The Carolina Panthers on Wednesday afternoon secured the long-term services of one of the key members of the team's standout linebacker corps, signing four-year veteran Dan Morgan to a five-year extension worth about $28 million in so-called "new money." A first-round choice in the 2001 draft, Morgan was entering the final year of his original NFL contract, and would have been eligible for unrestricted free agency next spring had the extension not been reached. Team officials have been negotiating the extension with agent Drew Rosenhaus for several months and talks accelerated the last few days. The extension essentially creates a six-year deal through the 2010 season. In the past three weeks, Rosenhaus also negotiated lucrative extensions for New Orleans cornerback Mike McKenzie and Arizona wide receiver Anquan Boldin.