3 Potential Cap Casualties For the Carolina Panthers in 2017

[Ricky Spanish]

The good thing about the Cason, Decoud, and Solalai signings is that they are team friendly deals, meaning we payed them but aren't on the hook for years to come if they sucked. This is a stark contrast to Hurney contracts where we were feeling the Cap heat from those poor decisions up to THIS season, which is absurd. We cut Cason and Decoud and actually got money back, and we'll most likely do the same for Solali (or whatever his name is, I never learned to spell it right because he didn't play well enough for me to learn to) this offseason. 

Stewart, I just don't see Gettleman cutting him outright. Stewart when healthy is almost worth that contract he signed way back when and he is without a doubt the best RB on the team. We have no one behind him. I wasn't a fan of the CAP draft pick honestly, I mean who takes a 25 year old rookie? He was never going to be a long term solution, just depth at the position.

I think we need to draft a good RB this year, and we're in an excellent spot to do it in the first two rounds. I think we keep stew, ask him to restructure converting some of the projected money to guaranteed money and spreading his cap hit over the next 2 or 3 years so it allows him to have more job security in a market that won't be kind to a 30+ year old RB, and still allows him to get payed his fair share. This allows us to draft an actual heir apparent to Stew allowing us to go to a 2 back system which will also help to keep Stewart and the rookie fresh as the season goes forward. 

 

[Guest]

The good thing about the Cason, Decoud, and Solalai signings is that they are team friendly deals, meaning we payed them but aren't on the hook for years to come if they sucked. This is a stark contrast to Hurney contracts where we were feeling the Cap heat from those poor decisions up to THIS season, which is absurd. We cut Cason and Decoud and actually got money back, and we'll most likely do the same for Solali (or whatever his name is, I never learned to spell it right because he didn't play well enough for me to learn to) this offseason. 

Stewart, I just don't see Gettleman cutting him outright. Stewart when healthy is almost worth that contract he signed way back when and he is without a doubt the best RB on the team. We have no one behind him. I wasn't a fan of the CAP draft pick honestly, I mean who takes a 25 year old rookie? He was never going to be a long term solution, just depth at the position.

I think we need to draft a good RB this year, and we're in an excellent spot to do it in the first two rounds. I think we keep stew, ask him to restructure converting some of the projected money to guaranteed money and spreading his cap hit over the next 2 or 3 years so it allows him to have more job security in a market that won't be kind to a 30+ year old RB, and still allows him to get payed his fair share. This allows us to draft an actual heir apparent to Stew allowing us to go to a 2 back system which will also help to keep Stewart and the rookie fresh as the season goes forward. 

 

It would be nice to see Stewart play into his early thirties , maybe 33 or so, and shoulder less of a workload as time goes on.

That helps everyone involved in the equation

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[AU-panther]

3 hours ago, chknwing said:

what would carolina be looking at as far as comp picks if we lost Stewart, KK, and Ginn and replaced them with players from the draft?

It would depend on who all we signed in FA.  If we didn't sign anyone it would be something like

Ginn- would depend on what kind of salery he received from a new team. I would guess 6th or 7th.

KK - 3rd

Stewart - is still under a contract for a year so he would be a cut, therefore he wouldn't factor in comp pick discussion.

[Camp Fodder]

4 hours ago, chknwing said:

what would carolina be looking at as far as comp picks if we lost Stewart, KK, and Ginn and replaced them with players from the draft?

Not sure but we cut all 3 of those guys we are probably drafting in the top 5 the following year

[pantherclaw]

I promise, any starting RB for the Panthers, especially while we're a run heavy offense, is going to be injury prone to the ignorant.

[MHS831]

5 hours ago, cookinbrak said:

This is incredi-stupid. If anything, let the current contract play out.

I guess Kuechly is gone, too.

Let me explain why it is not stupid...

Stewart turns 30 in March.  A recent study in SI showed that RB productivity drops 40% for NFL RBs between their peaks (26.5 or so) and 30.  Stew was the feature back and ran for about 800 yards this season.  According to the research based on NFL averages, expect 600 yards from him next season as the feature back. 

Many here have said "Put the $$ in the OL, not backs".  Here is a chance to do just that. 

He averaged below 4 yards a carry this season. 

His current contract is third highest in the NFL ahead of much more productive runners. 

The NFL draft is LOADED at RB.

It would be stupid to keep him under his current contract. 

 

[iamhubby1]

3 hours ago, Bogart said:

Makes sense to me but I'm old too.  The answer will come in the draft this year.  If Dave takes one high then Stew will most likely have to take a paycut to stay.   

 

He has 4 picks in the 1st 3 rounds. If he wants a RB, he has the ammo to get 1.

 

Part of me is kind of curious as to how Gman would grade, and draft, a Franchise type RB. I mean, did he truly believe that Cap might work out that way, and it just didn't work? Or was Cap just a flyer pick late in the draft? IMO, you can't count on a late round RB turning into an All Pro. Sure it happens, but if you are counting on it, you are an idiot.

