Free Agents in new CBA= players4/5/6 years

[rayzor]

Between Hogan, McClain, Pugh, Stanford and Wilson, they might feel they already have the guy on the team. Otherwise there aren't a lot of guys on the free agent list who are much better than Marshall (who we could get without breaking the bank). I wouldn't be surprised if we pick up one or two journeymen corners in the mix and try to find a diamond in the rough. I just really doubt that with a few weeks to sign everyone, that we will be that aggressive at signing that many big name free agents.

there are several FAs out there who would be as good or, likely, better than marshall who won't break the bank. i'm not talking joseph or aso. i'm talking the two guys from baltimore or ike taylor or carlos rodgers. i'd be very surprised if the coaching staff felt that any of hogan, mcclain, pugh, or stafford could do the job or at least felt comfortable with them enough that they wouldn't go out and get someone with experience.

[eViL jEsTeR]

I think we will be ok. I think we are one of the best "rebuilding" teams out there and players should see that. I think a player would jump at a chance to come to a team with lots of cap space, already talented at most positions, and with what appears to be a potentially strong coaching staff assembled and ready to go. If I were a top talent veteran with 3-5 good years left in me, I'd be just as happy to come to Carolina as say, Detroit, Cleveland, Cincy, Buffalo or St Louis. We are in better overall shape than any of those teams.

[Cat'sGrowl]

Lots of great Corners in this year's FA class. I'd be pretty disappointed if we didn't make a tremendous push for one of them.

[davos]

Given what everyone has said in this thread, we can definitely go out and get more than just Coefield. Depending on what we sign our own fas for, it seems there should be anywhere from 14-26 million to spend if we want (probably more on the lower side)...and if there is any year to be aggressive in the offseason at either WR or CB it is now (or whenever they can sign FAs again)

I still want to see a push for Jacobs at cb or maybe an Edwards type at wr

[panthers55]

Given what everyone has said in this thread, we can definitely go out and get more than just Coefield. Depending on what we sign our own fas for, it seems there should be anywhere from 14-26 million to spend if we want (probably more on the lower side)...and if there is any year to be aggressive in the offseason at either WR or CB it is now (or whenever they can sign FAs again)

I still want to see a push for Jacobs at cb or maybe an Edwards type at wr

It isn't the 14-26 million in cap space that is the issue but the up front cash to sign big name free agents. If it takes 80-100 million in cash for signing bonuses to lock up our core group, will Richardson be willing to spend 30-40 million more to sign three or four big name FAs. More likely is he goes for cheaper less known FAs who sign for perhaps 3 or 4 million as a signing bonus.

With the free agent frenzy compressed into a matter of weeks it will be a player's market, which doesn't play into our hands. We rarely get into bidding wars.

[MHS831]

We do not need more role players or potential--we need a solid starting-caliber CB and a stud DT. I know some folks will get mad and start showing their asses about this comment, but we have Clausen on the roster and he has starting experience. His contract is incentive laden and his stock is down right now. There is no reason would not be a value on the bench, opposed to going out and signing someone equal or worse for $4 million per year. Besides, it would be stupid to dump him before this season. He will never be the starter here, but since most QBs improve in year two, keep him as the third QB. Maybe he becomes a Kolb and we get a draft pick for him. But when I hear people say, "Bring in a veteran QB to start for at least a half season," I never hear a realistic name mentioned.

I imagine we will have to spend around $15 million on the CB DT.

[panthers55]

We do not need more role players or potential--we need a solid starting-caliber CB and a stud DT. I know some folks will get mad and start showing their asses about this comment, but we have Clausen on the roster and he has starting experience. His contract is incentive laden and his stock is down right now. There is no reason would not be a value on the bench, opposed to going out and signing someone equal or worse for $4 million per year. Besides, it would be stupid to dump him before this season. He will never be the starter here, but since most QBs improve in year two, keep him as the third QB. Maybe he becomes a Kolb and we get a draft pick for him. But when I hear people say, "Bring in a veteran QB to start for at least a half season," I never hear a realistic name mentioned.

I imagine we will have to spend around $15 million on the CB DT.

Agree that Clausen is signed under a rookie deal. it makes no sense to dump him as long as he is cheap. he is worth a roster spot. I also agree that we need a DT starter. Like others I think a guy like Cofield would be a great pick up. Problem is that a bunch of teams feel the same way. As for needing a stud CB, I am not sure that is true. Given we will use zone most of the time. a shut down man cover corner is really a waste when a less talented and cheaper guy can be just as effective. We have to find the best guy for our system, it doesn't mean you have to overspend to find the best guy like Aso or Bailey. There are plenty of much cheaper guys who could flourish in our system including some guys already on the roster.

