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February 12, 2008
Wahle's philosophical about being released
Guard Mike Wahle was philosophical about his release by Carolina when I spoke with him yesterday -- but Wahle always has that warrior's mentality, philosophical with an edge.
Wahle was never one to complain, but admitted in retrospect that he was dealing with injuries for much of his time here. "I played through some stuff," he said. The most serious was a shoulder problem that affected him on and off. He feels good now, though, and expects to be healthy next season.
"I'm not planning on retiring," he said. "I plan to go and play another couple years."
Wahle said he wasn't surprised at the move, adding, "We pushed money back (into 2008), and they really need to re-sign their tackles."
Carolina gained about $4.1 million against the cap by cutting Wahle.
"This is a great opportunity for me, and hopefully, it will work out best for both sides."
Wahle's agent, Neil Cornrich, added, "The Panthers and general manager Marty Hurney were great to work with, but they simply have a bunch of talented interior linemen at this point, and in the NFL you
can't keep all your good players."
Carolina has made a high priority of re-signing right tackle Jordan Gross, and left tackle Travelle Wharton is also a free agent.
There is plenty of interior help. The Panthers could move one of their two centers -- Justin Hartwig or Ryan Kalil -- into Wahle's left guard slot, and also in the mix are Jeremy Bridges, last year's starter at right guard, along with Geoff Hangartner, who has shown potential at the position. And they could further upgrade the line through free agency or the draft.
-- Stan Olson
Posted by Observer Sports on February 12, 2008 at 09:22 AM | Permalink
Comments
Panther Fans what about Jerry Porter? He would really fit in the NFC style of football, he has the size and speed...And not a bad of a blocker.
Really look into that, the panthers are clearing out to win and I hope players dont be sour about it. The last three years the team that has gone on to win the Super Bowl the team has lost one of their big play makers the year before. This year, Giants-Barber, last year Colts-James, Pitt-Plaxico, so what do that tell you.... It is true doesnt seem that it would be losing those players but they have...and each year I have been watching the team that has done that and can tell throughout the season. So the Giants wasnt a surprise.
Jerry Porter......
Tampa Baby
Super Bowl XLIII
Posted by: Panther Fan D | Feb 12, 2008 10:00:16 AM
Very eloquently stated Panther Fan D.
Can someone at "Inside the Panthers" please explain the rationale of only cutting Morgan and Wahle now and not Carr?
Posted by: LeeL | Feb 12, 2008 10:18:55 AM
Im really excited to see what Geoff Hangartner, is going to do.He has had the chance to learn these past few years,develop all the while playing spot duty when someone was injured.I believe he is the perfect compliment for Davidson's offensive line and run game , but we will see.
Posted by: DaSmith | Feb 12, 2008 10:33:55 AM
There's more cap savings with Wahle, and we can only cut 2 guys and spread their bonus money over 2 seasons at this time. We'll cut Carr after June 1. I think we just cut the two guys with the biggest cap savings out of the bunch we plan to cut. That's a good sign we plan to spend some money in free agency early
Posted by: JD | Feb 12, 2008 10:42:11 AM
What about Wharton who also spent some time playing guard.
Posted by: mattdaddy | Feb 12, 2008 10:44:01 AM
Wharton has not looked the same since he was injured a couple years ago.
Posted by: BDUB | Feb 12, 2008 10:52:40 AM
Carolina needs to go after the RB from San Diego.
Posted by: BDUB | Feb 12, 2008 10:56:30 AM
Hey DaSmith not trying to call you out but, Im not sure how you can be excited about Hangartner taking over at guard or anywhere. He was horrible when he started a couple games. He gave up a few sacks while playing guard and he cant run block. Dont count Tampa Bay and their backups and practice squad playing against us. There is a reason why he is a 5th rd pick and if the Panthers are trying to start Hangartner, we will pay the price, unless our terrible position coaches can get the job done with development. LT or AD Peterson couldnt run with Hangartner blocking...
Posted by: Elliott | Feb 12, 2008 11:33:59 AM
Damn man I dont think he's that bad.He's alot better than Kali was @ Guard or Center last year(even though Kalil was a rookie) and way better than Evan Mathis ever has been.I thought Hangartner looked good in 06 also.Guess we just have different opinions.Not saying he is polished like Wahle,but he has a huge upside when compared to what the Panthers currently have.
