A list of FA's Panthers may target by Jonathan Jones of the observer

[jtnc]

Carolina Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman said last month the biggest offseason goal was getting under the salary cap by March 12.

He beat the deadline by four days. Carolina cut Chris Gamble on Friday to get under the $123 million cap, and now the Panthers have two days to negotiate with unrestricted free agents before free agency begins in earnest around the league Tuesday.

Almost $4 million under the cap, the Panthers still need to find another $6 million to $8 million in cap space to get far enough below the cap to re-sign their own players, pick up free agents and sign draft picks.

Carolina needs help from its veterans to shave that money. Pro Bowl center Ryan Kalil and tight end Greg Olsen have helped the team with restructured deals in the past month, and veteran left tackle Jordan Gross has been asked to do the same.

Gettleman has said he doesn’t want player cuts and restructured contracts to be quick fixes for the upcoming season. He plans to think two or three years down the road.

“You can’t just think about 2013,” he said last month in Indianapolis. “You’ve got to get beyond that. We’ve got to be thoughtful about this. With it being as flat as its been the last couple of years and people are talking it’s going to be that way for a couple more years, you’ve got to try to climb out of the hole. The only way you’re gonna do that is if you’re thoughtful.”

Carolina has 14 free agents on the roster, but special teams captain and backup linebacker Jordan Senn has already agreed to a one-year deal with the Panthers.

Cornerback Captain Munnerlyn and defensive tackle Dwan Edwards are two of the top targets for the Panthers to re-sign. Munnerlyn grew more comfortable in his nickel role, and Edwards had six sacks in his first year with the Panthers.

Not as sure to re-sign with the team are backup quarterback Derek Anderson and receiver Louis Murphy. With former offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski’s departure to the Browns, Anderson expressed a desire to return to the Browns. Murphy’s speed and likability in the locker room work in his favor, but there may be better options.

Here’s a look at some free agents the Panthers may go after in the coming weeks:

D.J. Moore, CB, Chicago

With the release of Gamble, the Panthers are thin at corner. Moore, a fourth-year player from Spartanburg, has 10 interceptions and two touchdowns in his career. He was told earlier this week he was not in Chicago’s future plans.

David Garrard, QB, Miami

The free-agent pool for quarterbacks is filled with backups, and Garrard, though he hasn’t played since the 2010 season, has a history with Panthers offensive coordinator Mike Shula. If Anderson decides to go to Cleveland, Garrard, a former East Carolina standout, can be a cheap pick-up for Carolina.

Adrian Wilson, S, Arizona

The five-time Pro Bowler is a 12-year veteran and doesn’t have many seasons left in him. But the Panthers had a patchwork secondary for the second half of the season, and Wilson, a High Point native and former N.C. State player, will be coveted by several teams.

Ramses Barden and Domenik Hixon, WRs, N.Y. Giants

The two receivers are very familiar with Gettleman, who was the Giants director of pro personnel for 13 years. Barden torched the Panthers in Week 3 for 138 receiving yards, and either one of the players could push No. 2 WR Brandon LaFell harder than Murphy did this past season.

Chris Canty, DT, N.Y. Giants

The hometown discount may be overplayed, but Canty told a Charlotte radio station he’d consider it if the Panthers come calling. Another player familiar with Gettleman, Canty could help middle linebacker Luke Kuechly roam.

Read more here: http://www.charlotte...l#storylink=cpy

[Ivan The Awesome]

No to Wilson. Everyone else, I would not mind. Garrard seems like a no brainer. Shula knows him and helped him in Jacksonville.

[rscott94]

Garrard isn't a bad QB options but he's older and tends to get injured more (which isn't a good thing for a back up

I said it in another thread but oh fuggin well... Brent Grimes isn't getting a lot of attention in FA so I wouldn't mind him here (he should come cheap if he stays quiet in FA)

[JawnyBlaze]

Grimes won't be cheap. He could possibly be the top CB in FA. The list of FAs here isn't bad, but it's short sighted to think the only guys they're considering are either from the Carolinas or the Giants.

[top dawg]

Not shortsighted, just logical considering our cap and needs.

[Riverboat Ron]

Smokescreen, bringing Mike Wallace to town! Superbowl!!!

[Bwood]

Totally forgot about DJ Moore...I really wanted him during that draft.

Get that dude in here.

[jarhead]

Garrard isn't a bad QB options but he's older and tends to get injured more (which isn't a good thing for a back up

I said it in another thread but oh fuggin well... Brent Grimes isn't getting a lot of attention in FA so I wouldn't mind him here (he should come cheap if he stays quiet in FA)

I think the reason is he is coming off a torn achilles same as beason did.that would be a risky move

[Gin and Juice]

Signing of a WR in FA is totally being over played! We don't need Band-Aids at WR, we need another legit no.1 WR on the team

[La Pantera]

Signing of a WR in FA is totally being over played! We don't need Band-Aids at WR, we need another legit no.1 WR on the team

I'd say we need both. After Smitty and LaFell, the drop off is pretty significant. AE is gone. Murphy should be. Pilares is a good 5th option. Who knows how Adams will develop at the position and Gettis is a huge question mark.

We need a future #1 AND some Improved depth beyond the #2 position.

[cookinbrak]

Ramses Barden and Domenik Hixon, WRs, N.Y. Giants

The two receivers are very familiar with Gettleman, who was the Giants director of pro personnel for 13 years. Barden torched the Panthers in Week 3 for 138 receiving yards, and either one of the players could push No. 2 WR Brandon LaFell harder than Murphy did this past season.

Beating up a weakling doesn't mean you're powerful.

[CRA]

Signing of a WR in FA is totally being over played! We don't need Band-Aids at WR, we need another legit no.1 WR on the team

There werent even 32 legit #1 WRs in the NFL last year. Not that easy to just pick one up

[Gin and Juice]

There werent even 32 legit #1 WRs in the NFL last year. Not that easy to just pick one up

Doesn't mean that we shouldn't be moving in the direction of finding one! We sure will not find one in FA

[4Corners]

David Garrard is a great QB.