My Take on the Panthers Offseason to Date

[Plewis]

The last couple weeks I watched through each of the last four games last season: Bucs, Vikings, Giants, Saints.

What I saw was a lot of what will be on the field next year due to an overall lack of action so far in the offseason.

Martin Harris

Marshall Gamble

Davis Beason Connor/Anderson?

Brown Tyler Thomas Johnson

Gross Wharton Kalil Robinson? Otah King

Jarrett Moore Smith

Fiametta

Stewart/Williams

I'm not going to lie, this is definitely a sold group of players barring a very young and inexperienced D-line. Brown, Tyler and Johnson dont come close to a decade between them.... and Hollis Thomas will coming into his 15th year. Johnson and Brown are both starter quality and deserve their chance at some point. We resigned Brayton so it's possible he could steal Johnson's spot, but I think he should become the reserve at this point in his career. Tyler is a decent stop gap.

Steve Smith has come out and asked for anyone faster than him to be on the team. No action yet.. the Jets have gone out and got a Santonio Holmes, former Superbowl MVP and speedster, for merely a 5th round pick. And the Dolphins made a move for Brandon Marshall who could entirely open up our offense and make it instantly nasty. Some people on the boards here have expressed.... let's say, respectful disagreement with Fox's decision to lay low... some also question the decision not to move for McNabb.

But let us look at what Fox was likely thinking. The Steelers call... ring ring....

Fox: Hello

Tomlin: Yo what up? Wanna gimme a 2nd rounder for Santonio Holmes.

Fox: Ha

Tomlin: Alright, how bout your 4th?

Fox: Uhhhhh... nah playa. I can't deal with him in my lockerroom. I'm already losing my guys. I got Jon Beason snortin K off strippers asses and destroying dudes' faces. Duke Robinson's comin in blazed all the time. Julius had some good points about how bad I suck... Smitty's all angry and roided up. I don't need no Santonio comin in here gettin Jon in any more trouble.

Tomlin: I feel ya homez, good move. peace.

(click)

Same thing for Marshall. Fox doesn't wanna give up two second rounders who he can sign for much less money and might be able to convince that he's the poo for someone who has off-field issues.

Lack of movement so far might mean that we are planning something big for draft day as we know Fox's record with draft day deals. If we are to compete for a Superbowl this year... which I hope the goal is because we have 2 RBs in their prime, a destructive O-line, 2 of the best LBers in the game. I solid young secondary, a very promising young QB (that's right, I think Moore's the real deal.) All we need is some more help for Smitty and a starter DT. I think the chemistry between Moore and Jarrett has been great so far and I expect it to grow. I have Jarrett as our 2 next year and I think he can play the 2. We just need a fast slot reciever.

Whether or not signing Santonio Holmes would have been the right choice (which is the question I struggle with the most) We didn't make the move... the reason Fox didn't pick him up probably has to do with character issues, and that means Fox thinks the lockerroom is divided or the character of the team is questionable. I'm not necessarily saying Smith is on roids, or Duke Robinson smokes weed... I think the apprehension by Fox is a tell. It is what it is... and I hope the reason we haven't gotten off to a fast start is because we're saving our Nitrous.

[Kurb]

We didn't make the move... the reason Fox didn't pick him up probably has to do with character issues, and that means Fox thinks the lockerroom is divided or the character of the team is questionable. I'm not necessarily saying Smith is on roids, or Duke Robinson smokes weed... I think the apprehension by Fox is a tell.

So not signing a player that has off field issues is a sure sign the team has a locker room with character issues ? :out:

[theyhateme45]

Wow.... not only are we seeing the same threads daily... they are happening hourly now. There’s about a billion threads below you could pick to argue whatever it is that you are arguing...

Also not many knowledgeable people on the board were upset we did not go after Mcnabb... The debate is more about who we want to backup or compete with Moore. As far as not signing those players, this has more to do with our FO current plan. Not overspending on FA like Marshall and saving $$$ to resign our players. Richardson is preaching fiscal responsibility WHICH can be done along side of being competitive!!! Not because we are waiting for some huge Draft day dealings or whatever.

