Big decisions to be made without many resources...

[I AM]

After the Peppers decision, it is time for us all to start looking at the Panthers and the team they are going to be going into the 2010 season with..

By my estimates, based on actions in the past as well as my own opinions, we could likely go into next season with the following 53 man roster:

Pending RFAs

Pending UFAs

Glaring Vacancies

Offense (23):

QB: Matt Moore, Jake Delhomme

RB: DeAngelo Williams, Jonathan Stewart, Tyrell Sutton, Mike Goodson

FB: Brad Hoover, Tony Fiametta

WR: Steve Smith, VACANT (Draftee), Dwayne Jarrett, Kenneth Moore

TE: Jeff King, Dante Rosario, Gary Barnidge

T: Jordan Gross, Jeff Otah, Geoff Schwartz

G: Travelle Wharton, Keydrick Vincent, Mackenzie Bernadeau, Duke Robinson

C: Ryan Kalil

Defense (26):

DE: Tyler Brayton, Charles Johnson, Everette Brown, VACANT (Draft/FA), Hilee Taylor

DT: Damione Lewis, Tank Tyler, Louis Leonard, Ed Johnson, Nick Hayden, Corvey Irvin

OLB: Thomas Davis, Na'il Diggs, James Anderson

MLB: Jon Beason, Landon Johnson, Dan Connor

CB: Chris Gamble, Richard Marshall, Captain Munnerlyn, C.J. Wilson, Dante Wesley

FS: Charles Godfrey, Sherrod Martin

SS: Chris Harris, Quinton Teal

Specialists (4):

PK: John Kasay, Rhys Lloyd

P: Jason Baker

LS: JJ Jansen

Now then, I'd say it's a pretty high priority to get Davis, Marshall, Moore, Tyler, and Leonard re-signed out of the RFA group, and Brayton and Vincent out of the UFAs.

Davis is a stud OLB, and has expressed interest in returning. Moore salvaged our dismal season to give us some sort of respect, and should enter next season as our number one QB. Marshall has been in our system for years, but I wouldn't be overly disappointed if we didn't retain him. Don't get me wrong, I want him back, but the presence of Munnerlyn and Martin might make him expendable in our eyes. Tyler and Leonard were acquired by sending away draft picks, so I'm pretty confident both with be extended. With letting Pep walk, Brayton becomes a necessity for depth rotation and experience. Vincent is another whom we may deem expendable with Bernadeau and Robinson probably capable of replacing him. I'd love to see him back though, and feel he is one of our more consistent Offensive Lineman.

Worst case scenario is we decide we want to get into the first round and tender someone like Moore or Marshall with a first round tender hoping someone takes the bait. With both this year's draft and free agent market being thin, some team could very well bite. But, we'd know how the market is too, so we'd likely match any offer...

It seems our most glaring needs at this point in time, if the depth chart plays out the way I have it listed above, will be WR and DE. WR mainly to give Smitty some relief since it seems Moose thinks he won't be back, and DE due to the loss of Pep. The WR class is pretty strong for second round grades, and it is possible we could get a capable starter in the third, but DE is pretty weak in the draft this year, and unless we get into the first round somehow, we'd be better off sticking with what we have and drafting someone in the third or fourth for depth/development. It's possible we could bring someone in via Free Agency at either of these vacancies, but I'm not all that impressed with any of the potential WRs, nor the DEs for the most part.

I've projected Kemo's release, and with his injury and salary, I believe it is a sure thing.

I guess that leaves us where we stand with my projections. Who on this depth chart can we part ways with and improve upon via the draft of Free Agency?

Unfortunately, in my opinion at least, I don't think we can do much improving. Guys like C.J. Wilson, Nick Hayden, or others might become expendable if we think we can improve our depth, but otherwise I feel like this will be another rather non-active year. The Free Agency market and the Draft are just lacking in excitement for me personally, and I don't think there is really much to be had out there.

