What does Gettleman need to do to make you optimistic for 2013?

[catnip]

I think we bring in a vet QB if Anderson leaves. We should cut Pickles and keep Edwards for 3rd QB. Cut Gamble,

restructure Dwill and trade Stewart who has more trade value for more picks or a quality player of need (H. Nicks).

Cut Hangman , Nakamura, Martin and tell Beason to restructure his contract and play another position (not mlb)

or try to trade him. Draft BPA (OL or DL) with the first. 2nd round draft whichever is not chosen in the first. After that take best player available which fits our needs.

[Kurb]

Every time some advocates Edwards staying I want to kick them in the face.

[panthers55]

People on here know I was one of JRs biggest critics in 2010, but I am optimistic about this year. Firing Hurney sent a big message to everyone that they are on a short leash. Rivera and Shula will be working their butts off to get things right because Shula wants to show he can be a successful OC and Rivera wants to know he is going to be here a while. Gettleman will get the cap down because he has to, he has no choice. But I think he can do it without slashing and burning everything. If he lets Gamble go for example he has done a big job toward that end, in and of itself. Contracts given to WIlliams for example were given with the intent that he would never see all the money.

I think that barring some major screwups, we will be a playoff team this year and by 2014 we will have a manageable cap. All of these folks who are down or angry need to lighten up and sit back and watch. It really is going to be alright.

[Kurb]

People on here know I was one of JRs biggest critics in 2010, but I am optimistic about this year. Firing Hurney sent a big message to everyone that they are on a short leash. Rivera and Shula will be working their butts off to get things right because Shula wants to show he can be a successful OC and Rivera wants to know he is going to be here a while. Gettleman will get the cap down because he has to, he has no choice. But I think he can do it without slashing and burning everything. If he lets Gamble go for example he has done a big job toward that end, in and of itself. Contracts given to WIlliams for example were given with the intent that he would never see all the money.

I think that barring some major screwups, we will be a playoff team this year and by 2014 we will have a manageable cap. All of these folks who are down or angry need to lighten up and sit back and watch. It really is going to be alright.

You have Stockholm syndrome :)

[Navy_football]

I really don't understand all the pessimism... This team has a lot of positions that could be better, but only a few that aren't good enough to compete.

1. Chud's playcalling and OG play killed the offense this season. Chud is gone and I'm certain OG will be improved.

2. FS play contributed to its share of games. Though, I did feel better about Godfrey at FS and Campbell at SS towards the end. That combo just might work, but I wouldn't be against bringing in a vet. Or a prospect in the later rounds of the draft.

This offense has a ton of weapons that were criminally underutilized. I know a strong #2 WR would help, but Lafell and Olsen are weapons. And I'm not so sure Gettis can't be a future Marques Colston. Smitty's replacement may not be on the team yet. But as long as he is, we're okay there. There are three proven RBs in the backfield - just use them and get them quality o-linemen that allow them to work. This team should be able to run on anyone.

The defense is very strong at all LB positions and DE - like some of the best in the league strong. The CBs are young but physical and confident. Once again, they could be improved but what we have there now is competitive.

You don't have to stop every pass or tackle every run in the backfield. You can give up some points and some big plays. As long as you can counter with your own, and make a few key stops, you'll be in the game.

TL;DR version: We don't have as many glaring holes as some make it out to be. How many teams have superstars at every position? Know and play to your strengths, focus on key areas (OL/DL) for new talent, and call a smart game. The Panthers will be okay next season if they do those three things.

[panthers55]

You have Stockholm syndrome :)

Kudos that you know what Stockholm Syndrome is.

If I have that then you have learned helplessness, LOL

[SCP]

Yeah I'm not feeling optimistic about this team at all. No cap space, limited draft picks, no job security for coaches, needs all over the team. Not looking bright for next year

Add to that a hard ass schedule and we are looking at another 6-7 win season and another year wasting Newton's talent. If I was Cam I'd be getting the fug out. Hopefully he is not as impatient as I am.

[SCP]

And for the love of Christ quit saying we should keep AE or move him to 3rd QB. That guy is NIT an NFL talent, sorry to break it to you.

[L-TownCat]

Fix the cap, fix the contracts, draft hall of famers, sign awesome free agents, teach Cam "the way".

[Happy Panther]

He gets a bye pretty much.

But he needs to find cap space which isn't hard and sign a couple value FAs. We have a 10 win team if we fill a couple of holes.

[carpanfan96]

Beason isn't getting cut or traded (Cap hit would be over 15 million) "Part of his 2013 salary is guaranteed" Honestly restructuring it would be stupid as well, all that's doing is moving money around. Let him play, build his value back up and then cut him prior to 2014 season. " Saves the team almost 3 million for 2014 season"

Gross still has over 4 million in bonuses due to him listed in his contract of some sort or another, while cutting him would save the team 6.7 million dollars, it takes away your best Oline player by far over the last 3 years.