 

If it were me? To protect Stewy long term by lower his carries, I would restructure Stewy, and draft his replacement this year. Not neccesarily Fournette, but if you trust your scouting dept., get you one with one of those first four picks. As the kid grows, you lessen the load on Stewy.

 

Personally, if Gman gets us a solid Vet DE, and SS, we can draft the best athlete on the board. As long as it's a skill position player, I don't care. Take Founette, more ower to ya. Take Williams, I can live with that. Because in my eyes, fill those two positions with solid vets, and we can go to war. All that talent we get in the draft is just sweet sweet icing on the cake.

 

Sorry, I lost my train of thought. Oh well, probably not going to be the last time. 

 

 

[MHS831]

 

1 minute ago, iamhubby1 said:

 

Personally, if Gman gets us a solid Vet DE, and SS, we can draft the best athlete on the board. As long as it's a skill position player, I don't care. Take Founette, more ower to ya. Take Williams, I can live with that. Because in my eyes, fill those two positions with solid vets, and we can go to war. All that talent we get in the draft is just sweet sweet icing on the cake.

 

\

 

 

My thinking exactly.  I think we are going DE in the first round.  Founette is the next AP--so you draft him if you think that.  But if you look at the big picture, you wait and draft a RB in the third round.  Here is why I think so:

There are no DEs in free agency worth a hoot.  The Impact DEs will be gone by the end of the first round.  Impact RBs can be found into the third.   What good is it to have a star RB if your defense can't stop anyone?  You won't run the ball down 20 points.

SS could be a veteran signing, but I would not mind both a vet and a rookie.

I think we draft a DT early too, because I think the KK situation is going to be a 1-year tag. Soliai probably is not coming back, so you have room to develop another DT.  KK stays, you are awesome.  If he leaves, you sign Star long term (cheaper) and have Butler and the rookie.

I think we draft a T, but later---There is a T at Chattanooga who is a real sleeper. I want him in the fifth or sixth.

Here is my wish list:

1. DE Taco Charlton or Solomon Thomas--leaning Thomas at the moment.

2. RB Christian McCaffery.  Not only does this pick free up cap $$ (I think we'd cut Stewie), it serves 2 purposes.  McCaffery is a very good pass receiver.  Motion him into the slot,and you do not lose much.  He catches over the middle and is an incredibly instinctive RB.  I would LOVE him in the second round. He would sell jerseys, for sure.

3.  We could double dip at DE, if a player drops here.  But more likely, we take a DT in the second if McCaffery is off the board.   I am going to say we grab a DT one of the Joneses --Jarron from ND or Nazair from UNC.  (He is climbing)

3.. I love this tall, fast SS from UCONN.  Obi Melifonwu.  Check him out. 

4.  I really like Kevin King CB Washington.  He is a good tackler,  at 6-3 he is a huge corner that could back up at S. Many think we are OK at CB, but you need 3 good ones.  His height, along with Obi above, would take the TE and the big WR out of the game. 

5. DE (Classic Gettlemen double-dip) Villanova DE

6. Corey Levin, OT Chattanooga.  He has great feet, speed, and mobility.  He is 6'6" and weighs 310 with longish arms.  Scouts like him at LT.  Sleeper.

[Soul Rebel]

Always love your thoughts and analyses MHS. Knowing the OL as well as you do, I will have to look into this Chattanooga guy. Agree 110% that OT is not a selection until after the 4th or 5th. 

Thoughts on Matt Dayes and James Conner in the 3rd?  I'm really high on Conner - he looks like a bellcow back and reminds me of Forte coming out of Tulane.

[Vagrant]

If we draft a RB in the first, I would have zero problem cutting or restructuring Stew and signing a veteran backup. 

[iamhubby1]

12 minutes ago, MHS831 said:

 

My thinking exactly.  I think we are going DE in the first round.  Founette is the next AP--so you draft him if you think that.  But if you look at the big picture, you wait and draft a RB in the third round.  Here is why I think so:

There are no DEs in free agency worth a hoot.  The Impact DEs will be gone by the end of the first round.  Impact RBs can be found into the third.   What good is it to have a star RB if your defense can't stop anyone?  You won't run the ball down 20 points.

SS could be a veteran signing, but I would not mind both a vet and a rookie.

I think we draft a DT early too, because I think the KK situation is going to be a 1-year tag. Soliai probably is not coming back, so you have room to develop another DT.  KK stays, you are awesome.  If he leaves, you sign Star long term (cheaper) and have Butler and the rookie.

I think we draft a T, but later---There is a T at Chattanooga who is a real sleeper. I want him in the fifth or sixth.

Here is my wish list:

1. DE Taco Charlton or Solomon Thomas--leaning Thomas at the moment.

2. RB Christian McCaffery.  Not only does this pick free up cap $$ (I think we'd cut Stewie), it serves 2 purposes.  McCaffery is a very good pass receiver.  Motion him into the slot,and you do not lose much.  He catches over the middle and is an incredibly instinctive RB.  I would LOVE him in the second round. He would sell jerseys, for sure.

