Anybody else disgusted with Richardson?

[blackcatgrowl]

Then cut ticket prices the same 20% he is cutting the budget and we might be happier with a watered down product on the field. Better yet make beer prices 2 bucks a piece and by the third quarter we won't care that we are getting our butts waxed.

If we aren't in the hunt for the playoffs from the get go, the only way they will fill that stadium is if they do exactly what you suggest.

[panthers55]

I thought most were worried about his ability to block, not run or catch the ball? In fact, isn't that what the Panthers mainly use the FB for? Wait, isn't that what most of the NFL use the FB for?

It depends on the skill sets of the player. Sure they have to lead block as well as pass protect. But many teams also use their fullback on short yardage situations, on pass routes in the flats and other situations. Obviously they are used more for misdirection when the obvious play is give it to the back but to say all they have to do is block is simplistic at best. One of the best fullbacks to ever play in our division, Alstott, could do alot more than just block.

[panthers55]

If we aren't in the hunt for the playoffs from the get go, the only way they will fill that stadium is if they do exactly what you suggest.

Unless we increase the talent level at several positions or guys really improve, I wouldn't be surprised if it was a ghost town by December. I bet that would make GMAN happy whereever he is.

[Wither]

It depends on the skill sets of the player. Sure they have to lead block as well as pass protect. But many teams also use their fullback on short yardage situations, on pass routes in the flats and other situations. Obviously they are used more for misdirection when the obvious play is give it to the back but to say all they have to do is block is simplistic at best. One of the best fullbacks to ever play in our division, Alstott, could do alot more than just block.

It was meant to be a pretty sarcastic post. Obviously, I know that FB's are expected to do more than block. However, their primary job, especially with this offense, is to block. So, if he can block, he can replace Hoover. If he can't even catch a cold or run through at least one defender, a replacement can be found over time.

[CatMan72]

I don't see how short-changing our roster is going to help the NFL's labor negotiations. What possible good can benefit the NFL by the Panthers not buying a team that can go to the playoffs or win the Superbowl?

Well, the obvious answer is that the only "greater good" being influenced here is the payroll account for the Panther organization. One thing many people aren't aware of, or aren't factoring in, is that this year not only has no cap... but it has no floor either.

The CBA floor was 75% of the Cap. From what I've read, the floor was 95 million last year. The last figures I've seen we are under the old floor by a few million (that might have changed). In any case, with Free Agency winding down and comments by Hurney, it doesn't look like they're going to be doing anything else.

Come what may, I'm not happy with the direction the Front Office has taken with Free Agency. It's becoming more evident to me that the 2010 season is being treated as a potential throw away in order to save money.

The irony here, is that losing games, especially in Charlotte, is going to cost them more money in lost revenue from lack of interest, then they would spend to put a team together that has a shot at the Lombardi.

So... I've taken a new perspective on JR after this off-season. I always thought he was a passionate owner. Now, he seems more of a businessman first, Team Owner second.

I guess it just is what it is?

The owners strategy as I understand it is to flood the market with FA's, thereby driving the price down (the old supply and demand routine). We're following this model by releasing as many of our veteran players as we can stand to part with. You can't tell me that Mr. Richardson's role as a leader for the owners in the labor negociations has not played a part in our personnel decisions this offseason. Mr. Richardson would have lost all credibility if he had turned around and gave Peppers a 100 million dollar contract after pounding his fist on the table at the owners meeting insisting the owners need to work together to get player salaries under control.

I also think the uncapped year and the looming strike are factors in the decisions we've made this offseason. The uncapped year provides an opportunity for salary dumping and owners are bracing for a season with much less revenue. For teams like the Panthers, who own their stadium this is an extra concern because they have to continue to maintain the facility even if they are not using it.

I guess it depends on how you look at it, but I don't think we're short-changing our roster in this process. Besides Peppers, I can't think of one true impact player we've parted with so far. It's good to have veterans, but in each case we've released guys in positions where we feel we have a promising young player waiting to step up. We were never going to trade for guys like McNabb, Boldin or Marshall, that's not what we do, we have always focused on building through the draft and complimenting that with FA signings.

[CatMan72]

Then cut ticket prices the same 20% he is cutting the budget and we might be happier with a watered down product on the field. Better yet make beer prices 2 bucks a piece and by the third quarter we won't care that we are getting our butts waxed.

I guess that depends on whether or not you think we've watered down our product on the field. Besides the loss of Peppers, I'm not sure we have.

[Happy Panther]

They do not show him on the big screen anymore (unless the showed him while I was getting beer)

[rico6]

They do not show him on the big screen anymore (unless the showed him while I was getting beer)