Free Agency

yeah, that's what I'm saying, they may spend big internally and go with cut players for vet depth along with, say, one big spend. If that's what they're after.

 

I would have believed this under Fox. Considering we signed Shockey and Chocolate Jesus, I gotta think we're gonna turn our roster a good bit. New staff. New mentality. Fox's guys are gonna get gone.

It will be hard to keep up with the roster movement.

 

Shockey doesn't count. It's a good sign, and a needed one, but he was cut.
I mean, it's a good year to not worry about compensatory, but you could get three picks or more in the top 5 rounds if you did it right, too.


and you're right, this is going to be a huge clusterfuck if done wrong. There will be rampant tampering.

 

I'm intrigued to see if we flirt with Plaxico. During the Fox era, I would have rolled my eyes at the mention, but JR seems to have turned a new leaf and allowed Rivera to take some chances. Hogan has baggage, Shockey has baggage, and JR graced Cam. Unlikely, but at least now it seems like we'll give him a decent look.

 

Exactly. It would be foolish to spend as if the team is going to be a contender any time soon. Go after some low cost veterans to fill out the roster, then pursue any young players available who will still be contributors in 3-4 years.

 

I think we need Laron McClain FB. from baltimore to get the running game back on. and holmes or rice. Our team is young but good and dont know why because 1 bad season now there in the shitter for years to come. They have some real talent and withen a year they'll be back on top.

 

The free agency period will begin, according to reports, on 7/25, after the 72 hour window for teams to negotiate with their own players.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/07/16/mort-says-new-cba-will-be-good-for-ten-years/

Panthers season hinges on what's done 7/22-24.

 

If I can decipher what you're trying to say it's: last season was not an indication that we'll suck for years to come.

I don't know about '12, '13, etc., but this year we have a new staff. We have second year QB whose teammates likely have zero faith in, a green as hell QB rook (who will likely be thrown in way too soon), a very very young WR corps (I see Smitty as gone, and we have no one else that scares anyone).

Put those together with the lockout, we have an uphill climb to say the least. And then we still have Hurney working his 'magic'. People who say three years to contention are optimists. I guess it could happen by next year if there is a miracle with Newton, but I see maybe 4-5 wins this season.

 

Holy shit, I was scared I lost this because the stupid site logged me out before I hit post. Thank goodness the back button didn't wipe it out.

He wouldn't fit here. Chudzinski's offense doesn't utilize the FB much, and wouldn't feature a power runner like that at HB either.


I think it's pretty much a foregone conclusion that Kalil and Johnson will get whatever it takes to bring them back, I just hope it isn't exorbitant. Hopefully Anderson does return as well, although Connor is a possible in-house replacement. Once we get past that, here's my wish list:

WR - James Jones or Malcolm Floyd.
Both are big, physical guys who have bouts of inconsistency that prevent them from being dependable, but do have the ability to make plays and stretch defenses. They're both a little older than I would like for a young team, but we could offer them clear starting jobs, and they have enough experience to contribute immediately without being divas should the passing game struggle. Mike Sims-Walker would be an option if he didn't have a horrendous attitude, but he does, so no. Jacoby Jones is another option, but is less polished than the others.


TE - Ben Patrick, Matt Spaeth, or Daniel Fells
It looks like two tight end sets are going to be the norm. While Shockey and Rosario can hold down the receiving roles, I'd like to see a conventional blocker on the team as well. The guys listed above are pretty one-dimensional, but because of that they probably won't break the bank either, which is attractive. David Thomas is also an option if the team wants a more versatile player, but he's also going to be more expensive.


OL - Chris Spencer, Chris Chester
Spencer has been a center, but he's capable of playing guard and it sounds like Seattle isn't bringing him back. Chester is much the same coming from Baltimore. Carolina already spent way too much on the line, especially once Kalil's new deal is reached, but it would be nice to add one more experienced, versatile interior blocker.


