Teriffic article on NFL.com

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d816ea534&template=with-video-with-comments&confirm=true

A dose of reality, Kirwan makes some great points!

 

pretty much what i posted a few days back. but no worries. 3 players 30 or over, and 2 of those are specialists is wacky. just wait until year after next. maybe we can get lebron to play for us too.

 

I don't think the article was that well thought out. It might be just looking from a statistical point of view. Peppers and Hoover will be the toughest losses. Although Brown showed flashes, it will be tough to replace the athleticism and production of Peppers. When Hoover was injured, our run game suffered. Other than that, Keoumatu didn't play at all. Delhomme played all but for 4 games and shouldn't have played in more. In all, the significance of their loss really depends on how well the people stepping into their shoes play.

As far as injuries, let us look at our DT situation last year. This year there will be a lot more free agents available than last year. I'm all for holding back jumping into the free agent market until after the draft/training camp. Seriously, is the signing of Derek Anderson (3tds/10ints in 8games) really going to be our saving grace or is it just about getting a known name on your roster?

In reality, you're talking about 9 players on a 53 man roster. 3 of those were listed as may not be back but aren't gone yet, so now we're down to 6. Jake should have been yanked earlier in the year and Maeke is coming off a knee injury. Now we're down to 4 players of significance.

On second thought, I'm changing my mind. We also didn't resign Rhys (couldn't kick it beyond 2 yrds into the endzone anymore) Lloyd. Jeeze, we are like an expansion team! BTW, this is sarcasm.

 

I have a lot of faith in Fox and Hurney and this is a career year for both of them so it figures that they, particularly Hurney, have a lot to prove with this team. And we know that low key is their usual approach to free agency but this spring really has been puzzling. Either they have incredible confidence in this draft or they're feeling very good about what might become available before the June 1st roster bonuses are due.

 

you might have something there . . . hope you're right

 

it's an interesting way to frame it - that they're not giving Fox/Hurney enough to win.
Maybe so - I think the biggest problems aren't fixed, of course, and I'm sure we will go get support players that will help.

But, these are Hurney's players, that Fox has been coaching. Barring a huge collapse, though, this is a transitional year, not a final one.

 

I feel you guys on the whole having confidence in our management & coaching staff but I think their hands are tied this offseason by Jerry Richardson. I dont blame him, why pay when players wont be playing next year?

The main point Kirwan makes is that the talent level of the depth on our team is, well... not good right now. We replaced old guys with young backups, but who's replacing those young backups?

Its not what we Panther fans want to hear, but he's looking at our team through unbiased eyes!

 

I don't think that Kirwan being outside the charlotte sphere of things makes things correct, though. I mean, it's clear what we're trying to do here, so you have to put it out there in that perspective, and then whether or not we're doing it correctly.

 

No one is free from bias either, lots of writers play favorites.

 

We are losing one starter on the OL and have two guys lined up to replace him. I think he is offbase on the need on the OL. Sure a back up QB would be nice but I expect they will find one. I see what they have done this year more like what the Pats and Eagles always do with letting vets walk and pushing young guys in to key roles than I do as a starting over rebuild.