By the letter of the law, Carolina Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis could be tied to the team next year by a little-known clause in the collective bargaining agreement.

But Davis expressed optimism that he'd get to gauge his market value, adding a layer of confusion to an already confusing process.

The old CBA said that players who aren't activated from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list in the final season of their contracts would see those contracts carry over until next season. But multiple league sources - including agents and management side - admitted there's some mystery over the process, given the current labor situation, that could set Davis free.Either way, the Panthers hope to retain the 28-year-old linebacker, and they don't seem compelled to hold him to the one-year, $3.268million deal the old labor deal would provide for.

"I will be allowed to test the free agent market," Davis said in a text message after a story last week about the loophole that could bind him to the team. "But my desire is to remain a Panther for the rest of my career."

At this stage, there can't be any kind of official agreement. But the Panthers made it clear to Davis before the lockout he was valued and they want to keep him.

However, coming off two torn ACLs in a seven-month span, the reality is a $3.268 million deal for one year might be as good as Davis could expect in free agency. The Panthers have done deals with rehabbing players before to account for injuries. Linebacker Dan Morgan once had roster bonuses converted into per-game installments, which promised him the full amount if he was healthy, but protected the team if he didn't.

Avoiding the Madden curse

Well, one thing the Panthers won't have to worry about this year is the Madden Curse.

The popular video game is holding a tournament to decide next year's cover boy, and Panthers left tackle Jordan Gross went out in the first round.

That's probably a generous way to put it. Gross garnered just 11 percent of the vote against Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan in their matchup, the lowest of any in the bracket. Dallas pass-rusher DeMarcus Ware was next-lowest at 24 percent, largely because he was up against Philadelphia quarterback Michael Vick.

Gross was the only offensive lineman in the one player-per-team tournament, although he got 35 percentage points worth of voting less than a bunch of fans. Seattle's "12th Man" got 46 percent of the vote in losing to San Francisco linebacker Patrick Willis.

Extra points

The pro day circuit is largely complete, with only Southern Methodist on Monday and Notre Dame on Thursday remaining.

The Panthers still have a number of visits with prospects. Each team is allowed to bring 30 players to their facility, a mix of players they want to interview and some getting medical re-checks. While quarterbacks such as Cam Newton, Ryan Mallett and Blaine Gabbert will get lots of notice for coming here, most players who make these visits slide in and out of town with no fanfare.

This week also brings an end to a long month on the road for the scouting department. The evaluators who have been scattered across the country since the fall will convene in Charlotte on Thursday to begin their final preparations for the draft.

The Panthers hired assistant strength coach Adam Feit. He'll assist strength coach Joe Kenn. According to his bio on the team's website, Feit also taught pilates classes for all football players at Louisville.