Panthers Sign LB Jason Trusnik To A One-Year Deal

[The Huddler]

This is an obvious Luke Kuechly replacement

[Jmac]

Dolphins captain on special teams. Good size at 6'4 and 252 Lbs. Dependable as a backup LB. I Hope you see the madness of our GM. Build the foundation then hit the big fish during the draft.

[gettlemanjack]

Rotoworld:

"A non-existent pass rusher who struggles in coverage, Trusnik's main focus is run-stopping. ... He'll be a run-stopping specialist for coach Ron Rivera's defense ... [but] mostly a special teamer"

http://www.rotoworld.com/recent/nfl/4577/jason-trusnik

[chknwing]

This is an obvious Luke Kuechly replacement

 

stop hanging out with thebigcat

[PizzaTheHutt]

All your special teamers are belong to us.

 

Gettleman set up us the bomb.

[UKPanther94]

Didn't lose any major free agents (outside of hardy), new ST coach, competition brought to the offensive line and a raft of new faces to the special teams and we arent even at the draft yet, hard to be real upset about the off season so far

[scarface]

So this is the sixth special teamer Gettleman has brought in so far. That's a lot.

Considering how bad they were on special teams, I'm surprised he has signed 11 special teamers.

[Shadow]

Considering how bad they were on special teams, I'm surprised he has signed 11 special teamers.

 

Give the man time, he's trying to get to 11.

[Bartin]

I think that pretty much emptys the cap space

Not really since I'm guessing most of these signings are for around $850-900kk and they are bumping guys of the top 51 who count for around $585k the net effect on cap room would be about $300k per player. Todman, Boykin and Trusnik likely only take up an additional $1M in cap space combined.

[The Huddler]

stop hanging out with thebigcat

i dont hes anoying

[shreddingdefense]

How does this help cam? that isn't giving him a weapon!!!

 

am i doing it right?

[gettlemanjack]

USA TODAY:

"Every team has a Jason Trusnik. Every team needs a Jason Trusnik. ... there's a reason guys like Trusnik are in every NFL locker room – and tend to stay there until the next Jason Trusnik shows up.

"I'm just trying to teach the young guys how to do it, too, because when I was there, sometimes I wish I had more help or (knew) how to study," Trusnik said. "Playing is more about being smart and knowing what's going to happen than really being the physically most talented guy on the field."

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2013/12/14/nfl-dolphins-special-teams-ace-jason-trusnik-defies-odds/4026791/

[gettlemanjack]

Miami Herald, 2014:

Trusnik told coach Joe Philbin during the offseason that “he wanted to be thought of as more than just a special teams player,” Philbin said.

He has been consistently reliable, but his finest moment might have come Sunday, when he logged an astounding 90 snaps between defense and special teams.

...

“Everybody wants to be a starter in the league,” he said. What stand outs about Trusnik, according to linebackers coach Mark Duffner, is his competitiveness, toughness and how well he prepares.

“You are going to get everything he’s got from the bottom of his feet to the top of his head,” Duffner said. “He’s a physical player and over his career, he’s gotten to be a pretty instinctive player.”

http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nfl/miami-dolphins/article2095586.html

[Orange Habit]

I thought I'd give you guys a heads up that signing Trusnik could potentially cost the Panthers a 3rd round comp pick in 2016 for Greg Hardy.  It does depend on the size of Trusnik's contract--if it's small enough he may not qualify, especially since he's primarily a special teamer.  But if he does qualify, they would currently only be eligible for a "net-value" pick that would likely not make the 32-pick limit. 

 

In order for the Panthers to get that Hardy pick back for sure, they would need at least one of the following five UFAs to sign elsewhere before June 1: Byron Bell, Chase Blackburn, Fernando Velasco, Garry Williams, or Kevin Matthews.  They could also get it back if Trusnik or Kurt Coleman gets cut before Week 10, but I doubt that thought has been crossed.

 

That said, there's nothing inherently wrong with Gettleman deciding that bringing in a special teams ace is worth sacrificing a draft pick more than a year away.  Perhaps he felt they needed that help now.