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February 13, 2008
Wahle to meet with Seahawks today
Though the unrestricted free agency signing period doesn't start for another 16 days, players cut this week are available to sign with new teams.
Former Panthers guard Mike Wahle, released by the Panthers along with linebacker Dan Morgan on Monday, is scheduled to be in Seattle today to meet with Seahawks officials about a new job.
During part of his seven seasons in Green Bay, Wahle played for current Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren.
There also has been speculation that the Packers, who need a guard, would be interested in Wahle.
The Seahawks likely will give him a physical to check on his recovery from a torn labrum he suffered in 2006 while playing for Carolina.
-- Charles Chandler
Posted by Observer Sports on February 13, 2008 at 08:52 AM | Permalink
Comments
Cutting Wahle was just a bad decision, he is only 30 (will be 31 at the start of the season). Why are the Panthers starting this model for team construction now? If they wanted to follow this particular model why did they not do it last year by cutting Rucker and Minter. Those two players were older then Wahle and clearly not as good. Once again this team shows blind loyality to players well past their prime. It is time that we bring in a real GM, not a beat writer (no offense Charles and Stan) to construct a team in the proper way. Draft young talent, let them grow into a unit, and finally add free agents that complete the puzzle, not make it.
2008 will be another year in which the OL will not be the same from the previous year. Hurney and Fox have not once allowed a unit to gel for over 1 season.
Posted by: Steven | Feb 13, 2008 9:45:12 AM
and had the kept Wahle, you'd probably be complaining that the Panthers did a bad job of managing their salaries.
Posted by: mattdaddy | Feb 13, 2008 10:09:37 AM
No. I would say that they could have saved that 4 million by cutting Foster. However, Foster is one of Fox's boys so I guess those rules do not apply.
Posted by: Steven | Feb 13, 2008 10:22:43 AM
Who is to say that they are not going to cut Foster
Posted by: mattdaddy | Feb 13, 2008 11:10:22 AM
Matt
You are missing my point and putting words in my mouth.
Posted by: Steven | Feb 13, 2008 11:43:21 AM
Ok, who is to say that our interior linemen like Kalil, Hartwig, Hangartner and/or Wharton and Bridges could do just as good if not better than Wahle.
There is something to be said for cohesiveness on the oline and it can be a good thing when you keep the same unit together for at least 2 seasons, but it doesnt always translate into success. Wahle was going to make way too much and we have guys who can step right in his place at a lesser price
Posted by: mattdaddy | Feb 13, 2008 11:57:25 AM
The Panthers have an abundance of interior offensive linemen. In terms of performance level, it probably made the most sense to cut Hartwig, but his contract terms make it such that he would have COST the Panthers money under the cap. Furthermore, he is younger than Wahle, who, while a steady presence on the o-line, is not getting any younger or better and has battled injuries himself the last few years. If they were going to cut an o-lineman, Wahle made the most sense from a combined financial and football standpoint.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Feb 13, 2008 11:59:10 AM
Thank you, Matt. Pro sports at this point are all about the performance:pay ratio, and Wahle at this point just didn't make sense.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Feb 13, 2008 12:00:26 PM
Without a doubt the team needs to draft for the OL this spring. But please, please let us draft a frickin' safety.
How many years in a row did Mike Minter player 99% of the defensive snaps? He was the only constant back there, and now we could really use a young safety.
The hot trend these days are safeties = Troy Polumalo, Roy Williams, Rodney Harrison, Ed Reed, the late Sean Taylor and Reggie Nelson. If we had a quick guy to go with hard-hitter Chris Harris, our defense would be much improved.
Of course, the best pass defense comes from a pass rush -- as the Giants proved against Tom Brady.
So our first day of the draft should address OT, FS and DE.
Receivers are so hit-or-miss that I'd rather pick up one in free agency. Want another Kerry Colbert? How about when S.F. drafted JJ Stokes in the first round, then quickly saw him benched in favor of 3rd round pick Terrell Owens?
Posted by: Air Borden | Feb 13, 2008 12:19:26 PM
Matt
The problem I have is not the cut of Wahle. Those types of moves are not bad. I just want to know why they did not cut Minter and Rucker under the same criteria.
Posted by: Steven | Feb 13, 2008 12:55:22 PM
Steven, not cutting Minter is a moot point now. They got Chris Harris, who more than just filled the spot. Plus, Minter had restructured his contract multiple times to help the team free up some cap room. Rucker also has done the same thing and I believe was paid the minimum last year. They also told Minter in the preseason that he would not be guaranteed a job. Rucker had just as many sacks as Peppers did last year coming off a major knee surgery. I think the jury is still out on whether he can perform at a high level again.
Apparently, Wahle was not willing to do the same and I would assume the Panthers probably offered that so they applied Procton's performance:pay ratio and you see what happened. Also, you contradict yourself by saying the Panthers once again show blind loyalty to players well past their prime, that's exactly what they did NOT do with Wahle. He's clearly past his prime.
