I'm trying to understand this cap situation, so Charles Johnson

[Ornias]

In theory we can just cut CJ/Stew and slide that money to KK/Star/Norman.

The problem is now you've spent all your money & have 0 quality RBs or DEs on your roster. (Still have to sign rookies, Norwell, Turner, Benwikere, free agents, etc, etc as well as maintain flexibility.)

 

No offense meant by this, but how many "quality" rb's do we have now? RB's are a dime a dozen, with the exception of 4-5 in the league. DE is a problem, but so far Gman is having ok luck with low price options. 

[tondi]

I'm of the opinion that the only reason CJ is still on the roster is that it would have been cost prohibitive to cut him at any point prior to this season.  After this season, it becomes much more palatable, financially, to do so.  I expect this will be his last year unless hes willing to take a pay cut to something commensurate with his performance.

[hepcat]

Johnson should be a prime candidate for another restructure.  Depends on how he recovers from injury, but $11m is a huge cap number to recoup.  Josh Norman is a special player but I'm not sure the Panthers will throw big money at him, but letting go of Charles "big money" Johnson would go a long way to making that happen.

[CPF4LIFE]

CJ is really not a superb athlete for a DE, a lot of his talent comes from just brute strength and bull rushing O linemen with a ridiculous motor and will. He has basically got where he is by working his ass off  and dedication to be great. Its not a surprise that he is starting to slow down, normally only the superb athlete DEs get the contract he got, he was just in a great situation for himself at the right time. But for a play like him he really isnt worth the money he makes the minute he starts slowing down it sucks cuz we really dont need it to be this year.

[NanuqoftheNorth]

Prediction:  This time next year CJ will be relaxing on some tropical island counting his cheddar and the Panthers will have some significant cap relief.

 

[CPF4LIFE]

I would love for CJ to take a paycut but leaves a pretty lavish life more than anybody on the team even Cam. Not confident he would go for that.

[pantherj]

CJ himself was shocked by the contract Hurney offered. CJ had one foot out the door so to speak and wanted to sign with Atlanta. The Falcons didn't think we'd make the kind of offer we made, and it did hurt their pass rushing situation, but now we have to pay.

[Day_One]

CJ wont be back. along with stewart. that cap space will be the best thing thats happened in a while. We can sign top quality guys with 11 million in cap.  Maybe spend some of the money on the o line and another wideout. 

[pantherj]

Norman will want a fortune. He has already turned his nose up at our previous offer. We can tag him but it will run us about $13 million. I'd rather not.

[tiger7_88]

CJ will either restructure next offseason or he'll be replaced with a top free agent DE. Possibly both. If there's 1 position where I can see DG spending big in free agency it is DE.

 

Not a good year for FA 4-3 DE's, really.

Jason Pierre-Paul (who effective will he be after blowing off his fingers?)

Greg Hardy (no, he's not coming back)

Aldon Smith (don't think so)

Justin Tuck (older than CJ)

William Hayes (possibility... he's a NC boy, born and raised and college too, but he's not what you'd call an "impact" FA)

Jason Jones (meh)

Adrian Clayborn (meh)

Derrick Shelby (meh meh)

Wallace Gilberry (older than CJ)

http://overthecap.com/free-agency/

When the highlight of your choices is William Hayes, it ain't good.

[Day_One]

you dont have to have the best.. you just have to have good enough. when it comes to the front, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.  look at what ryan was able to do in conjunction with the other 3 guys.  who knows if we will even need anyone.  lets let the season play out.  

[cbarrier90]

Not a good year for FA 4-3 DE's, really.

Jason Pierre-Paul (who effective will he be after blowing off his fingers?)

Greg Hardy (no, he's not coming back)

Aldon Smith (don't think so)

Justin Tuck (older than CJ)

William Hayes (possibility... he's a NC boy, born and raised and college too, but he's not what you'd call an "impact" FA)

Jason Jones (meh)

Adrian Clayborn (meh)

Derrick Shelby (meh meh)

Wallace Gilberry (older than CJ)

http://overthecap.com/free-agency/

When the highlight of your choices is William Hayes, it ain't good.

Shawn Oakman, come on down!

[LinvilleGorge]

Norman will want a fortune. He has already turned his nose up at our previous offer. We can tag him but it will run us about $13 million. I'd rather not.

I'd tag him if I had to.  I wouldn't let him just walk.  I'd also hold that tag over his head.  He'd be 29 after playing under the tag for one season.  At that point, no team is going to offer him more than a three year deal.  There may be some fluff years on the back that he'll never see that his agent can brag about, but there would only be three "real" years.

[Sean Payton's Vicodin]

He, Stewart, and Tolbert are definite goners after this season. Hope he comes back great for one last playoff push.