The signing of free-agent cornerback D.J. Moore means cornerback Captain Munnerlyn is unlikely to remain with the Carolina Panthers, and that's unfortunate.
Munnerlyn, a free agent for the first time, was never supposed to be a starter, and he probably wasn't supposed to make the roster. He was a seventh-round pick in the 2009 draft. At 5-8, he's undersized. He was never a great cover corner.
But, man, did he play hard. At training camp last summer Carolina coach Ron Rivera compared him to Steve Smith. He was small but under no circumstances would he be pushed around.
Munnerlyn, who is from Mobile, Ala., and played at South Carolina,went hard -- in camp, in practice, in games. Once he had his hands on a football, and a little momentum, he was tough to stop. He returned three interceptions for touchdowns, second all-time on the Panthers to former safety Mike Minte, who had four.
A source told the Observer's Joe Person that Munnerlyn turned down a three-year $5 million offer from the Panthers.
He was like a permanent NCAA bubble team. Every season the Panthers brought in a new corner presumably to replace Munnerlyn and Munnerlyn outlasted them -- until, presumably, now.
One quaility I admire about Munnerlyn is that no matter how tough the loss, or how severely the media criticized him, Munnerlyn never hid. Of course he took losses hard, and he might have taken criticism hard, too. Athletes tend to. So do the rest of us.
But he was always gracious, always accountable and always had something to say.
And as the South Carolina-Clemson game approached, he was a one-man Gamecock Nation.
If Munnerlyn is gone, I hope its to a team where he can compete for a job as a starter.
The offer from Panthers was more than fair.
Posted by: John Fox | March 20, 2013 at 10:40 AM
Munnerlyn is a fine special teams player, along with a nickel back. If the Panthers could offer Munnerlyn a 2 year deal at $1.8 mil, total, he should really consider it. If Munnerlyn gets a better deal elsewhere, then see ya. Nickel Backs like him can easily be replaced in the later rounds.
The Panthers are NOT going to make the playoffs in 2013, but a winning record is still not out of the question.
Posted by: Harry Jones needs to retire today! | March 20, 2013 at 10:46 AM
I agree...he may end up being really upset that he did not take the 3 yr deal, for 1.7 per (roughly). He may end up having to "settle" for a 1-year, $2 deal with no security in the event of an injury. I hope the best for him, but he may have overplayed his hand.
Posted by: Ryan | March 20, 2013 at 10:47 AM
he should've taken that deal, what a moron.
millions to play a game and you are below average......come on
Posted by: big gulps | March 20, 2013 at 10:54 AM
See you soon
Posted by: John Fox | March 20, 2013 at 11:03 AM
hard to be mad at the team if they did offer him 3 years and 5 million. that's solid pay for a nickel back. can't imagine another team paying him more.
In the world of non-guaranteed contracts, it's not inconceivable that he doesn't get what he wants, comes back to the panthers at the last minute (training camp or right before) and we waive one of these guys we just signed. I don't know the specs on their contracts, but they can't possibly be with big signing bonuses and large guarantees.
Posted by: charlottean | March 20, 2013 at 11:38 AM
Munnerlyn is NOT worth anything more than $1 Million per year. Go ahead and play your hand, Captain. Is the market drying up? You may want to grab a chair before the music stops and you're the one left standing up, out in the cold. Teams are using up their cap dollars fast.
I guess Captain isn't so Fantastic after all.
Posted by: Bill James gives BJ's | March 20, 2013 at 12:23 PM
3 years, 5mil sounds good to me. What does captain think he shud be one highest paid dbs in the league?? Hes always played hard but The offer from carolina was more than fair.
Posted by: Jake delhomme | March 20, 2013 at 12:59 PM
I cant believe he turned the money down. Sweet.
Posted by: OverRated | March 20, 2013 at 04:47 PM
Yo BIG Guppy, The only MORON I've heard is you racist boy.
Posted by: Big Bad John | March 20, 2013 at 05:20 PM
Not so much. The DB market is flooded. Captain found that out. He has accepted a 1 year deal with 500k guaranteed and the most he can make is a million according to league sources. I'd call that a win for the Panthers. He knows the system and now we have some depth. If Captain has a big year he can test the waters again next year. But to me this is more digging out of the hole Hurney left. I think Gettleman has made the right moves so far. Get ready to rent a couple of D lineman for a year since that market is flooded as well.
Posted by: john | March 21, 2013 at 08:33 AM
Seems Captain's sticking around after all.
Posted by: Lanman | March 21, 2013 at 03:49 PM
Another miss by this boob Sorenson. I think it's time he was cut - I'm pretty sick of reading his meaningless and almost always wrong blathering.
Posted by: Krl Hellenthal | March 21, 2013 at 09:50 PM
If the Panthers had a nickel for every time...oh, they do.
Is it that Captain said "Love will keep us together?"
Maybe Captain must was feeling a little lack "Muskrat Love," to take such a paltry sum?
Well, his momma did tell him to "Shop Around," so you can't fault Captain.
Captain, after next year, you'll probably be saying "I'm On My Way" once again...but we'll see.
Posted by: Toni Tennille | March 22, 2013 at 09:22 AM
Good call as usual sorensen.
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