Trim the Fat

[frash.exe]

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Carolina will need to trim at least $10million from its salary cap to reach the league maximum of $123million by Feb.27. They could save about $7.35million by cutting cornerback Ken Lucas, offensive lineman Jeremy Bridges, receiver D.J. Hackett and linebacker Landon Johnson.

Lucas wasn't by any means terrible, but his play didn't justify his enormous salary. Hackett and Landon Johnson did nothing, they can go. Jeremy Bridges isn't even as good as a lot of people think he is and does an absolutely terrible job at RG. I suspect we will fill the backup RT position in FA by getting a cheap player.

Restructure Jake, his salary is 11 mil and he won't hesitate at all to rework the numbers. After that I think we're under the cap, and if we can trade Peppers for what we should get (1st rounder) we've got some money to play with in FA. If not at least DE won't be a position of need. Brayton was very serviceable last year and CJ made strides in progression.

looks like a lot of things are set to happen between today and next Friday.

[Fox007]

We have to do it, at least temporarily anyway.

[KillerKat]

Only thing is that Marshall isn't better.

[The Link]

Only thing is that Marshall isn't better.

He is alot cheaper though.

[frash.exe]

Only thing is that Marshall isn't better.

Meeks is the X-factor. Many a CB thrived working with him.

[holycrikey]

I'm quite confused. It seems like a lot of analysts believe the Panthers will actually keep Peppers for the full year and expect him to play.

Others say that a trade deal will barely be reached in time for the draft.

By Feb. 27th, things will be quite interesting...

[Chan Fan]

I hope we don't cut Jeremy Bridges. I know he's had some legal trouble in the past but he's a valuable reserve.

Marshall just had a bad year, I still think he could be a great CB.

Agreed. There were times in his first couple seasons where he played like a shutdown corner, I still think he has a bright future.

[mantal]

I hope we don't cut Jeremy Bridges. I know he's had some legal trouble in the past but he's a valuable reserve.

Agreed. There were times in his first couple seasons where he played like a shutdown corner, I still think he has a bright future.

One word - Jenkins. We had a pass rush and lost it and our corners suffered for it...

[Murph]

One word - Jenkins. We had a pass rush and lost it and our corners suffered for it...

More proof why DT is a huge need for this team. After his stint at St. Louis and here, I think we have seen enough to establish that D. Lewis is a great 3rd down, situational DT but he is only average as a starting DT. Time to move him back to his strength and find a better player to mix in.

[carpanfan96]

More proof why DT is a huge need for this team. After his stint at St. Louis and here, I think we have seen enough to establish that D. Lewis is a great 3rd down, situational DT but he is only average as a starting DT. Time to move him back to his strength and find a better player to mix in.

Agreed, what about Rocky Bernard from Seattle. We could start kemo and use a rotation at the other DT spot with Lewis and Bernard. or vise - versa

[carpanfan96]

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Lucas wasn't by any means terrible, but his play didn't justify his enormous salary. Hackett and Landon Johnson did nothing, they can go. Jeremy Bridges isn't even as good as a lot of people think he is and does an absolutely terrible job at RG. I suspect we will fill the backup RT position in FA by getting a cheap player.

Restructure Jake, his salary is 11 mil and he won't hesitate at all to rework the numbers. After that I think we're under the cap, and if we can trade Peppers for what we should get (1st rounder) we've got some money to play with in FA. If not at least DE won't be a position of need. Brayton was very serviceable last year and CJ made strides in progression.

looks like a lot of things are set to happen between today and next Friday.

Gantt said we would have around 17 million in cap space because of the gamble roster bonus. (the bonus freed up around 8 million in cap) which would put us only about 8 or so million under cap. I guess the actual number depends on Gross's cap hit for the season. releasing Lucas would take care of 3.3 million, restructure delhomme (frees up around 3.5 -5 million), cutting hackett and johnson saves us around another 3 million on the season. That's about 10 million right there, after bridges your looking at 11 -14 million in savings if not more. (depends on how much the team saves in the Delhomme's restructuring.) Puts us around 1 - 4 million under, unless hurney had some tricks up his sleeve again.