NFL Nation's Offseason Grades

[pantherphan96]

http://espn.go.com/blog/carolina-panthers/post/_/id/14241/cam-newton-extension-gives-panthers-solid-offseason-grade

David Newton gives the Panthers a B. The best move? Cam's extension.

By committing to Newton early with a deal that for the most part is salary-cap-friendly, the Panthers can focus on improving the roster around Newton and locking up other key players such as linebacker Luke Kuechly. Newton can focus on improving mechanics that have kept him from being an elite quarterback without worry about his future. Newton assures Carolina has at worst a top-15 quarterback -- and potentially a top-10 one -- through 2020. Playoff teams typically have stability at quarterback. Carolina has stability now.

Riskiest move? Oher.

Oher hasn't played a full season at left tackle since the 2012 season at Baltimore. He struggled the past two seasons at right tackle between the Ravens (2013) and Tennessee Titans (2014)... It’s still a gamble when you consider Oher has to protect the blind side of Newton, who has been hit almost twice as many times as any other quarterback in the NFL since 2011.

Also mentions the battle for Greg Hardy's spot, with a mention of Big Frank and Ealy possibly battling it out for said spot.

 

The other NFC South rivals received similar grades:

Falcons: B (http://espn.go.com/blog/atlanta-falcons/post/_/id/14045/addition-of-pass-rusher-vic-beasley-helps-give-atlanta-falcons-solid-offseason-grade)

Bucs: A- (http://espn.go.com/blog/tampa-bay-buccaneers/post/_/id/10130/jameis-winston-helps-buccaneers-earn-high-grade)

Saints: B- (http://espn.go.com/blog/new-orleans-saints/post/_/id/15952/trading-jimmy-graham-hurts-offseason-grade-but-saints-get-credit-for-being-bold)

 

Other interesting grades:

Steelers received a B+ with the signing of DeAngelo being their best move.

(http://espn.go.com/blog/pittsburgh-steelers/post/_/id/14254/steelers-have-b-offseason-after-deangelo-williams-signing-waiting-to-address-secondary-concerns) 

 

The 49ers somehow received a C- (for the perceived enthusiasm of their OTAs) despite losing half their roster.

(http://espn.go.com/blog/san-francisco-49ers/tag/_/name/2015-nfl-offseason-grades)

 

The whole AFC West received a B, while the defending champ Patriots received a C. Packers received the highest grade (A) with the Vikings, Bengals, Dolphins, and Redskins (????) right behind them, all receiving an A-. The Browns received a C- for their offseason, with their best WR out for the year, Manziel in and out of rehab, and McCown in line to be their starter.

 

[beachpub4]

Cant wait till the fricking season starts so we can all look at records not grades. B looks good... 4-0 start  looks better!!!

[Mol3m4n]

Who else were we supposed to sign at left tackle?

[t96]

How is Oher risky? We paid him pretty much nothing. Yes we don't know whether he'll be good, but he's a no risk high reward guy. There were no FAs out there we could've signed to be our LT and nobody in the draft at our spots so he was the only option, and he came cheap. 

[Daeavorn]

How is Oher risky? We paid him pretty much nothing. Yes we don't know whether he'll be good, but he's a no risk high reward guy. There were no FAs out there we could've signed to be our LT and nobody in the draft at our spots so he was the only option, and he came cheap. 

Because he might suck I suppose? Seems a bit lazy..

[Mol3m4n]

Because he might suck I suppose? Seems a bit lazy..

He might suck, but if there's any possibility that he does better than Bell it was a good move.

[MichaelNewtonII]

fug grades and speculation I just wanna see how the team performs on Sunday

[Carolina Cajun]

Saints deserve a worse grade.  They and San Fran had the worse offseasons by a mile.  They ship out their 2 best receivers and their best pass rusher has a video of him beating a girl with a belt in today's NFL and it's somehow a passing grade...sure...

[Pejorative Miscreant]

Because he might suck I suppose? Seems a bit lazy..

The risk is not the signing of Oher. The risk is going into the season with another as our main LT option. I don think there was another feasible option this offseason though.

[Daeavorn]

The risk is not the signing of Oher. The risk is going into the season with another as our main LT option. I don think there was another feasible option this offseason though.

Yeah I totally agree. I was mocking that writer for being lazy.

[Jangler]

Without b's the human race will die.

[hepcat]

Who else were we supposed to sign at left tackle?

It's true I don't think there were many other FA options out there.  And I feel like it's almost a damn certainty the Panthers would have drafted DJ Humphries if the Cardinals didn't snag him one spot ahead of the Panthers.  Just didn't line up again this offseason.  Now watch Gettleman double down at tackle next draft haha

[Sean Payton's Vicodin]

How is Oher risky? We paid him pretty much nothing. Yes we don't know whether he'll be good, but he's a no risk high reward guy. There were no FAs out there we could've signed to be our LT and nobody in the draft at our spots so he was the only option, and he came cheap. 

entrusting a guy who got cut from the least talented team in football after one year to play LT to protect your $100 mil QB is risky

[t96]

entrusting a guy who got cut from the least talented team in football after one year to play LT to protect your $100 mil QB is risky

Not when there are absolutely zero other options. If we chose to take a chance on him over some other free agent who could've come in and been a clear cut solid player at LT, then I'd agree. But it's not risky when there's just no other options at all.