I believe it was the Charlotte Observer website that did a bit about this topic, but it stuck with me so I’ll talk about it as well.
Whenever a high-profile player joins a new team through the Draft or free agency, they normally will try to keep the same number that they’ve been known by throughout their career. Generally, if another player on the new team already wears that number, the two strike some sort of monetary deal for the transfer. But twice this offseason a new Panther found his number being worn by another, and twice that number was given back freely.
When Mushin Muhammed returned to the team after spending three years in Chicago, his career number of 87 was on the jersey of tight end Jeff King. So when Moose gave King a call about the number, I’m sure he was surprised to learn that the third-year player was completely willing to give up the number, no strings attached. King will wear 47 now instead.
Throughout rookie minicamp, first-round pick Jonathan Stewart took the number 29 after wearing 28 his entire career at Oregon. But once again, when Stewart asked the man wearing his old number, reserve safety Quinton Teal, it was given to him without cost. Teal simply switched with him and is now wearing 29 with Stewart owning his comfortable 28.
These types of happenings may not be breaking news or huge headline material, but i love to hear things like this because it just means that there will be great chemistry in the locker room between the new guys and those returning. And strong player chemistry is one major ingredient of any championship team.
