NFL.com Article on Our Cap Situation

[Gallagher]

"Around the League" is taking a look at each team's salary-cap situation heading into training camp. We continue with the Carolina Panthers.

Adjusted cap number: $126,206 million

Cap room remaining: $8.769 million

Best bargain: Cam Newton earned 67.6 percent of his $22.025 million rookie contract during the 2011 season. He completed 60 percent of his 517 pass attempts for 4,051 yards and 21 touchdowns, adding 706 yards and an NFL quarterback record 14 touchdowns in earning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. With the benefit of a full offseason, more is expected from Newton, who will earn $1,376,159 in fully guaranteed base salary for a cap just over $5 million in 2012. Overall, Newton will have earned $16.3 million in his first two seasons in the NFL. In comparison,

Sam Bradford, the No. 1 overall pick the year before Newton and the new collective bargaining agreement, earned $30.045 million his first two seasons in the NFL.

Potential camp casualty: Knee injuries have limited 2008 first round pick

Jeff Otah to four games over the last two seasons. Byron Bell, an undrafted free agent last season, picked up the slack, particularly in the running game. Bell and Otah will compete for the starting right tackle job opposite Jordan Grossduring training camp. With the Panthers acquiring the intriguing Bruce Campbell from the Oakland Raiders in exchange for running back Mike Goodson, Otah, who is due $1.076 million in base salary this season, could find himself fourth on the depth chart. He also might find himself a free agent before Week 1.

Contract issue looming in 2013

Running back

Jonathan Stewart has expressed a desire to return, but it's hard to envision the Panthers paying him and DeAngelo Williams at the same time. Something would have to give for that to happen. Cornerback Captain Munnerlyn will also be a free agent in 2013, The 2009 seventh-round pick out of South Carolina started a career-high 14 games in 2011, but is ideally-suited to be a slot cornerback. Recent mid-round picks Brandon Hogan and Josh Norman could push for playing time going forward, but Munnerlyn's skills in the slot could have the Panthers looking to keep him around on a multiyear deal.

So glad we drafted Cam after the new CBA.

I don't get why they listed Otah as a potential cap casualty. I mean he's injury prone, but they said it themselves that he's only due $1.076 mil this year. I imagine guys like Jordan Pugh, DJ Campbell, Olindo Mare, Nic Harris, Andre Neblett, Jimmy Clausen, Armanti Edwards or any of the UDFAs we picked up are more likely to get cut.

Also, why they are talking about Captain Munnerlyn, Brandon Hogan and Josh Norman in the 2013 contract issues section is beyond me.

Thoughts?

[Marguide]

They listed Otah because if his body and/or mind is not ready to get on the field, we are better off using the roster spot on someone else.

That's reasonable to me.

[Pejorative Miscreant]

They listed Otah because if his body and/or mind is not ready to get on the field, we are better off using the roster spot on someone else.

That's reasonable to me.

I agree. If things don't work out its time to cut ties. Rivera doesn't strike me as a guy to hold on to excess baggage. I really hope Otah pulls through but have doubts.

[Stroupe-a-loop]

That seems like a pretty good cap situation. We are 8 million under (which roles over) and only in danger of losing a committee back and a guy that profiles best as nickel corner. We're still probably a draft and free agency period away from really being a threat, but I'm happy with that.

[Pejorative Miscreant]

That seems like a pretty good cap situation. We are 8 million under (which roles over) and only in danger of losing a committee back and a guy that profiles best as nickel corner. We're still probably a draft and free agency period away from really being a threat, but I'm happy with that.

I half agree but don't think the moniker of a committee back is suitable for Stewart. This guy is a tremendous player and the only reason his numbers are not more impressive is because he shares time with another guy that is also pretty good. Hurney will try very hard to keep him.

[Stroupe-a-loop]

I half agree but don't think the moniker of a committee back is suitable for Stewart. This guy is a tremendous player and the only reason his numbers are not more impressive is because he shares time with another guy that is also pretty good. Hurney will try very hard to keep him.

That's true, but both Williams and Stewart have had injury issues even while sharing carries and only once has one of them gone over 250 carries in a season (Williams in 2008, 273 carries).

I don't think there is anything wrong with the committee back label. There's only a few feature backs in the league and you get more out of two talented runners that share touches anyway (their per carry numbers are excellent and nearly identical.)

[jasonluckydog]

It beats being over...

[Stroupe-a-loop]

Before someone accuses me of saying that Williams and Stewart suck or something, I just want to clarify my point: I think the committee system we are using is by far the most effective rushing attack in the league. We put some versatile and talented players (Stewart, Williams, and Newton) in the best position to succeed in a given situation rather than pound one guy to death.

Last year we ranked 3rd in total rushing behind only the quarterback-less Texans and Broncos.

We were first in rushing touchdowns by a substantial margin.

Tied for last in fumbles.

First in yards per attempt.

First in runs of 20+ yards.

First in % of rushing attempts that result in a first down.

That has to be the best, most efficient rushing attack in the league. The feature back is an older system that will probably get replaced. Much like the number 1 receiver thing is changing with elite passing teams like Green Bay and New Orleans. If you have the horses to run this kind of offense, like we do, you spread around the carries for the player that is the most effective for a given situation.

And hopefully, like the top players in those systems (Jennings, Colston, etc.), we can pay Stewart a good contract that still enables us to keep the committee together.