Posted by: DaSmith | Feb 12, 2008 11:49:17 AM
Wahle was/is a warrior and without question the toughest lineman, maybe player that Panther have. Jordan Gross is technically sound but Wahle is the stud of the group. I believe the Panthers felt he wasn't buying in to the Fox strategy anymore and was beginning to be a source for discontent among o lineman and maybe the team. So they got rid of him. Travelle? Please..he's truly awful...maybe Hartwig and Kalil, Geoff, Gross and then find someone else...Mathis won't make it either. Fox has one more year to make serious progress or he's through too.
Posted by: JRisinger | Feb 12, 2008 12:57:50 PM
Wahle could be one that USE to be good,BUT,He may have lost some steps,Its time to quit playin around with the same knowing what you get everytime (Same Results)wich is NOT good,Time to move on!
Posted by: #1 Fan | Feb 12, 2008 3:19:30 PM
I'm not sure about releasing Wahle. I think he probably had a few good seasons left in him. However, we have to use the money that we are saving from him to re-sign Gross. Letting him walk would be just another huge free agency mistake in the Panthers history. Sign him Hurney!!
Posted by: Matt West | Feb 12, 2008 3:55:19 PM
i saw wahle get put on his backside many times last yr. im not abig fan of anyone really on our line(joran can kareoke pretty good after a beer or two or thre.....)i dont think hartwig is worth the money either i say fire em all and start all over again.hahahaha
Posted by: darylwh | Feb 12, 2008 4:04:52 PM
Don't get me wrong but i like Geoff Hangartner but to say he was better than Kalil is crazy he was a rookie but did a very good job the three games he started this year.But the Panthers don't have time for either of them the days of on the job training is over we need a O-line now not in the future.There a reason Geoff didn't start this year because he isn't better than the guys a head of him but i would like to see him @ center thats his natural position.
Posted by: Damon | Feb 12, 2008 4:30:27 PM
All the line needs now is a little reshuffling. First things first, you keep Gross at all costs. The man is mauler, and is easily the absolute best tackle in the NFL. If it takes 5 years/$60 million, do it.
Now, you take Hartwig and move him to left tackle, allowing Wharton to slide inside to left guard. That being said, you re-sign Wharton at all costs and pay him Hutchinson money at the guard spot. By the end of next season we'll all be talking about all-pro Wharton, the best guard in the game. Hartwig is the smartest lineman in the league, so he will master the left tackle spot. Kalil will play center and long snapper, which leaves right guard. This is where you bring back Michael Gaines, the former Panthers tight end. Gaines has excellent agility and will excel as a guard, and would be a low cost option. Pay him say, $3 million a year or so.
So there you go, consider the o-line problems solved and get ready to see David Carr resurrect his career behind guys that can offer him some protection.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Feb 12, 2008 4:50:02 PM
Procton I appreciate your passion but you have no idea what you are talking about.
Posted by: BDUB | Feb 12, 2008 5:17:35 PM
Procton what is up with the love affair with Carr? It is ok to have a man crush on a guy but you take it to a whole new level. Face it Carr is a joke no matter what line he plays behind.
Posted by: BDUB | Feb 12, 2008 5:21:27 PM
Procton if that was really you than you just lost any respect you have left on this blog. Your knowledge of stats is great but as far as an understanding for the game it is obvious that you have none.
Posted by: Billy | Feb 12, 2008 5:33:43 PM
Seriously Procton that was the dumbest post I've ever read on this blog. The only reasonable thing you said was about re-signing Gross, that is a must. But the rest of that junk...paying Wharton Hutchinson money? Huh? I could see him being a good guard for us but his value is rather low right now, we would have to be retarded to pay him Hutchinson money at this point in time. Michael Gaines as a guard? WTF? That ain't happening. And the only place Carr could be "resurrecting" his career is in the CFL...no NFL team will even invite him to training camp after the show he put on with us last year. And if they do invite him, he won't make the cut.
