Author:
DarthMonk
Subject:
Panthers Sign Gano
Message:
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- The Carolina Panthers made yet another change at kicker.
The Panthers on Tuesday waived the slumping Justin Medlock and replaced him with Graham Gano.
Carolina (2W-8L) signed Gano, a free agent, to a two-year deal after Medlock missed his last three field goals.
Gano spent 2009-11 with the Washington Redskins, playing in 36 games and converting 59 of 80 field goal attempts (73.8 percent) with a long of 59 yards.
Gano entered the NFL as an undrafted rookie free agent with Baltimore in 2009 before being released by the Ravens.
Medlock started the season 7 of 7 before having a kick blocked against Washington. He then missed field goals against Denver and Tampa Bay. Medlock's second-quarter miss from 40 yards on Sunday against the Bucs would have put the Panthers up 17-10.
Carolina lost to Tampa Bay 27-21 in overtime.
The Panthers worked out Gano and veteran Nate Kaeding, according to interim general manager Brandon Beane. Kaeding is coming off a groin injury and is eligible for free agency after the season and that may have played a role in the decision to go with Gano.
''I thought Gano was the best thing for us [color=cyan:7136f9157a]long term[/color:7136f9157a], not just for the next six weeks,'' Beane said.
As for the decision to waive Medlock, ''It's a production based business and we gave Justin an opportunity. He tried his best. He's a good person but unfortunately the results weren't what we were looking for. We decided to explore a couple of guys out there. Both Gano and Kaeding kicked great and it was a tough decision.''