Being a Panthers fan in the offseason is always so...

[Future of the Funchise]

:rant:

Boring!!! Dammit, I need some excitement. How about a blockbuster trade, an all pro free agent signing... Something. We have to be one of the most stagnant teams in the league. Never really shaking things up. The only time we really make a big move is in the draft, but thats only to trade away the next years first round pick. On top of that we keep losing good players and then do a half ass job of trying to replace them. We've been through like 50 DT's trying to fill the hole Kris Jenkins left, and if Pep decides he's really ready to walk away what are we gonna do about him.

iono... that's just how I feel. Any thoughts?

[Wither]

So you want something to happen (that could be bad) just for some excitement?

[csx]

What was the last big time FA signing or "blockbuster" trade that made much of a difference? Brees?

[Future of the Funchise]

1993: Reggie White, Packers

Former team: Eagles

Position: Defensive end

Reported terms: Four years, $17 million

The first free agent period was ushered in with perhaps the biggest impact signing of all time. The Packers lavished the richest contract for a defensive lineman ever on Reggie White and he proved worth every penny. White amassed 68 ½ sacks in six seasons with Green Bay and led the Packers to their only Super Bowl championship since the Vince Lombardi era. White was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2006. Honorable mention: RB Marcus Allen (Raiders to Chiefs)

Top 10 pass rushers: Reggie White | Fields of Glory | Hall of Fame highlights

1994: Deion Sanders, 49ers

Former team: Falcons

Position: Cornerback

Reported terms: One year, $1 million

Though he played only one season in San Francisco, Deion Sanders was largely responsible for helping the Steve Young-led 49ers finally overcome the Dallas Cowboys and win a Super Bowl. He had a career-high three interception returns for touchdowns in his one year with the 49ers and finished with six picks and 303 return yards. Showing his penchant for clutch play, Sanders also had two key postseason interceptions. Honorable mention: DE Sean Jones (Oilers to Packers).

Career highlights | Prime Time Love | Super Bowl XXIX highlights

1995: Deion Sanders, Cowboys

Former team: 49ers

Position: Cornerback

Reported terms: Seven years, $25 million

Sanders makes the list twice in a row. After accepting less money and winning a Super Bowl with the 49ers, Sanders decided to end talk that he would retire from football and play baseball exclusively by signing a mega deal with the Cowboys. In his first year he helped lead Dallas to its third championship in four years and went on to have five standout seasons with the Cowboys despite playing part-time in 1995. Honorable mention: G Mark Schlereth (Redskins to Broncos)

1996: Troy Vincent, Eagles

Former team: Dolphins

Position: Cornerback

Reported terms: Five years, $16.5 million

The physical cornerback made five straight Pro Bowls with the Eagles from 1999-2003 and was a constant figure on one of the NFC's better defenses at the turn of century, missing only 10 games in his seven seasons with the team. He recorded 28 of his 47 career interceptions with the Eagles and in 2001 had an astounding 24 passes defensed. He was also one of the better tacklers at his position in the league. Honorable mention: WR Keenan McCardell (Browns to Jaguars)

Troy Vincent interview

1997: Tony Siragusa, Michael McCrary, Ravens

Former team: Colts, Seahawks

Position: Defensive tackle, defensive end

Reported terms: Four years, $16 million/three years, $6 million

The two Ravens acquisitions share the 1997 honor. They were both vital contributors for the Ravens' record-setting defense that led the team to a Super Bowl XXV victory over the Giants. Siragusa played five seasons in Baltimore and helped Ray Lewis become one of the best middle linebackers in the game by keeping blockers off the fleet playmaker. McCrary was an elite pass rusher who had 51 sacks in six years at Baltimore. Honorable mention: LB Chad Brown (Steelers to Seahawks)

America's Game: 20000 Ravens | Super Bowl XXV highlights

1998: Curtis Martin, Jets

Former team: Patriots

Position: Running back

Reported terms: Six years, $36 million

When Bill Parcells moved on from the Patriots to the Jets, he targeted his former running back Curtis Martin as a necessary conerstone signing for his new team. He handed the rusher such an exorbitant contract that the Patriots declined to match the offer for the restricted free agent. In his first seven seasons with the Jets he never rushed for fewer than 1,094 yards and had 67 total touchdowns with New York. Honorable mention: RB Ricky Watters (Eagles to Seahawks)

A tribute to Martin's career

1999: Rich Gannon, Raiders

Former team: Chiefs

Position: Quarterback

Reported terms: Four years, $16 million

At the time, Gannon's signing by Oakland was not considered major news. The 33-year-old veteran had never started 16 games in a season and was an afterthought in Kansas City after the Chiefs had named Elvis Grbac the starter. As it turned out, Gannon's signing may have been the best free-agent quarterback acquisition ever as he won two NFL MVP awards and led the Raiders to a Super Bowl appearance in 2003. Honorable mention: G Adam Timmerman (Packers to Rams)

