Best available Defensive ends, Cornerbacks and Defensive tackles in F.A.

[toldozer]

Starting d gave up 6 points. Just saying...

[toldozer]

Starting d forced 2 turnovers..... Just saying

[panther4life]

After Stewart's deal is factored into this years cap the team will not have 8 million in space. It's probably done to something around 2-3 million now.

I thought when we "extended" him any cap ramifications would take place starting next year when his current deal expires.

Also, looks like all the complainer's are finally giving up!!

[davos]

Just for sh*ts and giggles...

http://www.nfl.com/freeagency

Given our new FA tendencies, there's not really much:

DT - Marcus Thomas

CB - William Middleton

Maybe Roderick Hood at CB?

I don't think we sign any d-linemen but can see us taking a gander at CB somewhere or whatever. I dunno

[panthers55]

Who was the last Superbowl winning team that had a better defense than offense?

Just off the top of my head, I don't remember any... Almost all of the recent championship teams had turnover-creating defenses that weren't necessarily top ranked.

Look at all the great defenses that fell short because the defense was better than the offense (Ravens, Jets, etc.).

Packers, and Saints* since 2009. That is 2 of the last 3.

[panthers55]

After Stewart's deal is factored into this years cap the team will not have 8 million in space. It's probably done to something around 2-3 million now.

That doesn't factor into the cap this year so it is still 8. If we bring that whole 8 forward we can pay him next year and still have some left over to use with everyone else.

[beastson]

I disagree with the D not being a priority, I think RR believes he can make the D better with his background while maintaining a high flying O. We drafted a LB 9th overall and then traded up to land a DE.

Yeah, but belief and reality are just two different things

[Nine_Lives]

Worked for the Colts during the Manning years but at least they had Freeney bringing the heat at key moments of the game...Panthers don't have a Freeney, at this time.

[CRA]

We are no longer a defensive team.

We are interested in outscoring other teams with the defense helping a bit here and there.

We are not interested in trying to allow under 14 points a game.

Well teams that play the we will outscore you game......try to take advantage of the rules and take it to the air. We are still investing offensively like we have a top 5 D and can afford to pound RBs.

[Growl]

Just occured to me that the same 7th we used on Louis Murphy could have netted us Asante Samuel.

Hurney magic.

[csx]

That doesn't factor into the cap this year so it is still 8. If we bring that whole 8 forward we can pay him next year and still have some left over to use with everyone else.

Why not? Players are extended all the time in order to create cap space. That would suggest that the new contract takes affect in the current season and bonus money begins to be spread in the current year. Why would a team extend someone to a new contract with guaranteed money if there is a chance they could get hurt before that contract even begins. That would be stupid.

[CRA]

Worked for the Colts during the Manning years but at least they had Freeney bringing the heat at key moments of the game...Panthers don't have a Freeney, at this time.

Worked for the Colts bc they invested in passing talent

1st round picks for Peyton to throw to drafted by Indy.

Harrison

Wayne

Clarke

Gonzalez.

1st round rec threats drafted by Carolina? That Cam has? None, they drafted to pound the rock and play great D. Our roster is still heavily slanted that way.

[Kuech the Sneak]

Honestly man, Kearse and Edwards should be the starters at DT.

At CB, Captain shouldn't be a starter obviously and if Norman, Hogan, or Butler could step in, that would make a significant difference in our pass defense.

LB corps is probably the best in the league if they can stay healthy. Sure, they could've brought in some competition at CB and DT, but there are capable guys on the roster. Safety should be somewhat better with Nakamura in there, but Godfrey still hasn't proven to be a consistent performer, so we'll see there.

I like what we have, I just think it comes down to playing the right guys.

Kearse looked good?

[panthers55]

Why not? Players are extended all the time in order to create cap space. That would suggest that the new contract takes affect in the current season and bonus money begins to be spread in the current year. Why would a team extend someone to a new contract with guaranteed money if there is a chance they could get hurt before that contract even begins. That would be stupid.

Stewart's contract doesn't end until after this year so any cap savings would be for 2013 not 2012 so there won't be any cap savings this year so the current 8 million won't change. Why would we extend him now instead of next year when he could get hurt this season?? It is a 5 year deal and we are looking long term. Even if he got hurt in 2012 unless it was a career ending injury we are better off extending now and locking him up instead of waiting until he becomes a free agent when he can command top bucks. His 9 million guaranteed now gives him 9 million plus his salary of 1.3 million for a total of 10.3 milllion although his cap in 2012 stays at 2.6 million. He has a 9 million option in 2014 which is guaranteed an some of his 2013 salary is guaranteed. It is a win for us and him.

Contracts are always risky. We extended Beason and he missed a whole year. I still don't think many folks think that was a huge mistake if he returns to form this year.