We sign Ball, Bucks sign Sterling Moore

[Proudiddy]

I didn't even comment in the ball thread. It's just not a good signing in regards to value, imo. As you pointed out, the Bucs signed a younger guy, who was ranked as one of the top CBs in the league last season, to a cheaper contract.

Even without knowing what the Bucs did today, I didn't like the signing because we signed an also-ran vet for a 2 million dollar contract when we only have like 5 million in space. With Norman and Bene, that money could've been spent much better elsewhere. We overpaid. And to boot, we already signed a nobody corner from Jacksonville.

So, here we go again, another off season where we completely ignore getting Cam weapons and surrounding talent while simultaneously over-indulging on the defensive side at positions that are already fairly talented.

Sigh... Another off season as a panthers fan.

But I know guys, gettleman is a sacred cow and all around here so, dare us question any single fuging move he makes.

[panthers55]

I believe you're right. G-man was probably looking at size, and probably wants someone to push Benwikere back to the slot. Although Moore has the versatility to play both inside and outside as he did when he filled in for the Cowboys, there is still a question as to whether or not he'll get exposed the more he is on the field.

We will see. I, unlike some apparently, enjoy these little side stories. It just makes the game all that much more interesting to me on a human and strategic level.

I wish Moore all the best except when we play them.  THey picked him up so obviously they liked what they saw or felt he would worth a flier.  I just dont think that what he does for the bucs will have any bearing on what Ball does for us.  Moore wouldnt have been a good fit here given we often play man on the outside and in the slot and zone in the middle and the flats.  He will be exploited by the bigger and/or faster receivers in the division and league.  Ball on the other hand is much taller and is good in press coverage which is what we need on the outside. if we can draft a Brian Dawkins type safety our secondary is set  barring injuries. And McDermott has his Jim Johnson defense firing on all cylinders.Only problem is that there are few safeties worthy of round 1 or even round 2 consideration. I guess that means we can [ick u[ one in the fifth or sixth round who isnt much worse than the top guys in the draft at that position..

[Proudiddy]

I wish Moore all the best except when we play them. THey picked him up so obviously they liked what they saw or felt he would worth a flier. I just dont think that what he does for the bucs will have any bearing on what Ball does for us. Moore wouldnt have been a good fit here given we often play man on the outside and in the slot and zone in the middle and the flats. He will be exploited by the bigger and/or faster receivers in the division and league. Ball on the other hand is much taller and is good in press coverage which is what we need on the outside. if we can draft a Brian Dawkins type safety our secondary is set barring injuries. And McDermott has his Jim Johnson defense firing on all cylinders.Only problem is that there are few safeties worthy of round 1 or even round 2 consideration. I guess that means we can [ick u[ one in the fifth or sixth round who isnt much worse than the top guys in the draft at that position..

Good points. The size is key...

That being said, i still think we overpaid at an already strong position on our roster and continue to ignore our biggest need.

[top dawg]

Good points. The size is key...

That being said, i still think we overpaid at an already strong position on our roster and continue to ignore our biggest need.

 

We may have overpaid a little, but I don't think that little bit is going to stop us from doing what we need to do.  I wouldn't exactly think of our defensive backfield as "strong" per se.  If Ball can come in and ball effectively, and allow Benwikere to play his natural position, then we may be strong. Moreover, Melvin White still makes me nervous.

 

At this point, I think that it's almost a surety that Gettleman will draft another WR and OT, or two, so our biggest needs won't be ignored in the long run (I'm guessing).  Would be nice to get a cheap FA at WR to take some pressure off at the end of next month, but apparently Gettleman sees things a little differently.

[PandaPancake]

We signed the ball boy from the AFC game?

[London Loves Luke]

I didn't even comment in the ball thread. It's just not a good signing in regards to value, imo. As you pointed out, the Bucs signed a younger guy, who was ranked as one of the top CBs in the league last season, to a cheaper contract.

Even without knowing what the Bucs did today, I didn't like the signing because we signed an also-ran vet for a 2 million dollar contract when we only have like 5 million in space. With Norman and Bene, that money could've been spent much better elsewhere. We overpaid. And to boot, we already signed a nobody corner from Jacksonville.

So, here we go again, another off season where we completely ignore getting Cam weapons and surrounding talent while simultaneously over-indulging on the defensive side at positions that are already fairly talented.

Sigh... Another off season as a panthers fan.

But I know guys, gettleman is a sacred cow and all around here so, dare us question any single fuging move he makes.

I'm betting you still want us to sign Nicks or Crabtree or Long? Lol to that.

What we did was sign a good locker room vet with 8 seasons worth of experience to a position where we have a combined 3 seasons worth of experience across 5 players since we let Dreyton Florence go. This guys is still performing at a high level and contributes well to special teams.

Now tell me who is better value?

[Proudiddy]

I'm betting you still want us to sign Nicks or Crabtree or Long? Lol to that.

What we did was sign a good locker room vet with 8 seasons worth of experience to a position where we have a combined 3 seasons worth of experience across 5 players since we let Dreyton Florence go. This guys is still performing at a high level and contributes well to special teams.

Now tell me who is better value?

Which is a bigger problem right now?

WR or CB?

Signing solid locker room guys instead of value with upside last off season got us to 7-8-1.

[Proudiddy]

And to clarify, it could very well be that we are waiting to get the best deal possible with guys like Jennings, Moore, or Nicks because the market has slowed down so much...

That being said, forgive me for not getting hyped that we signed a role player at a position of strength to a 2 million dollar deal with our limited cap space, while simultaneously being linked to any position BUT WR in the draft.

