Barnwell's FA pick-up grades

[top dawg]

Bill Barnwell of ESPN has somewhat surprisingly has come out with some grades on free agency so far, even though some of the deals were made within the last few hours.  Barnwelll has been busy, and his analysis is pretty compelling in my opinion.  For us NFL junkies, it is definitely worth reading, as it is as informative as it is opinionated.  

Personally I feel that though all of the bigger names were basically off the market before free agency officially began, the best values are still waiting to happen. Mind you, I said the best values, not necessarily the free agents that will make the most impact in the coming years.  That being said, I believe the best value of free agency may just turn out to be our very own Charles Johnson. Not only is it good monetarily, but it may turn out to be a bridge to bigger things to come in the future from CJ as a Panther, or an affirmation that he really isn't top-shelf anymore (which I don't necessarily believe). Barnwell's grade for this Panthers' transaction is indicative of my thinking.

 

Quote

 

Charles Johnson (Panthers): A

Charles Johnson took less money to stay in Carolina. AP Photo/David J. Phillip

Value is everything. At just over $15 million, Johnson's original cap hold was untenable. It was insane to even consider paying a 29-year-old who had one sack last year that much money. The Panthers incurred a $4 million dead cap charge by releasing Johnson, but after bringing him back on a one-year, $3 million deal yesterday, they'll get Johnson's services for 2016 at just over $7 million. That's remarkably team-friendly, and it speaks to just how badly Johnson wanted to stay around Ron Rivera and Sean McDermott, given how his people made sure to get out the word that Johnson turned down $6 million per year elsewhere. To get Johnson to agree to a one-year, $3-million deal, even if it includes further incentives, is one of the most impressive moves Dave Gettleman's pulled as Panthers GM.

 

 

To see Barnwell's thoughts on the other transactions that have happened so far, read his article.

[KendrickPanther]

15mill hit was untenable and 7mil hit is team friendly? meh. Its not a bad deal. It's not amazing either.

[joemac]

7 mil a year for a starting DE is fantastic, idk what the hell you are talking about...especially when said player was going to count for 15 mil and we didn't have to extend him or restructure his existing contract. This is nothing but a giant win for the Panthers.

[johnnydefence]

I expect it is going to get exciting. Gman isn't done shopping. I even heard he has coupons. 

[TheSpecialJuan]

Excellent read.  thanks for the link

[top dawg]

10 minutes ago, johnnydefence said:

I expect it is going to get exciting. Gman isn't done shopping. I even heard he has coupons. 

Dollar Tree Dave...with coupons. LOL

[johnnydefence]

Just now, top dawg said:

Dollar Tree Dave...with coupons. LOL

Weddle is awesome. I just watched his highlights on youtube.

Your a baller when you score a defensive touchdown, hand the ball to the official. Then walk back to the sidelines like nothing happened. 

[top dawg]

2 minutes ago, johnnydefence said:

Weddle is awesome. I just watched his highlights on youtube.

Your a baller when you score a defensive touchdown, hand the ball to the official. Then walk back to the sidelines like nothing happened. 

I wholeheartedly agree. Give me Weddle and I will be very happy! Give me Weddle and Coples, and it's Christmas in March!

[johnnydefence]

The Panthers are returning everyone from a 15-1 season. Andy Reid and Eagles sold a pipe dream and created an All-star team on paper. How much more compelling are these Panthers compared to those 2013 Eagles?  

[MHS831]

If you look at CJ's deal as $7m, then you need to consider the fact that we were losing $4m if he did not play.

Johnson has already been paid the $4m.  He was paid when we last restructured him. 

NOBODY costs us $4,m

CJOHNSON costs us $7m

Therefore, we are getting Johnson at $3m. 

Panther fans should be elated.  We saved $8m in cap room and got him for another season without mortgaging the future.  This was a GREAT deal for us, as was the TOLBERT deal.

I think we can afford Weddle, but he too will be asked to give us a break.  He wants a ring, and nobody better than Carolina with a need at S to deliver that promise.

[johnnydefence]

12 minutes ago, Kuechly59 said:

Unless your European it's defense bro....

 

oh oh and while I like weddle I prefer delta...

Kido, I have attended every Panther football camp since there inception. Look up Gerald Williams. I was an all state linebacker and I played on a 1aa championship football team. I was in Canton Ohio when Bob Christian scored the first ever panther touchdown. So, I am not sure why you intend on correcting all my post but please bark up someone else's tree. 

[KSpan]

53 minutes ago, KendrickPanther said:

15mill hit was untenable and 7mil hit is team friendly? meh. Its not a bad deal. It's not amazing either.

The $4M was spent years ago and was a sunk cost. It's a great value.

[johnnydefence]

7 minutes ago, Kuechly59 said:

And yet you don't know how to spell defense....

and btw that was a pre season td so it doesn't count.... Not that any claims made on the internet hold any water at all.

 

[PntherPryd]

5 hours ago, top dawg said:

Bill Barnwell of ESPN has somewhat surprisingly has come out with some grades on free agency so far, even though some of the deals were made within the last few hours.  Barnwelll has been busy, and his analysis is pretty compelling in my opinion.  For us NFL junkies, it is definitely worth reading, as it is as informative as it is opinionated.  

 

 

To see Barnwell's thoughts on the other transactions that have happened so far, read his article.

After seeing the Giants spending spree I was reminded of their criticism of Hurney (albeit deserved) and tried to google some info.  Found this article by Barnwell from 3.5 years ago. Interesting how quickly things go full circle!

http://grantland.com/features/the-roster-moves-made-panthers-gm-incompetent-best/

 "The Johnson deal was the sort of contract that causes lockouts and dramatically shifts the cost of unproven pass-rushers skyward."