3.  We could double dip at DE, if a player drops here.  But more likely, we take a DT in the second if McCaffery is off the board.   I am going to say we grab a DT one of the Joneses --Jarron from ND or Nazair from UNC.  (He is climbing)

3.. I love this tall, fast SS from UCONN.  Obi Melifonwu.  Check him out. 

4.  I really like Kevin King CB Washington.  He is a good tackler,  at 6-3 he is a huge corner that could back up at S. Many think we are OK at CB, but you need 3 good ones.  His height, along with Obi above, would take the TE and the big WR out of the game. 

5. DE (Classic Gettlemen double-dip) Villanova DE

6. Corey Levin, OT Chattanooga.  He has great feet, speed, and mobility.  He is 6'6" and weighs 310 with longish arms.  Scouts like him at LT.  Sleeper.

 

Ok, I'm going to just say this straight out. Part of me, likes part of that. While part of me, has no clue, and am lost.. Taco in the 1st, I don't like. McCafferty in the 2nd? Maybe. Other than that, I have not clue who most of those guys are.

 

First. What Gman does in FA will impact the draft greatly. So all this draft mocking is pure speculation, and meant for fun, and camaraderie. Mostly.

 

I feel that Coleman could be that Vet leader to a rook SS. I just would prefer to sign a solid Vet, and continue to develop the kids. Unless you are positive the kid is a goat, I would not use a 1st on a SS.

 

Once Bradberry came back at the bye, the Secondary did do good work. Not great, but for a first year unit, they played well together. Here's my bold "Swag". Sign a solid Vet CB, one who is a leader. And go get another 1st, or 2nd rounder. You want a strong Secondary? That is a strong Secondary.

 

Dline needs a solid DE, or two. Me? I'd bring in a vet who can rush the passer. Then I'd look very hard at a DE with that 8 pick. But if there's a kid that you really like, get him. IMO, we do need a kid DE this year. I mean, I would just hate to lose out on a premier DE. How often do you get a chance to draft a STUD DE?

 

Stewy  needs to restructure so he can train his replacement, which I would draft in the 2nd or 3rd. If I have to take Fournette in the 1st, I will.

 

Olsen needs a running mate. There are a bunch out there. Get the guy a solid play mate. A solid vet, should be relatively cheap, and effective. Cuz I don't want to have to what til next year for the rook to develop, because I wouldn't take one until the 3rd at the earliest.

 

Philly is a great #3/4. If we can get us a Philly type who is an actual #2 type. That would make us better. A vet would be nice, but the right rook will do.

 

Keek is a scary position. As is Oher. How we attack these two spots is yuge. Keek has some good mates behind him, as does Oher. If Keek is OK, we all breathe a sigh of relief. As with Oher, although maybe to a lesser degree. If we, I can barely get it out, lose Keek? What are you to do? If we lose Oher, we take a step backwards, but we still have Remmers. Not exactly what the doctor ordered, but better than starting over.? Right?

 

I have no idea who most of those guys are. So if they come here, more power to you for noticing them. I love College Football, and watch quite a bit. But all this draft stuff gets a little more in depth than I am willing to go. Don't get me wrong, I love all the information, I am just too lazy to look it up myself. Well, more like. Why look it up, when it will show up on the Huddle anyway? lol

 

tl/dr version. Just another ramble in a long line of rambles. Thanks for reading.

[cookinbrak]

"Stewart didn't do anything special this year!! He is a suck!!"

Playing behind the same rotational line that Cam played behind, it's the RBs fault. Makes total sense.

"WE have a high draft pick!! We can just draft FlavorOfTheMonth and all of our offensive problems go away!"

I know a certain QB who finds a problem with that logic.

[Leeroy Jenkins PhD]

Dave says he attempts to handle personnel decisions without bias or emotion.   

Without knowing the players,  just looking at stats and age,  you think 6 million buys us a better RB in FA? 

[Wundrbread33]

I don't think its a slam dunk that we let go of JStew, but if we do go RB in R1 or R2, I can see DG using that $6.5M extra money to spread around elsewhere.  Dude put up one 100+ yard game this season and had less than 900 yards. He isn't "oft injured" per se, but he does miss a fair enough amount of time year to year, as well as 30 years old at seasons start. 

Say we come out of the draft with Fournette/Cook/Foreman/etc. and are able to sign someone like Chandler or JPP, that $6.5M could help us also bring back Addison.

I like Stewart here and he's a tireless worker. He'd also be a great back to share the load with a rookie too. Imagine how worn out the defense would be in the 4th quarter!  Just saying that DG is a numbers/big picture guy that doesn't let emotion get in the way of his decisions for this franchise.

I'd seriously question Dave as a talent evaluator if he placed the blame on Stewart for only having one 100 yard game this year.

Dude has been, and still is a damn beast.


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