Reports of Panthers owner Jerry Richardson being extremely condescending toward Peyton Manning and Drew Brees brought a response from the Panthers according to Darin Gantt of the Charlotte Observer. A Panthers spokesman said Monday those reports were a “mischaracterization,†of Richardson’s feelings, but said he wouldn’t comment further, since Richardson wanted the negotiations to happen in private. The Panthers owner has taken a hard line in negotiations, and is known within the league as one of ownerships’ hawks. During a rambling January press conference, he even drew pictures to illustrate what he believed to be the bad deal owners agreed to in 2006, and opted out of two years later. “It’s said to me when I meet with the union lawyers, they say Mr. Richardson we want more money, more benefits and we want to work less,†Richardson said. “Then they say let’s begin the negotiations. I’m not optimistic we’re making a lot of progress.†Source: The Redzone
