Jerry's Budget

[SOJA]

I don't post here a lot, but I read the boards almost every day. Why does everyone keep talking about JR's budget like he's saving money? He's giving away free money to Delhomme... getting nothing in return. I think this strategy (while we may have a rough season this year) is great for the long term. You have to consider a few things...

1. Fox will most likely not be back next year. I get the feeling that this has already been decided and acknowledged between the two parties. The new coach is going to come in and basically have a clean slate and will be able to pick his QB, will have the option of signing or letting our FA's walk... the new coach will need players in his system. I think this would be a very attactive situation for someone like Fraizer or McCoy (just the two names I've heard the most that aren't Cowher). He has studs like Williams and Beason they they can keep. He has three young QB's to choose from. He will have a ton of cap room... which leads me to my next point.

2. I don't really understand all the money aspects of the NFL, but someone (Pat Y, Gantt, I don't remember) said we're going to be $65- $70M under the cap next season. Whenever there is football again... there will be a cap.

I admit, that I don't really understand why we didn't really bring back someone like Moose for a one year deal... but that's honestly the only move I see as questionable. We don't want to bring in a bunch of free agents on long term deals when we have no idea what direction the team will be moving... it's not about lining JR's pockets, it's about keeping under the cap. JR paid out a lot to clean house, but did it in a year when the cuts won't impact the salary cap.

Granted, Richardson is a leader among the owners and wants to set the example. I don't deny that, but you're not going to be a leader among the owners if you put crap on the field every year. You have to be fiscally smart (with both your money and the salary cap) and still manage to put a winning team on the field. Will we make the playoffs this year? Maybe not. I live in Arizona so I have to get raped by Direct TV each year on the Sunday Ticket just to see Panther games. Does it bother me that I paid to watch that crap yesterday? Yes, but I believe we will eventually get it together. I think we have a shot at making the playoffs, we just need a few guys to step up... you know what the good news is though? If those guys don't step up then next year when the new coach comes in then we're not strapped to them by a cap.

great post exactly how I feel..... Pat Y had a really good article about how we will be in a good position after all this lockout business to sign all of our key guys back plus sign other free agents. Richardson wants to win I believe that, this year is about preparing for the future, and I can buy into that.

Another side note: I bet Jerry forced Fox and Hurney to not trade this year's first round draft pick. Why? First because Hurney said they tried to swing a deal with whoever was picking first on day 2 and were unable to. Why did Hurney all of a sudden lose his balls and not deal another first rounder? because Richardson wanted to insure the new coaching staff had their pick over the best talent in the next draft.

[DaCityKats]

considering this is a what have you done lately league, the future is now. this idea of having all this money is bullshit,yeah it might be their but how much would he actually spend. plus what free agent would want to play for a man who tried to poo the players

[PantherAZ]

Spending has never been an issue with JR. He just won't spend stupidly. We've done that a few times in the past. I don't think you'll see any aging free agents handed a pile of cash. He's building for the near future, not the distant future. He's not going to be around much longer and wants a ring. Jerry is well respected with the owners and the players. Once this is all over then all will be forgotten.