$16 mil per year actually a reasonable starting point

[top dawg]

I have read about three articles now which suggest that paying Norman $16 million per year is not as outlandish as some Panthers fans think. David Newton has basically summed up the situation as well as anyone. 

http://espn.go.com/blog/carolina-panthers/post/_/id/20271/how-much-is-panthers-cornerback-josh-norman-worth

Some people are of the mistaken opinion that Norman is crazy for wanting to be paid so highly, and some have even suggested that a contract similar in figures to Janoris Jenkins' is just unheard of, failing to understand that these contracts could actually turn out to be bargains in a couple of years as the salary cap keeps increasing.  

As David Newton says, Dave Gettleman is "very" comfortable with paying Norman nearly $14 million this year. But, according to Newton, Gettleman hasn't even gotten to the Janoris Jenkins range yet, which basically suggests that this is why the talks have been so contentious.

"The Panthers aren’t even at the $12.5M-a-year range in negotiations, which is why Norman hasn’t signed the tag. There’s no motivation to sign until the sides are close enough that both believe they’re bargaining in good faith."

This is kind of surprising (kinda), but sheds a little light as to why Norman has been talking a lot lately.

As I said, Norman isn't crazy and is fully deserving of whatever he can get, but the problem is that Gettleman may not value Norman's play enough---or the position of CB enough, to want to pay what Norman could conceivably get on the open market. Or, like some here have suggested, paying high salaries to top corners may not fit in with Gettleman's general philosophy of team building, or at least not in this specific situation at the moment (as Kawann Short's and Star Lotulelei's future contracts are looming).

G-man has largely earned the trust of Huddlers, and I believe that we believe he will ultimately do the right thing as it pertains to Norman (whatever that is), but I sincerely hope that they can work something out. I just hope that people realize that Norman is not wrong for wanting to get paid something close to what he feels he is worth, and that Gettleman is not necessarily right or wrong for towing the line. As fans let's just hope that they are both willing to give and take a little---compromise---for the sake of the team in good faith.

 

[Snake]

No way we pay him even 14.

[Jase]

The rule of thumb for negotiating contracts with franchise players is to take this year's franchise number and next year's franchise number and average them.  That comes to $15.4 million per year, not so outlandish to ask for 16 if your goal is to land at 15.5.

[Frank Hollywood]

It depends. I'd like to see the numbers on the average percentage between what a player intially wants, and what they sign for. They obviously don't exist, but if its about a 25% difference, I'd have to agree 12mil per year is reasonable, especially when you factor how fast the cap is rising.

[Bartin]

I spent a good 5 minutes earlier laughing at the thought of Gettleman calling up Jerry Reese and cussing him out in yiddish slang for giving Janoris Jenkins more than he is offering Norman.

[top dawg]

1 minute ago, Bartin said:

I spent a good 5 minutes earlier laughing at the thought of Gettleman calling up Jerry Reese and cussing him out in yiddish slang for giving Janoris Jenkins more than he is offering Norman.

Yeah. Paying Janoris Jenkins what is now Janoris-Jenkins-money seems a bit of a reach, but paying Josh Normans Janoris-Jenkins-money would be good in my book.

[Catufb85]

He can justify it all he wants.  Two points I'd like to make: First, Norman turns 30 this year and although he was the best CB in the league last year he hasn't consistently played that well over years time.  To want more than $2 million dollars more than more accomplished DBs i.e. Sherman, Revis, Peterson, etc.  is still ludicrous.  Should he get paid, absolutely, but when a player of that caliber suggest that kind of figure you have to think to yourself, is he really being the team player he has been.  I compare it to any job...because that is what it is a job.  If you go the year with dominating your numbers, sales, expectations, etc.  you probably feel as though you deserve the most you can get or atleast equivalent to the "top guys." That's justifiable, but keep in mind your boss may want more than just one year performance before they really invest in you.  Highly unlikely in any field you go from "level 1 pay" and skip to "Level 3". 

