« Turner vs. Panthers, twice a year | Main | Signs point to OT in first round »
March 03, 2008
Olson, Chandler discuss free agency so far
STAN: It's kind of ironic; so many of the players that Carolina fans thought the Panthers just had to sign have already landed with other teams during the first weekend of free agency. Look at some of the names that have already gone elsewhere for big bucks--wide receivers Bernard Berrian, Jerry Porter and Donte' Stallworth; running back Michael Turner and tight end Alge Crumpler are probably the names most often mentioned as possible Panthers. Other players who might have helped, like free safety Madieu Williams and defensive tackle Corey Williams, are also gone.
CHARLES: It's important to remember that this was perhaps the weakest free agency class in memory, especially after 12 of the best players were franchised. Add to that the fact that some teams, like Tampa, Miami and San Francisco, either had lots of cap room or planned to spend big, and the result was going to be overinflated salaries. There's a fine line between being aggressive in free agency and being foolish. Granted, the Panthers have taken a much quieter approach so far than anyone expected, and they'll be held accountable for that, but it's way to early to judge them.
STAN: Right, before anyone panics, Panthers officials likely would tell you to judge their free agent class in May, not today. And keep in mind, this isn't fantasy football, where you grab whoever you want and money is no object. The Panthers will have enough money to sign at least one big name guy, but don't expect it to be wideout Randy Moss--that rumor has no legs. I do think they'll grab another wide receiver; at 35 Moose can help but won't keep anyone from double-teaming Smith. Carolina will likely fill two key positions (offensive tackle and defensive end would be my guess) early in the draft. Keep an eye on the running backs and free safeties still out there in free agency as well.
CHARLES: The Panthers really need some help at defensive tackle, too, now that Kris Jenkins is gone. Rod Coleman would be a good signing, provided he's healthy. And I'd guess the running back will come from somewhere in the draft, though not necessarily the first round.
STAN: Oh, and to the poster on the last blog wondering which of us has the best combover; I do, since Charles actually has plenty of hair.
Posted by Observer Sports on March 3, 2008 at 12:16 PM | Permalink
Comments
If the Panthers' brain-trust had done a better job in the last several drafts we would't find ourselves in the position of having to fill so many holes in this "overpriced" free-agent market. We're now having to pay the price for our past mistakes.
Posted by: Dan | Mar 3, 2008 12:23:34 PM
Hey Fans, what do you guys think of adding Warrick Dunn once Atlanta releases him?
Posted by: Ronnie | Mar 3, 2008 12:36:13 PM
As the one Falcon who consistently had some class, I wouldn't mind at all seeing him in a Panthers uniform. However, at 11 yrs and only 180 lbs...he's not exactly what we need at RB. Though the thought of allowing him to punish the Falcons twice a year for letting him go does make it an intriguing proposition...
Posted by: Geoff | Mar 3, 2008 12:41:12 PM
Dunn? No thanks -- I'm hoping the Panthers pass. With the deep 2008 runningback draft class on the horizon, only a fool would throw money at Dunn, Jones, Duckett or Brown.
Posted by: Brainiac | Mar 3, 2008 12:48:55 PM
NAAAA Dunn is too much like Williams we need a big back little back combination like we had with stephen davis and Foster. Plus who knows how much longer dunn has.. Hes not the same guy from Tampa Bay.
Posted by: Big O | Mar 3, 2008 12:52:22 PM
I love the kool-aid drinking that has started, "oh its such a weak FA class" "don't want to over pay". Great its a weak class, so naturally the panthers let the few talented ones go ahead and sign with other team. Bottom line, the Panthers are much weaker team now, than when the season ended. Plus, pretty much every team in the division is better.
Stan mentions the Panthers picking another receiver, great now that all the good ones, except Moss are gone! Hell they might have well kept Carter or Colbert, least they already know every-one's names.
Signing some over the hill guys like Coleman is not going to improve the Panthers. Richardson, better start wondering if People will keep paying PSL fees or showing up for the seats they have; if the Panthers aren't serious about putting a serious team on the field.
Posted by: jbw | Mar 3, 2008 12:56:04 PM
We need to sign Olsen at DE and Bryant from the arizona cardinals. In the draft 1st pick take R. Mendenhall and with the 2nd pick get the OT from USC Sam Baker.
Posted by: wowo | Mar 3, 2008 1:12:56 PM
The Panthers seem to be willing to fill the starting roles left vacant by releases with rookies or from within. If they were going to fill these roles from w/in, then why in the he** weren't they starting initially. FYI: A hole at left tackle is a big deal.
Is it creepy that I want to run my hands through Stan's combover?
Posted by: LeeL | Mar 3, 2008 1:13:13 PM
"Is it creepy that I want to run my hands through Stan's combover?
Posted by: LeeL | Mar 3, 2008 10:13:13 AM"
Yes, extremely.