Super Bowl XXXVII highlights

2000: Jon Runyan, Eagles

Former team: Titans

Position: Offensive tackle

Reported terms: Six years, $30 million

The offensive tackle spot is one of the toughest positions on the field to fill and the Eagles hit the equivalent of a free-agent home run with the signing of Runyan. Runyan's arrival coincided with one of the greatest eras in Eagles team history as they went on to win 11-plus games in his first five years with the franchise. He has started every game since signing with the Eagles eight years ago and is still going strong at the age of 34. Honorable mention: WR Joe Horn (Chiefs to Saints)

Playbook exclusive: Jon Runyan | Jon Runyan interview

2001: Priest Holmes, Chiefs

Former team: Ravens

Position: Running back

Reported terms: Five years, $8 million

Holmes performed well as Jamal Lewis' backup during the Ravens' Super Bowl season in 2000, but despite his success, there were not a lot of suitors for Holmes in free agency. The Chiefs signed him for a bargain price and got perhaps the NFL's best running back over a three-year period. From 2001-2003, Holmes averaged 1,530 rushing yards, 659 receiving yards and 20 total touchdowns per season. Honorable mention: LB Mike Vrabel (Steelers to Patriots)

Holmes retires

2002: James Farrior, Steelers

Former team: Jets

Position: Linebacker

Reported terms: Three years, $5.4 million

In the Steelers' 3-4 defense the role of the linebackers is heightened and Farrior has provided elite production in his six years with the team. Farrior has recorded over 100 tackles in three seasons with Pittsburgh and had a career-high 6½ sacks in 2007. Showing his versatility, he has also been a force in coverage, coming up with 30 passes defensed and seven interceptions during his tenure with the Steelers. Honorable mention: LB Donnie Edwards (Chiefs to Chargers)

Steelers report

2003: Jake Delhomme, Panthers

Former team: Saints

Position: Quarterback

Reported terms: Two years, $4 million

Similar to Gannon in that he was a career backup before breaking out later in his career, Delhomme is yet another quarterback who flourished when given a full-time chance in the right situation. He has led the Panthers to one Super Bowl and another NFC Championship Game appearance in his five seasons with the club. He was off to a great start in 2007 before elbow surgery sidelined him after three games. He should be fine in 2008. Honorable mention: FB Lorenzo Neal (Bengals to Chargers)

Delhomme feeling good | Super Bowl XXXVIII highlights

2004: John Lynch, Broncos

Former team: Buccaneers

Position: Safety

Reported terms: Three years, $9 million

Many thought the veteran safety may have been washed up when he signed with the Broncos at the age of 32, but he has had four productive seasons since in Denver. In those four years, he has accumulated seven sacks, three interceptions and 21 passes defensed. He was an integral part of the defense that helped defeat the two-time defending champion Patriots in a 2005 AFC divisional playoff game. Honorable mention: DE Grant Wistrom (Rams to Seahawks)

Lynch highlights | Lynch interview

2005: Plaxico Burress, Giants

Former team: Steelers

Position: Wide receiver

Reported terms: Six years, $25 million

The talented wideout had seen his production drop two straight years amid injury woes and perceived attitude issues in Pittsburgh. Such a background does not usually make a player highly sought after, but Burress was young and skilled enough that the Giants decided to gamble on the playmaker and it has paid off handsomely. He caught the winning touchdown in Super Bowl XLII and is one of the best receivers in the game. Honorable mention: LB Antonio Pierce (Redskins to Giants)

Burress highlights | Who Is: Plaxico Burress

2006: Drew Brees, Saints

Former team: Chargers

Position: Quarterback

Reported terms: Six years, $60 million

Concerned about his shoulder injury, the Chargers decided to let Brees go and hand the starting job to first-round draft pick Phillip Rivers. While the Chargers have not lost a lot with the emerging Rivers, the Saints have gained a ton by the acquisition of Brees. He helped New Orleans advance to its first ever NFC Championship Game appearance in his first season and leads one of the NFL's most explosive offenses. Honorable mention: WR Terrell Owens (Eagles to Cowboys), CB Charles Woodson (Raiders to Packers)

Brees highlights | Brees interview

2007: Leonard Davis, Cowboys

Former team: Cardinals

Position: Guard

Reported terms: Seven years, $50 million

The second overall pick of the 2001 draft was once considered a disappointment as he started out at the tackle position. Upon moving to guard his career began to take a turn for the better and he enjoyed a career year for the Cowboys last season. He earned his first Pro Bowl invitation and was a key cog for the NFC's best offense last year, manhandling defensive tackles with his impressive strength. Honorable mention: RB Jamal Lewis (Ravens to Browns)

Found this list on NFL.com

[SCP]

...much better than being a Redskin fan during the regular season or a Cowboy fan in the playoffs.

