The Panthers have reached a four-year, $4.3 million agreement with second-round pick Everette Brown, according to a source. Brown, a defensive end out of Florida State, will receive $2.6875 million in guarantees, according to the source. He was the 43rd pick in April's NFL Draft.

Jake Delhomme struggled last year, and knows that he'll be questioned about it as the 2009 season begins. "I didn't play well and I'm the first one to admit it. Then you ask yourself, 'Would I have done anything different preparation-wise or practice-wise?' The answer is 100 percent 'no'. I would have done the exact same thing, because it was the same way I've been preparing to play since I've been a starter. It wasn't our night, and it wasn't my night," Delhomme said. "It's easy for me to say, 'I'll forget about it,' but no, because it burns, it bothers you. Sometimes when you want something so bad, you don't just get it right away. You have to get knocked down. I know myself, I'm looking to get back up."

Wednesday's deadline for a long-term deal came and passed for the Panthers and defensive end Julius Peppers. "Both sides tried," agent Carl Carey said. "Julius feels good about the one-year deal and is ready for the season to begin." The one-year contract will pay Peppers $16.7 million in 2009, but creates the prospect of another offseason filled with uncertainty next year.

The Panthers claimed rookie tight end Andrew Davie off waivers from the Jets on Thursday, according to an Associated Press report. The 6-foot-4, 275-pound Davie caught 24 passes for 199 yards and six touchdowns in three season at Arkansas. He went undrafted in April and signed with the Jets.