Franchise tag it is

[PantherPhann89]

I like the Kraken but I'm not crazy about paying him 12 million for 1 season and not knowing whether or not he'll agree to a long term deal next year or not. We could end up right back where we are now, next season. I'd hate to see him walk, like I did Peppers, but we got our Lil Pepp for a year...

[El Chingon]

http://www.panthers.com/news/article-2/Panthers-place-franchise-tag-on-Hardy/6b20436e-ce2a-4d67-bf12-14ce76c3ea68

[MHS831]

I guess I have an assumption and a question.

 

Assuming that we were not even close to getting an agreement, otherwise, why go out there telling the world he is getting tagged.

 

Question is further to the early declaration of a tag.  Will Rosenhaus now be able to make calls about a trade and long term deal for his guy?

 

FA starts I think in about a week and a half.  Beyond Clowney, there is nothing in the draft anywhere close to Hardy, not even close. 

 

So why wouldn't Minnesota, or Oakland or whomever pony up some picks for a guy that would be hands down better than anything they could get in the draft?

 

Just trying to work some intrigue into this thing

 

Good questions and points. All this means is we bought time.  The timing of the announcement seemed strange to me--I was expecting negotiations all weekend and an announcment Monday.

[Riverboat Ron]

To be honest this was the best route, far too talented just to let waltz into free agency. This allows us to either sign him long term, trade him or hold on to him another year. 

[El Chingon]

good to hear

 

"The franchise mechanism gives us time to secure the services of a very good player while we continue to look at the future of Greg with the Carolina Panthers,” general manager Dave Gettleman said. "We have had great dialogue with both Greg and his agent. It was important to keep our defensive front together.”

- Panthers.com

[KillerKat]

There were 3 scenarios.

1. Let him walk

2. Sign to long term deal to help out the cap for this season

3. Tag him and trade him

Looks like number 3 is going to happen. The franchise tag takes up too much of our cap on a player for just 1 season when we have so many other holes to fill.

[stirs]

Maybe Gman told Drew, "earn your money and work a trade with the team you think has the most money to throw your way" "and the team that will pay me back in draft picks"  "then, your guy won't have to risk a season ending injury next season here and make you look like a fool"

[TheNewStandard]

We are gonna see some cuts and some more restructures, still not out of the realm of possibility that Hardy signs a contract that saves us some money and that's what I'm hoping for.

Regardless, what a big day for that front 7 and Kraken belongs as a Panther as long as he keeps doing what he does on the field and in TE lockerroom.

Hardy will pay off big time and is just getting started in what could be a HoF career eating up QBs and RBs across the league.

Great draft pick and great player development!

Rawrarrr

[beastson]

Saints tagged Jimmy too

[Captain Morgan]

so with around 21 mill under the cap, we just spent 15 on Hardy and Gano?

 

I know there is more wiggling to be done, but we just barely have enough to sign our draft picks.

 

Starting to feel we're gonna trade him, but I'm no expert in these things.

 

Also feeling afraid about Smitty.

[El Chingon]

There were 3 scenarios.

1. Let him walk

2. Sign to long term deal to help out the cap for this season

3. Tag him and trade him

Looks like number 3 is going to happen. The franchise tag takes up too much of our cap on a player for just 1 season when we have so many other holes to fill.

What would you say to this scenario:

 

Trade him to the Dolphins for DE Dion Jordan and a 2nd round pick.

[TheNewStandard]

good to hear

"The franchise mechanism gives us time to secure the services of a very good player while we continue to look at the future of Greg with the Carolina Panthers,” general manager Dave Gettleman said. "We have had great dialogue with both Greg and his agent. It was important to keep our defensive front together.”

- Panthers.com

So, basically, we are keeping the Kraken and not for trade bait. He's a cornerstone for the future of this franchise that makes playing a whole lot easier for the rest of the defense.

[stirs]

The greatest scenario in the world would be for Gman to get a 1st round pick from Oakland or Minnesota. Hepcat mentioned earlier, we could come out of this thing with one of the big three LT's.

 

That would make Hardy one of my favorite players for sure.

 

Just think, Robinson or Matthews at 5 or Lewan at 8.

 

Okay, I am starting to hyperventilate, let's change subjects.

[KillerKat]

So, basically, we are keeping the Kraken and not for trade bait. He's a cornerstone for the future of this franchise that makes playing a whole lot easier for the rest of the defense.

If we keep him under the tag, good luck finding good help blocking for Cam Newton and solid weapons for him. Also continue to see our CBs getting burned because we have no one to cover other teams #1 and #2 receivers.