[top dawg]

Which is a bigger problem right now?

WR or CB?

Signing solid locker room guys instead of value with upside last off season got us to 7-8-1.

 

If we ultimately sign Nicks, will you be satisfied with our free agency haul?

[London Loves Luke]

And to clarify, it could very well be that we are waiting to get the best deal possible with guys like Jennings, Moore, or Nicks because the market has slowed down so much...

That being said, forgive me for not getting hyped that we signed a role player at a position of strength to a 2 million dollar deal with our limited cap space, while simultaneously being linked to any position BUT WR in the draft.

I'd say the need is equal since signing Ginn. Up until the Ball signing we had no outside corner if we used Bene in his natural position in the slot. Our options were White, who was terrible in outside coverage last year or guys who have played a handful of snaps between them.

The WR group now has KB, Philly, Ginn and Cotchery. And I don't know which mock drafts you're looking at but at least half of them include a Wr in the first 3 rounds.

[Proudiddy]

I'd say the need is equal since signing Ginn. Up until the Ball signing we had no outside corner if we used Bene in his natural position in the slot. Our options were White, who was terrible in outside coverage last year or guys who have played a handful of snaps between them.

The WR group now has KB, Philly, Ginn and Cotchery. And I don't know which mock drafts you're looking at but at least half of them include a Wr in the first 3 rounds.

But my concern is that we are banking on any random WR that fits at our pick in the first three rounds will step right in and be a #2. That is not likely and it's a huge gamble.

Yes, gman has had incredible drafts, but why not get a proven commodity with upside at WR before the draft so we're not betting the house on one in the draft? Furthermore, one WR addition would be great, but multiple WR additions is ideal. It was our weakest position by far... And yet, we've signed multiple corners now and a situational WR in Ginn. I love Ted, but I'm not going into a season with him as my #3 or higher.

We needed to address WR thoroughly before the draft and then if a WR in the draft fit the bill at the right pick, we take him and see what happens.

I get what your saying, but we already signed teddy Williams, now ball, and tbh, Bene looked great to me on the outside.

It's cool to reinforce a position to make it that much stronger, but not at the expense of completely ignoring one of the worst units in the entire league.

[Proudiddy]

If we ultimately sign Nicks, will you be satisfied with our free agency haul?

I'd feel better about it, but no. Nicks may have #1 or #2 talent, but he didn't do himself any favors last season, so who knows where his head or heart is at... Furthermore, he isn't a speed guy, but he does have enough ability that negates the need for speed, but we need a viable downfield threat on the field in every 2 WR set we line up in. So, in that regard, no, Nicks isn't enough. He is certainly better than any guy we have in terms of all-around talent, but we need a guy like Moore or Jennings, ideally, in addition to Nicks and/or a rookie we draft.

[London Loves Luke]

But my concern is that we are banking on any random WR that fits at our pick in the first three rounds will step right in and be a #2. That is not likely and it's a huge gamble.

Yes, gman has had incredible drafts, but why not get a proven commodity with upside at WR before the draft so we're not betting the house on one in the draft? Furthermore, one WR addition would be great, but multiple WR additions is ideal. It was our weakest position by far... And yet, we've signed multiple corners now and a situational WR in Ginn. I love Ted, but I'm not going into a season with him as my #3 or higher.

We needed to address WR thoroughly before the draft and then if a WR in the draft fit the bill at the right pick, we take him and see what happens.

I get what your saying, but we already signed teddy Williams, now ball, and tbh, Bene looked great to me on the outside.

It's cool to reinforce a position to make it that much stronger, but not at the expense of completely ignoring one of the worst units in the entire league.

This whole 'number 2' receiver idea that this board is obsessed with is a LIE. We already have a second best receiver on our roster, whether it is GInn, Cotchery or brown. What we are looking for is an overall improvement at WR, and there is no one sitting on their coach at the moment, or any other WR that didn't get overpaid that could have improved our WR group this FA.

[top dawg]

I'd feel better about it, but no. Nicks may have #1 or #2 talent, but he didn't do himself any favors last season, so who knows where his head or heart is at... Furthermore, he isn't a speed guy, but he does have enough ability that negates the need for speed, but we need a viable downfield threat on the field in every 2 WR set we line up in. So, in that regard, no, Nicks isn't enough. He is certainly better than any guy we have in terms of all-around talent, but we need a guy like Moore or Jennings, ideally, in addition to Nicks and/or a rookie we draft.

 

You and I are in total agreement on this, but I've lost faith that anything like this is gonna happen with the bankroll getting to the peanut level about now.  I only see one vet, if that, but I desire two for an influx of experience also.

 

The current cap

 

$11,168,629 on NFLPA web site (though not sure if updated to reflect Ball)

$10,701,147 at Spotrac  (which is supposed to be real time)

 

It may be enough to do a little more damage, but I don't know if we can afford two out of the three.  Of course Gettleman is probably holding a restructure or two in his back pocket to keep within his comfort zone, but money is getting tight.  We will undoubtedly get some more relief as people are cut down the road, because I still don't believe everyone who is on the team right now is going to make it.

 

 

Nicks, Moore, Jennings, Mike Williams, and Santonio Holmes are really the only receivers of note that are left (and Williams and Holmes don't fit within our culture)  Of course Jarrett Boykin may still be in G-man's back pocket. I didn't mention Crabtree because I think that there's no way that he's signing here with the Dolphins, Skins and Eagles in the picture.