A note from the Observer article on Minter regarding Morgan and Spoon

[The Brain]

With Minter locked up, the Panthers will continue efforts to sign linebackers Dan Morgan and Will Witherspoon to contract extensions.

Morgan and Witherspoon are heading into the last year of their contracts. The Panthers are making progress on the talks with Morgan, but remain far apart with Witherspoon.

This was one of the things that always concerned me about Witherspoon. I've always thought that since he's started so long, that he won't realize he's a GOOD, but not great Linebacker, and when it came time to be signed, he'd expect to sign a contract a GREAT linebacker would get. I don't feel he's worth that much money.

 

[meatpile]

This was one of the things that always concerned me about Witherspoon. I've always thought that since he's started so long, that he won't realize he's a GOOD, but not great Linebacker, and when it came time to be signed, he'd expect to sign a contract a GREAT linebacker would get. I don't feel he's worth that much money.

He's also banking in on the lack of depth/fields.

Hate to say it, but that's business, and that's happening.

 

[Toll Booth Willie]

This was one of the things that always concerned me about Witherspoon. I've always thought that since he's started so long, that he won't realize he's a GOOD, but not great Linebacker, and when it came time to be signed, he'd expect to sign a contract a GREAT linebacker would get. I don't feel he's worth that much money.

Sure but who would you sign that would be as good/better?

 

[The Brain]

Sure but who would you sign that would be as good/better?

I need a list of next year's FA to tell you that. Also the Panthers may draft LB next year, Fields may return, or one of the guys we have now may develop this year.

 

[magnus]

Of the two, I'd rather keep Witherspoon. But I've worried for a while now that he'll want well over $3 mil, which is roughly where I'd put his value over 5 years. Maybe $3.5 mil, but that he and the team are "far apart" might mean that either they're lowballing because they have Davis, or Witherspoon wants a lot of money.


Maybe it means that Morgan's acceptive of the fact that he's not a superstar, or the team's irrationally willing to pay him much more than Witherspoon.

 

[Collin]

This team seems to make a disturbing number of its decisions from a p.r. perspective, and Morgan is definitely more popular than Witherspoon (why?). As for what to do, I'd prefer Thomas Davis end up at weakside linebacker and he'd certainly be an upgrade over Witherspoon. Honestly I'd let Morgan walk too and see about getting a 16-game replacement. While I'm not familiar with who might be available, I don't think it would be too hard to find someone adequate in free agency or the draft.

 

[Sackem90]

This team seems to make a disturbing number of its decisions from a p.r. perspective, and Morgan is definitely more popular than Witherspoon (why?). As for what to do, I'd prefer Thomas Davis end up at weakside linebacker and he'd certainly be an upgrade over Witherspoon. Honestly I'd let Morgan walk too and see about getting a 16-game replacement. While I'm not familiar with who might be available, I don't think it would be too hard to find someone adequate in free agency or the draft.

Well, I guess that the Panthers want to keep players that both play well and are fan faves to keep butts in the seats. If the Panthers keep crappy players that the fans hate, then butts won't be in the seats. It all boils down to $$$. No butts, no concession sales, no $$$$.

 

[lde]

He's only a good LB now, but he may end up being really good. I don't blame him. He's giving up some money for a year for a chance to make alot more next year. If he plays the same as last year, then he may well expect less. But most players haven't really shown their capabilities after only 3 years.

I'm with you on Morgan, Mag. I hope we're closer because Morgan's not asking for a big contract, at least not for the base money. I have no problem with incentives as long as they don't roll over (you earn them one year, you automatically get them in the next years).

 

[Toll Booth Willie]

Maybe it means that Morgan's acceptive of the fact that he's not a superstar, or the team's irrationally willing to pay him much more than Witherspoon.

When healthy, Morgan is one of the top LB's in the game. Morgan has always said that his injury problems have been "flukes". Perhaps he's willing to put his money where his mouth is and have pay/bonuses tied directly to playing time. If so, I would think he could merit top dollar, with that caveat.

 

[UNCfever]

When healthy, Morgan is one of the top LB's in the game. Morgan has always said that his injury problems have been "flukes". Perhaps he's willing to put his money where his mouth is and have pay/bonuses tied directly to playing time. If so, I would think he could merit top dollar, with that caveat.

I would love to see what he can do when totally healthy for a full year. I know his overall stats from actual game time are super great, but part of those games he hasn't been full speed either, so it's really hard go know for sure what he can do.

IMO though, this year should be a make or break year for him with the Panthers. If another injury riddled year, then send him packing. If he can make it through most of the year and stay healthy that entire time and produce then talk.