I’m not sure that it’s been made official yet — I suppose that until Lloyd actually signs his name on the line (and after working out for the team per his agent), it’s “not official,” but the official word from a couple of sources, is that placekicker Rhys Lloyd is on a plane for Charlotte, to sign with the Panthers.

On Sunday’s loss to the Giants, undrafted rookie free agent Todd Carter was unable to participate due to back spasms, thereby necessitating the need for a replacement — and much better — kickoff specialist. Since Lloyd was waived by the Minnesota Vikings, it only seems logical that Carolina re-signs him.

In the end, it saved the Panthers money to let Lloyd go, and the team will most likely sign him for a lot less than they would have had to pay him had they not released him.

You may view Lloyd’s boarding pass, which I submit as my only form of “solid” evidence.

The Charlotte Observer’s Darin Gantt, @daringantt, and Steve Reed, @carolinagrowl of the Gaston Gazette, both announced via Twitter, the same news.

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Good morning Cat Crave faithful, and welcome to another edition of one-liners from around the web. The Panthers fall — not that it really matters per se’ — to 0-2 in the preseason, after losing 9 – 3 in a sleeper against the New York Jets. There was some good to be taken from the loss, and there was what would seem to be more regression than progression made in other areas. See GK’s post-game review for the full details.

My quick take on it — I still liked what I saw from the defense as a whole, the running game — once Jonathan Stewart returns — will be fine; the receivers (whether it’s Dwayne Jarrett, Kenny Moore, Brandon LaFell, or any combination of the current wideouts) will find more opportunities once Steve Smith returns and more defensive attention is placed on him, special teams is just awful (punter Jason Baker aside), and the quarterback — Matt Moore — will be fine come the first week of regular season…when of course, the offensive line snaps back to reality and starts giving the Moore (and Jimmy Clausen) better protection.

But enough, I don’t want to steal any of GK’s thunder. I was only able to go by the team-colored dots, dashes, and lines provided by NFL.com’s Game Tracker. (more…)

Okay guys and gals, we are down to one Carolina Panthers draftee who has yet to be signed.

Source Steve Reed of the Gaston Gazette, reports that on Tuesday, the Panthers and wide receiver Brandon LaFell came to agreement on a four-year deal. He will make the league minimum every year in addition to an $818,000 signing bonus.

During the team’s minicamps, head coach John Fox, was quite happy with the way LaFell looked on the fiels, believing him to be quite ready for the NFL level.

This leaves one player to be signed: second-round draft pick and quarterback Jimmy Clausen.

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