Just like Munnerlyn came in and played very well as a 7th rounder, Hogan will eventually come in and play well. He may not be the starter given the shortened preseason as well as his torn ACL surgery in December which will prevent him from running on it until August. But he will be in the rotation at some point during the year and may very well be the starter this time next year. So we really have to make due for this year and see what happens in the future.

McClain had 2 starts last year and played all 16 games. He could be in line for more playing time as well.

[rayzor]

It isn't the 14-26 million in cap space that is the issue but the up front cash to sign big name free agents. If it takes 80-100 million in cash for signing bonuses to lock up our core group, will Richardson be willing to spend 30-40 million more to sign three or four big name FAs. More likely is he goes for cheaper less known FAs who sign for perhaps 3 or 4 million as a signing bonus.

With the free agent frenzy compressed into a matter of weeks it will be a player's market, which doesn't play into our hands. We rarely get into bidding wars.

the problem with this is that there will be 3 years worth of FAs hitting the market, all of them wanting to get to camp. the supply will be greater than the demand. it is much more likely going to be a buyers market.

[panthers55]

the problem with this is that there will be 3 years worth of FAs hitting the market, all of them wanting to get to camp. the supply will be greater than the demand. it is much more likely going to be a buyers market.

There is also going to be 32 teams rushing to sign them. If you are talking big name FAs then there will be a players market. If you are talking journeymen and most of the free agent who are not stars or big names, then you might be right. But as I said most of the average to journeymen guys are not better than what we have. If you are talking most of the names floated in this thread, like Cofield for example, he will get several offers and it will take top money, I am afraid.

Even then though, guys who think they are worth big money often languish around through weeks of free agency with no big offers and they get more realistic. With only a small window, it won't lend itself to the waiting game.

[koolkatluke]

There is also going to be 32 teams rushing to sign them. If you are talking big name FAs then there will be a players market. If you are talking journeymen and most of the free agent who are not stars or big names, then you might be right. But as I said most of the average to journeymen guys are not better than what we have. If you are talking most of the names floated in this thread, like Cofield for example, he will get several offers and it will take top money, I am afraid.

Even then though, guys who think they are worth big money often languish around through weeks of free agency with no big offers and they get more realistic. With only a small window, it won't lend itself to the waiting game.

I agree but we will be 1 of the the teams with the most money right?

[panthers55]

I agree but we will be 1 of the the teams with the most money right?

Cap wise yes, real money, no. After signing our core players to the tune of 80-100 million in signing bonuses alone, how much will Richardson have to sign big name FAs. What everyone keeps forgetting is that our cap is low because we have 19 of our own free agents to sign. We didn't do what other teams did which was to sign a bunch of guys last year when it didn't count against the cap and now it will take a ton of money just to sign our core group which is priority one. Once that is done, there will be little left to spend on signing bonuses.

Richardson really thought there would be no football in 2011 and ran his business accordingly. Since we are going to play with a very compressed window for preparation we are going to be behind the 8 ball and struggle again this year. The only silver lining is that Newton will be under a rookie cap. Otherwise by letting Fox coach last year instead of starting Rivera and his staff last year and needing to sign up so many players we are way behind where we would be if we had made the moves we should have done last year.

[rayzor]

even at the top, though, i doubt the market will be that expensive. there's just too many people looking for jobs.

i guess we have different levels of confidence in DT, CB, and WR. we aren't really deep there. we have potential, but we don't have much in the way of proven commodities which is who i think we will be bringing in for those positions, esp. DT and CB. the talent pool is pretty deep in those areas. there are a good few who are available and affordable who are upgrades from what we have. richard marshall will be replaced and there are about 5 or 6 available who would be as good or better and at a better cost.

[panthers55]

even at the top, though, i doubt the market will be that expensive. there's just too many people looking for jobs.

i guess we have different levels of confidence in DT, CB, and WR. we aren't really deep there. we have potential, but we don't have much in the way of proven commodities which is who i think we will be bringing in for those positions, esp. DT and CB. the talent pool is pretty deep in those areas. there are a good few who are available and affordable who are upgrades from what we have. richard marshall will be replaced and there are about 5 or 6 available who would be as good or better and at a better cost.

If there are 5 or 6 guys who are better than Marshall then they will get picked ahead of him and be paid more than Marshall so your last statement makes no sense.

As for the rest, it isn't that I think we will be great without an influx of talent, it is that I don't think anyone sees us as one or two players away from contending so there is little pressure to get high priced FAs. We just had a 2-14 year and have a new coach. There are few expectations and therefore little pressure to spend wildly other to sign our core players. So it isn't that I think we will be that great, it that I think we will continue to build through the draft and supplement with lesser known cheaper guys.

[CRA]

Agree that Clausen is signed under a rookie deal. it makes no sense to dump him as long as he is cheap. he is worth a roster spot. .

what is the point of keeping ineffective players who don't fit your scheme on a roster....cheap or not? you can get cheap players with more long term potential to fill the spot...