This is from profootballtalk.com....

Panthers need to get this guy into camp. LB corp is always one injury away from being average. If they thought this guy was going to be a knucklehead off the field, why draft him?



PANTHERS HOPE TO SET A PRECEDENT

A league source tells us that the Carolina Panthers are refusing to pay an option bonus to first-round draft pick Jon Beason because the Panthers hope to establish a precedent of paying no option bonus to any of its draft picks.

Because teams now cannot recover all or part of an option bonus in the event of a holdout, suspension, or other default, the Panthers hope to never be in the position of not being able to recover money -- and/or to use the ability to recover money as a way to keep a player in line.

The fact that the Panthers want to pay no option bonus at all to Beason has prompted speculation that the Panthers have a specific concern about the former Miami standout. Not so, said one league source with knowledge of Beason. The source said that Beason is a good kid and will not be a problem.

The Panthers, we're told, want to have that structure in place on a year-in, year-out basis in the event that they ever are inclined to draft a guy who might become a problem down the road.

Still, with G.M. Marty Hurney and coach John Fox widely believed to be on the hot seat, shouldn't they be more concerned about getting into camp a guy who might be able to help both of them keep their jobs, and less concerned about setting a precedent that they might not be there to continue?