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Saints Sign Ex-Panther LB Morgan
Morgan expected to move to weak linebacker, compete
with Shanle
posted March 6, 2008 - print
me!
updated March 8, 2008
neworleansprofootball.com
The Saints have loaded up at linebacker this offseason by plucking
two former Miami Hurricane linebackers from east-coast teams.
First, the Saints traded for Jets LB Jonathan Vilma to start at
middle linebacker.
Nearly one week into free agency, the Saints have signed long-time
Panthers linebacker Dan Morgan, according to the Gaston Gazette.
Morgan, 29, 6'2, 245, is an instinctive and imposing linebacker
with the neck of a tree trunk and a history of outstanding play.
The former collegiate fullback also played weakside linebacker
at Miami, where is he expected to play in New Orleans. The Saints
have two-year starter Scott Shanle under contract, and Morgan
is expected to compete for the starting job. In Carolina, Morgan
has started at all three linebacker positions.
Morgan's major malfunction, and the justification for the reported
one-year contract, is a wicked history of concussions. Morgan
has played in 59 games through seven seasons in Carolina since
he was the 11th overall pick in 2001, including only four games
in the last two seasons. Of his 284 career tackles, only 16 have
been recorded since Christmas Eve 2005.
Morgan has at least five concussions but missed most of the 2007
season due to a partially torn Achilles tendon. He suffered two
concussions in 2006, one in preseason and another in the regular
season opener. He missed the rest of the season. He has been consistently
approved by doctors to return to play after each concussion, and
uses a hyperbaric chamber to speed his recoveries.
Morgan started 13 games in 2003 including all four Panther playoff
games. He posted 13 and 18 total tackles in the NFC championship
and Super Bowl respectively as the core of the Panther defense.
Clearly, Morgan is capable of playing at a very high level.
Morgan visited with the Saints and other teams, including Detroit.
Vilma and Morgan did not play together at Miami. Morgan won the
Butkus, Nagurski and Bednarik awards in 2000, the first player
to do so.
Meanwhile, the Panthers signed one of the highest rated remaining
linebackers, ex-Bengal Landon Johnson, and former Panther DL Kindal
Moorehead signed in Atlanta.
The one-year contract is reportedly worth a potential $2.48 million
including a $750k in bonus and $1 million of the value in incentives.
Troupe Signs: The Saints lost out on free agent tight
end Ben Troupe (Titans), who has reportedly signed in Tampa Bay.
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