Carolina Panthers A Big Bowl of Sanity

[RoaringRiot]

agreed with most every thing, tho i don't wan to see godfrey play another down in a panthers uni, mainly because of the price tag not being worth the production. we can find at least equal talent for much cheaper. we need that money elsewhere.

 

 

But does it make sense to cut Godfrey and sign another S when he's already on the roster (serious question).  Would it be fair to let CG have a go at it behind our 7 and see if he can look better?  

[osd22]

Now, having said that... if they sign Roman Harper, I won't like it.  I know, I know... good of the team and all that... I agree, but that guy is a dick and I can't cheer for him.

 

I agree 100% on Harper and I will never forget his late hit on Smitty. But I will change my mind as soon as his first pick six is in ;-). Time to look forward, not back...

[AviationMX]

It's possible last year was a bit lucky for us without some stellar draft picks that gave us a chance to cover a soft secondary and anemic pass offense. This year we may increase some points per game but probably not 12 wins...but a step forward and with a younger team is the way to go. it will take a couple years to get out of this limiting cap issue but by going younger and bigger is exactly what we need.

 

and still have a great D and Newton will only get better..hell . we may even start to run again.....

[Jmac]

The one big caveat in all this is chemistry.Who ever they end up bringing in on offense, a chemistry must be developed along with trust to be efficient and find success.This will not hapoen over night and along with Shulas conservative play calling (which may be even more so with a bunch of rookies involved),don't expect this to happen very fast. It will up to the defense to carry the load again.

[stirs]

What, no use of the word "fug" at least a dozen times?  What kind of thread is this?  Replacing "fug" with common sense and rational thought?  Get out of here

[Carolina Crazy V2]

Aside from that I do partially agree. Although I don't think Ginn was overpayed.

 

He was overpaid, however. 

[SOJA]

If we had handed out those contracts to Ginn, Mitchell and Captain it would have been a clear sign that NOTHING had changed from Hurney. 

 

Huddle- OMG Hurney is an idiot with his blind loyalty, he has doomed us to cap hell for shelling out huge deals to unnecessary players. 

 

Huddle- Dave Gettleman is a soul-less dick who hates the Panthers and is trying to intentionally burn it to the ground. 

 

logic != compute;

 

 

The moral of the story boys and girls is we have been a player in free agency, we signed the biggest free agent out there: Greg Hardy

 

I'd easily rather have Hardy than Ginn, Captain, and Mitchell. 

 

The only thing that has me confused is Charles Godfrey. I thought if he was designated a June 1st cut, we would clear 7 million off the books. I'll take average safety play (a la Roman Harper) and more money to sign Nicks/or an OT than 7 mill for Godfrey. 

[Cyclonus]

You'll have to excuse me if I don't feel like "relaxing".  For all we know Gettleman got lucky last year.  He caught lightning in a bottle with his one year free agents.  That doesn't guarantee he can do it again.  I'm not saying he can't.  But I'm not just going to assume he can.

[Captroop]

We haven't signed any good FAs: false

We locked up arguably one of the top FA players when we tagged Hardy. Showing that our priority is to keep the young core together and continue to build.

 

This is the truest, most sensible thing I've heard since FA began. We already signed arguably the best FA on the market this year. I was on the "sign him at all costs" although admittedly not appreciating what those costs would mean to our ability to resign other top FAs and current roster staples.

 

BUT Getts still has something to prove in this regard as well. He has to convert that franchise tag into a long-term contract. If Hardy proceeds to walk next year, and we spent 13 million on a Band-Aid at DE, I will be nonplussed. If Hardy leaves next year, then the gutting of sentimental favorites and our other 1-year-wonders (who could have become long-term stars) will have been for nothing.

[JJman]

He was overpaid, however.

Eh, debatable. He was an average WR and a good #3 WR for us last season. 3.5 million a year sounds about right, especially when you can afford it.

[TheNewStandard]

I see that Brian Folkerts played in 10 games this past year, in goal line situations and in ST. He doesn't look like a chump, at 6'4-310 and I wonder if he'll get a shot at competing for another position?

