The Panthers are going young and cheap at tight end for the 2007 season.  That’s not a bad thing as the TEs will be hungry to prove themselves.  Michael Gaines will probably have the best shot of winning the starting job.   He played in 16 games (9 starts) last season and he caught 15 passes for 146 yards (9.7 avg) for the Panthers lase year.  He has the best combination of receiving and blocking of the Panthers’ TEs.  He has now played in 42 games (21 starts) in his NFL career and he has caught 31 passes for 335 yards (10.8 avg) with 2 TD grabs.  

Jeff King is a blocker in the running game, period.  He played in 12 games (0 starts) as a rookie for the Panthers last season and he caught 1 pass for 1 yard…..and it was a TD.

Rookie 5th round pick Dante Rosario will also battle for the starting job.   He was a good receiver at Oregon but he lacks punch as a blocker in the running game.