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1 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW SOU set to reopen Thursday after threatening handwritten note prompts closure ... String of crimes nets Central Point man 4-plus year sentence ... Jackson County will build RV park north of Expo ... SOU set to reopen Thursday after threatening handwritten note prompts closure ... String of crimes nets Central Point man 4-plus year sentence ... Jackson County will build RV park north of Expo ... Saints offer Cota $5.4 million; Carolina can match it By DON HUNT MailTribune.com By DON HUNT Posted Mar. 18, 1998 at 2:00 AM Updated Dec 16, 2010 at 3:21 PM By DON HUNT Posted Mar. 18, 1998 at 2:00 AM Updated Dec 16, 2010 at 3:21 PM » Social News Chad Cota will find out today whether he'll remain a member of the Carolina Panthers or join the New Orleans Saints. The Ashland High graduate signed an offer sheet with the Saints worth $5.4 million over three years last week. The Panthers had until noon (PST) today to match the offer and retain Cota or take the Saints' seventh-round draft pick as compensation. Either way, Cota figures to get a huge pay raise. The strong safety made the NFL minimum for third-year players last season -- a little more than $200,000. Cota will make $1 million in salary and $1.5 million in bonus money next season, his father George said. He'll make $1.3 million in salary his second season and $1.6 million his third season, the elder Cota added. However, Cota's contract will become void and he would become a free agent if the team he plays for next season makes the playoffs, George Cota said. It's a poison pill that Carolina has to swallow if they want to keep him, George Cota said. There's probably a better chance that Carolina will make the playoffs than New Orleans. Chad Cota would just as soon remain with the Panthers, largely because they play on a grass field, George Cota said. The Saints play on artificial turf. One way or the other, New Orleans is going to make Chad wealthier than he ever thought he'd be, George Cota said. Chad Cota could not be reached for comment Tuesday. He's real stressed out over this right now, George Cota said. He wants an answer. Panther officials weren't tipping their hand Tuesday, but logic suggests they might be reluctant to pay Cota the $2.5 million the Saints are willing to give him next season. For one thing, the strongest part of the Panthers' defense is their secondary. Carolina signed former Packer Doug Evans to a $22.5 million, five-year pact earlier this month. Evans, a cornerback, will join veteran corner Eric Davis and up-and-coming free safety Mike Minter. Cota would make it an even stronger unit, but the Panthers' biggest need is on the defensive line and at linebacker. Along with Evans, Carolina has signed two other free agents -- defensive end Kevin Greene and fullback William Floyd. Cota visited New Orleans last week and met with Saints defensive back Alex Molden, a former teammate at the University of Oregon. Should Cota sign with the Saints, he would be playing for Mike Ditka, perhaps the most volatile head coach in the NFL. Ditka, who guided the Chicago Bears to the 1986 Super Bowl title, took over a woebegone Saints team last season and led them to a 6-10 record despite finishing last in the league in scoring offense. The Miami Dolphins had also showed interest in Cota but backed off after signing free agent safety Brock Marion, George Cota said. Chad Cota led Ashland to the 1989 Class 4A state championship. Five years later, he was Oregon's most valuable defensive player and helped the Ducks earn their first Rose Bowl berth in 37 years. Cota was taken in the seventh round of the 1995 NFL draft by the Panthers. He made the team and played mostly on specialty teams his rookie season. Cota earned considerably more playing time his second season, finishing with a team-leading six interceptions. His late-game interception on the goal line against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the final game of the 1996 regular season clinched the NFC West championship for the Panthers. Cota broke into Carolina's starting lineup last season and further distinguished himself by leading the team in tackles. By DON HUNT MailTribune.com By DON HUNT Posted Mar. 18, 1998 at 2:00 AM Updated Dec 16, 2010 at 3:21 PM » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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