March 12, 2001

Panthers Agree To Terms With Center Jeff Mitchell

The Carolina Panthers have agreed to terms with unrestricted free agent center Jeff Mitchell, who anchored the offensive line last season for the Super Bowl Champion Baltimore Ravens, the team announced Monday.

During the 2000 campaign, Mitchell, 6-4, 300 pounds, started 14 regular season games and all four playoff contests, helping the Ravens set a team record with 2,199 rushing yards.

"Jeff is a big, strong, smart player, who has excelled as both a run and pass blocker," said Carolina Panthers Head Coach George Seifert. "He has played on a high level in both college and in the NFL, and we look forward to Jeff becoming an integral part of our offensive line."

Originally a fifth-round draft choice (134th overall) by Baltimore in 1997, Mitchell, 27, has started 40 of 41 career regular season games after missing his rookie year with a knee injury suffered in training camp.

Prior to joining the Ravens, Mitchell was a three-year starter at the University of Florida and was part of a team that won four straight SEC titles and a National Championship. While at Florida, he earned All-SEC honors as a junior and was an All-Academic selection four straight years.

Also, the Panthers have signed linebacker John Reeves, who contributed as a reserve on defense and on special teams the last two seasons for the San Diego Chargers.

Reeves, 26, signed with San Diego as a rookie free agent in 1999 after playing in college at Purdue where he began his career at quarterback before moving to defensive back as junior and to linebacker as a senior. The 6-3, 245 pound third-year player is a native of Bradenton, FL and is a cousin of former NFL stars Dick "Night Train" Lane and Thomas "Hollywood" Henderson.