Gantt says we will let Dwill walk in 2010.

[MaineManPanther]

We broke the bank to keep Pep, Jake, and Gamble this past off season.

If this organization let's Williams walk, instead of paying him....then they have officially lost their ******* minds, the stupidity will show up in glowing lights brighter than the sun being 5 miles from Earth.

The instances are different. With Peppers and Gamble we had two relativley young and talented players with no instant replacment or insurance if they left. With the Williams situaiton we have a back behind him that is extremely talented as well, we wont be without some insureance.

[raleigh-panther]

And thus the reason why fans would make horrible GM's. Not only should they be worrying about what could happen at the end of 2010 they should also be looking at what could happen in 2011 2012 and 2013.

My biggest complaint with Hurney has been his inability to look into the future and not just the present with building the team. We all remember what happened with Hurney's transition from Davis to a very promising Foster without any other backup plan. IMO, Hurney number one concern this offseason should be looking at how to handle Williams upcoming FA because how the plan to move ahead with that really is going to dictate a lot of other moves.

That is an agreeable point, it always has been.

Williams, however, is the least of their problems at the moment.

What is done, if anything by Richardson on January 4th - January 11th, will determine the fate of many players, not just Williams, 2010 for at least the next five years.

I pray for a fresh start for this team.

[SMACKDAB]

The instances are different. With Peppers and Gamble we had two relativley young and talented players with no instant replacment or insurance if they left. With the Williams situaiton we have a back behind him that is extremely talented as well, we wont be without some insureance.

Out of the 4 mentioned, who would want on the team more, or does the team need more?

[Zcustom]

read the whole thing, still don't get how it's even a consideration. Dwill isn't the type of guy to demand insane money, even if he did reality is he's worth it

[grateflday]

Just a guy trying to come up with something to write and get people to read it. First there is NO way you let Williams walk if you decided Stewart was the guy - The Panthers wouldnt let Peppers walk why in the world would they do that with Williams. If anything you trade him this offseason. Second, if I had to choose I keep Williams. He has more gamebreaking ability and can be used more receiving out of the backfield. It would be nice if somehow they were both here for a long time.

[beastson]

Doubt it... Stew got injury problems. Thats going be a major key come new management. Yea thats right we will have new management

[nosuchthingasapanther]

I would hate to see D-Will walk but one thing I cannot understand on this fourm is how so many think we can sign anyone anytime and never give it a thought as to how we can afford them. D-Will has earned a big time contract and if he wants to play hardball will get it. Can we affort to keep him, Pep, Davis, Beason, etc. and give them all what they want?

what people are failing to see is not carolina not wanting to pay what williams is worth...it's paying him WHEN he is due.

because key contracts are up in 2010, the rebuilding that everyone wants to see isn't going to happen until 2010. there's already too much invested in 2009.

unfortunately for williams, the RB position is probable the only position that isn't in any need...and unless something happens, won't be a need in 2010.

if stewart continues on his pace, his $2m+ a season salary could very well be in the $3-4m range at the end of next season.

how much more do you invest in an aging RB?

[Davidson Deac II]

Seems like a pretty good article. Football is in the end, a business, and if Williams demands an exorbinant salary, then they should at least consider letting Stewart carry the load. I would love to see Williams and Stewart together for a while, but we might not be able to afford to do so.

[MaineManPanther]

Out of the 4 mentioned, who would want on the team more, or does the team need more?

Its not that black and white. You were comapring a sitatuion to a sitation that's two years away with different varabiles. At time it made decent logic for Gamble and Peppers. Even if they don't keep williams, it's not simply they perfered one over the other.

[Delhommey]

Don't you DARE interfere with my right to freak out over nothing!

[CRA]

I'm not a huge fan but people bashing him for this article are way off....the question Gantt is asking is 100% legit.

I mean if you ended up with Peterson and Steven Jackson on the same team....it isn't realistic to look to keep both long term. Both are slightly different RBs but you would be a fool to "want" to let any one of them walk.....HOWEVER, it would make no sense really to keep both at the same time b/c you are letting talent sit when you could go get additional talent that could get more game reps at a different position.

[raleigh-panther]

Does anyone here really think that Stewart could carry the load, by himself, over 20 games, and hold up.

My opinion, no. I think he's a wonderful change of pace back and can he carry the load once in awhile when Williams is out, certainly. By himself, no, that foot is never going to hold up. I love his desire and his toughness, who wouldn't; but, no way is that backfield as successful with Stewart and Sutton as it is Williams and Sutton, who know though, maybe in the 2011 draft, the Panthers can find another RB.

I believe Deangelo Williams has at least 5 great years in him and a top tier back, not even yet approaching his prime. Getting rid of Williams would be the equivalent of getting rid of a young Emmitt Smith, and Smith had a lot better lines to run behind then the Panthers ever have had.

[Kyle82]

Gantt....you are INSANE!!!!

[Brooklyn Bully]

I've been saying for over a year now that we'll never be able to afford Double Trouble forever. That said, D-Lo is better than J-Stew...why would anyone even consider letting the better of the two go? I'm sorry, but Williams + cheap, brusing, FA sidekick + Sutton far outweighs Stewart + cheap, fast, FA sidekick + Sutton.

We've been able to compete financially offering big money contracts to players at all sorts of positions over the years. I think the FO is intelligent enough to handle a nice contract for Williams. I mean, he's worth it a million times over.

I think Gantt is one of the ones that is certain we'll keep Fox next year...but for the sole purpose of us not wanting to owe Fox money. While this is a business, keeping Fox could actually lose you more than you'd owe him if you fired him. Perhaps Gantt has issues with money, who knows.