Free Agent DTs

[R0CKnR0LLA]

Pick 2-3 guys off that list that you've never heard of and before reading the thread didn't even know existed.

If our FO holds true to form that's who we'll sign.

[blak-n-blu]

cullen jenkins (green bay) can do 4-3 DT and move out to 3-4 DE when needed

Winnar, Winnar... Chicken dinnar....

[Woodie]

Cofield will hit Free Agency like a slip and slide... Giants were the highest spending Franchise on the DLine last year, spending $33,973,330mil..

Franklin isn't meant to be the main cog in our DLine, but will be suitable for the right price. they tagged him last year, and if they do it again, he'll likely be pissed enough to cause problems. I'm not so sure they want that, and he'll be worth bringing in at the right price..

as for anyone else, it's worth checking out... Mebane is really the only unsure DT FA that I wouldn't say is totally available. but he is a FA, and there are reasons to think we could pull him away from Seattle...

so with that said, I feel pretty good about going after FA DT's....

Assumptions and hope. That's what it comes down to when planning on using FA to fill our DT needs...at least unless the CBA is agreed on prior to the draft allowing FA moves to be made before making our picks.

Believe me, I would love to have the freedom to take a Green or Peterson, I truly believe both will be amazing pros. But if the draft comes and FA hasn't opened, I just don't think we can bet the farm on being able to get the DT's we need later on. To me, that's a bigger risk than the one JR took last year by releasing all those vets in the hopes that the young guns would step up. To me, it's just not a risk worth taking.

[Woodie]

Landri is best suited for a backup roll?

I don't know about that. I think if you get the right DT next to him, that Landri can be very good. Love his motor, and he gets into the back field quickly.

Of course, I'm not saying he HAS to remain our starter, but I also think it would take some seriously stiff competition to unseat him.

Like you, I love his motor, but yeah, I think Landri is best suited for a backup role. He gets caught out of position or gets taken out of the play too often to be relied upon as a starter. I think he would be best used in short bursts and relief.

Now, I agree that getting a stud next to him would minimize his faults, but he would still be the weak link on our DL. And that's not even mentioning the fact he is a FA and there is no guarantee that he will even re-sign here (although I think the chances are better than even he does).

Despite what anyone thinks of Fairley personally, dominant penetrating DT's like him are rare. Sure, you can find one's that are good against the run and occasionally get pressure on the QB, but few can get consistent pressure on the QB and disrupt passing plays like Fairley can. That's why so many teams are using DE's on obvious passing downs in an effort to manufacture inside pressure. With that said, his motivation, maturity, and desire would have to check out before taking him #1. But based purely on what he brings to the table skillwise, there is not a more ideal prospect for us in this draft.

[CatMan72]

Really, this "his position coach from ________" is a bit ridiculous. Just because Tom Brady's QB coach from HS now works at H&R Block doesn't mean that he is gonna retire and start doing taxes.

Okay, let me try to make this simple for you...

1. Coefield is a FA which means we're going to have to compete with other teams to sign him.

2. Having his old position coach on staff could be an edge in that competition.

[MHS831]

That make's sense badass, I agree with you about Phil Taylor, I hope he's still on the board when we get the chance. Thank's for the info badass, look's like Jack want's Coefield. I just hope we get one who can make a BIG impact on that line.

I have to think a NT who is floundering in a 3-4 might find a second home as a 4-3 gap control 1 tech. He is damaged goods and could be had on the cheap. I also see him as a first/second down player only. I still want a veteran like Coefield and 1 or two rookies in the draft. In addition, I want to re-sign Landri.

[Big Ed]

Ron's approach to F/A may be more toward 3 -4 lineman

[mountainpantherfan]

I am of the belief that Richardson is going to be willing to let Hurney spend big money in free agency BUT it will not be for overpaying for average talent.

If Ngata hits the market or maybe even Seymore. I could see them paying out some large contracts. But Richardson and Hurney are not going to be paying Colefield the type of contract he will probably get in the open market.

I may be wrong about this, but I really do feel that the Panthers are either going to go big in free agency or it's coming in via the draft or lower level, project type free agents. No more stop gaps for a team rebuidling. They are looking to develop players or sign proven, top shelf talent and they will be willing to wait until next year or the next to find the "right" person. Just my opinion, though.

[bleys]

Assumptions and hope. That's what it comes down to when planning on using FA to fill our DT needs...at least unless the CBA is agreed on prior to the draft allowing FA moves to be made before making our picks.

Believe me, I would love to have the freedom to take a Green or Peterson, I truly believe both will be amazing pros. But if the draft comes and FA hasn't opened, I just don't think we can bet the farm on being able to get the DT's we need later on. To me, that's a bigger risk than the one JR took last year by releasing all those vets in the hopes that the young guns would step up. To me, it's just not a risk worth taking.

the same is more true drafting a DT.. next question?

[Urrymonster]

I personally would prefer Mebane over Cofield. Mebane has a pretty good track record of getting pressure however Barry has only really turned it on this season. Those are the only potential rush specialists.

Run stuffers is a little more interesting

Couple of older guys in Henderson, Franklin and Williams are monsters in the run game. McDaniel and Bryant are two younger, yet to be starters but shown potential, options.

[scpanther22]

a team I would look at would be the texans. with them moving to the 34.

[SCMunnerlyn1]

I'll take Shaun Smith former Gamecock and vet from the 3-4 with a smile. he can be the 1 Technique for us 6'2 325 lbs of cake and ice cream!

[Woodie]

the same is more true drafting a DT.. next question?

Any draft pick is a risk, but as with any #1 pick there is an assumption that they can be an immediate impact player (especially for non-QB options). However that's not what we're talking about here. You are so focused on wanting Green that you dismiss the DT need by throwing out FA as the savior for the position and ignore the very real possibility that the better DT's currently eligible may not even make it to FA, or if they do that we may not be able to get any of them.

So while it is an assumption that whoever we pick at #1 would be able to contribute, it's an educated assumption based on reasonable expectations for a player rated so highly. But other than current eligibility, there is nothing to base an assumption that we will be able to fix DT in FA on other than blind hope. And DT is a position we need help with right now, we can't afford to wait a year or two. If we go Green, for instance, and Mebane re-signs with the Seahawks, Franklin is franchised again, and Cofield signs with Denver (or some other DT needy team willing to grossly overpay), which are all very possible, we will be severely screwed. We'll end up trying to fill the position with the same types of scrubs everyone has been complaining about for the last few years.

To be clear, I have no problem taking another position #1, but we will have to know that DT can be effectively filled elsewhere, and there's no way to guarantee that unless FA takes place before the draft. So unless the CBA is resolved prior to the draft, we need to go with a guy that fills our greatest need and is guaranteed to be available.

[diehard panther#1]

Is Cullen Jenkins a FA? Didn't see him on the list.