Sure, the Panthers could surprise me and draft a QB, re-sign Pep once he tests the market, or sign someone like Dunta Robinson to play opposite Gamble... Knowing the Panthers, they could pull off something nobody is expecting...

Chances are that it will be business as usual, though, and we'll go into next season hoping to carry on the momentum we began to gain at the end of last season without much change.

[The Saltman]

your typing skills make me sense something, a presence I've not felt since.....

[necroplasm]

your typing skills make me sense something, a presence I've not felt since.....

His shoes was spit shined real well this mourning. so yea...

[Lumps]

"By my estimates, based on actions in the past as well as my own opinions, "

Didn't you swear on your mother the Panther's were tagging Peppers and basically smothered the board with 'He will be in a Panther uniform next year, bet on it". Then changed your name at a seemingly weird time within hours of Peppers did not get tagged?

[necroplasm]

"By my estimates, based on actions in the past as well as my own opinions, "

Didn't you swear on your mother the Panther's were tagging Peppers and basically smothered the board with 'He will be in a Panther uniform next year, bet on it". Then changed your name at a seemingly weird time within hours of Peppers did not get tagged?

Let him be, if it's him. He has every right to be here as any other Panthers fan. We all believe we are right when were not sometimes. Kinda like when half the people here was saying .." Delhomme will bounce back in 2009"

Besides this thread is very well put together and informative.

[I AM]

"By my estimates, based on actions in the past as well as my own opinions, "

Didn't you swear on your mother the Panther's were tagging Peppers and basically smothered the board with 'He will be in a Panther uniform next year, bet on it". Then changed your name at a seemingly weird time within hours of Peppers did not get tagged?

WTF are you talking about?

I never swore on anything... I was adamant that I "thought" the Panthers would and should keep Pep... and just so you know, it's still a 1/32 probability, or even better odds than that considering the Final 8 Plan, that Pep will be a Panther next year... At this point, I don't see it happening, but you never know...

I changed my name to keep my word...

How about you step your game up and offer some analysis of the Panthers before you go trying to call out someone else?

[scpanther22]

"By my estimates, based on actions in the past as well as my own opinions, "

Didn't you swear on your mother the Panther's were tagging Peppers and basically smothered the board with 'He will be in a Panther uniform next year, bet on it". Then changed your name at a seemingly weird time within hours of Peppers did not get tagged?

lol...

[2jakefansinva]

Nice post OP.

[Montsta]

SLJ, don't listen to these guys. Great post. You should however change your name to one of the following, because I AM is a shitty name for you.

El Diablo & The Magic Man

Jules Winnfield

Ordell Robbie

Mitch Hennessey

Elmo McElroy

Elijah Price

Gin Rummy

[Murph]

You need to put Tyler Brayton in red.

[Wither]

"By my estimates, based on actions in the past as well as my own opinions, "

Didn't you swear on your mother the Panther's were tagging Peppers and basically smothered the board with 'He will be in a Panther uniform next year, bet on it". Then changed your name at a seemingly weird time within hours of Peppers did not get tagged?

Dude, he copped to his "mistake." He's not trying to hide anything. Also, he said he would change it if Peppers did not get tagged.

[Montsta]

"By my estimates, based on actions in the past as well as my own opinions, "

Didn't you swear on your mother the Panther's were tagging Peppers and basically smothered the board with 'He will be in a Panther uniform next year, bet on it". Then changed your name at a seemingly weird time within hours of Peppers did not get tagged?

So is this a knock on a guy that kept his word, or did I miss something?

[I AM]

You need to put Tyler Brayton in red.

Good catch... I talked about him being UFA and didn't make him red...

Thanks!

[mountainpantherfan]

Good catch... I talked about him being UFA and didn't make him red...

Thanks!

I thought Llyod was a RFA as well?

Great OP. I think the Panthers might make a mini splash in FA; signing one big name player and then a couple mid-range talents. They will have to be careful though if they want a 3rd comp pick next year for Peppers. I'm also still hoping they bite the bullet and cut Delhomme, then I think McCown would be brought back.