Are the Panthers Afraid of Buyers Remorse?
Darrin Gantt has a post that compares the Panthers conservative approach to FA moves by other teams that resulted in free agent "Buyers Remorse". I could probably argue with some of his examples of remorseful moves but instead I want to start with the question he poses at the end of his post:
Would you rather proceed buyer-beware, or set yourself up for buyer's remorse?
In the black:
In the red: WR DJ Hackett; LB Landon Johnson; DE Tyler Brayton
That’s not too convincing is it? Maybe this is why they are gun shy on signing big name FA’s, they don’t trust themselves? As far as expectation for this off-season I don’t think this offseason is a fair measure of the Panthers pace. They are hamstrung from initiating deals because of the Peppers huge franchise tag salary.
One positive you can say from this analysis is that because there are no big names anywhere on the list it doesn’t mean they risked a lot of money. So even though Hackett, Johnson and Brayton were arguable the Panthers biggest FA signings last year their less-than-stellar seasons don’t represent a big financial loss. In fact Johnson and Brayton may yield better results this season.
So in summary we have examples of FA busts and FA home runs and when it’s all added up for the Panthers they seem to be slightly on the plus side for the year.
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Agreed
At worst, he’s “breakeven”.
And wasn’t Jones signed before the previous season ended?
As for buyer’s remorse… if you’re only going to go sign sub-par players that are 30+, you’re probably not going to get a lot out of them.
Going out and signing the next Tyler Brayton this year might be cheap, and you can hope he has a solid year. But if he doesn’t, then your DL will still suck, and as a result, you will struggle.
I’m not asking for Albert Haynesworth or anything. But now, the 2nd tier players are all being signed… and the Panthers haven’t even had a visit with anyone. How do they plan on filling the holes they have (especially amongst the DL) if they don’t sign anyone? I like rookies… but lets be honest. The team only has 5 picks. The teams drafting in the later rounds has been filled with “reach” guys (James Anderson, Rashad Butler, etc.)… guys that won’t make an impact for the Panthers in their first season (or even ever, if we’re judging those 2). You’re not going to fill holes that way… and then you’re stuck signing bottom of the barrel FAs after the draft. (Not to mention, they tend to avoid team needs until late in the draft and for too many years, a la FS before and DT now.)
I struggled with that one
He wasn’t real pricey so ‘breakeven’ with 4 sacks might be the better call
I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com
Brayton is easily in the black
Maybe the following will help with perspective on Brayton:
Houston just gave big $$$ for DE Smith who had 3 1/2 sacks last season and 14 1/2 over 5 year career. That averages out to be a little less than 3 sacks a year. Brayton had 4 1/2 sacks last season in his first time since his rookie season playing the whole season at his natural spot of DE.
"The Texans made their first big splash in free agency, signing former Cardinals UFA DE Antonio Smith to a five-year, $35 million contract Saturday, with $12.5 million guaranteed.
Having released DLE Anthony Weaver earlier in the week, the Texans needed a proven pass rusher to man the DE position opposite DRE Mario Williams.
Unlike Weaver, who had only one sack in three seasons in Houston, Smith had 3½ sacks last season playing left end and has 14½ over his five-year career.“"
”http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/NFL/AFC/AFC+South/Houston/Features/2009/warner022809.htm" target="_blank">http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/NFL/AFC/AFC+South/Houston/Features/2009/warner022809.htm
New plan!
Due the the lack of DL and an abundance at LB – why not change to 3-4? (just kidding)
Jason Taylor?
I know the chances of signing him are pretty slim, but he would be a great signing for the right price – emphasis on the right price. Despite last season, I still think he has a lot left in the tank and would provide some veteran leadership on the d-line. Obviously, this depends on whether or not he really wants to play. At this point, Taylor would be the best replacement for Peppers without losing too much. I really don’t think the draft this year offers a whole lot of depth as far as DEs go.
Also, does anybody know whether the cap affects a team’s ability to sign draft picks? I always thought that teams have draft allowances, but I recently read elsewhere that teams are trying to get under the cap to insure the signing of their draft picks.
Not certain
it might, but when some of the players (read… early first rounders) get mega deals, that probably eats up most of the draft cap (if it exists).
His price probably isn't too bad now
But is he big enough to play DE in a 4-3?
I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com
Are we talking about Jason Taylor?
Because if so, he is 6-6 and 245 lbs.
by ChipperTeixeira89 on Mar 4, 2009 1:55 PM EST up reply actions
245 is a little light
but we are talking about JT who has proven he can get it down at that weight. Usually prefer someone heavier though. 260-280?
I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com
big enough
I am pretty sure he played in a 4-3 scheme with the Dolphins, so I don’t know why he wouldn’t be able to do it again, unless he has lost a step. He is definitely more of a finesse type end that is for sure.
I was thinking they played a 3-4 all along but maybe the Tuna brought it over
I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com
I think Saban brought the 3-4
but if my (increasingly faulty) memory serves me correctly, he’s played DE in both schemes.
Still and all, he’s well past his prime. I prefer a Peppers-type player who’s aggressive against the run as well as against the pass.
by r3 on Mar 5, 2009 9:30 AM EST up reply actions
Welcome to the blog Griffinmc7
Nice profile pic. Phelps should be an inspiration to stoners everywhere. Who says potheads are losers! You can smoke and still win 8 gold medals! Maybe they will stop those ridiculous commercials where the various kids say absurd things like “I made my Mom cry” and “I called my girlfriend 39 times”. lol
I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com
Thanks Jax
Love the blog, it is so much better than sportingnews.
Just curious because I help run a blog for Wake Forest on sbnation, but how did you manage to get linked by the Si.com panthers team page?
And for the record, I am not a smoker, but any dominate athlete that can get by with it deserves some serious props

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