Panthers Trade for Rod Gardner

Here's what I think will happen:

We have an out on the trade - if Gardner doesn't make the roster. We basically got a full money back guarantee on a young guy that has been a 4 year starter in a position we need depth at. It's a no brainer. I have a feeling this was the clause the skins were holding out for a better offer on.

Gardner is competing with Hankton and Carter for a spot, as we won't cut Smitty, Colbert, or Proehl.

Scenario:

1) Gardner is better than Colbert in camp. Colbert likely gets scratched. I honestly don't see it. Colbert is highly regarded. He played VERY well as a rookie. If it DOES happen - the only negative is that Colbert will not develop. But - he'd have likely been scratched this year anyway had Moose wanted to stay. Such is the Fox/Henning offense.

2) Gardner doesn't make the squad. I think this is a coin flip.

I think he was brought in to push Colbert. Because it costs us NOTHING to have that competition. If he sucks, cut him and keep the pick. If he doesn't, $2 million is cheap.

 

It's time for Hankton to go. I see Smith and either Gardner/Colbert starting, with whichever one who doesnt start going to slot, and Proehl gets 4th WR.

 

Hankton is the
special teams captian isn't he? could that wreck some chemistry?

 

I've been saying this for 2 years now and getting ripped for it.

 

I honestly think that Gardener is a very good addition. He has never had a QB that was any good. He did have 51 receptions last year (with a crappy QB), isn't that about what Colbert had?(with a great QB) He was better than anything we could get with a 6th next year. jmho

 

Panthers | Saint Forced Their Hand, Trade Compensation
Wed, 27 Jul 2005 2313 -0700

ESPN.com's John Clayton reports the Carolina Panthers were apparently not going to offer a draft pick to the Washington Redskins for WR Rod Gardner. Only after the New Orleans Saints joined the fray, did the Panthers step up and offer a pick for Gardner. Also, the pick the Panthers gave up for Gardner was a conditional sixth-round pick in 2006. If for some reason Gardner does not make the final roster, the Panthers would not owe the Redskins the pick.


Saints | Forced Panthers Hand
Wed, 27 Jul 2005 2344 -0700

ESPN.com's John Clayton reports the Carolina Panthers were apparently not going to offer a draft pick to the Washington Redskins for WR Rod Gardner. Only after the New Orleans Saints joined the fray, did the Panthers step up and offer a pick for Gardner.

 

I would not mind seeing Proehl stay on as a fourth wide out but we need Smith Colbert and Gardner all seeing the field a lot. Those three guys are all more talented than Proehl and a lot younger. How many wideouts do we carry? Is it not plausible to think we could keep five: Smith, Colbert, Gardner, Proehl and Hankton?

 

then we don't have a holder

 

he means Moose

 

From the Journal:

The Carolina Panthers moved yesterday to bolster a receiving corps depleted last offseason by the loss of Mushsin Muhammad to free agency. They agreed to terms with the Washington Redskins on a trade that will bring veteran wide receiver Rod Gardner to Carolina.

All Gardner has to do is pass a physical today in Charlotte. Sources indicated that Gardner was expected to do so without a problem.

Gardner, 6-2 and 213 pounds, is a physical receiver in the same mold of Muhammad, who left the Panthers after last season to sign with the Chicago Bears. Sources said that yesterday's deal between the Redskins and Panthers not only was contingent on Gardner passing a physical, but also hinged on Gardner allowing the Panthers to renegotiate a contract that is scheduled to pay him $2.1 million this season. That also was not expected to be a problem, sources said.

General Manager Marty Hurney of the Panthers would confirm only that Gardner was set to become a Panther if he passes his physical today.

Gardner, 27, was drafted by the Redskins in the first round of the 2001 NFL Draft out of Clemson. He has started 62 of 64 career games, with 227 receptions for 2,997 yards and 22 touchdowns.

He will be expected to compete for a starting job with second-year receiver Keary Colbert.

The Panthers are acquiring Gardner at what appears to be a bargain price, as the Redskins balked at giving him a long-term contract extension. Should Gardner pass his physical and make the Panthers' roster as expected, the Panthers will relinquish a late pick in the 2006 NFL Draft - probably a fifth-, sixth- or seventh-rounder.

Muhammad's departure via free agency after last season has left a void for a big, physical wide receiver on the Carolina roster. Gardner appears to fill that role.

Gardner's best season came in 2002, when he caught 71 passes for 1,006 yards and eight touchdowns. All of those totals remain career highs - but after that season, the Redskins changed coaches twice in two years and Gardner's numbers fell off.

One of Gardner's best single-game performances came as a rookie against Carolina in 2001, when he caught six passes for 208 yards. He caught an 85-yard touchdown pass to send the game into overtime, and then hauled in a 47-yard reception in overtime to set up the game-winning field goal for the Redskins.