Free Agents in 2009

[Cat Fanboy]

Decided to try and research 2009 prospects. Needs I would identify for the Panthers would be small. I think we are 'close' to where we want to be. My list is short:

QB heir apparent

LT if Gross goes

DE pass rusher

QB Available:

Kurt Warner, UFA, Arizona Cardinals

Matt Cassel, UFA, New England Patriots

Kyle Orton, UFA, Chicago Bears

Jeff Garcia, UFA, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Rex Grossman, UFA, Chicago Bears

Kyle Boller, UFA, Baltimore Ravens

Charlie Batch, UFA, Pittsburgh Steelers

J.P. Losman, UFA, Buffalo Bills

Patrick Ramsey, UFA, Denver Broncos

Of these I only like Cassel. If we dont make a move for him its to the draft.

RB Available:

Brandon Jacobs, UFA, New York Giants

Maurice Morris, UFA, Seattle Seahawks

Ricky Williams, UFA, Miami Dolphins

Darren Sproles, UFA, San Diego Chargers

J.J. Arrington, UFA, Arizona Cardinals

Correll Buckhalter, UFA, Philadelphia Eagles

Jesse Chatman, UFA, New York Jets

Heath Evans, UFA, New England Patriots

Ryan Moats, UFA, Philadelphia Eagles

Aaron Stecker, UFA, New Orleans Saints

I love love love our RB and wouldnt pull the trigger for any of these.

WR Available:

Bobby Engram, UFA, Seattle Seahawks

T.J. Houshmandzadeh, UFA, Cincinnati Bengals

Devery Henderson, UFA, New Orleans Saints

Shaun McDonald, UFA, Detroit Lions

Hank Baskett, RFA, Philadelphia Eagles

Jabar Gaffney, UFA, New England Patriots

Dante' Hall, UFA, St. Louis Rams

Sam Hurd, UFA, Dallas Cowboys

Brandon Jones, UFA, Tennessee Titans

Ashley Lelie, UFA, San Francisco 49ers

Koren Robinson, UFA, Green Bay Packers

Amani Toomer, UFA, New York Giants

Roydell Williams, UFA, Tennessee Titans

Cedrick Wilson, UFA, Pittsburgh Steelers

No way do the Bungles let Houshyourmama go. I like Shaun and could see him in electric blue. I also think Chad Johnson will be leaving the Bungles - and could see him opposite Smith. I dont know if thats a good thing or bad thing, but I have been dissapointed lately with Moose.

I have also read stories that says Holt might be available....that would be awesome.

Tight Ends:

Will Heller, UFA, Seattle Seahawks

Eric Johnson, UFA, New Orleans Saints

Jeff King, RFA, Carolina Panthers

Jim Kleinsasser, UFA, Minnesota Vikings

Leonard Pope, UFA, Arizona Cardinals

Daniel Wilcox, UFA, Baltimore Ravens

/shrug. Rosario is a star waiting for the ball. Hard to justify getting another. Do we resign Jeff? I like him clutch but like Rosario better. I also think Eric Johnson is better than both and would love him as a Panther.

Oline - (I left some of the descriptions on prospects)

Matt Birk, UFA, Minnesota Vikings

Birk is a Pro Bowl center who has gotten the job done for the Vikings for the last decade. He’s fairly athletic for a lineman and is playing alongside another great lineman, guard Steve Hutchinson, making Birk’s life even easier on the field. He’s grounded in Minnesota, so the chances of him choosing to leave seem slim at the moment. However, Minnesota is grooming John Sullivan in hopes that he will eventually replace Birk.

Marc Colombo, UFA, Dallas Cowboys

Although he was injury prone early in his career, Colombo has become a solid tackle in Dallas. He allowed just a single sack in his first go round with the Cowboys and he has since been a big reason for the success of the running game and the protection afforded to Tony Romo. At 29, teams will consider the fact that he probably has several seasons left in him.

Mike Goff, UFA, San Diego Chargers

While the Chargers would probably prefer to keep Goff, the franchise has been effective in drafting and developing linemen and might look for Goff’s replacement at a better price. Goff has been a leader who simply goes about his business and players like running back Ladainian Tomlinson have benefited from his level of play. Goff has played for a quality line for some time and he’s a big part of the equation when it comes to success.

