Former Tennessee Vols Punter Michael Palardy Signs Tender With Carolina Panthers

Punter Michael Palardy, who kicked for the Tennessee Vols, is still a member of the Carolina Panthers.

Former Tennessee Vols punter Michael Palardy signed his exclusive rights tender with the Carolina Panthers on Monday.

The exclusive rights tender is used for players with less than three years of experience in the NFL.

Palardy joined the Panthers in November of last season, after punter Andy Lee was injured and placed on injured reserved.

The former Vol punted in seven games with the Panthers, averaging 42.5 yards per punt, with 13 punts downed inside the 20.

Lee, who restructured his contract this offseason, is expected to return to the Panthers. He’s a former three time Pro-Bowl punter. Carolina gave up a fourth round pick for him, so it’s unlikely his job is in jeopardy.

Keeping Palardy on the roster is a depth move, just in case Lee suffers any setbacks, or isn’t ready for the regular season.

If the Panthers elect to cut Palardy this summer, or during pre-season, he shouldn’t have any problems finding a job.

Palardy proved during his seven games with the Panthers last season to be a serviceable punter (he was outstanding at Tennessee).

It was actually quite surprising, considering Palardy’s success at Tennessee, that he wasn’t already on an NFL roster.

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Palardy’s success in the NFL just continues to legitimize Tennessee as Punter U.