Both the Panthers and DeAngelo Williams are happy with the current deal he is playing under. Williams has the chance to earn up to $2.5million in escalators in the final year of the deal, which is 2010. His base salary for next season is $645,000, with at least $835,000 in incentives. RealGM Note: Williams was second amongst running backs in season FIC and had a Reina Value of +201%.

Just a few days after defensive end Julius Peppers appeared to make a play to leave Carolina, the Panthers are in the midst of changes that might alter his decision. Defensive line coach Sal Sunseri is reportedly leaving for the college ranks, and there's also talk that defensive coordinator Mike Trgovac could leave. It is not known whether such changes will persuade Peppers to stick around.

Carolina defensive line coach Sal Sunseri is reportedly headed to the University of Alabama to become a linebackers coach. Sunseri would be the second assistant to leave the Panthers this week. Quarterbacks coach Mike McCoy was hired as the Broncos' offensive coordinator.

Defensive end Julius Peppers does not want to continue his career with the Panthers. Peppers has informed the Panthers that he does not plan to sign a long-term extension this off-season. Peppers? agent, Carl Carey, told PA SportsTicker that his client ?wants to reach his full potential? with another team. The two-time All-Pro requested his release from the Panthers on Friday night.

Panthers' defensive end Julius Peppers, who will become an unrestricted free agent if he doesn't get an extension or the franchise tag, hasn't said if he wants to return to Carolina. If Peppers is franchised, the Panthers could retain him for another year, or trade him. "Ideally, I want to be in the best possible situation for myself and for this organization," said Peppers. "I'm thankful for everything they've done for me. "I don't want to leave them crippled or in a bad situation and I don't want to do that to myself either. Whatever works out best for both sides is what I'm comfortable with."

Jonathan Stewart gave his team a 7-0 lead, but the Cardinals scored 33 consecutive points to knock off the favored Panthers at home. Kurt Warner, who earned $1 million in incentives by simply playing in the divisional game, went 21-for-32 with 220 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Tim Hightower and Edgerrin James combined to rush for 133 yards and a touchdown on thirty-seven carries, but it was the defense that carried Arizona. The Cardinals' defense recorded two sacks, collected a lost fumble, and intercepted Jake Delhomme five times. Delhomme had the worst playoff performance of his career, going 17-for-34 with 205 yards, one touchdown and the aforementioned five picks. DeAngelo Williams, who set the league on fire in the season's second half, tallied just 63 yards on twelve carries. Stewart had just 12 yards and the game's first touchdown on three touches. Larry Fitzgerald, playing without running mate Anquan Boldin (hamstring), had a game-high eight catches for 166 yards and a touchdown. The Cardinals will face the winner of the Eagles-Giants game in next weekend's NFC Championship Game.

Arizona quarterback Kurt Warner will earn an additional $1 million for facing the Panthers in the NFC playoffs on Saturday night. Warner's contract contains an incentive for leading Arizona to the Divisional Playoffs. It will boost Warner's incentives this season to $3.5 million, a half-million short of the maximum he can earn under his current deal.

Arizona receiver Anquan Boldin hasn't been able to practice all week because of a hamstring injury and will likely be a game-time decision against the Panthers this weekend. "If I played any other position, I'd be fine," Boldin said. "But being a receiver, you've got to run every play and that's doubly tough." He is scheduled to try running for the first time since last weekend's win over the Falcons on Saturday.