Panthers GM Marty Hurney Earning His Stew This Month

by Jaxon on Feb 18, 2009 1:15 PM EST

This may be the off-season for the players and fans but it is rush hour for every General Manager in the NFL. Be assured Panthers GM Marty Hurney is one of those who are working overtime. You could say the next two weeks just might determine Hurneys' future with the Panthers. See he is under a microscope right now as we are all on the edge of our seats praying the Panthers initial off-season moves go well for the Panthers. What do I mean by well? It's very simple, but it will hardly be easy.

Sign LT Jordan Gross before Thursday without breaking the bank
Franchise disgruntled DE Julius Peppers by COB Thursday and trade him before next Friday for at least a 1^st round pick and hopefully additional picks
Determine which players to cut to create cap space
Determine which players to target for restructured contracts
Determine which FA's to pursue
Prepare for the April draft

If he should screw any of this up, in particular steps 1 & 2, and Panther Nation (including me) will be calling for his head (figuratively of course). The greatest sin of course would be to let Peppers walk without compensation. I don't envy his position for sure but this is what he gets paid the big bucks for. The Panthers have a very difficult schedule next season so there is no room for error nor will there be patience to allow for a slide in performance. I for one will expect the Panthers to compete for the NFC title next season and there is no reason to expect less.

One thing about Hurney is that he sustains the ‘Cardiac Cat' legend by getting these deals done at the last second. As much as I would be relieved to get the Gross deal done today he will probably wait until 4pm tomorrow and announce the Peppers tag at 11:58pm. I guess it's the whole ‘out of time' thing that gets people to finally iron out the remaining differences.

Speaking of the pending Peppers trade, just imagine Hurney with a phone strapped to his head for about 10 days. Think of all the scenario's that could unfold. Maybe the Packers come calling or the Browns, both with new 3-4 defenses. Maybe Jerry Jones says hey, "I'll never let him go to Philly" if the Eagles should show interest. There are so many ways it could end up yet Hurney has to be absolutely sure he is getting the most value for this guy. Good luck with that Marty, but don't expect me to take it easy on you if you should muck it up. The clock is ticking...

Just remember Panther fans regardless of when it happens we will be talking about it here at CSR in depth. And we don't pull any punches.

God bless America!

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My concern

Assuming we get Peppers tagged and Gross signed is what type of deal we would be able to get for Peppers. Teams know he doesn’t want to play for us and he will cost a lot of money to sign. I know there are teams out there that would want him, but I am afraid we are losing a lot of leverage with Peppers saying he wants out no matter what.

If we get a 1st round draft pick and a 3rd round draft pick I would be happy. Of course I would want more but I am not sure that will happen. First, we have to sign Gross of course and that still has not happened.

by bengoodfella on Feb 18, 2009 2:13 PM EST reply actions

Yeah, that's a worrisome thing

he’s screwing us over by publicly demanding out.

Which makes this report that there’s only 4 teams on “his list” even more pathetic.

He screws us over and then wants us to help him out by trading him to a good team that helps us in no way?

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3rd Down & Full Count

by UtesFan89 on Feb 18, 2009 2:24 PM EST up reply actions

That rumor is nuts

besides, does anyone know if Pep can dictate where he goes? I guess he could tell any new team he’s not going to sign and that would block it. Certainly Pep would know there is no way he’s going to stay in the NFC South. Now it seems he is trying to screw the Panthers. He’s going to go from referred to ‘hated’ if that happens.

I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com

by Jaxon on Feb 18, 2009 2:41 PM EST up reply actions

'revered' to 'hated'

I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com

by Jaxon on Feb 18, 2009 2:42 PM EST up reply actions

1st rounder

If Pep is franchised, a 1st rounder and at least 1 2nd or 3rd is the minimum teams can offer. I’m not sure about all the details, but there is no doubt we get at least a 1st rd pick and one other first day pick. Teams look at what recent SB champions have done in beating up the QB and they will want Pep for the same reason. I expect that Pep will be dealt by the end of the month, and he has no say so in where he goes. It reminds me of when Plummer was traded to the Bucs. The Broncos got what they wanted, and the Bucs were out of luck. It’s not the Broncos fault that he retired. So if Pep cops an attitude with his new team, it’s fine with me.

by usana_gaines on Feb 18, 2009 3:02 PM EST reply actions

If he makes it clear he is not signing a contract with the team he is going to, they will not trade for him, that is the problem. Peppers will make it very clear if he doesn’t want to be traded to a team. Plummer had no say in the decision because he was not a free agent but Peppers new team will probably want to give him a long term contract and if he won’t sign one, they won’t want him.

by bengoodfella on Feb 18, 2009 3:31 PM EST up reply actions