Will this be the year to pick up a cheap FA?

[jarhead]

It appears to me we have 2011 salaries with a 2009 cap with the CBA coupled with some teams that overspent last year when there wasnt a cap.Will this mean teams like the Cowboys be cutting players under contract which may flood the market with talent? Roy Williams etc...

This may make us think real hard at retaining guys like SSmith that will count 9 mil when we may be able to pick up a younger vet for less.Other than Tampa and a few others I do not see where many teams will have alot of spending power.Kalil"s 10 million is really going to hurt as us.

[4Corners]

I don't think so. Everyone knows that when this thing is done later this week, to call the next two weeks a "feeding frenzy" would be an understatement. I doubt there will be much time for negotiation and teams are going to come out swinging early with the big contract offers.

I can see the Panthers trying to take care of their own very early, and probably already have intriguing contract offers for DW,CJ, JA, etc ready to go once they are legally able to talk to these guys.....they do not want any of them testing the market.

After the Panthers get these guys locked up, they will probably deal with whatever is left on the market, which probably won't be much. Think about it, the Panthers (who won 2 games LY) have the #1 RB, #1 DE, and 2 of the top 5-6 LBs available.....not going to be a big year for free agents.

[Pejorative Miscreant]

I don't think so. Everyone knows that when this thing is done later this week, to call the next two weeks a "feeding frenzy" would be an understatement. I doubt there will be much time for negotiation and teams are going to come out swinging early with the big contract offers.

I can see the Panthers trying to take care of their own very early, and probably already have intriguing contract offers for DW,CJ, JA, etc ready to go once they are legally able to talk to these guys.....they do not want any of them testing the market.

After the Panthers get these guys locked up, they will probably deal with whatever is left on the market, which probably won't be much. Think about it, the Panthers (who won 2 games LY) have the #1 RB, #1 DE, and 2 of the top 5-6 LBs available.....not going to be a big year for free agents.

Agree that there will not be a lot of time. I have to think that Hurney will be Hurney and sign a potential "hidden gem". Probably get a role player with tangible upside. I know Chris Harris was acquired through a trade but I think we will seek similar players in this FA period.

[BigCat#1]

I dont see why anyone would want to trade a player as good as Smitty just yet. This team isnt too much different from the 12-4 team of a few years ago, and our QB situation cant be worse than last yr so with a healthy oline and an improved d-line we can win some games. I know smitty wants to win, and we as fans are tired of watching them lose. So how about we keep Smitty and if hes unhappy, we trade him before the right before trade deadline (which was around week 6 last year) if its obvious we arent much better than last year?

[ed bell]

Advocates avoiding big money offers for two of our UFA's:

http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/6782227/free-agents-meet-hell

[vorbis]

what the FA market looks like now and what the FA market will look once teams actually have the ability to start shaping their rosters and fitting them under the new cap are two totally different things. there may indeed be some good buys once pre- and mid-camp cuts start happening. Hurney has always been on top of things with making a few slick signings in the offseason for players that ultimately contribute. assuming Rivera is as good at communicating with Hurney as he is with the media, he'll be able to fill some gaps with useful players that may end up sticking on the roster in the regular season.

[TruCatzFan]

I've said this several times... Now that it's getting close...

Be on the lookout for Rivera to ****** some guys from either Chicago or SD if the opportunity presents itself... Defensive side of the ball... He's coached both D's... Just sayin... Might not be big name guys but ones that could fill a vital role on this team.

[MHS831]

I dont see why anyone would want to trade a player as good as Smitty just yet.

Big Cat, I really admire your optimism and your loyalty to Smitty. He is the greatest Panther ever and he has some juice left in the tank. However, I disagree; I think it is time for SS to move on. Here is my list of reasons (I am sure you can come up with one equally logical for keeping him-that is why this is tough):

• Most speed WRs hit the wall at 32. Smitty showed signs last year. Blame JC for some of the problem, but not all of it.
  
• In 2 years we will be a good team. Smith will be 34 and his contract will have expired.
  
• Smith was rough on JC--in his head, making matters worse. It could happen again.
  
• Smith on the field takes away opportunities for they youth to develop (weak excuse, but it counts)
  
• The $ 7.5 million we would save, in addition to the draft pick we would acquire, can bring in younger talent.
  

[4Corners]

Advocates avoiding big money offers for two of our UFA's:

http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/6782227/free-agents-meet-hell

that article was terrible

[MHS831]

that article was terrible

it sure was