***2014 Carolina Panthers offseason/draft/season thread***

[roosterdude21]

Our secondary needs some help but I'm sure there will be quality in later rounds. Let's see how the new GM handles business

[Gamecocks321]

Originally Posted by roosterdude21

Our secondary needs some help but I'm sure there will be quality in later rounds. Let's see how the new GM handles business

Antone Exum
Chris Davis
Aaron Colvin
Andre Hal
Walt Aikens
Kenny Ladler
Ahmad Dixon
Isaiah Lewis

are all solid players that should be available late in the draft. Need to focus on the o-line and receivers first. Also, keep your eyes on Howard Jones from Shepard. He could be a player we pick up late along with a QB, hopefully Shaw.

[Gamecocks321]

Also, with a bad performance from Hampton, he too could fall into our laps late in the draft.

[( CAROLINA )]

I don't think there will be a OT worth taking at 28. Lewan, Robinson, and Matthews are the only OT worth taking in round 1. The best value for us at 28 is WR. I don't like where we are tho with Gross retiring. I don't think we can sign Hardy either. The best case is for a Tag, and trade. If we Tag him, and keep him that will cost us 12 mil. We won't have enought to grab a OT in free agency, and sign other free agents. The contracts that are killing us is D-Will, Stew, and CJ. CJ is good, but he's still overpaid. Hopefully we can get out of this cap nightmare soon.

[uscfreek88]

Originally Posted by Gamecocks321

Antone Exum

Chris Davis

Aaron Colvin

Andre Hal

Walt Aikens

Kenny Ladler

Ahmad Dixon

Isaiah Lewis



are all solid players that should be available late in the draft. Need to focus on the o-line and receivers first. Also, keep your eyes on Howard Jones from Shepard. He could be a player we pick up late along with a QB, hopefully Shaw.

Espn had article with us looking at Boyd as back up.....I hope this isn't true, I do not want him at all, esp him saying he not cool with back up role so makes me question if he would help qb corp or just cause friction

Also anyone see Henderson from Miami at combine? Any chance we land him, I think he would be a perfect rt for us.....but I was thinking this before gross retired, now we need a lt and he looks too stiff to be good at pass block on left side and will struggle on right side


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[usc90grad]

Originally Posted by Gamecocks321

I disagree. Losing Smith would suck, but it wouldn't be a disaster. The receivers in this year's draft are some of the best in years. We'll be alright without Smith.

I disagree with that. There's not but 1 or 2 WR's in the draft that will make an immediate impact...Watkins and Evans. The other will take some time. Cam's problem this year was not enough weapons at WR and TE. So taking away his #1 threat would be idiotic.

[gamecockphan]

Originally Posted by usc90grad

I disagree with that. There's not but 1 or 2 WR's in the draft that will make an immediate impact...Watkins and Evans. The other will take some time. Cam's problem this year was not enough weapons at WR and TE. So taking away his #1 threat would be idiotic.

While Smith is the Panthers #1 that just tells you how bad the WR corp is when he puts up less than 800 yds, with zero 100 yd games, and 4 TDs.

Smith is a #2 WR. The Panther's just need to find a #1 which will be hard when we have no money.

[usc90grad]

Originally Posted by gamecockphan

While Smith is the Panthers #1 that just tells you how bad the WR corp is when he puts up less than 800 yds, with zero 100 yd games, and 4 TDs.

Smith is a #2 WR. The Panther's just need to find a #1 which will be hard when we have no money.

Agree on both. Our WR core sucks. Defenses can double Smith since LaFell and the rest of the clowns we have can't catch a cold.

Smith is getting older and we need to find a new #1 and let Smitty be our #2 guy and mentor the #1. But if we cut Smith now, it will be a disaster.

We're on the same page man.

[gamecockphan]

Originally Posted by usc90grad

Agree on both. Our WR core sucks. Defenses can double Smith since LaFell and the rest of the clowns we have can't catch a cold.

Smith is getting older and we need to find a new #1 and let Smitty be our #2 guy and mentor the #1. But if we cut Smith now, it will be a disaster.

We're on the same page man.

I hope we can keep Smith to mentor and be a leader. The team needs his fire. Hopfully Gettleman doesn't ruffle Smitty's feathers too much. I'd like to see both sides come to an agreement on a restructure where Smith is making less.

Weird thing about LaFell is that he will drop the easiest catch but will make some great grabs with a DB draped all over him. A big body with good run blocking skills who is just way too inconsistent in the receiving game.

Ginn has value to strech the field to open things underneath for LaFell or Olsen but his greater value is inthe return game.

[Cockypantherfan]

I agree with what y'all have been saying about Smith and our need for a new #1 WR. Smith has been beyond excellent for us, but while he can still play at a competitive level we need to bring in a guy who Smith can take under his wing and mentor for a year or two and groom him to be the new #1 guy. I think we end up drafting possibly 2 WRs this draft if we don't go get a guy in FA.

[usc90grad]

Originally Posted by Cockypantherfan

I agree with what y'all have been saying about Smith and our need for a new #1 WR. Smith has been beyond excellent for us, but while he can still play at a competitive level we need to bring in a guy who Smith can take under his wing and mentor for a year or two and groom him to be the new #1 guy. I think we end up drafting possibly 2 WRs this draft if we don't go get a guy in FA.

I hope you're right about the draft. What concerns me is Gettlemen is going to do his own thing and I think his mentality is defense and big guys win games and you can get WR's late in the draft or in FA for cheap. Hope I'm wrong, but just a gut feeling. I could see him taking an OL in the first round and bypassing on a WR.

