Waiting for the Carolina Panthers to sign a big-time free agent is like watching your basketball team in the NIT. The NCAA tournament gets all the attention, as do the NFL teams that sign the big names. So you wait for your time.
The Panthers will sign free agents but they will be free agents that many fans have never heard of. These free agents will supplement. They'll fill a need.
It's not exciting, but free-agency is not an end in itself. You can't win free-agency. It's simply a way to make your team better. Tight end Jeremy Shockey, last season's biggest free-agent acquisition (other than the players Carolina retained), made the Panthers better. Now he's free again.
There is no immediate free agent report card, or shouldn't be. You measure the additions when the season ends.
Enjoy the NIT.
Who cares, look at the Eagles last year or the Redskins every year. Build through the draft and fill gaps where needed.
Posted by: Rick | March 14, 2012 at 10:35 AM
Patriots, Steelers, Packers, and Giants don't sign many big name free agents, and they seem to do alright
Posted by: wes.mantooth | March 14, 2012 at 10:45 AM
Smart teams wait until the dust has settled from overspending on big name free agents.
Posted by: jiyugh | March 14, 2012 at 11:25 AM
Nicely put Tom. Precise and to the point. Like a surgeon cutting away all the excess blubber (or in this case, is it blabber?).
I totally agree. Overspending is a sin that always ends up costing you more, and more, and more until you lance the puss out.
Posted by: charlesbright | March 14, 2012 at 11:38 AM
Let's go panther's !!!!!!!!
Posted by: bigrip | March 14, 2012 at 11:50 AM
Free agents have gotten paid by thetime they play for you - draft picks have to work to get paid in free agency. I want 'em hungry...not full!
Posted by: Holla | March 14, 2012 at 12:07 PM
It WOULD help IF Hurney didn't handicap the organization by mismanaging the salary cap in the past (i.e. surprise overspending last summer). It's clear GM Hurney has NO foresight to see the consequences of his actions. I hope he doesn't continue to make unreasonable moves, selections or signing...but I'm not going to hold my breath on that. That said, it's not a big deal that we haven't sign BIG NAME free agents, as long as we CAN DRAFT well in ALL rounds of the draft, which Hurney has yet to do.
Posted by: CharlotteFan | March 14, 2012 at 01:05 PM
with MHurney's track record, no movement is good movement
Posted by: john | March 14, 2012 at 01:52 PM
The problem with the draft logic is Hurney CAN'T DRAFT! Was last year not a testament to how little talent he has discovered over the years? It's not so hard to whiff on 1st rounders (which he still does), but the Pats, Steelers and Ravens find starters in the later rounds, and via free agency. Why have we not had another #1 caliber WR in over a DECADE to work alongside smitty? I'll say it now like I did before, we will NEVER will anything until Hurney leaves. He is so willing to trade future #1s, why not do it this year, when a few slots up will definitely suit a desperate need, Blackmon, Kalil, Claiborne, instead of "best available" on a roster that does not have a lot of high-end talent? How this dude still has his job after how blantaly his lack of development and talent in the ranks was exposed is way beyond me. Guess everyone was looking solely at Cam. What about the rest of that draft? And the years before? Guess ya'll like 8-8 much more than I do.
Posted by: garsonthegreat | March 14, 2012 at 03:01 PM
If you, like I, agree wholeheartedly with "garsonthegreat" then maybe you'll like what you'll read if you google up "carolina panthers must ring the bell in 2012 draft". Just saying.
Posted by: charlesbright | March 14, 2012 at 03:35 PM
We still need a quality wide receiver as Smitty is getting old. Many good ones available this year via free agency, but because of the mismanagement of the salary cap by Hurney and overpaying our own guys last year, we are doomed to be average at best for the foreseeable future. Tampa Bay has done a great job so far this year and will be back again in 2012 when Josh Freeman plays better. Again, we are now in the toughest division in football.
Posted by: Raven | March 14, 2012 at 06:43 PM
This shows the players that did get paid last year know now it is on them. Hurney spent and everyone came to camp cheezzzing...Now make it work and earn it. They know Hurney hooked them up and now they have to return the favor because of it and not being able to sign anyone now. We will be just fine. New Orleans 2013!
Posted by: PantherFan | March 14, 2012 at 07:00 PM
CharlotteFan... We may be strapped for salary cap, but we still have our best players under contract. And then you have the salary cap issue with the Cowboys and Redskins. Cutting a few scrubs, signing some role players, and adding a few draft picks will make us competitive next year.
I think Hurney gets a bad rap. I agree that many of the free agents haven't worked out like they should, but I think we have had pretty good drafts during his term.
Posted by: NorthKakylak | March 14, 2012 at 07:01 PM
Hey Panthers, the free agency period began yesterday, 3/13.
Posted by: Bill Polian | March 14, 2012 at 07:34 PM
Who is Bill Polian ..?? Oh wait he is the guy that got fired. 9+ years in the playoff's and they miss their first one in 10 years..and they clean house...
Colts will be rebuilding for years. Panthers and Hurney have done a good job of setting us up for a bright future..
I think Greg Olsen was the best FA move of 2011 for the Panthers, and probably in the league last year. And picking up Hangartner a starter for (1) million was also a steal..
Posted by: Catsnmbr1Fan | March 14, 2012 at 08:08 PM
I'd like to see them pick up Shockey again. His leadership and skill added much to the offense.
Posted by: BB | March 14, 2012 at 08:53 PM
Quote from Catsnmbr1Fan: "Panthers and Hurney have done a good job of setting us up for a bright future."
What? The Panthers won 4 more games than the previous year, and Hurney is a Genius? What are you, his Mommy? This team has major holes on the Offensive Line, still an unproven 3rd WR and dominant SE, a swiss cheese Defensive Line, and a terrible Defensive Backfield, with NO number 1 CB. Chris Gamble is a number 2 CB, getting overpaid. He doesn't make but 2 tackles per game, and he has intercepted only 7 passes in 3 years...ALL for $8 MILLION Per Season? Phunk NO! Chris Gamble is a chump!
Catsnmbr1Fan, or should I say Marty Hurney's mommy, you're a complete moron if you think this team is a .500 ball club. If this Panthers team is 8-8 in 2012, it will be with smoke and mirrors. Get your head out of your azz and learn the game. This Panthers team isn't shoring up any holes, nor is it upgrading any positions in 2012.
Posted by: Bill Polian | March 14, 2012 at 10:28 PM
ManjulaWhat I understand is, the crhaacter is suffering from depression. What she needs is some help. May be her doctor should be able to help out and let her sort the problems out. Awareness of mental problems in India still seems to be a problem.Why do doctors in India always advise pregnant women to take complete rest?
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