Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Panthers sign DT Antwon Burton

The Panthers have agreed to terms with DT Antwon Burton, a 6-2, 320-pound run-stuffing specialist who was most recently with the St. Louis Rams before getting cut.

The Panthers announced the signing Tuesday afternoon. Burton's agent, Marty Magid, said that the Panthers and Burton have agreed to a two-year, non-guaranteed contract worth a total of about $1.15 million (if Burton stays on the team). There was no signing bonus.

"He's a good kid who just needs a shot," Magid said. "He's a true nose tackle."

In other words, in size, contract and skill set, it sounds like Burton is a poor man's Maake Kemoeatu. To make room for Burton, the Panthers have put Louis Leonard on injured reserve. Leonard started for Carolina last week and fractured his ankle on the game's final defensive snap. He wasn't a big-name loss, but it was another blow to lose Leonard for the season. Linebacker Jon Beason told me Tuesday that Leonard was a "diamond in the rough" and would have helped the Panthers a lot had he stayed healthy.

Burton, 26, was an undrafted free agent out of Temple who has knocked around the league. His most successful stint came when he stuck with Denver for two years, playing in a career-high six games in 2007. Burton has also spent time in Kansas City, Cincinnati and St. Louis.

You've likely never heard of Burton, but he will get a chance to contribute quickly on a Carolina team that has been decimated by injury at defensive tackle. Burton also has some familiarity with current Panthers' defensive line coach Brian Baker, who supervised Burton for awhile in St. Louis while Baker was the defensive line coach there and apparently liked him.

In other roster news, the Panthers waived safety Nate Salley from injured reserve and released DT George Hypolite from the practice squad.

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow the Panthers are just like my fantasy team. Digging deeper and deeper to find players

Kconrad84 said...

A poor man's Maake? MAAKE is a poor man's Maake....

Anonymous said...

Does this mean he'll get hurt too?

Anonymous said...

All right! Now all our problems are SOLVED!

Unknown said...

Panthers need to go all out for Monday night. They do not deserve a day off the way they have been playing and have some time afterwards with the bye week. I agree we need to get off the Peppers and Jack blame game and start playing as a team. We need to run the ball more to keep the defense off the field. I am a true fan instead of one of the whiners

Anonymous said...

YEAH PANTHERS LETS JUST PLAY THE BEST DARN FOOTBALL WE CAN. I HOPE TO BE IN TAMPA ON THE 18TH OF OCT. WATCHING YOU ALL SO LETS GO!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

SUPER BOWL here we come ready or not

Anonymous said...

RE:Smitty07 said...
Panthers need to go all out for Monday night. They do not deserve a day off the way they have been playing and have some time afterwards with the bye week. I agree we need to get off the Peppers and Jack blame game and start playing as a team. We need to run the ball more to keep the defense off the field. I am a true fan instead of one of the whiners

Who's Jack? I'd blame Peppers if he was on Jack, but I don't! Leave Jack the hell alone!! M'Kay!

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Anonymous said... I'm just saying!

Anonymous said...

the panthers really need to invest in a good wide receiver who can help steve smith and muhammad. By doing so, the other wide receivers would not have as much coverages to worry about. Teams know that we only have two good receivers which is very easy to cover. Doesnt Brandon Marshall want to leave Denver. I believe that he would be a great asset to the team. Jarrett to me is just another Keary Colbert. He hasnt step up in this league. He is just collecting a check. Unless he proves otherwise. Maybe if he step up, Jake can fell comfortable enough to where he can focus better because he can rely on more than just Steve Smith as the go to guy.

Anonymous said...

You can't pluck up a 6'5" 325 lbs guy off the street. Any guy that big, and that good is playing. That said, Lenard Lewis is a good example of a quick fix, that seemed like a great find after the way he played against Atlanta. Now we have to hope lightning will strike twice with Antwon Burton.

Can it happen, yes. Look at the Kurt Warner,(from bagging groceries to Superbowl MVP) but it is a once in a million change. I guess we will see. For some players a change of scenery can make all the difference in the world.

Anonymous said...

Dwayne Jarrett, Dante Rosario, nor Kenneth Moore can throw the ball to themselves. These receivers don't develop because the Panthers tunnel-vision offense only sees Steve Smith...even when he is covered by twenty defenders. Why bring in more receivers when they will never see any parts of a football. Last year when Smith was hurt at the being of the season, more players were used in the offense and it was a much harder team to defend. This team has no imagination. They don't even use their running backs.

TheCatman87 said...

IF we take a page from the Jets Blitz scheme to beat Brady and we do the same to Romo, I feel 'Gaurantee a Game' sure we will win! Beating Dallas is a personal SuperBowl to me, they are the only team I hate,
(then division teams)We owe them a House warming gift because of the past Christmas losses we got. Scott pass this on to them when you see them. Tell them I said it, Catman said "we Owe them!"

Jennifer said...

Billion dollar stadium, hell forget what Peps making and give me some of Jerry Jone's money...

And can someone get a call in to Jessica to show up wearing the pink #9 jersey, I mean just in case...

As anon said one to many times....

Just saying!!!!

Anonymous said...

Beason is 100% right. He is overrated and totally sux and needs to be traded or benched and Penn State boy put in his place who is not scared. Beason is not a beast and overpaid at that. He was mediocre at Miami in college at best.

This is so like the media making this guy out to be some hyped up superman while he is getting run over and way out of his league. Injury prone Morgan from Miami also was 10 times better in college and the pros but keep healthy.

BENCH OR TRADE BEASON. HE SUX. LITTLE 5'5" INCH SAM MILLS WOULD HAV RUN CIRCLES AROUND HIM.

Anonymous said...

This season is lost due to bad personnel decisions and an extremely tough schedule.
The panthers are like a one legged man in a butt kicking contest. The Failure of the team's management to field a competitive team at least two years in a row is annoying.