DT - Brandon Mebane, Brandon Mebane, and Brandon Mebane
He's probably a little overhyped by the metrics guys, and he's not the biggest or most physical presence in the middle, but he is a very active guy with the young and potential to grow with the team. If you're going to spend on someone, then this is an obvious target. I love the fact that he's so good with his hands, and that he doesn't vacate his area to try and get around a blocker. Because of that he's never going to pile up the sacks, but he will be disruptive in the middle and a pain in the ass for blockers. Put him together with Landri, McClain, and Fua won't make DT a strength necessarily, but it shouldn't be a liability. He will cost money, but his youth makes me willing to go along with that, plus I think he would like the idea of being the main man at DT. Cullen Jenkins is also an option, but he's older and not the stout run defender that Mebane represents.


DE - Ray Edwards, Mathias Kiwanuka, or Mark Anderson
As noted, I think it's almost guaranteed that the Panthers exceed any offer Charles Johnson receives on the open market, but that still leaves a big hole at RDE. Kiwanuka is a very familiar name and probably the best player available for that spot, but his injury history is significant, and he's a bit older than you would like. The most attractive thing about him is that he plays with great technique and intelligence, so he's not going expose the defense with mistakes or jumping out wide. Meanwhile Edwards is a lot younger than I thought he was. He was an impressive pass rusher at LDE, and could theoretically be even better at RDE, but less disciplined than someone like Kiwanuka. If those guys prove too expensive, then Mark Anderson is another RDE pass rusher who has shown some flashes in backup duty with Houston. The Texans have made some noise about transitioning him to linebacker in their new 3-4, but that seems a little far-fetched.


LB - James Anderson, Thomas Davis, Jamar Williams, Chase Blackburn
It doesn't seem like people realize how thin the Panthers are here. You have Beason & Connor, but what else? The rook might or might not contribute, but the team really needs to sign at least two and maybe three or four guys to fill out the unit. Davis seems likely to return, probably on a one season deal, but I wouldn't mind locking him up for three or four at a low price if his agent doesn't rule that out. Meanwhile, Panthers fans seem to be the slowest to recognize just how good Anderson has been since he entered the starting lineup in 2009. I'm with you, as I was all for using his roster spot on someone else heading into that '09 season, but he's been consistently and impressively productive as a starter. Connor might be an adequate replacement, but I'm more comfortable with Anderson returning and Connor being an active back-up. And since I'm going with a theme, bringing back Jamar Williams seems like a decent gamble given his athleticism. He's strictly a weakside guy here, but even if you're bringing back Davis then you need someone else who can slot into that spot, and it's not something Connor would be suited to. Then I threw Blackburn onto the list in case Anderson goes elsewhere, as he would step in as a special teams captain but also be capable of backing up MLB & SLB while Connor moves into the starting lineup.


CB - Josh Wilson, Carlos Rogers, Eric Wright, Drew Coleman, or Josh Bell
Josh Wilson is another obvious target if he's unrestricted. Frankly I'm not sure what Seattle is going up there since they seem to be jettisoning young defensive talent in recent years. He's the type who has the quickness and ball skills to match up with flankers, and it seems like he should be available now that Baltimore has Jimmy Smith. Then Rogers is sort of a duplication of Chris Gamble as a solid all-around guy who disappoints those with high expectations, but those guys don't make a lot of mistakes that lead to big plays even if they annoy you with how often they give up the shorter stuff. Him being a dependable player and a solid tackler certainly makes him one of my preferences. Then Eric Wright goes totally away from what I usually recommend, as he is that boom-or-bust player who is capable of shutting down receivers one week and then giving up two easy touchdowns the next. I'm just putting him on the list because he has shown the potential to play at a very high level before, and the Panthers need to sign someone. I'm very happy with Munnerlyn, but I don't like the idea of depending on him to be a starter. Then to round out the list, Coleman and Bell are two injury-prone guys who have shown flashes in limited duty and come from systems where they're well-schooled. They're more depth than potential starters, but Carolina needs both. Another option would then be to sign someone at safety and give Jordan Pugh a chance to slide over.

 

Glad to see I am not the only one wanting him. I think he can tie up line men enough to make our LBs that much better.