Published: Saturday, Nov. 29, 2008 / Updated: Saturday, Nov. 29, 2008 01:14 AM

Gamble signs extension with Panthers

CHARLOTTE -- Chris Gamble got rich, the Carolina Panthers kept one of their home grown core, and their offseason to-do list got a lot shorter Friday.

The Panthers signed the fifth-year cornerback to a six-year contract extension Friday, which will make him one of the top five highest-paid corners in the game, according to agent Carl Poston. It also prevents him from entering a thin free agent market, since he'd have been an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season.

While Poston wouldn't reveal any specifics of the deal, which will keep Gamble in Charlotte through the 2014 season, sources with knowledge of the situation pegged the total value at $54.5 million, with $23 million over the next three seasons. It's a huge deal for a player who'd have likely gotten much more on the open market.

Since Oakland's expected to franchise Nnamdi Asomugha again, Gamble and Houston's Dunta Robinson (a former of South Carolina Gamecock) would have been the top free agent cornerbacks available at the well-paid spot, and both would have cashed in. Several agents polled Friday said Gamble was likely in a better position to hit it big on the market.

None of that seemed to matter to Gamble, who downplayed the whole operation -- even though his winning lottery ticket came in.

During a conference call to announce the signing, Gamble sounded like he was ready for a nap, saying three times: "I'm very excited just to get it out of the way."

General manager Marty Hurney admitted that's part of what made the deal a pleasure, since Gamble has been low-key throughout. But they wouldn't have thrown so much money at him for being pleasant.

"He's the kind of guy you want to keep, because he came here a talented player and he keeps getting better," Hurney said. "He's continued to improve all year, and just gotten more and more consistent."

While everyone involved is glad to have the deal finished, Gamble seemed nonchalant about the possibility of a bigger payout down the road.

"Like I said, I wanted to be with Carolina," Gamble said. "I didn't want to be with no other team. I like the organization, the coaching staff, the fans, my teammates. I just wanted to get it out of the way.

"Luckily, we did that and I can get focused back on Green Bay and the rest of the season knowing next year I'm going to be here. I'm excited and ready to move on."

Poston, who was involved with one of the most contentious contract negotiations in Panthers' history (running back Tshimanga Biakabutuka's 27-day holdout in 1996), said this one was relatively easy once Gamble made his preference clear.

"I think part of my job is to give the pros and cons to my client," Poston said when asked about the market. "We looked at that, whether he wanted to explore the market or stay here, and he made it very clear he wanted to stay here."

The move continues the Panthers' long-held philosophy of locking up their own young players long-term. Though they still have big-ticket purchases pending (defensive end Julius Peppers and left tackle Jordan Gross), this deal puts them in a better position to keep them both. Because they used the franchise tag on Gross last season, they can't have any negotiations for him until the end of the regular season. Peppers has already been offered a deal that will make him the highest-paid defensive lineman in the game, but has demonstrated his willingness to wait until the end of the season.

Regardless what happens with them, keeping Gamble's a key move because it keeps an ascending player in Charlotte.

Gamble, the Panthers' first-round pick in 2004, ranks second in franchise history with 19 interceptions, trailing only Eric Davis (25).

He has two picks this year, along with two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble, but has displayed better tackling this year. Always regarded as a cut-and-run player who could cover anyone downfield, he's added a physical element this year he's lacked in the past.

The deal also keeps the secondary together for the foreseeable future. Fellow starter Ken Lucas is under contract through 2010, and nickel Richard Marshall's deal runs through 2009. If there's no extension to the collective bargaining agreement before then, Marshall would be a restricted free agent then, with the Panthers able to retain him for two more years.