Steve Smith accounted for 38.3 percent of all the catches made by Panthers players in 2005. Although he did a phenomenal job, it was a lot to ask of Smith coming off a 2004 season in which he didn't play due to injury. So if one guy can get the team to the NFC Championship Game, then the addition of Keyshawn Johnson should propel Carolina to be Super Bowl champions. Johnson agreed to a four-year deal and he becomes the second real threat in the Panthers' receiving corps. "Keyshawn just gives us a big, physical receiver who plays with passion and emotion and can help this club," GM Marty Hurney said.
The Carolina Panthers closed in on a deal with free agent receiver Keyshawn Johnson late Thursday night that would give the team a complement to All-Pro receiver Steve Smith and perhaps the final piece to get them back to the Super Bowl.
Johnson, who was released last week by the Dallas Cowboys, spent the entire day meeting with coaches and team officials in Charlotte, then dined with team general manager Marty Hurney.
"Nothing is signed, but it looks like we're close to terms," Hurney said. "Hopefully we can get the language done here and have something to announce (Friday)."
The Panthers were discussing a four-year deal with Johnson with a $5 million signing bonus.
Should it work out, the Panthers would get the second receiving threat they so badly needed last year during their run to the NFC championship. With Smith as their lone big playmaker, the Seattle Seahawks easily beat Carolina by clamping down on him and bringing the Panthers' offense to a standstill.
Now they'll have Johnson to take some of the attention away from Smith, who lobbied publicly earlier Thursday on a Charlotte radio station for Johnson's signing.
Johnson, 33, visited earlier in the week with the New York Giants but reportedly turned down a deal worth $3 million annually. He had also planned a visit with the Seattle Seahawks as part of his free agency tour.
The signing of the former No. 1 overall pick represents a shift for the Panthers, who have made a conscious effort to run a problem-free program since John Fox became head coach in 2002. After a series of off-the-field problems, including the Rae Carruth murder trial, the team has shied away from signing players who have been disruptive with other teams or represent a potential locker-room distraction.
Johnson left the New York Jets and Tampa Bay after wearing out his welcome with those teams. But he did not appear to have any significant problems during two years with Dallas and head coach Bill Parcells.
"We've done a lot of research, believe me," Hurney said.
The Carolina Panthers re-signed punter Jason Baker on Tuesday and brought back cornerback Reggie Howard, who started on their 2003 Super Bowl team.
Baker, who set a team record last season with a 38.9-yard punting average, agreed to a two-year deal. Agent Frank Murtha said the deal was worth $1.8 million, and included a $400,000 signing bonus.
"Jason had a very good season for us and we're hoping he can pick up where he left off," Carolina general manager Marty Hurney said. "We're glad to have him back."
The Panthers acquired Baker last season in a swap of punters with the Denver Broncos when they trying to rid themselves of Todd Sauerbrun.
Howard, meanwhile, received a one-year contract. The terms were not disclosed.
He played four seasons with the Panthers beginning in 2000, and spent the last two years as a starter. He left when Miami signed him to a six-year, $23 million contract, but he never claimed the starting job. The Dolphins waived him during the offseason with four years remaining on his contract.
"It's good to have him back," Hurney said. "We didn't want to lose him in the first place. He's our kind of person our and our type of player."
