Pro Football Spot's FA prospects for Panthers & some of my own thoughts

[TheSpecial1]

Not overly impressed with this article. All of these players are big name guys who will be out of our price range.

You must look deeper to find players that Gettleman feels he can sign to reasonable deals. Gettleman and Mark Koncz will (if they haven't already) evaluate every single FA and they will target payers under 30 who will fit our offensive/defensive schemes.

 

Some Examples:

 

DE - Jabaal Sheard (CLE)        Here's you Hardy replacement. Only had 2 sacks last year but played injured and is only 25.

DE - Adrian Clayborn (TB).     The former 1st round pick only played one game last year due to injury. We might be able to get him on a one year prove it type deal.

DT - Kenrick Ellis (NYJ)           340lb run stuffer who would replace and be an upgrade over Colin Cole.

CB - Walter Thurmond (NYG)  Only played in two games after signing a 1yr deal. More of a slot CB but the guy can cover and is only 27.

[Seal (SmittyIsOurSavior)]

So...an older WR that doesn't play special teams, and has no speed.....yes, this is precisely what this team needs.

 

By your description, a younger, cheaper, and higher upside version of Jericho Cotchery. Saving money to get similar or potentially higher production... Sounds like a great f*ckin deal to me, do you disagree?

[top dawg]

So...an older WR that doesn't play special teams, and has no speed.....yes, this is precisely what this team needs.

 

Gettleman already said that he will explore position upgrades.  I dare say that any of these receivers on the list would be an upgrade over someone currently on the team.  

 

Not overly impressed with this article. All of these players are big name guys who will be out of our price range.

You must look deeper to find players that Gettleman feels he can sign to reasonable deals. Gettleman and Mark Koncz will (if they haven't already) evaluate every single FA and they will target payers under 30 who will fit our offensive/defensive schemes.

 

Some Examples:

 

DE - Jabaal Sheard (CLE)        Here's you Hardy replacement. Only had 2 sacks last year but played injured and is only 25.

DE - Adrian Clayborn (TB).     The former 1st round pick only played one game last year due to injury. We might be able to get him on a one year prove it type deal.

DT - Kenrick Ellis (NYJ)           340lb run stuffer who would replace and be an upgrade over Colin Cole.

CB - Walter Thurmond (NYG)  Only played in two games after signing a 1yr deal. More of a slot CB but the guy can cover and is only 27.

 

Some of the players, yes, may be out of our price range depending on the market, but all of them won't be.  For example: Nicks apparently wasn't out of reach last year, and he should be even more of a bargain this year (like a couple more of these receivers).

 

Your list is also food for thought though. 

 

 

 

I get that some of you don't like the list. That's to be expected.  But I also know that Dave Gettleman and other football professionals will more than likely give credence to several people among those in the original post.  Don't be surprised when one or more ends up signed.

[thefuzz]

By your description, a younger, cheaper, and higher upside version of Jericho Cotchery. Saving money to get similar or potentially higher production... Sounds like a great f*ckin deal to me, do you disagree?

 

 

Yes, I do disagree.

 

 

There is almost no reason to bring in a player like Nicks.  We do need a vet, but not one with motivational issues, who just got paid over 3M.

[hepcat]

Would love to see Torrey Smith with the Panthers.  Won't break the bank and is a solid #2 with some deep speed.  Then draft a speedy WR who can return punts to compete with Philly for the slot role, Cotchery on the bench for depth, cut Bersin, and we're set.  

 

As for tackle...that's going to be a tough fix.  We might be playing a rookie there next season or worse, re-signing Bell because we can't afford anyone better and no one worthwhile falls to us in the draft.

[Seal (SmittyIsOurSavior)]

Yes, I do disagree.

 

 

There is almost no reason to bring in a player like Nicks.  We do need a vet, but not one with motivational issues, who just got paid over 3M.

 

Hence the vet minimum. You can cut the guy whenever you please, which we wouldn't do because he'd be the 2nd best wideout on our team.

 

What's your grand old plan if not drafting a guy in the 2nd and taking chances with boom or bust free agents like Britt and Nicks?

[WOW!!]

Searcy from Buffalo wouldn't be a bad shout. Ties to the area may make it possible.

I'd be shocked if the Ravens let Smith walk, that's the thing too, most of the good ones aren't let go. Its only when they are cap strapped and can't afford it. DeShaun Jackson last year would have been perfect.

Crabtree could be interesting but we need to beat Seattle if were gonna win the big one. That's the great thing about Benji, arguably had his best games against Seattle.

Bulaga comes with a huge buyer beware, had major injuries the previous two years with ACL and the dreaded OLine hip injury.

Jordan is a pipe dream. He's a pro bowl level TE, he'd want to be the #1 TE and Olsen is our guy. I expect him to be retained in Cleve anyway. He's one of their best players if not best.

Yeah I like Sercy.. I think we will sign a FA safety..since FA is pretty good with young safeties this year..

[WOW!!]

Would love to see Torrey Smith with the Panthers. Won't break the bank and is a solid #2 with some deep speed. Then draft a speedy WR who can return punts to compete with Philly for the slot role, Cotchery on the bench for depth, cut Bersin, and we're set.

As for tackle...that's going to be a tough fix. We might be playing a rookie there next season or worse, re-signing Bell because we can't afford anyone better and no one worthwhile falls to us in the draft.

I think Torry would be number 1 and Benji at 2 and hopefully we draft a wr as well for competition at 3-4-5..

[ncfan]

I really want Bruce Carter.  We are going to need to find TD's replacement in the next 2-3 years.  Carters a Freak athlete like TD.  Bruce playing with TD and Luke under Rivera will have Bruce as about our best replacement prospect for TD as we can get.  Dallas has a few guys they are going to have to dish out some money to lock up, so Carter could be out the door in Dallas

[Chief Keek]

Hopefully DG can find a serviceable LT, PR, and landing a WR like Torrey Smith would be icing on the cake but I gotta feeling that he stays in Baltimore.

[thefuzz]

Hence the vet minimum. You can cut the guy whenever you please, which we wouldn't do because he'd be the 2nd best wideout on our team.

 

What's your grand old plan if not drafting a guy in the 2nd and taking chances with boom or bust free agents like Britt and Nicks?

 

 

Vet minimum is higher than a rookie deal, and is fully guaranteed.  Not to mention, neither of them play ST's.

 

 

There is no "boom" in either of them anymore.

 

 

We aren't in cap hell any longer, and we can afford better players than either of the ones you are talking about.

[scarface]

So...an older WR that doesn't play special teams, and has no speed.....yes, this is precisely what this team needs.

 

Hakeem Nicks is 27.

[Cpt slay a ho]

Smith wouldn't be good fit IMO

[Fox007]

People should stop thinking Brown is untouchable...we could easily find an upgrade over him as well and Gettleman probably will try.