Strong Safety gets 8 million per year deal
By "Bucky Katz"

Off-Season 2110 (Charlotte) - He was taken fourth in the fourth round of the 2104 draft, an afterthought to most people. But the Panthers knew what they had when he showed up to his first training camp. Now he's one of the top defensive backs in the USAFL. Even better, now he's getting paid for it.

The Carolina Panthers announced this morning they matched the $8 million per year offer strong safety Chris Painter got from the Cincinnati Bengals, topping another $7 million offer from the New England Patriots.

'The rest of the USAFL has figured out what we knew long ago,' Panthers GM 'Trader' Lee Remley said at the dawn press conference to announce the signing. 'Chris Painter is one of the top safeties in the league. Now he is going to reap the fruits of his labor all these years.'

Many around the league did not expect Carolina to match this offer, being so close to the cap and a team with lots of depth. But Remley has had a reputation for keeping his teams together.

'I'm glad to stay here in Carolina the next six years,' Painter said. 'When I came into the league, I never expected to be standing here on the podium after getting a big free agent contract. I also want to thank the Panthers for having faith in me six years ago when they drafted me.'

With Painter's signing and a solid draft, the Panthers look to be a Sundby Cup contender once again this season.