Posted by: Matt A | Feb 13, 2008 1:23:10 PM
Minter was a valuable asset and took a pay cut to remain with the team. In addition, we did not have a viable backup for Minter. I really dont know why to would cut Rucker either McClover was not ready to be a starter plus he was a late 2nd day draft pick and we didn't have alot invested in him like we do with Kalil and Hartwig. It only makes sense to cut a guy if you have a clear backup to take his place and the Panthers did not have legit guys to come in and replace Minter/Rucker like they do with Wahle.
Posted by: mattdaddy | Feb 13, 2008 1:24:51 PM
Now can some at Inside the Panthers tell me who the Panthers are visiting with if anyone? I'm not really that concerned with the fact that someone the Panthers cut is meeting with another team.
Posted by: LeeL | Feb 13, 2008 1:27:43 PM
Matt A,
You are wrong on the blind loyality commment. Wahle was not one of Fox's guys. Minter, Rucker, Peppers, and Colbert are those guys. Wahle was never in that group.
Posted by: Steven | Feb 13, 2008 1:51:54 PM
What exactly is the definition of a "Fox guy" I'd say Buckner and Stephen Davis were both Fox guys who were shown the door.
Posted by: mattdaddy | Feb 13, 2008 1:55:59 PM
Who's fault is it that the Panthers did not have a replacement for Rucker and only had McClover waiting. That would be Marty Hurney. He is the reason that this team is in bad shape. No one out there can name for me one name of a player on the OL that will be at a particular position come July.
The Panthers have no idea who will the the starting LT, LG, C, RG, RT.
We may know it will be Hartwig, Gross, Kalil but we don't know where.
Secondly, Minter had nothing the last 2 or 3 years. Those who say he did, show that same blind loyality that Steven talked about.
Posted by: Phillip | Feb 13, 2008 2:00:43 PM
Fox guy's are players that underperform and face no consequences
Matt I don't understand how you can be such a fan of a coach and GM that have taken this team to the playoffs 2 of 6 years?
Posted by: Steven | Feb 13, 2008 2:04:33 PM
Soooo what are the guys called who DO perform well, Fox gets no credit for them, or does he only get blame for they guys who dont play to potential?
I am a fan of the guys who brought this team out of the pits of the league and changed them from a laughing stock to a reputable team. Following the worst losing streak in NFL history, there appeared to be no hope for this franchise, but then here comes Fox, upping the win total by 6 games! Sure he has some flaws but those same flaws were his strengths when the team was winning. Loyalty, a calm demeaor, and insistance on running the ball, being a "players coach" are all traits that helped elevate this team, now that they have had TWO seasons of missing the playoffs, those same traits are suddenly bad. Its pathetic.
Posted by: mattdaddy | Feb 13, 2008 2:14:18 PM
Steven, how about because that 33% playoff appearance ratio is just below the 37.5% league average and is far better than the 23% total for the team's history or the 14% average before Fox.
And mattdaddy, lest we not forget that those two seasons have included 16 total missed games from our Pro Bowl quarterback who is also 16th in QB rating in NFL history.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Feb 13, 2008 2:46:46 PM
Was that the same QB that people wanted David Carr to replace? Just asking, I don't know.
Posted by: Steven | Feb 13, 2008 3:21:07 PM
Michael,
So the Panthers just want to be an "average" team. A team content on making the playoffs 2 of 6 years. In that time frame how many times have the Colts and Pats made the playoffs. My thinking is you should try to be the best not just "average"
If Fox can't do it, we should try another coach.
Posted by: Mark Twain | Feb 13, 2008 3:27:13 PM
Steven, the answer to you question is no, the more informed fans on here never wanted Carr or really anyone else to replace Jake. I'm not going to lie, I was happy he was coming here to be a backup, as a guy who was supposed to sit on the bench for a year. But never did I even hint that he should replace Jake.
As for "if Fox can't do it, we should try another coach." So you want to just keep hiring and firing coaches and cutting and signing players for however long it takes to be in the playoffs every year?
Posted by: mattdaddy | Feb 13, 2008 3:32:41 PM
Shawty had them Apple Bottom Jeans [Jeans]
Boots with the fur [With the fur]
The whole club was lookin at her
She hit the flo [She hit the flo]
Next thing you know
Shawty got low low low low low low low low
Posted by: Flo-Rida | Feb 13, 2008 4:09:33 PM
You're right, Mark. Since there's clearly a better alternative to Fox (who has been among the 10 most successful coaches in the league since he took over) available, we should grab him. Oh, wait...who is that again?
And Matt, there were plenty of "informed" fans who have been calling for Chris Weinke or David Carr as our clear-cut starter for YEARS.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Feb 13, 2008 4:57:03 PM
minter retired, he is not a question now, come on guys, getting rid of wahle, suspect, but he really hasn't played to his contract we gave him, granite we shouldn't cut him this early, but we need to start over. he does help out our salary cap, but who knows, this is the last year that Fox and hurney can do what they are capable of.
Posted by: Kuh | Feb 14, 2008 2:00:49 AM
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