[carolinanimal]

Wow.... not only are we seeing the same threads daily... they are happening hourly now. There’s about a billion threads below you could pick to argue whatever it is that you are arguing...

Also not many knowledgeable people on the board were upset we did not go after Mcnabb... The debate is more about who we want to backup or compete with Moore. As far as not signing those players, this has more to do with our FO current plan. Not overspending on FA like Marshall and saving $$$ to resign our players. Richardson is preaching fiscal responsibility WHICH can be done along side of being competitive!!! Not because we are waiting for some huge Draft day dealings or whatever.

how can he preach that and our team was always near to the cap every year?

[theyhateme45]

how can he preach that and our team was always near to the cap every year?

You’re a simpleton.... Those years we had a cap floor and ceiling.... This year we don't so there is free spending/saving.

[cookinbrak]

Here's my take on it......

Jerry Richardson- "WHAT??? I'm paying Jake Delhomme how much? To play for Cleveland?? Who in the $%#**%$ came up with that contract? I'll tell you this, we don't sign another mutha #@^&$ without my approval on everything!!!"

<What the $#%+%?? Just because we got an uncapped year, where does it say I gotta pay mutha #$%%%$^ to play for ANOTHER TEAM??? Son of a ^%$#@....>

[Jackofalltrades]

[beating dead horse emiticon here]

[carolinanimal]

You’re a simpleton.... Those years we had a cap floor and ceiling.... This year we don't so there is free spending/saving.

no you misunderstand. even if we have a cap ceiling and cap floor we were still at the top of the cap ceiling every year. what i am saying is how can he preach fiscal responsibility if his team always was at the top of the heap moneywise, and the one year before the cba he cuts bait and drops to near the bottom of the barrell payroll wise and say "hey look at me i am fiscally responsible!!"

[carolinanimal]

Here's my take on it......

Jerry Richardson- "WHAT??? I'm paying Jake Delhomme how much? To play for Cleveland?? Who in the $%#**%$ came up with that contract? I'll tell you this, we don't sign another mutha #@^&$ without my approval on everything!!!"

<What the $#%+%?? Just because we got an uncapped year, where does it say I gotta pay mutha #$%%%$^ to play for ANOTHER TEAM??? Son of a ^%$#@....>

ha.!!!

[Plewis]

So not signing a player that has off field issues is a sure sign the team has a locker room with character issues ? :out:

Why do you think the Jets were willing to pick up Santonio? Because they have a very strong lockerroom. Notice how the Bengals didn't make a move for a troubled WR... it's cuz if you don't have a strong lockerroom... ur troubled wr's end up in jail or in Cincinatti's case, dead. They learned from their mistake... New England... strong lockerroom... picks up Randy Moss... turns out great. etc.

Honestly, from being a Panthers fan since I moved here in '01... I don't think we have great character in the lockerroom aside a few names. I have seen many of them around town, heard stories, read stories, etc. I think the logic is pretty sound to that assumption that Fox wouldn't want any more troublemakers in the lockerroom because he already has too many.... what don't you follow homez?

[Argus Plexus]

Wow. Never EVER say homez again.

[koolkatluke]

1st off Tony didn't finished the season neither did Martin. Godfrey was back by then and played pretty well. By your list I still would like a few vets too fill some holes in our line up.

[blueblurr]

The way I see it Richardson thinks he knows there is going to be a lock out next year and he does want to add anyone to the team thats out of there prime because there just going to be that much older in 2012 when they come back to work! Hurney and Foxy spent a ton of money on two players last year that are gone and we didn't get squat for them! If you were Richardson I think you would have given Hurney and Foxy a time out too! Come on think about it your about dead and then you get a new heart do you really care whats going on with you foot ball team or should I say health enough to be on top of whats going on with your team. Once the meds weren't need Mr. Richardson was like what the f....

[Seal (SmittyIsOurSavior)]

1st off Tony didn't finished the season neither did Martin. Godfrey was back by then and played pretty well. By your list I still would like a few vets too fill some holes in our line up.

Laid out Welker pretty good that one time.