Center Matt Paradis to Carolina/$27mm/3 years/$13.5mm guaranteed

[ellis]

Very solid value. 

Good work. 

[TheSpecialJuan]

David NewtonESPN Staff Writer 

The Panthers filled the void left by the retirement of Pro Bowl center Ryan Kalil by reaching an agreement with Denver center Matt Paradis. ESPN's Adam Schefter says it is a three-year, $27 million deal. Coach Ron Rivera expressed at the NFL combine that finding leadership on the line was key. So was protecting Cam Newton. Several boxes checked.

[LinvilleGorge]

4 minutes ago, Black&BlueBubba said:

That broken fibula would have a bigger effect on a guy who’s position requires speed.  Like a CB. 

I would be more concerned about Cockrell.  But at least Cockrell has had a ton of time to rehab since he broke it so early.  

Really hoping Cockrell comes back strong. That was a relatively low key signing last year that I really liked. I honestly think the plan was to have Bradberry and Cockrell on the outside and Jackson at nickel. Because remember, Captain spent the majority of ghe previous season in Rivera's doghouse.

[TheSpecialJuan]

David NewtonESPN Staff Writer 

With Matt Paradis' yearly average of $9 million on his three-year deal, the newest member of the Panthers is tied for seventh among NFL centers. New Buffalo center Mitch Morse leads the way with an average of $11.125 million. Retired Panthers center Ryan Kalil was averaging $8.375 million last season. That ranked 10th at his position.

[Bartin]

Hurney you sneaky bastard. That’s a hell of a deal for a great center.

Now just shut it down until the draft please unless you can get Daryl to come back for cheap.

[jfra78]

7 pages and no

Whats become of The Huddle

[TheSpecialJuan]

Bill Barnwell's take: 

Matt Paradis, C, Carolina Panthers

The deal: Three years, $27 million
Grade: B+

While Panthers fans might have been worried about the pivot after longtime starter Ryan Kalil retired this offseason, the Panthers should be in excellent shape with Paradis, who quietly matured into one of the league's best centers in Denver. The former sixth-round pick won a Super Bowl with the Broncos in 2015 and played under three different offensive coordinators during his four years as a starter, so he should be able to get with coordinator Norv Turner's offense quickly.

From the Panthers' perspective, this deal has to be considered a victory at a position of need. Paradis is older than most first-time free agents and turns 30 in October, so it's good that Carolina was able to keep this to a three-year pact. In a market in which Mitch Morse's four-year deal averaged $11.1 million per season, the Panthers managed to keep Paradis below the top free agents from last year's center class at $9 million per season.

Paradis is still recovering from a fractured fibula which ended his 2018 season, but unless there's something sneaky about this deal, it looks like an excellent deal for general manager Marty Hurney and Carolina.

[TheSpecialJuan]

Just now, TheSpecialJuan said:

Bill Barnwell's take: 

Matt Paradis, C, Carolina Panthers

The deal: Three years, $27 million
Grade: B+

While Panthers fans might have been worried about the pivot after longtime starter Ryan Kalil retired this offseason, the Panthers should be in excellent shape with Paradis, who quietly matured into one of the league's best centers in Denver. The former sixth-round pick won a Super Bowl with the Broncos in 2015 and played under three different offensive coordinators during his four years as a starter, so he should be able to get with coordinator Norv Turner's offense quickly.

From the Panthers' perspective, this deal has to be considered a victory at a position of need. Paradis is older than most first-time free agents and turns 30 in October, so it's good that Carolina was able to keep this to a three-year pact. In a market in which Mitch Morse's four-year deal averaged $11.1 million per season, the Panthers managed to keep Paradis below the top free agents from last year's center class at $9 million per season.

Paradis is still recovering from a fractured fibula which ended his 2018 season, but unless there's something sneaky about this deal, it looks like an excellent deal for general manager Marty Hurney and Carolina.

http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/26152205/barnwell-2019-nfl-free-agency-trade-grades-tracking-every-big-signing-move

[LinvilleGorge]

7 minutes ago, Bartin said:

Hurney you sneaky bastard. That’s a hell of a deal for a great center.

Now just shut it down until the draft please unless you can get Daryl to come back for cheap.

Not sure what's still out there at FS, but I'd like to be shopping there.

[Trill OG]

7 minutes ago, Bartin said:

Hurney you sneaky bastard. That’s a hell of a deal for a great center.

Now just shut it down until the draft please unless you can get Daryl to come back for cheap.

I low key think he has another move up his sleeve before draft. Not a big name, but a solid starter he could get for cheap.

[Cpt slay a ho]

1 minute ago, LinvilleGorge said:

Not sure what's still out there at FS, but I'd like to be shopping there.

Still some guys out there, besides Thomas who is out of range, there’s haha, Boston, and some other stop gaps available 

[LinvilleGorge]

2 minutes ago, Trill OG said:

I low key think he has another move up his sleeve before draft. Not a big name, but a solid starter he could get for cheap.

I hope it's Daryl Williams. Re-sign Williams and move Moton to LT and all of a sudden we look to have a legit OL.

[PantherNation123]

19 minutes ago, LinvilleGorge said:

Really hoping Cockrell comes back strong. That was a relatively low key signing last year that I really liked. I honestly think the plan was to have Bradberry and Cockrell on the outside and Jackson at nickel. Because remember, Captain spent the majority of ghe previous season in Rivera's doghouse.

Would be HUGE if Cockrell could be our starting nickel (and actually play well).  Having not seen him play much, I'm worried, and wouldn't mind if we brought in someone else, but given our cap situation, might not be possible

[tiger7_88]

This is an EXCELLENT signing and an EXCELLENT move to shore up a big hole in the roster.

On top of that it also opens up more options for the upcoming draft.  No need at all to draft a center (though it still wouldn't hurt my feelings to use our 1st or 2nd rounder on a LT if one of the better ones is still available).

I absolutely criticize Hurney and I still believe that the future of this franchise is damaged overall with the Hurney/Rivera partnership, but this is a major GOOD move in a positive direction.