Teriffic article on NFL.com

Not totally unbiased. Anyone who listens to Moving the Chains on Sirius regularly knows Kirwan and Fox are good friends.

 

TE

 

I think all the moves have put us in great shape for the future. Every guy that we let go has a guy waiting in the wings to replace him. Maybe they do not all work out but it is not like we have no one to fill the holes. Meeks gets a chance to shape our defense to his system. The offense still should have a strong running game. Moore is a gamble but then again any QB would be a gamble short of acquiring Manning or Brees.

 

Werd.

 

I've been trying to figure out why these moves are being made -- what's JR's end game? The theories I've heard so far don't quite fit what's actually happening. A youth movement doesn't fit with keeping Kasay or failing to extend Thomas Davis. Fear of the new CBA? Maybe, but if so he's digging us into a hole that could take 3 years or more to climb out of. Some have suggested he's getting the team ready to sell, but if that's the case he should be increasing the team's value, not liquidating it.

What about the dead horse that's been beaten over the last 3 years -- Cowher?

If JR is planning a move to replace Fox with Cowher, here's what makes sense to me:

1) Make Fox coach out the last year of his contract without extending him. That way, you're not on the hook for paying him when he's gone.

2) Maximize potential cap space (assuming there is a cap under the new CBA) to bring in new players for Cowher's new scheme.

3) Don't extend anyone -- especially defensive linemen and linebackers who don't fit in a 3-4 scheme.

The only flaw in this line of thinking that immediately comes to my mind is keeping Kasay over Lloyd. Thoughts? Ridicule? Bring it!

 

You feel guys

 

i think JR is making the team attractive to any potential new head coach. the new HC wouldn't be hamstrung by bad contracts, wouldn't have to be the "bad guy" getting rid of fan favorites moose, hoover, pep, jake, etc.

moore will be able to get a year under his belt as a solid starter so the new coach can see what he's got. there will be an immediate "window of opportunity" with the williams/stewart backfield.

kasay is the oldest remaining "original panther" so they'll probably let him hang on until he retires. you're not going to have an overly difficult time signing a new kicker.

i think this is setting up top be fox's last year.

 

i think you're wrong.

 

He is preparing for a lockout. It's that simple.

 

agreesome