Posted by: Haywood Jablowmi | Feb 12, 2008 5:47:50 PM
It wasn't me, but thanks again. Imitation, I hear, is the sincerest form of flattery.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Feb 12, 2008 6:04:22 PM
My ideal o-line for next year would be
LT: Sam Baker (or another 1st-round pick)
LG: Travelle Wharton (he can likely be had for cheap)
C: Ryan Kalil (Time to let him begin a 10+-year career on the line
RG: Justin Hartwig (though I wouldn't mind letting Bridges or Hangartner compete for this spot at camp)
RT: Jordan Gross (easily deserves $6 mil/yr. at least)
Posted by: Michael Procton | Feb 12, 2008 6:07:18 PM
Your ideal O-line needs Faneca on it. Otah from Pitt may still be available when the Panthers pick and would be better than Baker if the Panthers don't go for a DE.
Posted by: Dave H | Feb 12, 2008 7:33:05 PM
Come one Procton, you didn't actually just make a serious post did you? You must be really concerned about our line!
Posted by: Skippy | Feb 12, 2008 7:45:26 PM
Come one Procton, you didn't actually just make a serious post did you? You must be really concerned about our line!
Posted by: Skippy | Feb 12, 2008 7:46:01 PM
hey now, i realized i mispelled on(e) in the middle of pressing post button. Can't bust on me now!
Posted by: Skippier | Feb 12, 2008 7:47:43 PM
Did I read that right did someone really say "Ryan Kalil did a really good job when he started" lol lol...lets get real...He was BAD! when he started! the panthers hoped he would win that starting RG spot from Bridges...but after having the advantage of beign thrown in there when Jeremy was suspended..he was simply pathetic! in 2 of 3 games he started! GIVING up 3 SACKS! in one game! I mean I thought it was a solid pick to I must admit...but...it wasn't.....Now I wonder how long they will let pride ride this out...just like they have with Mr. AVERAGE!! T. Davis. There is nothing wrong with having avg players but you can't pay them like all-pro players.....and panthers do all the time! Whale was a product of a system in G.Bay...and was always very overated! Wharton looked good at Guard as a rookie..but since being at Tackle...lets be honest he's less than avg! This line needs 3 new starters....in 08. and Evan Mathis should be CUT!!! a long time ago he is HORRIBLE!! Kalil thing..is he's just so WEAK!! I mean bench press he did well due to his "Short arms" but on the field he gets tossed around like a rag doll.
Posted by: Cheven | Feb 12, 2008 10:26:30 PM
Why would you expect Kalil to be a starter at OG? He hadn't played there in at least three years. Alan Faneca is insanely overrated, and I'll be just as happy to NOT be the team that overpays the hell out of his salary. And no, Otah is NOT a better fit for us. In a zone-blocking scheme, quick linemen who actually have some agilty are preferable to 360-pound behemoths who run a 6.0 40 and the three-cone drill in two days.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Feb 13, 2008 12:34:51 AM
You know, Morgan being cut didn't supprise me. Wahle on the other hand did. I don't know how much he struggled but I think it was just a money issue. I wish him well where ever he goes. I'll agree that out of all the cuts so far...Carr, Wharton and a couple others still have jobs. Granted, Marty did say that they wheren't done evaluating the situations at every position. Personally, I think the boat has really been rocked yet. There is still more cuts to come. I doubt we keep all our current DB's. I'm sure either Gamble or Lucus is gone this year. I think it will be an interesting off season, no matter what does or does not happen.
Posted by: Trey | Feb 13, 2008 6:07:00 AM
Cutting Gamble or Lucas doesn't really make sense. You won't be able to get better players for the small savings from cutting Gamble ($1.06 mil), and cutting Lucas would actually COST us money (His base is only $1.3 mil, but he's got $6.5 mil left in signing bonus money.) Cutting Lucas makes far more sense after next year, when his base salary goes up to $5.6 mil, and there's no sense in keeping Gamble and seeing whether he's worth an extension or a resigning after next season.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Feb 13, 2008 11:50:40 AM
Remember, Chris Gamble has only been playing cornerback exclusively for three years. He showed a lot of courage and heart playing with one hand at the end of the season.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Feb 13, 2008 11:51:25 AM
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