FREEAGENCY FRENZY

[CarolinaLivin]

Just now, CarolinaLivin said:

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Panthers are hosting former Indianapolis Colts safety Julian Blackmon on a free-agent visit on Monday.

"Free agent S Julian Blackmon is on a free agent visit to the Panthers today, sources say," Rapoport wrote. "Just 26, Blackmon has been a starter with the Colts for the last five years. Carolina is still looking to add on defense, with Blackmon being the latest they’re taking a look at."

A former third-round pick of the Colts in 2020, Blackmon spent the first five years of his career in Indianapolis, where he tallied 300 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 21 passes defensed and 10 interceptions in that span.

In 2024, Blackmon finished with 86 tackles, four passes defensed, three interceptions and one tackle for loss. The 26-year-old also posted Pro Football Focus grades of 73.5 in coverage and 55.1 in run defense.

https://www.si.com/nfl/panthers/carolina-panthers-nfl-free-agency-visit-julian-blackmon

[CarolinaLivin]

5 minutes ago, MHS831 said:

So we could be around $10-11m.  I do not get into the cap stuff and contracts that much--too stressful--but I do think we have some veterans who might be released after the draft.

I like to throw a radical idea out there on occasion, so here is my radical idea for today--and it has literally a less than 1% chance  of happening--put Robert Hunt on the trading block.  Zavala played well last year and I hate to see him on the pine on a rookie contract while Hunt is approaching 30 and making bank.  Based on PFF:

Now, remember, the idea is to keep Bryce's uniform clean. Note the difference in pass blocking and the similarity in run blocking.  Zavala might be the better player. I realize there is a smaller sample size, but Zavala BALLED OUT when he played.  Had we known he would, we would not have signed Hunt.  A team could pick up Hunt for $16m or so, and that is what the Panthers would save in Cap room. I am thinking this would be a post draft trade--maybe a mid season trade--but if they could find a partner, I think I would do it.

I realize that some would say "That's crazy!! We just got the OL right and now you do this?"  The reality of the situation is a team cannot pay $80m per year for its offensive line.  Ickey is going to need a deal and deserves it.  Moton is probably in his final season, but as soon as we can break away from paying our guards $40m per year, the better off we will be.  Zavala has earned the right to start.  If I were another team in the NFL, I would be trading for him.

And THAT is the radical concept I have for this point in time in Panther history.  You're welcome.

Honestly, I think the way ahead to get out of paying our OL so much is to draft our way out. Let the expensive deals play out like Moton, and draft the replacements. Easier said than done with our drafting history, but hopefully this is how we get it done. I just wouldn't want us to jump the gun on this. Every draft we should be taking at least one OL prospect.

[MHS831]

On 3/22/2025 at 10:26 PM, PNW_PantherMan said:

Already locked up superstar David Moore

Jeopardy

Clue:  "A 34-year old, undrafted white guy from Minnesota State, a racoon-eating linguist equestrian, an undrafted WR from Holy Cross, and a special teamer from East Central Oklahoma who had 94 yards receiving in the three years preceding 2024."

"Who are the 2024 Carolina Panther WRs?" 

 

Edited Monday at 01:49 PM by MHS831

[CarolinaLivin]

1 minute ago, MHS831 said:

Jeopardy

Clue:  "A 34-year old white guy, a racoon-eating linguist equestrian, and undrafted WR from Holy Cross, and a special teamer from East Central Oklahoma who had 94 yards receiving in the three years preceding 2024."

"Who are the 2024 Carolina Panther WRs?" 

 

JEOPARDY TOPIC

HIGHER FLOORS THAN CEILINGS

[XClown1986]

17 minutes ago, CarolinaLivin said:

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Panthers are hosting former Indianapolis Colts safety Julian Blackmon on a free-agent visit on Monday.

Paired with Moehrig, this could be a very good safety tandem.

[CarolinaLivin]

Kicker Joey "BIG LEG" Slye agreed to a contract with the Tennessee Titans, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

[MHS831]

17 minutes ago, CarolinaLivin said:

JEOPARDY TOPIC

HIGHER FLOORS THAN CEILINGS

Excellent point--Let's hope that is not true for XL and Coker--

[MHS831]

4 minutes ago, CarolinaLivin said:

Kicker Joey "BIG LEG" Slye agreed to a contract with the Tennessee Titans, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

I could not stand him when he was here.  Too inconsistent--

[rebelrouser]

11 minutes ago, XClown1986 said:

Paired with Moehrig, this could be a very good safety tandem.

And Marcus Williams.  We have two safeties on the roster currently. Need this one.

 

Panthers Wire

[MHS831]

9 minutes ago, XClown1986 said:

Paired with Moehrig, this could be a very good safety tandem.

He is 27 and has an injury history--played hurt last year.  had 3 picks, 82 combo tackles, but a 107 passer rating against.  Is versatile--but has been injury prone.  played 0ver 1000 snaps last season while banged up.  SInce he is versatile, I would love for him to be a "swing S" but he has been injury prone.  For that reason, I would like him as depth--

[CarolinaLivin]

15 minutes ago, rebelrouser said:

And Marcus Williams.  We have two safeties on the roster currently. Need this one.

 

Panthers Wire

According to Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer, the team is hosting safeties Julian Blackmon and Marcus Williams on free-agent visits today.

Blackmon, a third-round pick of the Indianapolis Cols from 2020, has played five NFL seasons. The 26-year-old has amassed 300 combined tackles, 10 interceptions, 21 passes defensed, two forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries over 66 games.

Williams, a 2017 second-round selection by the New Orleans Saints, is set to enter his ninth pro campaign in 2025. The 28-year-old has split his career between the Saints and the Baltimore Ravens—totaling 469 tackles, 20 interceptions, 56 passes defensed, three forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries.

[CarolinaLivin]

Panthers reportedly 'intrigued' by Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan, per Joe Person

McMillan has great size (6-4, 219) and an uncanny ability to high-point the ball. Without blazing speed, there are concerns about his ability to separate. Some in Carolina’s organization are intrigued.

https://pantherswire-eu.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/panthers/2025/03/24/2025-nfl-draft-rumors-panthers-tetairoa-mcmillan-interest/82634663007/

[Mistuh Jones]

30 minutes ago, CarolinaLivin said:

According to Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer, the team is hosting safeties Julian Blackmon and Marcus Williams on free-agent visits today.

Blackmon, a third-round pick of the Indianapolis Cols from 2020, has played five NFL seasons. The 26-year-old has amassed 300 combined tackles, 10 interceptions, 21 passes defensed, two forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries over 66 games.

Williams, a 2017 second-round selection by the New Orleans Saints, is set to enter his ninth pro campaign in 2025. The 28-year-old has split his career between the Saints and the Baltimore Ravens—totaling 469 tackles, 20 interceptions, 56 passes defensed, three forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries.

would be cool with either, but younger Blackmon would be my choice

[PNW_PantherMan]

16 minutes ago, CarolinaLivin said:

Panthers reportedly 'intrigued' by Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan, per Joe Person

McMillan has great size (6-4, 219) and an uncanny ability to high-point the ball. Without blazing speed, there are concerns about his ability to separate. Some in Carolina’s organization are intrigued.

https://pantherswire-eu.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/panthers/2025/03/24/2025-nfl-draft-rumors-panthers-tetairoa-mcmillan-interest/82634663007/

Oh damn its time for another TMac thread