Has Gettleman finally made a big gaffe?

[xtheronx]

Great article by Newton

http://m.espn.go.com/general/blogs/blogpost?blogname=carolina-panthers&id=5428

"General manager Dave Gettleman has made some questionable decisions in the first week of free agency.

Let's go back to January, two days after the Carolina Panthers finished a 12-4 season, to when Dave Gettleman assessed his first year as an NFL general manager.

"The gaffes I made this year didn’t hurt us too much,'' he said.

A reporter: "Gaffes?''

Gettleman responded with a laugh and a Ric Flair-like "Wooo!," followed by a moment of awkward silence, followed by "let's say I didn't make any big ones.''

Back to the present. Gettleman appears to have made several gaffes a week into his second venture into free agency. Whether one or more turn into big ones remains to be seen. Whether they'll ultimately be called gafffes also remains to be seen because we're a long way from the final snapshot of this team.

But for the sake of evaluation, let's take a look at what could be called the gaffes of the past week:"

[L-TownCat]

Surely could be viewed as such.

[Ken]

Only gaffe I see was cutting Smith but I got why he did it.

Others are meh.

[AceBoogie]

Only gaffe I see was cutting Smith but I got why he did it.

Others are meh.

That was the domino effect. I don't think he realized the significance of the move. As they say "He ain't from round here"

[Ken]

That was the domino effect. I don't think he realized the significance of the move. As they say "He ain't from round here"

Domino effect? To what?

[Mother Grabber]

letting mediocre players go get overpaid somewhere else is not a gaffe.

[Ruff]

I think the biggest gaffe was tagging Hardy and putting us Ina situation where we couldn't sign other talent (like a LT who could replace gross).

[Carl Spackler]

I hope we can field a full team of NFL players this season and not a cast of stars, dickhead Roman Harper and UDFAs, that's my concern

[bleys]

 

letting mediocre players go get overpaid somewhere else is not a gaffe.

 

 

..or the domino effect.  lol

[MDPanthersFan]

All emotional ties the fans have, whether actually cutting Smith was one or not, to me, isnt as big of a "gaffe" as the timing of it was... why do it when you have no backup plan or replacement already hammered down; why not wait until a vet/replacement receiver is signed and on the books before cutting him (at that point could easily designate him as a June 1st)... there is no way any of the receivers on the active roster can be deemed as replacements for Smith, not even his low production numbers from last season (although his yards were down, he made MANY big time catches).

Aside from that, I tying so much money into Hardy may end up being one. Before flaming me for saying it, think of what could have been done with that cap hit; that could have essentially signed a vet OT and WR. The ravens signed Monroe to a contract averaging 7.5mil a season while Nicks took a deal worth 3.5mil and Ginn something very similar. That isnt to say they would have necessarily signed with Carolina, but the numbers don't lie, two quality players are better than one. Plus, there are a few vet DEnds out there that could have played a single season spot while finding/developing Hardy's spot; worse case you spend a 1st round in 2015 to replacement. As great of a player that Hardy is, he is replaceable.

[IGSaint]

Our bread and butter is our pass rush. We couldn't afford to lose Hardy, especially now.

My guess is The Huddle secretly misses Hurney.

This is what it feels like to me. If people are comfortable overpaying mediocre players why did hurney even leave? 

[Ruff]

Our bread and butter is our pass rush. We couldn't afford to lose Hardy, especially now.

My guess is The Huddle secretly misses Hurney.

Pass rush is generally created from the inside out in a 43 defense. We have the talent on the inside to free up the guys on the outside. At least, enough to where we don't have to spend 60% of our cap space on that position.

[AceBoogie]

Domino effect? To what?

Not being able to bring in the free agents we've been targeting. I don't think we simply let Ginn and Lafell walk like some of you believe. They left.

[Mother Grabber]

Not being able to bring in the free agents we've been targeting. I don't think we simply let Ginn and Lafell walk like some of you believe. They left.

yes, for contracts worth more than they are and more than we can afford.