[panfan32]

TO be honest, I agree. I said it a lot last season that our secondary was average at best and the strong front 7 made them look better than what they were. As far as Ginn, I saw a potential that I liked but would not have been willing to pay him anywhere near what he got from the Card's. Love captain, but Zod is right he blew coverage a lot.

 

Fans have to remember one thing. When Gettleman cam in we were about $16mil over the Cap and were are still hurting from the Cap. we still have players like Greg, Cam, Luke, Star, Kawann whoes contracts need the $$ to sign in the future. Right now we are going to have issues just giving Cam his 5th year extension let alone resigning him by the nest season. Look to see players such as Dwill and Stewart either being cut, traded or released next off season to try and free up more cap space.

 

Its going to be a painful next 2 seasons as best.

[nctarheel0619]

My question, Zod.  Do you think we sign anyone that can contribute in the receiving core?  As much as I LOVE having young talent.  Having two-three rookie Wide Receiver's starting is not a good look for a team.  In my opinion.    

[csx]

From the looks of things on the Huddle as of late, I feel an intervention is needed. Today I actually read a theory that GM David Gettleman is actually purposefully sabotaging the team. It is official - the Huddle has lost its mind.

Let us take a step back from the conspiracy theories, conjecture, and embellishment.

There seems to be three main areas of concern, I will address them individually.

Myth #1 – The Panthers have no offensive line.

Status: FALSE

The Panthers currently have 4 of the 5 starting offensive lineman that the Panthers started training camp with last season. The retirement of Jordan Gross being the only change. Bell, Silotolu, Kalil, Williams, all remain on the roster. The sudden rash of retirements like Jeff Byers and Geoff Hangartner weren't a shock, in fact, they retired because they knew they would not be on the Panthers roster again. The loss of Jordan Gross is significant, but it isn't the end of the world. His play was no longer elite, but above average. Finding an above average left tackle is not an impossible task for David Gettleman considering it is only March. The bigger concern is the leadership on the line that will need filled. I believe Ryan Kalil is more than ready to step in.

Myth #2 – The Panthers have cut all of their wide receivers and are ignoring that need.

Status: FALSE

The 2013 Panthers wide receivers corps were less than stellar, to put it nicely. One good indication of such is TE Greg Olsen, who remains on the roster, was the leading receiver. Thats right, the Panthers leading receiver is still on the roster. Say that over and over again until you feel better.

Steve Smith's release, while heartbreaking and handled terribly, was necessary. Receivers decline quickly when in their mid 30s, and Steve had shown signs of such two years ago. Allowing his contract to continue another year would have made it more difficult to sign core young players all while not guaranteeing an adequate return on investment this season. Gettleman made a tough call, but it was the correct one.

Ted Ginn was exciting to watch, but fans forget the many drops he had that could have gone for long gains. Panthers fans are so thirsty for even average wide receiver play they forget what good receiver play looks like. I would be all in favor for keeping Ginn at a low price, but he is now being over paid in Arizona. You can't fault Gettleman for that.

Brandon Lafell? He may be back. The fact that no one else in the league is even interested tells you all you need to know. Vet minimum? Yep.

All in all, it won't be difficult for Gettleman to match the production of the 2013 wide receivers in 2014. Why? Because there isn't much production to match.

Myth #3 – The loss of Mike Mitchell and Captain Munnerlyn is devastating.

Satus: FALSE

I like Mike Mitchell. I think he is a fine safety. I also think Pittsburgh is going to be very disappointed in the return they get for their high dollar investment in him. Without the Panthers stellar front seven, Mitchell will be an average safety for them making above average money.

The Panthers were please with Robert Lester last season and still have Charles Godfrey under contract. Panthers fans have yet to see how Godfrey performs when the Panthers have featured their current front 7. My guess is he will benefit as much as Mike Mitchell did, maybe even more. We could see Godfrey rise to a new level.

Captain Munnerlyn is an average corner at best, and maybe an above average nickel. He was a liability last season on many downs, most notably against San Francisco. Melvin White and Josh Thomas both will play at a higher level than Munnerlyn in 2014, and at a smaller price tag.

So sit back, take a deep breath, and relax.

Dave's got this.

Good post but Gross had maybe the best season of his career.