Offseason Focus

Our first pick needs to be an instant starter. We don't need a project IMO. We need to improve our first string on D or O with the real deal. I'd like to see Grant, Howard, or Favors replaced on D, depending also on Fields, and we need a TE on O. Can Troupe be a go to guy like Walls was? Would it benefit us to try and trade up to snag a guy like Winslow who i beleive will be every bit as good as a Shockey.

 

I think the biggest question is - do the Panthers utilize the TE in this offense or is it just lack of weapons there? If they don't, you won't see a first round TE chosen.

I still think you may see OL in round 1 again this season.

 

If it's OL, I just hope they're not dumb enough to totally neglect the position and wait for someone to drop. It's worked fine before, but about 75% of the time that causes a reach.
As for trading up, no.

As for whether we use the TE enough, who the hell knows. It's Henning/Fox. Up to them, really. I think it's stupid to have a team that runs the hell out of the football, runs a lot of playaction, but doesn't ever throw to the TE.

 

Defense:
A solid core returns. The BIGGEST must is the need to resign Deon Grant. I would let Reggie Howard go unless he would be willing to sign CHEAP! I think we could sign a better starter for the kinda money he'll be wanting. I'd consider dropping Terry Cousin because we can have a better nickle back cheaper and that'd free up cap space. I'd seriously go after a top tier CB. EVERY year I say don't waste a draft pick for a free agent, but this year we have a LOW draft pick in the first round and I'd be willing to part with it for a Champ Bailey. We won't find a better talent with that pick than what we could get outta Bailey. Plus Bailey is young enough that we wouldn't be selling out the future. Defensive line is still solid for next year. Wallace will be gone but I think we'll resign Pittman next year and he should be a solid replacement. At linebacker Favors is gone. Fields returns and should be an upgrade even with a year of rust. Caldwell is a decent enough backup, and I think Ciurciu has potential that can be developed.

Offense:
Resign Jake to help with his cap hit and to keep him around longer. Resign Mangum or Wiggins one, and another street guy. Give them and Seidman a chance to start. (Which personally I think Seidman will win) Tender Rod Smart for next year. Other than that Running back is still solid. On Offensive Line, the resigning of Jeno James is a Key. I'd also move Steussie to RT and Gross to LT. Restructuring Steussie's contract would be nice too. Resign Donnalley for a cheaper deal if he doesn't retire.If he does look for another Free Agent and let the new guy, Brzenzski, and Nelson fight for the starting job. And cut the veteran that doesn't win it. Nelson gets leeway due to his age.if Donnally doesn't retire cut Brzeznski anyways and train Nelson for another year. At wide Reciever Muhammed HAS to resign a new contract for cheaper money or we can't afford to keep him. Steve Smith is a restricted free agant and will be here one way or another next year. He'll either be tendered a 1st and a 3rd or he'll be signed long term. I prefer the later. If Proehl plays he's still my 3rd reciever. If he retires I'd probably resign Dyson. I'd also use my 2nd round pick on a WR and groom him to be an eventual starter. Hankton returns due to his STs ability and Walter Young gets another chance in camp to show some improvement. At quarterback I seriously look at Weinke to see if he can overtake Peete if he can he's my 2nd stringer and Peete is basically a player/coach at 3rd string. If Weinke can't then he needs to be let go he's making too much money to be a 3rd string QB.

Special Teams:
I really don't see the need for any "major" changes here. Kasay is taking one in the ass for his mistake, but he's played B+ ball all season. And that's MUCH better than many kickers that are in the league. And Sauerbrun is Sauerbrun. The only special teamers that I don't resign are Damion Richardson and Tavares Tillman. Tillman due to the fact a rookie could do his job for less money and Richardson has pretty much been supplanted by Colin Branch.

 

That's already taken into account with the 10. Before, they were saying 13 under. And yes, the 10 under counts Moose's salary.

He needs to be extended. Smith needs to be resigned. Jake needs to be extended. Nice contracts for the 3, but nothing ridiculous. They do need to take some time off before deciding. Hopefully, the players will feel good enough about the team, and mad enough about the loss, to want to stay together.

I agree about resigning everyone else possible. No, we don't have enough cap room to sign a big time CB. Bailey won't be available anyway, and everyone else has big time character issues, and also probably won't be available. An upgrade maybe possible though.

I'd like to keep Stuessie. He really played well, and LTs are expensive. I'm not sure Gross is ready.

And I finally agree that we must have an upgrade at TE. The replacement must still be an outstanding blocker, but he has to be able to catch those 8 yard passes.

I'm not ready to cut Kasay loose, but old kickers tend to get a little less reliable. He is ususally good, but the exceptions have been troubling. I think you resign him for less money, and bring in competition. There's probably no vet out there more reliable.

I think what we do with both our WRs and our secondary will be very interesting, and critical for our future.

 

He's a big name, but what about Jim Kleinsasser? He had 46 catches for 401 yards this year and he's know as an exceptional blocker... he might be expensive though.

 

Kleinsasser was franchised last year. Probably gonna command some decent cash.

 

Don't worry, our world will be okay once Rashard Anderson comes off suspension next year.

 

If Fields is not back next year we need a linebacker. We could use help at corner and safety. We need depth on the OL. Another wide out would be nice since Proehl is near the end of his career. Of course tight end is a need too.

 

I think TE is behind OLB, OL, and CB. Still important, but behind the others.

That said, they were all pretty high on Seidman, and I know he's got good hands.

Dammit.