Posted by: Stan's Combover | Mar 3, 2008 1:20:02 PM
We should trade for Jerious Norwood. It's not like Michael Turner got $36 million to spilt carries.
Posted by: Todd | Mar 3, 2008 1:23:38 PM
Please sign Dunn! He's a character guy who still has a few years left. Who better to mentor Williams.
Posted by: WallaceW | Mar 3, 2008 1:30:52 PM
The past two off season are valid examples of the incompetency of Hurney.
•He trades Jenkins for a 3rd and 5th round draft picks. And who will replace Jenkins?
•He signs Moose, an over-the-hill receiver, who’s only played two good seasons.
•He signs a no name miniature cornerback from Cleveland.
•Two years ago the decision to re-sign Foster instead of Weatherspoon and then they turn around this year and release Foster for nothing.
•The draft picks after the 1st round have been horrible since 2003.
•Last year’s release of Johnson with no proven replacement at receiver.
•The signing of Carr
Posted by: LL | Mar 3, 2008 1:36:47 PM
I guess "steady active" in free agency means seeing more players released or traded to free up salary cap while using the highly sucessful method of value shoping for athletes whose stock has fallen but still has upside. This means more signings like Adam Meadows, Travis Claridge, Terrance Shaw, Kevin Dyson, Idrees Bashir, Freddie Jones, Keith Adams, Shaun Williams, Kevin McCadam, Terrence Melton, and David Carr. So far this year we have Ricardo Colclough.
Posted by: CurtisK | Mar 3, 2008 1:50:36 PM
I think Chandler's gone crazy, saying that the panthers shouldnt go crazy do to a weak FA class. This is the exact opposite if what the panthers should have done. With the far majority of decent players left, no quality players are left to fill the holes the panthers have and if you expcet the draft to do that then you are crazy. Fox/Hunrey will never have a draft were more than 2 players ever amount to anything
Posted by: pete | Mar 3, 2008 1:53:54 PM
FOX AND HURNEY NEED TO BE FIRED,IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE LONG TIME AGO........
GO PANTHERS.
Posted by: Seattle_boy | Mar 3, 2008 1:54:54 PM
no, with the 13th pick, take OT Otah from Utah or Nick from Nebraska...should be there. we need to protect jake's blindside first and foremost
Posted by: 309-18-1-2 | Mar 3, 2008 1:59:04 PM
*NICKS*
Posted by: 309-18-1-2 | Mar 3, 2008 2:00:05 PM
LL,
I agree Hurney's not the greatest GM but let me throw a couple things back out there:
1) Moose had more catches this season than both Colbert or Carter combined with Jarrett. He will be a great mentor to Jarrett and hopefully motivate him to work harder.
2) Will Witherspoon, Kindal Moorehead, Jeff King, and Richard Marshall while not superstars are solid players that were drafted after the 1st round.
3) When we first signed Carr, everyone was ready to bench Jake and start Carr.
I do agree though that Hurney needs to get it together this season because Jerry Richardson's not gonna tolerate another losing season (and neither will the fans for that matter).
Posted by: JPanther | Mar 3, 2008 2:02:09 PM
LL, You nailed it. I love the Panthers and want to like Hurney & Fox, but they make it extremely difficult with their decision making process during the offseason and too many game day situations.
Posted by: Phil | Mar 3, 2008 2:05:42 PM
I predict they will sign Warrick Dunn.
Posted by: Matt A | Mar 3, 2008 2:16:12 PM
An excellent offensive tackle can be gotten in the 2nd round but the best RBs will be off the board. Mendenhall or Jonathan Stewart in the first round since either would be a perfect compliment to Williams. Then get a safety and defensive end with the 3rd round picks.
So far, the Panthers have been completely boring in the free agency.
No to Dunn. All we need is to pay another over the hill player after a very poor team cut him.
Posted by: ZZ | Mar 3, 2008 2:19:34 PM
Right now, at this minute, Marty would need to pull two starters -- OT and DT -- minimum from the draft, along with quality depth at RB, S, and perhaps WR and LB too.
Who thinks he can do that?
And here's a crazy thought -- does Colclough mean that Lucas or Gamble are on the way out? Marshall almost MUST start, that is for sure. Or am I just trying to make sense out of a bizarre move?
Posted by: JAT | Mar 3, 2008 2:20:04 PM
Nick Goings?
Posted by: CS | Mar 3, 2008 2:27:03 PM
You guys do realize with the exception of the Patriots last year, the teams that make the biggest splashes in FA almost never get into the playoffs.
Posted by: Billy | Mar 3, 2008 2:27:49 PM
JAT, Lucas is sticking around b/c they just restructured his contract. I too am worried about placing too much stock in the draft based on the Panthers' draft history.
Posted by: LeeL | Mar 3, 2008 2:33:54 PM
Post a comment
Advertisements
