Younger and Faster or ready for lockout?

[CatMan72]

both. not sure why that is so hard to believe.

i would also throw in that we are preparing for the next coach.

Agree, it's easier to make adjustments to a young, cheap roster and our core players would be good in any system.

[MadHatter]

Agree, it's easier to make adjustments to a young, cheap roster and our core players would be good in any system.

Also remember that all of these RFA will become UFA when a CBA is reached. We will be one of the teams in the best position (cap space) to make major moves.

[panthers55]

The moves will allow us to lock up our young guys long term.

Given where TD, Beason, Williams, Kalil were drafted...and their base salaries...the current rules make it EXTREMELY difficult to work out extensions.

As for the coaches....I like what one expert said. All coaches are in the last year of their contracts....some will just be paid to be given the boot.

That isn't true at all about making deals on extensions. The only thing guaranteed in a long-term contract is the signing bonus and that hasn't changed. You can take all the money that you would have given them on a yearly increase and simply make it a roster bonus which isn't part of the base salary, isn't guaranteed if you don't exercise it and doesn't count toward the 30% rule. In the case of Davis you could structure the contract with incentives he would be likely to earn so he will agree to it but since he was on IR much of last year they won't be counted as incentives likely to be earned by the league (since he hasn't earned them previously) and therefore not part of his base salary. Seriously it isn't nearly as hard as people want to make you believe.

As for the coaches, they might all be in their last year coaching but not their last year receiving a salary. Unlike players most head coach salaries are guaranteed. So having a coach in his last year without an extension is a rarity not the norm.

[panthers55]

Agree, it's easier to make adjustments to a young, cheap roster and our core players would be good in any system.

Offense yes, defense no. A 3-4 for example would require new linebackers across the board and several of our DEs and DTs were picked up from teams switching to a 3-4 and they didn't want them. I think that is why we haven't locked up our core. Because we don't know what system we will run and we want flexibility with contracts so we can let a bunch of guys go and replace them with little financial consequence if we change schemes. Actually locking up defensive guys like Davis and Beason would be one of the main signals that we are not going to a 3-4 and may use the same system next year.

[JungleCat]

Definitely both, and it makes sense from a business standpoint. :yesnod:

[panthers55]

Also remember that all of these RFA will become UFA when a CBA is reached. We will be one of the teams in the best position (cap space) to make major moves.

We will also be in the best position to lose many of these players if they all test the free agent market and a cap floor is re-instituted and the cap ceiling is raised which could lead to a bidding war. Richardson may not want to spend the 100 million it will take in signing bonuses to keep everyone.

[cookinbrak]

I'm amazed at how some folks think that when a new CBA is reached, a lot of teams are going to have to cut players left and right to get under the cap. The cap on the next agreement will be higher than the previous one. It simply has to be. Otherwise, how can Richardson justify raising prices while cutting costs?

[DaCityKats]

he is setting up for a lockout..... 1 year contracts, no extensions to young core which we were supposed to be locking up.i am all for sitting back and watching but right now its not looking good.i do believe that td and beason could play in a 3-4 d tho.

[Snake]

There moving our team to Mexico. We will then be known as El Panthero's. Not surprising one of our members will be happy and will request to be there mascot.

[DoWork]

I believe it's a little bit of both. We dump all of our older veterans, let Peppers walk, and trade Harris to free up all of that money. But Fox and Hurney have been building the team that they like through the draft. I think it was only a matter of time before purging the older players would happen, and telling the younger guys that it was their time to step up and shine.

[top dawg]

P-55, I know where you're coming from. I really do. You really are trying to be the voice of reason here. But, I think that you (and some others) are also being a little bit pessimistic, which i can't blame you for, being what has transpired over the last few months. Me, I am choosing to be optimistic. I just don't think that J-Rich is crazy enough to allow the team to come apart at the seams.

Of course this is all pure speculation and "seeing what I want to see", but here is a litle of what I am looking at:

We have two, possibly three, QBs who can at least manage a football game, so we're going to be alright there.

We have two great RBs, and another who is upward and coming who can fill in as an FB, as well as one who may still be, at least, serviceable (if not good). Moreover, we now have a couple of talented FBs. Out of the two, you know that at least one is starting material.

We still have a great, albeit aging, WR, but have added two guys with great athleticism at the position who can kinda "burn" according to Smitty. OF course we would always like to add more depth in the event that something doesn't work out, but there will be quality WRs to choose from in future drafts.

We have a solid stable at TE, any three of which could be a starter in the NFL.

Defensively, it may be more problematic or challenging, but, it's not like any of our guys are irreplaceable, save for TD and Beason. I really don't believe the FO is going to let Beason get away (or TD), and TD has already alluded to the fact that he wants to be a Panther, and will wait for his deal (because he realizes the impending problems with a walk-out).

Anybody else on defense, save those two, is expendable, because they haven't had the productivity that would justify the FO or Panthers fans to be alarmed by their departure. That being said, we have a group of talented young guys in the backfield and the line who will have the opportunity to make their marks in 2010, but won't have to be overpaid in the near future (because they haven't really done anything yet, and one year doesn't a superstar make).

All-in-all, I am thinking that we have enough talent to not only survive the fallout from a possible impending walk-out, but to thrive when the Smoke settles. Lastly, let's not forget that J-Rich has set himself up to have plenty of money (and trade bait).

It's gonna be alright!

[PhillyB]

dynasty bitches!

[panthers55]

I'm amazed at how some folks think that when a new CBA is reached, a lot of teams are going to have to cut players left and right to get under the cap. The cap on the next agreement will be higher than the previous one. It simply has to be. Otherwise, how can Richardson justify raising prices while cutting costs?

Actually I think that the owners are looking for concessions from the players to reduce total payrol from 9 to 20% beased on who you believe. So I think the cap may not rise. On the other hand I wouldn't be too surprised if there wasn't a cap. I think there are several owners who like spending as little as they can to field a team. How can Richardson justify raising prices? he doesn't have to justify anything. He is the only game in town and PSL owners are locked into paying for it whether they like it or not. He can pretty much do whatever he wants.

[CRA]

Actually I think that the owners are looking for concessions from the players to reduce total payrol from 9 to 20% beased on who you believe. So I think the cap may not rise. On the other hand I wouldn't be too surprised if there wasn't a cap. I think there are several owners who like spending as little as they can to field a team. How can Richardson justify raising prices? he doesn't have to justify anything. He is the only game in town and PSL owners are locked into paying for it whether they like it or not. He can pretty much do whatever he wants.

Not only do you make a lot more sense now that Jake is out of the equation but you have really stepped up your avatar game. Nice!