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Panthers: Team signs DT Dontari Poe to three-year deal

By Danny Jaillet

ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 26: Dontari Poe #92 of the Atlanta Falcons walks out of the tunnel prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on November 26, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 26: Dontari Poe #92 of the Atlanta Falcons walks out of the tunnel prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on November 26, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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The  Carolina Panthers needed to fill a hole at the defensive tackle spot and they did so on Thursday, signing Dontari Poe.

On Thursday afternoon, the Carolina Panthers strengthened their defensive tackle spot, signing Dontari Poe. Poe, 27, has played for the Kansas City Chiefs and Atlanta Falcons

Now, the former Memphis Tiger will enter new territory in Carolina, having agreed to a three-year deal. The deal is worth $27 million.

Last year, Poe recorded 23 tackles and 2.5 sacks in addition to two pass deflections for the Atlanta Falcons.

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If all goes according to plan for the Panthers, Poe will fill the void left by the departure of defensive tackle Star Lotulelei. The latter left the Panthers to sign a five-year deal with the Buffalo Bills.

The Panthers want to strengthen their defense and that is never a bad thing Carolina rebounded from their Super Bowl hangover from 2016 to have a successful season in 2017, finishing in second place of the NFC South with a 11-5 record. With the amount of offensive weapons in the NFC South (in particular running backs,) having a strong interior presence is key,

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Carolina was able to quickly fill the hole left by the departure of Star Lotulelei with someone who is better at the position. National Football League fans everywhere have seen what Poe is capable of and when he is on his game, he is one of the better defensive tackles in the league. Poe should be able to step in right away and make an impact. Marty Hurney did a great job with this signing both in terms of timing and length.

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