Second, Norman will turn 30 in December and we all know that Gettleman hasn't had a history of shelling out big bucks to "older" players.  He had the cajones to cut Smith, DeAngelo, and Charles Johnson, all key players for the Panthers organization, before paying them big bucks.   I just don't see Gettleman dropping a $16 mill a year deal with a 30 year old cornerback.  We know he loves the Hog Mollies and I could guess that his focal point is to lock up KShort and Star.

Just my 2 cents.  At this point if Norman doesn't sign on the dotted line and holds out and becomes a distraction, I would perfectly find with Gettleman trading him.

[Bartin]

6 minutes ago, Catufb85 said:

He can justify it all he wants.  Two points I'd like to make: First, Norman turns 30 this year and although he was the best CB in the league last year he hasn't consistently played that well over years time.  To want more than $2 million dollars more than more accomplished DBs i.e. Sherman, Revis, Peterson, etc.  is still ludicrous.  Should he get paid, absolutely, but when a player of that caliber suggest that kind of figure you have to think to yourself, is he really being the team player he has been.  I compare it to any job...because that is what it is a job.  If you go the year with dominating your numbers, sales, expectations, etc.  you probably feel as though you deserve the most you can get or atleast equivalent to the "top guys." That's justifiable, but keep in mind your boss may want more than just one year performance before they really invest in you.  Highly unlikely in any field you go from "level 1 pay" and skip to "Level 3". 

Second, Norman will turn 30 in December and we all know that Gettleman hasn't had a history of shelling out big bucks to "older" players.  He had the cajones to cut Smith, DeAngelo, and Charles Johnson, all key players for the Panthers organization, before paying them big bucks.   I just don't see Gettleman dropping a $16 mill a year deal with a 30 year old cornerback.  We know he loves the Hog Mollies and I could guess that his focal point is to lock up KShort and Star.

Just my 2 cents.  At this point if Norman doesn't sign on the dotted line and holds out and becomes a distraction, I would perfectly find with Gettleman trading him.

While I agree with your overall point that Josh won't get near what he wants from Gettleman nor is he worth what he wants, he is actually turning 29 this season and DG did give big money extensions to TD and Olsen last year who are both over 30.

[X-Clown on 1]

I have a lot more faith in DG, than I do Norman.

[csx]

3 minutes ago, Bartin said:

While I agree with your overall point that Josh won't get near what he wants from Gettleman nor is he worth what he wants, he is actually turning 29 this season and DG did give big money extensions to TD and Olsen last year who are both over 30.

Yes, but the average salary of TD and Olsen combined is 16.5 million per.  

[Bartin]

3 minutes ago, csx said:

Yes, but the average salary of TD and Olsen combined is 16.5 million per.  

Near the top of the market for their position though which is what Norman is asking for.

[ladypanther]

10 minutes ago, Bartin said:

While I agree with your overall point that Josh won't get near what he wants from Gettleman nor is he worth what he wants, he is actually turning 29 this season and DG did give big money extensions to TD and Olsen last year who are both over 30.

TD and Olsen have proven their worth over time.  Norman gave us 1 very good year...his contract year.

[csx]

Just now, Bartin said:

Near the top of the market for their position though which is what Norman is asking for.

Clearly he is a contributor to our success but I don't think he's worth it. That's just my opinion.  And I fully understand how the market dictates position salaries but seeing him get nearly $4 million more than Kuechly on average just doesn't seem right. 

[jumpman910]

Personally I wouldn't pay him $16 mil,  he's earned to be one of the highest paid corners tho.  He's worked for it and deserves to be paid as such. Just won't be here and if 12.5 is what the offer is that's an insult when janoris makes 14 mil. But in two seasons 16 mil for corners will be the going rate for ones that may not be as productive as josh.  As the cap goes up so will the salaries. When Bortles and Carr reup on deals they'll easily make more than Cam and we'll all laugh but it's just the nature of the beast.  So in theory if josh can give his next team 4 more good years then it's not such a crazy investment. But regardless of what happens some panther fans will still bitch and moan like females about josh wanting to get paid. He's earned and I hope he gets it from someone.  I say enjoy his last season and keep building for continued success.