[csx]

I'd like to see a list of big time FA signings that were a bust. Delhomme was not a big signing. I don't want to see them sign FA for my offseason entertainment, I want them to make decisions that better the team.

[SCP]

I'd like to see a list of big time FA signings that were a bust. Delhomme was not a big signing. I don't want to see them sign FA for my offseason entertainment, I want them to make decisions that better the team.

Exactly. I'd rather have good decisions than offseasons like the Skins have. Spending big money and making headlines, for what? Not a damn thing.

[SorthNarolina]

:rant:

Boring!!! Dammit, I need some excitement. How about a blockbuster trade, an all pro free agent signing... Something. We have to be one of the most stagnant teams in the league. Never really shaking things up. The only time we really make a big move is in the draft, but thats only to trade away the next years first round pick. On top of that we keep losing good players and then do a half ass job of trying to replace them. We've been through like 50 DT's trying to fill the hole Kris Jenkins left, and if Pep decides he's really ready to walk away what are we gonna do about him.

iono... that's just how I feel. Any thoughts?

If you ask nicely I'll go acuse Jon Beason of doing coke...

[Future of the Funchise]

I'd like to see a list of big time FA signings that were a bust. Delhomme was not a big signing. I don't want to see them sign FA for my offseason entertainment, I want them to make decisions that better the team.

True, but the purpose of signing the big free agent would be to help the team.

List of the worse

Scoresreport.com

10. Chuck Smith, Panthers, 2000/LeCharles Bentley, Browns, 2006

These players are listed together because they both fell victim to the same curse at separate times during the decade. After finishing as the Falcons’ all-time leader in sacks at 58.5, Smith signed a lucrative five-year, $21 million deal with the Panthers. But after playing just two games for Carolina, a knee injury cost him the rest of the season, as well as his career. If only Bentley were fortunate enough to play two games. After signing a six-year, $36 million deal that included $12.5 million in guaranteed money, Bentley ruptured a patellar tendon on his first day of training game, which led to a series of staph infections that almost led to doctors having to amputate his leg. The Browns essentially paid him $16 million for zero games and while injuries are to blame for both of these players’ misfortunes, they were nevertheless busted free agent signings for their respective teams.

9. Edgerrin James, Cardinals, 2006

The Cardinals opened up their wallet for James, who was coming off two consecutive Pro Bowl seasons with the Colts. But after shelling out a four-year, $30 million contract and committing $11.5 million in bonuses to the 28-year old back, James failed to rush for 4.0 YPC in each of his three seasons in Arizona. In his final year in the desert, James lost his starting job to Tim Hightower and managed only 514 yards on 133 carries with three touchdowns. Outside of a decent (and that’s putting it generously) effort in the postseason last year, James was a huge disappointment in Arizona.

8. Jevon Kearse, Eagles, 2004

Kearse signed a record-breaking deal for a defensive linemen in 2004 when he inked an eight-year, $65 million contract with a $16 million signing bonus. He played well in the Eagles’ Super Bowl season in 2004 and again in 2005, but his sack numbers dropped from 9.5 in his last year with the Titans, to 7.5 in his first season with Philadelphia. He played well again in 2005, but a knee injury ransacked his 2006 season and everything went down hill from there. He was accused of partying too much in the offseason of 2007 and then his production dipped so much during the season that he was actually benched in Week 11 for Juqua Thomas. The Eagles cut their losses the following offseason.

7. Daryl Gardner, Broncos, 2003

After handing him a seven-year, $34.8 million deal with a $5 million signing bonus, the former Dolphin and Redskin was suspended twice by the Broncos for conduct detrimental to the team and was a cancer in the locker room. He wound up playing in just five games for Denver, starting just two of them. The Broncos finally waived the ineffective, overpaid defensive tackle after reaching an undisclosed settlement after the 2003 season.

6. Ahman Green, 2007, Texans

In desperate need of a full-time back, Houston signed Green to a four-year, $23 million contract in order to reunite him with his former head coach Mike Sherman. The problem is that Green was coming off a serious injury and in only two seasons with the Texans, he finished with a paltry 554 yards and five touchdowns in 14 games. The injury-prone back could never stay healthy and thus, was dumped in February of 2009.