Williams has a cap hit of 9.6 million and even if it's June 1st cut "it doesn't help the team in getting under the cap before March 1st." Him being cut does nothing to help the Panthers in getting under the cap before the deadline.

Gamble saves the team 7.950 million if cut and would only have around 3 million in dead space from cutting him. "Best move Gettleman has to drop the cap"

Ron Edwards saves the team roughly 2.5 million.

Hangartner saves the team over 1.5 million.

Nakamura saves the team 1.3 million.

Tolbert saves the team around 1 million.

Gettis saves the team over 500k.

Minus Williams and Tolbert that puts the team roughly 7 million under the cap with around 4-4.5 million of that reserved for draft picks. So really the team would be around 2.6 million under the cap. Cut Tolbert and Willams and that puts that number closer to 8 million under the cap.

Current FA's are listed here "Just scroll down a bit" > http://www.kffl.com/...=By Team&y=2013

So the team's cap would be around 112 million and that's with only 39 players under contract "That's counting 7 draft picks with 2 of those being comps" "That's not counting RFA or practice squad/future contract guys.

So 39 players on the team with only 8 million to work with to sign the other 16 players. Vet's or players with close to 7 years experience are going to count almost a million a pop, so I'd expect a lot of low level FA or UDFA's to fill out most of that room.

That leaves the team with new holes at LT, CB 1 & nickel spots, UT, NT, RB "depth" FB as well as the existing holes at S, CB 2, WR 2, RG and RT. Also makes Oline depth a serious need as well. The team can technically fill 7 of those spots in the draft, realistically they can fill 2, maybe 3 of those with an above average - awesome draft. RB can be left to those that are still here plus a UDFA or two. FB could be filled with a UDFA as well. That's 5 of the above filled in through rookies realistically.

Assuming the first three picks are the biggest needs at LT, CB and either UT/NT and of course assuming that they all pan out to be good players Then the team could fill out the other DT spot and nickel position for around 1-2 million each with some mid level veteran fa's. Now there's just holes at CB 2, RG, RT, S and WR plus depth and ST issues. The team will end up letting Dockery, Norman and Thomas battle it out for the CB 2 spot and the others would move down the Depth chart partially fixing CB depth issues.

That leaves the team with roughly 4-6 million under the cap with major needs at WR, S OL depth and honestly an issue at CB as well. The team will probably let Bell stay at RT for another year (no other choice really) and Godfrey and Williams to stay at S. So those are taken care of now as well. Sign a mid level FA at RG and a few other lower level players/UDFA to flesh out the OL depth.

2 million left in cap and still major needs/upgrades at most of the current spots (expect for the first couple of rookies, they were fixed with stop gaps. WR still a major need, Still a need at NT or UT, Still a need at RG, RT, safety.

You expect this team to make the playoffs.

QB- Netwon, Clausen, UDFA

RB- Stewart, Smith, Poole

FB- UDFA

WR- Smith, Adams, Pilares

WR- Lafell, Lamont, UDFA/Mid level FA

TE- Olsen, UDFA/FA/DP

LT- DP, Campbell

LG- Amini, FA/UDFA

C- Kalil, Byers

RG- FA, UDFA, Williams

RT- Bell, G. Williams

DE- Johnson, Alexander

NT- FA/DP, Kearse, Fua

UT- FA/DP, Chandler

DE- Hardy, Keiser

SLB- Beason, Anderson,

MLB- Keuchly, Beason, Hogue

WLB- Davis, Phillips, Onatolu

CB- DP,FA, Ness

CB- Thomas, Norman, Dockery

FS- Godfrey, UDFA/FA

SS- Williams, FA/UDFA Colin Jones

LS- Jansen

P- Nortman

K- Gano

KR/PR- Adams

Really?

[CRA]

Look at the cap impact for 2014 as well.....not just 2013.

Some of those guys you claim can't be cut likely will. Might as well start now building your 2014 team...that way you have a season to get guys to mesh

[carpanfan96]

Look at the cap impact for 2014 as well.....not just 2013.

Some of those guys you claim can't be cut likely will. Might as well start now building your 2014 team...that way you have a season to get guys to mesh

I cut everyone listed but Beason, only reason I didn't cut Beason is the team can't afford to do it with a 15 million cap hit. I said to build his value up then cut him in 2014, if possible trade him. Also do you think the team I listed out above has any playoff shot what so every in 2013?

[CRA]

I cut everyone listed but Beason, only reason I didn't cut Beason is the team can't afford to do it with a 15 million cap hit. I said to build his value up then cut him in 2014, if possible trade him. Also do you think the team I listed out above has any playoff shot what so every in 2013?

The team you listed isn't drastically different than the one that finished strong this past year...IMO.

I think any team with Newton has a shot pending the coaches don't get in his way. Cutting Nakamura and Piggy likely make us better. You then swap Kalil and Gross.....I think with Newton the middle of the line is more important than edges anyway. Gamble didn't play when we where rolling anyway. RBs? You cut depth....guys who clap. Only need one stud, just need him to stay healthy....best ground attack this year used a 4th stringer.