Jeremy Shockey Reportedly Will Visit Panthers for Physical

The Carolina Panthers need a reliable target for quarterback Jimmy Clausen. They need a tight end to run up the field in combination with wide receivers Steve Smith and Brandon LaFell and give Clausen that short to medium target.

Could it be ex-Saints tight end Jeremy Shockey? The Panthers, according to multiple reports, will have Shockey in for a physical next week, but he is the kind of combo tight end the Panthers are looking for.

What's intriguing is that Shockey played at the University of Miami with new Carolina offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski.

What's problematic is that Shockey, 30, was hurt in New Orleans and was on and off the field. He helped the Saints win a Super Bowl, but the Panthers are going to want to see what kind of condition he's in.

Shockey caught 41 passes in 2010, his lowest total in nine NFL seasons.

Shockey also visited the Miami Dolphins last week where he was presumably asked the same questions about his health and underwent a physical.

The Panthers' new coach, Ron Rivera, declared early that he wanted a full-time tight end, and did not prefer for two players to share the duties. The Panthers used Jeff King and Dante Rosario at tight end last season.

The draft could offer some tight end help for Carolina. It could be that a player like Arkansas' D.J. Williams will be around in the second or third rounds. He is a solid blocker and he can get up the field and catch the ball.

The NFL likes Williams because of his two-way ability, his work ethic, and football savvy.