Due to Sundby Cup appearance, Carolina forced to lose one of their cogs
By "Bucky Katz"

Off-Season 2138 (Charlotte) - The Carolina Panthers had a decision to make. Because of their Sundby Cup appearance, they could only match contracts for two of their three potential free agents even though they had the cap space to secure all three.

So they went against type and had to let a player leave in free agency.

'I think the great philosopher Meat Loaf said it best,' Panthers GM 'Trader' Lee Remley joked at the press conference to announce the re-signing of his two free agents. 'Two out of three ain't bad.'

Carolina matched the contracts of HB Rusty Mitchell and DE Aaron Edwards from last year's NFC Champions, while letting WR Dwayne Lowe move on.

'It was a tough decision to have to make,' Remley told the assembled media. 'All three were a big part of our Sundby quest last season. But we feel Mike Gaines is ready to step up to be a number two receiver so we'll be OK there.'

The Panthers haven't had much turnover this offseason except for retirements, apparently by design.

'We are happy with our roster the way it is,' Remley pointed out.

Carolina fans are happy their team is back in the race the past couple of seasons after a rebuilding effort. The upooming season shows the same promise, though management is aware that the rest of the NFC is gunning for them.

'We'll be ready,' Remley says with a smile.