Jordan Gross, UFA, Carolina Panthers

A first round pick in 2003, Gross earned a starting role in his rookie season and held that role as a tackle for the entire season. His ability to step in and play well right away paid off for the Panthers, as the team put together a run to an NFC Championship. He’s continued being a starter since that rookie season and is a solid player. Carolina slapped the franchise tag on him for this season, and chances are he will be another team come ’09.

Mark Tauscher, UFA, Green Bay Packers

Tauscher is a seventh round pick that became a success story. In his first season in the NFL, he was forced into a starting role because of an injury to another player. Tauscher isn’t an elite player, but he is solid in his role as a starter and hasn’t missed a game since 2002. Tauscher could be at the top of many team’s lists because he could come cheaper than some of the other free agent lineman, but could be nearly or equally effective.

Stacy Andrews, UFA, Cincinnati Bengals

Jordan Black, UFA, Houston Texans

Vernon Carey, UFA, Miami Dolphins

George Foster, UFA, Detroit Lions

Chris Gray, UFA, Seattle Seahawks

Pete Kendall, UFA, Washington Redskins

Seth McKinney, UFA, Cleveland Browns

Jon Runyan, UFA, Philadelphia Eagles

Tra Thomas, UFA, Philadelphia Eagles

Fred Weary, UFA, Houston Texans

John Welbourn, UFA, Kansas City Chiefs

Gross if fun to bash on the Huddle - but for myself I wonder how bad/worse we would be without him. I dont want to hear another story of Chuckie dancing when one of our stars leave. I also like Kendall, Runyan and Welbourn.

DLine

Julius Peppers, UFA, Carolina Panthers

Albert Haynesworth, UFA, Tennessee Titans

Terrell Suggs, UFA, Baltimore Ravens

Bertrand Berry, UFA, Arizona Cardinals

Jonathan Babineaux, UFA, Atlanta Falcons

Bertrand Berry, UFA, Arizona Cardinals

Kevin Carter, UFA, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Shaun Cody, UFA, Detroit Lions

Tank Johnson, UFA, Dallas Cowboys

John Thornton, UFA, Cincinnati Bengals

Marcus Tubbs, UFA, Seattle Seahawks

We have to pay the man. We need Peppers period. Would love to take a shot at Berry, Suggs, Hanesworth, Cody...

Linebackers - I dont see this as a need. Specially if Dan Connor recovers.

Eric Barton, UFA, New York Jets

Karlos Dansby, UFA, Arizona Cardinals

Ray Lewis, UFA, Baltimore Ravens

Mike Peterson, UFA, Jacksonville Jaguars

Bart Scott, UFA, Baltimore Ravens

Jonathan Vilma, UFA, New Orleans Saints

Jordan Beck, UFA, Denver Broncos

Monty Beisel, UFA, Arizona Cardinals

Angelo Crowell, UFA, Buffalo Bills

Channing Crowder, UFA, Miami Dolphins

James Farrior, UFA, Pittsburgh Steelers

Tyjuan Hagler, UFA, Indianapolis Colts

Willie McGinest, UFA, Cleveland Browns

Carlos Polk, UFA, San Diego Chargers

Sam Williams, UFA, Oakland Raiders

Obviously Bart Scott would be great - Ray Lewis the murderer can stay in Baltimore.

Defensive backs:

Nnamdi Asomugha, UFA, Oakland Raiders

Mike Brown, UFA, Chicago Bears

Brian Dawkins, UFA, Philadelphia Eagles

Dawan Landry, RFA, Baltimore Ravens

Dunta Robinson, UFA, Houston Texans

Other Defensive Backs

Tyron Brackenridge, UFA, Kansas City Chiefs

Mike Brown, UFA, Chicago Bears

Phillip Buchanon, UFA, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Jabari Greer, UFA, Buffalo Bills

Rodney Harrison, UFA, New England Patriots

Kelvin Hayden, UFA, Indianapolis Colts

Renaldo Hill, UFA, Miami Dolphins

Daven Holly, UFA, Cleveland Browns

Bryant McFadden, UFA, Pittsburgh Steelers

R.W. McQuarters, UFA, New York Giants

Justin Miller, UFA, New York Jets

Lawyer Milloy, UFA, Atlanta Falcons

Deltha O'Neal, UFA, Cincinnati Bengals

Jarrad Page, UFA, Kansas City Chiefs

Allen Rossum, UFA, San Francisco 49ers

Darren Sharper, UFA, Darren Sharper

I like Dawkins but wouldn't 'pay' for him. I feel the Panthers are very solid here.