[gamecockphan]

Originally Posted by usc90grad

I hope you're right about the draft. What concerns me is Gettlemen is going to do his own thing and I think his mentality is defense and big guys win games and you can get WR's late in the draft or in FA for cheap. Hope I'm wrong, but just a gut feeling. I could see him taking an OL in the first round and bypassing on a WR.

I feel strongly that he takes an OL in the 1st. WR is deep in this draft so hopefully we can circle back in rd 2 and get a good one.

All about evaluation. Who was thinking Keenan Allen was goingto be this good when he got piked in the 3rd.

[Cockypantherfan]

Originally Posted by gamecockphan

I feel strongly that he takes an OL in the 1st. WR is deep in this draft so hopefully we can circle back in rd 2 and get a good one.

All about evaluation. Who was thinking Keenan Allen was goingto be this good when he got piked in the 3rd.

Shoot, Steve Smith was a 3rd round pick! Now he's on his way to a HOF career.

[NCgamecock1981]

Originally Posted by usc90grad

I hope you're right about the draft. What concerns me is Gettlemen is going to do his own thing and I think his mentality is defense and big guys win games and you can get WR's late in the draft or in FA for cheap. Hope I'm wrong, but just a gut feeling. I could see him taking an OL in the first round and bypassing on a WR.

With Gross retiring and Wharton contemplating retirement, don't you think OL is just as big of a need, if not bigger, than WR? Cam's got to be able to stand up to throw after all.

[usc90grad]

Originally Posted by NCgamecock1981

With Gross retiring and Wharton contemplating retirement, don't you think OL is just as big of a need, if not bigger, than WR? Cam's got to be able to stand up to throw after all.

Wharton is good for at least one more year here. Him and Gross are big buddies...rode to practice everyday together, etc. So I'm sure he's having some roller coaster emotions. Isn't he a FA? If so, he's really got the Panthers by the balls at this point.

[GoldenSpur7]

Originally Posted by gamecockphan

I feel strongly that he takes an OL in the 1st. WR is deep in this draft so hopefully we can circle back in rd 2 and get a good one.

All about evaluation. Who was thinking Keenan Allen was goingto be this good when he got piked in the 3rd.

BPA WR/OT/CB. Either by draft or signing a journeyman, we're unlikely to replace Gross, quality-wise.

As far as the wideouts go, in particular, I see Jordan Matthews and Allen Robinson reaches, for a first round pick (although Matthews ran a surprising 4.46 at the combine). And those are the higher-profile guys most likely to be available there.

[GoldenSpur7]

Originally Posted by uscfreek88

Espn had article with us looking at Boyd as back up.....I hope this isn't true, I do not want him at all, esp him saying he not cool with back up role so makes me question if he would help qb corp or just cause friction

Also anyone see Henderson from Miami at combine? Any chance we land him, I think he would be a perfect rt for us.....but I was thinking this before gross retired, now we need a lt and he looks too stiff to be good at pass block on left side and will struggle on right side

Man, I really would have trouble rooting for Tajh, at least at first. As far as the backup role, he should be glad to get it, at this point.

I didn't get to watch much of the combine, but here is Henderson's sheet at CBS. Projected round 5-6, though maybe he'll move up. Be nice to pick up a project-turned-prize in the late rounds (like Hardy), though.

[gamecockphan]

Cap scenarios for cutting Smitty.....

http://charlotte.cbslocal.com/2014/0...QayN10.twitter

Cut before June 1 – Smith’s $3 million in guaranteed base salary and $6 million would immediately hit the cap, but the Panthers would carry no dead money into 2015.

Cut after June 1 (or designate it as such) without picking up the option. Smith’s $3 million in guaranteed base salary and the $2 million in prorated signing bonus money ($5 million total) would count towards the 2014 cap, saving $2 million this season. This would also create $4 million in dead money for 2015.

Pick up the $3 million option bonus and cut Smith after June 1 – Picking up the option eliminates the $3 million in guaranteed base salary, which allows the Panthers to lessen the cap hit this season. By picking up the option, the Panthers would be responsible for just the $2 million in prorated signing bonus money and $1 million of the option bonus (total $3 million), saving $4 million on the cap in 2014. This creates $6 million in dead money for 2015.

In summary:

Cut by June 1 – Costs additional $2 million against the cap in 2014 and nothing in 2015.

June 1 cut – Saves $2 million in 2014 and creates $4 million in dead money for 2015.

Pick up option, then cut – Saves $4 million in 2014 and creates $6 million in dead money for 2015.

While the first option may be the equivalent of ripping off a band-aid, it is the least likely option, because it adds $2 million to Smith’s salary cap number and Gettleman has made it clear they are ‘cap challenged’ and for that reason, will likely have to carry some dead money into 2015. If this is the end of the line, the Panthers will be choosing between $2 million in additional space this year or next.

The Panthers could obviously opt to keep Smith for another season at $7 million and cut him next off-season ($6 million cap hit in 2015 or $3 million in each ’15 and ’16) or restructure his deal

[( CAROLINA )]

Gano has been signed to a 4 year deal.

[GoldenSpur7]

Panthers place franchise tag on Hardy

The four-year contract that Hardy signed as a rookie out of Mississippi in 2010 was set to expire March 11. The non-exclusive franchise designation, which each NFL team has the option to use on one player before the new league year begins each spring, gives Carolina a first-refusal right to match within seven days an offer sheet given to Hardy by another team.

The Panthers would retain Hardy by matching the offer or would be compensated with two first-round draft picks if they didn't match. As a part of the franchise tag, the Panthers must tender a minimum one-year qualifying offer of the average of the top five salaries from last season at Hardy's position or 120 percent of his 2010 salary, whichever is greater.