Panthers lineman feels like a king after $55 million deal
By "Bucky Katz"

Off-Season 2121 (Charlotte) - He didn't pull a sword from the stone but Panthers defensive tackle Keith Arthur feels like royalty after Carolina matched a five year, $11 million per season free agent offer from New England.

'It's nice to feel appreciated,' Arthur, always a man of few words, said at the press conference announcing the signing. He prefers to let his play on the field speak for itself.

Keeping Arthur was important to a Panthers defense that had three linemen retire in the off season. Not to mention that Carolina has a reputation for keeping their own.

'We recognize that it all starts up front, and that's on both sides of the ball,' Panthers GM 'Trader' Lee Remley commented when the team announced the signing. 'So keeping Big Keith on our side was a priority.'

Keeping Arthur came at a price as long time starting offensive tackles Joey Henderson and Rodney Munoz were traded to offset the increase in salary. But the team felt that they wanted younger, more agile players in their place. Arthur also has a new teammate on the defensive line in DE Charles Griffen that the team hopes help replace the talent that was lost.

Whatever happens this season, Arthur certainly now feels it's good to be king.