Carolina goes to the Max to keep receiver

Panthers give Mantle $45 million deal
By "Bucky Katz"

Off-Season 2119 (Charlotte) - The Carolina Panthers today announced they had matched the five year, $9 million per season offer the New York Giants made to WR Max Mantle. Now he is the top paid WR in the league along with Baltimore WR Cameron McJulien.

Not bad for a guy who was an undrafted college free agent from Ohio State when he walked into the Panthers locker room for the first time six years ago.

'Max was an important part of a successful offense last season,' Panthers GM 'Trader' Lee Remley said when announcing the signing at this morning's press conference. 'So those Giants fans will just have to be restless just a little while longer,' he added with a wink.

With Blair Gilmore getting up in years, Mantle is emerging as the team's top receiver. So it made sense for them to re-sign him.

They were unsuccessful in luring more free agents to the Panthers lair, but no one is crying today.

'You always try to improve your club,' Remley said. 'If it doesn't happen, you move on. But you have to keep one of your own.'

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