Draft?

April's draft is a long ways away. Some of the ones I like:

QB

Matt Stafford

The Golden Calf of Bristol

Sam Bradford

Colt McCoy

OT

Michael Oher

Eugene Monroe

Andre Smith

DT

Terrence Cody

Sen'Derricks Marks

Peria Jerry

Links for research:

http://www.footballsfuture.com/2009/fa/ol.html

http://www.walterfootball.com/draft2009.php

[Zaximus]

I'd let Gross go so I could sign Haynesworth lol, Peppers+Haynesworth would be nasty.

I don't see us making that many big changes. Getting Chad would be sweet with Smith but idk how that would work out, honestly.

We'll resign King, I don't think he'll be a big target for other teams.

[tarheelpride]

i wonder if we can do a sign and trade with gross and get some picks...

i'd hate to let him go and get nothing for him

[TerriblePizza]

Damn, Darren Sharper was his own team? I didn't know that.

[dksmith17]

I think there is a lot of FA talent at the O-line position. I think that will be the only thing addressed in FA.

JMHO

[carpanfan96]

is Jake and pep worth 16 million for a season?????? resign pep and we save around 8 million on him and jake needs to be either resigned/restructured or traded/waived. and we would save 10 million there, which would allow us to go after someone like cassel. That would be the only way we would have the money at all. Pep and suggs or pep and haynesworth though would be awesome.

[phidelt649]

I would loathe Chad Johnson on the squad. I don't care what people say, he is just as much of a diva as TO. We don't need that bullshit.

[TerriblePizza]

I would loathe Chad Johnson on the squad. I don't care what people say, he is just as much of a diva as TO. We don't need that bullsh*t.

I completely agree. His personality wouldn't fit the mentality of Fox's teams.

He'd be another Jenkins.

[dksmith17]

No way we sign guys like Chad and Haynesworth. Not even worth a mention.

[C47]

Why is it that some fans want Cassel, sure Jake has lost us some games in the past but he also has 18 game winning drives in his short career here. Cassel wasn't even good enough to start at USC, if it wasn't for the team he has around him right now noone would be wanting him at all. Face it Jake is our guy and I for one cant think of a better leader for THIS team. When the time comes for Jake to hang it up I feel confident Matt Moore will be able to lead this team just fine. With that said I agree give Pep his contract he deserves and restructure Jake either sign and trade Gross for picks or just let him walk hes given us too many false start flags this year and has not performed like a franchise player.

[CarolinaWild]

I would loathe Chad Johnson on the squad. I don't care what people say, he is just as much of a diva as TO. We don't need that bullsh*t.

"diva" is being nice. There is no way JR or Fox would let that clown on the team. And....if you think Lucas had trouble with Smitty after running his mouth...well, Ocho Mouth O, would definitely get punched. lmao

Thanks, but no thanks.

[CWalker4205]

I vote for Hank Baskett.....only because he's engaged to Kendra Wilkerson, who wouldn't want Playboy hotties hanging out in the stands???

[phatpanther21]

I know we got Jones and Robinson will be back next year... but wow id love to have Sproles to return kicks!!

[unicar15]

Don't want Cassell...too expensive for a backup. We will eventually be forced to draft a QB...could be this year could be next year you never know with Fox and Co. I have a bad feeling that Gross will not be a Panther next year which really sucks because he is finally living up to his potential. I really don't know what we are going to do about the LT position. What I see happening is this...

Move Otah to LT and resign Bridges to start at the RT spot. Whatever we do next year, if we can't resign Gross then we are not going to have nearly as good of a line which has been maybe the strongest part of our team this year.