for a guy you can't really afford makes little sense when this draft is stocked to the gills with quality offensive tackles.

Carolina might only have to give up one of their two 3rd-rounders to get Ryan Clady, and they might decide that they're better off keeping all their picks and drafting Chris Williams from Vandy, who should be available at #13. Either one of those guys would be just as good for Carolina as Long.

3-21-2008 @ 1:32PM

Yeah, I've seen several mock drafts that have Chris Williams dropping to 13 and the Panthers snagging him. It could happen, but anything can and usually does happen on draft day. Did anyone think Charles Johnson from Georgia was going to fall to us in the third round last year? Really looking forward to the draft this year.