Discount OT options-free agency...

[frash.exe]

Gross is probably going through the negotiation process, but it's still not a lock at this point. They couldn't agree on an extension last year. Since the Panthers may have limited funds to work with, allow me the pleasure of showing a few proposals...

Stacy Andrews-Andrews is coming out of cincy. He played RT but, I don't know, maybe he could kick out to LT, maybe Otah can. Andrews weighs in at a beefy 342 lbs, so he at least has the mass to play on this line. Plus he's one of the younger FA tackles at only 27. Originally a 4th round pick, but here's the red flag. He tore his ACL last year. Ouch. But if Wharton could come back and play at a high level like he did, Andrews could.

Khalif Barnes-Barnes is different from Andrews in that he has played LT with the Jaguars. Jacksonville's running game has been more potent than ours overall the last few years, plus the Jax line hasn't been known to give up a lot of sacks, except this year when they collectively weren't very good.

George Foster-Foster is coming out of Detroit this year, ...maybe. He started entire seasons with the Lions. He played for the Denver Broncos and was drafted 20th overall by them as well in 2003. Could be a nice discount option.

Some other guys, like Tra Thomas or Jon Runyan, are at best short-term stop gaps, but still, they'd be better than putting Frank Omiyale out there. If we can keep Gross, that's dandy, but if not, we have some good options out there, that, wouldn't be as good as Gross, but still would not be a liability.

[Mr. Scot]

Barnes has been a huge bust in Jacksonville.

[mountainpantherfan]

Foster would be a good option as a backup even if we re-sign Gross. A lot of fans seem to consintrate on Gross and Peppers this offseason but forget about some of our other FAs. Omiyale and Hangartner are both FAs as well. And these guys proved to be very important when some of the starters got hurt.

[panthers55]

I think gross will sign but if not we have options in house that would be fine. I would give Omiyale a good look. Everyone said he has the physical skills to succeed and just needs PT. I don't think we need to spend a ton of money on a LT when guys like Wharton could also step in. I would pick up a few cheap FAs like we did last year. You got to replace high priced free agents with low priced draft picks or FAs at some point. You can't pay everyone top dollar. Overall we also haven't done very well with high priced free agent offensive line guys over the years.

[The Link]

Omiyale played pretty good in the game he started in.

[BlueHose]

Sorry, but I don't want to go with a discount LT and I don't think the Panthers do either. If we don't sign or franchise Gross, I think we'll go after a LT in a trade or FA with the extra cash.

[Raskle]

If it came down to it, I wouldn't mind kicking Otah to LT, bring in Barnes for RT, where he will have a lot less pressure on him to perform. Sometimes guys play better when they're not expected to live up to their draft status.

I'm hoping we do lock up Gross long-term, but if we don't, that possibilitiy doesn't frighten me as much as others on here I've heard.

I also wouldn't be opposed to seeing how Omiyale would do as the full-time starter either. LT or RT in the coaches' opinion, but he seems pretty decent from the limited action we saw him in as well.

[tattoorhino]

I love Jake but if we had a QB that could scramble better some of this might not be that big an issue.

Ok flame away.

[mantal]

I love Jake but if we had a QB that could scramble better some of this might not be that big an issue.

Ok flame away.

Unfortunately you're stuck with him...

[panthers55]

I love Jake but if we had a QB that could scramble better some of this might not be that big an issue.

Ok flame away.

That is true but unless it is a designed roll out, a scamble is the result of a busted play and a missed assignment. The opposite could be said as well. If the linemen did their job Jake wouldn't have to scramble so much. Besides he had 2 rushing TDs this year. He looked pretty good for an old man when he had to run this year.

Problem for me is that a quarterback scrambling anytime is a formula for disaster as far as injury. It is open season on the quarterback and most times bad things can happen.

[manwithcake]

Otah to LT, Omiyale or Bridges to RT. Prefer to sign Gross, of course, but the options are not that bad. If we tie up a lot of money in Gross, then we're gonna have trouble getting an elite DT or CB, and down the road, while Gross is collecting huge paychecks, where does the money come from to resign DeAngelo and a new QB, all the while keeping Beason, TDavis, Smitty...

Now, some of these players may be willing to take one for the team, but still, there's only so much cash to go around. How many teams have 2 elite OT's? And for a run-first team, you can't have mediocre interior OL either...so they will need to be paid as well. Then there's the DE that will replace Pep. If Johnson turns out to be a stud, he'll want to be paid as well. Otherwise, it's a high draft pick or costly FA. Honestly, if the rumor that he wants to be the highest paid OT in the game is true, I don't see any way to resign him without crippling our future.

[goodlay]

Barnes is pretty mediocre, he gave up the most sacks of any LT in the NFL this past year.