5. David Boston, Chargers, 2003

San Diego signed the brash, destructive Boston to a seven-year, $47 million deal, which included $12 million in guarantees over the first two seasons. At the time, it was the richest contract given to a player in Chargers’ history and Boston rewarded the team by catching 70 passes for 880 yards and seven touchdowns. Of course, he was also suspended one-game for clashing with strength coach Dave Redding and also had separate disputes with teammate Reche Caldwell and head coach Marty Schottenheimer. After blowing $12 million on the receiver, the Bolts traded him to Miami after just one season in San Diego.

4. Jeff Garcia, Browns, 2004

The Browns thought they finally found their answer at quarterback when they signed the 34-year-old Garcia to a four-year deal worth $25 million in 2004. He had been to three Pro Bowls with the 49ers and provided the veteran leadership that Cleveland desperately needed. But in his first training camp, the veteran complained about not getting enough playing time and also bitched about the coaching methods of Butch Davis and Terry Robiskie. In only 10 starts with the Browns, he finished with a 3-7 record and even recorded a 0.0 QB rating in the second game of the season. He was released after just one season in Cleveland before going on to being a free agent bust for the Lions.

3. Adam Archuleta, Redskins, 2006

Hey, what do you know – another horrible free agent deal orchestrated by the mastermind, Daniel Snyder. After signing a seven-year, $35 million deal with $10 million in guaranteed money, Archuleta rode the bench for most of his first (and only) season with the Redskins. Despite being the highest-paid safety in NFL history at the time, he finished with zero interceptions and one sack. The only saving grace for the Redskins was that they were able to dump Archuleta (and his $5 million bonus) on the Bears in a trade that following March. After just one season in Chicago, the Bears released him and now the former first round pick is out of work.

2. Javon Walker, Raiders, 2008

The deal that the Raiders gave Walker in 2008 should be proof alone that Al Davis has nothing left between the ears. Despite being released by the Broncos after missing half of the 2007 season due to injuries, Davis handed Walker a six-year, $55 million deal with $16 million in guarantees. His first season started off with a bang, as he was beaten and robbed in Las Vegas and then was placed on injured reserve after catching only 15 passes and one touchdown in seven games. So far this season, he’s played in three games and has exactly zero catches for zero yards. Good thing Oakland only owes him $27 million in the first three years of his deal.

1. Deion Sanders, Redskins, 2000

After the Cowboys cut him in a salary cap dump, Redskins owner Daniel Snyder swooped in and handed Sanders a ludicrous seven-year, $56 million deal with an $8 million signing bonus. After signing the brash corner, Snyder deemed Sanders “the ultimate weapon in football.” But while he did intercept four passes that season, Sanders was ineffective as a punt returner and his attitude rubbed loyal Redskins fans the wrong way. Given the tremendous class and leadership that Darrell Green exhibited during his time in Washington, “Neon Deion” acted like a prime time ass. Sanders clearly wasn’t the same player that he was in previous seasons, yet Snyder felt it was a wise to pay him as such. Making matters worse, Sanders essentially demanded to be released following just one season in our nation’s capital because he didn’t want to play for coach Marty Schottenheimer. Talk about not getting what you paid for.

Honor Mention: Emmitt Smith (Cardinals/2003); Kerry Collins (Raiders/2004); Warren Sapp (Raiders/2004); Joe Johnson (Packers/2002); Marco Rivera (Cowboys/2005); Jeff George (Redskins/2000); Dexter Jackson (Cardinals/2003); Jeremiah Trotter (Redskins/2002).

[Future of the Funchise]

If you ask nicely I'll go accuse Jon Beason of doing coke...

Whoa... Not necessary...

Thats going above and beyond the call of duty.

[Brooklyn Bully]

Hey, OP, you may...just mayyyy want to let the season end first.

[Jangler]

Ya, that's what I was thinking. Let the 2009 season end before we start complaining about how sloooooooooooooooooooooow it is. Sheeeeeeeeeeeesssssshhhhh we have some impatient people in this world now.

[Future of the Funchise]

For me the season has been over. If the Panthers aren't playing i don't really care.

[Wither]

10. Chuck Smith, Panthers, 2000/LeCharles Bentley, Browns, 2006

These players are listed together because they both fell victim to the same curse at separate times during the decade. After finishing as the Falcons’ all-time leader in sacks at 58.5, Smith signed a lucrative five-year, $21 million deal with the Panthers. But after playing just two games for Carolina, a knee injury cost him the rest of the season, as well as his career. If only Bentley were fortunate enough to play two games. After signing a six-year, $36 million deal that included $12.5 million in guaranteed money, Bentley ruptured a patellar tendon on his first day of training game, which led to a series of staph infections that almost led to doctors having to amputate his leg. The Browns essentially paid him $16 million for zero games and while injuries are to blame for both of these players’ misfortunes, they were nevertheless busted free agent signings for their respective teams.

How is that a lucrative contract? Was the pay really that bad back then? Compare that to Peppers now.