Damione Lewis, a valued reserve on the defensive line, has reached a contract agreement with the Carolina Panthers that will keep him off the free agency market.
Lewis, scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent on Feb. 29, agreed to a three-year deal through his agent, Drew Rosenhaus.
He becomes the first prospective free agent to agree to re-sign. The Panthers are also trying to strike deals with others, including offensive tackle Jordan Gross. Lewis started two games and tied for the team lead in sacks with 3 1/2.
• One of the most intriguing decisions the Panthers face this offseason is whether to keep running back DeShaun Foster.
He's entering the final year of his contract and releasing him would save the Panthers about $4.75 million under the salary cap, according to documents.
When healthy, he has flashed signs of brilliance. But he has also struggled with inconsistency. He has yet to have a 1,000-yard season and ran for 100 yards once last season. His yardage totals the past three years have barely changed (879, 897 and 876, respectively).
Foster averaged a career low 3.5 yards per carry last season, compared to DeAngelo Williams' 5.0 average and 717-yard total on 97 fewer carries.
Williams seems sure to stay, but will Foster?
The top running backs in free agency, if they don't re-sign with their teams first, are San Diego's Michael Turner, Cleveland's Jamal Lewis, Dallas' Julius Jones and Oakland's Justin Fargas. -- C.C
http://www.charlotte.com/panthers/story/486755.html
I could see the Panthers releasing him. They spent a first round pick on DeAngelo Williams a few years back, plus they are rebuilding and are going to need all the cap space they can get.
Subject: Panthers to release Foster? 
Tue Feb 12, 2008 3:42 am
