National Football League

Huh? Upcoming free agents want to stay in Carolina

Published Dec. 31, 2010 8:52 a.m. ET

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The Carolina Panthers gutted much of their roster in the offseason and ended up the worst team in the NFL. John Fox is preparing to coach his final game. Owner Jerry Richardson has taken a hard-line stance against the players in labor negotiations.

And soon-to-be free agents are lining up in hopes of re-signing with Carolina.

Huh?

''I think that speaks volumes for the organization and how they treated us as players,'' linebacker Thomas Davis said. ''Whenever you feel welcomed and you feel like you're at home, you don't want to go anywhere. I think Carolina is a great place to live, it's a great place to raise your family, so why would you want to leave as a player?''

Davis, who missed the season after a second major knee injury, is part of a group of core players who have all expressed a strong desire to stay with Carolina. That's despite the league-worst 2-13 record, uncertainty on who will coach next season and what direction Richardson will take the franchise.

''If I got a long-term deal to stay here I would sign it on the first day,'' cornerback Richard Marshall said. ''I don't know what is going to happen but I would like to stay here because I feel like we're going to get this team together and play good. I would like to be a part of that.''

Marshall's view comes despite Carolina making no attempt to sign him to a long-term deal last offseason. Marshall skipped most offseason workouts until he reluctantly signed a one-year, $1.759 million tender.

The Panthers made no attempt to extend running back DeAngelo Williams last offseason after he combined with Jonathan Stewart to become the first teammates in NFL history to each rush for over 1,100 yards.

Williams is sidelined with a foot injury, but said last month he also hopes to re-sign.

''I can tell you this, I love being a Carolina Panther,'' Williams said.

The list of potential free agents also includes center Ryan Kalil, linebacker James Anderson, tight end Jeff King and quarterback Matt Moore. There's another prominent group that will be entering the last year of their deals in 2011, including linebacker Jon Beason.

''I don't want to go anywhere else,'' Beason said. ''We all see ourselves retiring here.''

But the Panthers have made no attempt to lock up anybody long-term as they await the details of the new collective bargaining agreement. Richardson is co-chairman of the owners' negotiating committee which is seeking major concessions from players.

''I think we have an owner that's very strong-minded. He believes in what he believes in,'' Davis said. ''I think once everything gets situated he's going to do his job in taking care of the players that he feels he wants around.''

Marshall also has separated Richardson's stance in negotiations and his dismantling of the roster in the offseason. Carolina left training camp with the youngest roster and lowest payroll in the league.

''You know what you're going to get here and that's why a lot of people want to stay here,'' Marshall said.

But there's plenty of uncertainty. Fox, whose contract expires Feb. 1, is gone after he coaches the season finale Sunday at Atlanta. There are numerous holes on the roster, most notably on the league's worst offense.

There's also been speculation star receiver Steve Smith, who is signed through 2012, may want to move to a contender as he reaches the tail end of his career. Smith has said he won't reveal his intentions until after the season.

It's also unknown what type of coach the secretive Richardson is looking for and what style the new hire will bring.

''I know I'm not a linebacker that's built to play an outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme,'' Davis said. ''But, hey, maybe I'll move to the inside. That's something that factors in but for me as a player, Carolina is where I want to be.''

With the Panthers holding the No. 1 pick in the draft and with numerous personnel decisions to make, it's shaping up to be a fascinating and busy offseason.

''Coming into the season we expected to have a better record, but we haven't put together games and getting wins,'' Marshall said. ''That's why I would like to come back and sign a long-term deal here. I know what we can do. We just haven't showed it.''

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