As much grief as I've given them, I think the Panther FO has been brilliant lately

[beastson]

Nope all we need is an explosive receiver and we set

[Leeroy Jenkins PhD]

Brayton has signed with someone else already?

[pstall]

i would have to think some of those guys they could have gotten something in return but it looks more and more like this was the plan all along.

Survive the last 2 years, compete and look good and dump contracts and spread out guranteed money over a couple of years.

[mountainpantherfan]

So when the Panthers decide to cut (or let walk) aging and overpriced vets, the only conclusion is that Richardson is being cheap. When the Patriots, Steelers and Eagles do it, they are being smart?

These were smart moves and just like Sam said, even if they don't go after FA, it's still a smart move.

[pantherj]

If our defense plays as well as last season, then I'm having a Panther jersey made with MEEKS put on it.

[Kevin Greene]

agreed here. i'm pretty behind everything that they have done.

But they need to follow it up with some free agent acquisitions, so far Charlotte is a ghost town.

[pstall]

Agreed KG. Way too early to use the label brilliant. Now if you are the Panther's accountant then maybe.

[CatMan72]

In my opinion, all these moves so far made perfect sense.

It's shocking to watch all these guys go at once, especially Peppers and Delhomme at the same time, but so far Peppers is the only "impact" player we've lost.

I'm really looking forward to the season now, lots of new blood out on the field for us. I'm ready to see guys like Dan Connor and Charles Johnson finally get some legit playing time.

[2jakefansinva]

So when the Panthers decide to cut (or let walk) aging and overpriced vets, the only conclusion is that Richardson is being cheap. When the Patriots, Steelers and Eagles do it, they are being smart?

These were smart moves and just like Sam said, even if they don't go after FA, it's still a smart move.

This post is sticky material. :iagree:

[MadHatter]

Outside of the Peppers departure, I think every position will be just as strong...if not stronger next season.

Kemo was average two years ago...now he is coming off a major achille injury that is not healing well.

Brayton was solid, but not spectacular. We can replace him in FA or the draft. Johnson and Brown are both better and more athletic.

Diggs was solid, but was losing a step. Meeks defense is based on speed. Connor or Anderson will outperform his average play.

We are thin at back-ups now, but that can be worked.

Add a WR and we are better than next year....

[carolinanimal]

funny how before all these cuts everyone said we need to focus on qb and wr mainly offense , people said d was set. now that same d that was set , the #10 ranked d, the whole line sucked and was average at best. i mean they were just holding back all the young probowlers ready to bust out behind them coming of ir!!!

[House]

It boils down to this, we were a .500 team last year. We have a lot of young potential talent languishing on the bench. That leaves two options. Re-sign a lot of older vets that are past their peak or find out exactly how good the young guys are.

[Sloth]

funny how before all these cuts everyone said we need to focus on qb and wr mainly offense , people said d was set. now that same d that was set , the #10 ranked d, the whole line sucked and was average at best. i mean they were just holding back all the young probowlers ready to bust out behind them coming of ir!!!

Yeah, I picked up on that too. I hadn't realized how truly awful Brayton, Lewis and Diggs were until a few hours ago. Thank God they're gone.

[Guest BradThomas]

I agree. I think these moves were overdue -

- cut a 31-year old, 350 lb guy coming off an Achilles tear who also had complications in recovery that had a big salary.

- cut a 32-year old undersized DT who couldn't get pressure on the QB and was overpaid.

- cut a 32-year old linebacker who was solid, but declining. Arguably would have lost his position to James Anderson anyhow. Wasn't worth what he was being paid.

- cut a 29-year old outside linebacker who had been injured for most of his tenure here and couldn't beat out Na'il Diggs for a starting position. Was overpaid.

- Cut a 35-year old QB who never was the same after Tommy John surgery on his throwing elbow. Was statistically one of the worst QBs in the NFL last season, and was signed to a terrible contract.

- Let a 30-year old, unmotivated and unhappy defensive end walk after declining to pay him $21 million for one season.

I fail to see how this is negative.