Panthers will release LB James Anderson. The cap-strapped Panthers are making some tough decisions. Although Anderson was due a relatively meager $2.9 million in 2013, he's entering his age-30 season and managed a mere 38 tackles in 12 games last season. Jon Beason is expected to kick to the strong-side linebacker spot now that Luke Kuechly is entrenched in the middle. The five-year, $22 million contract the Panthers gave Anderson in 2011 was another disaster from former GM Marty Hurney.