A Look at Possible Panther 2012 Free Agent Targets

dream big or go home lol

 he will get top money from someone. i for one dont want to give him what he will command. lets spread our little cap space around to 2 ro 3 players instead of one.

That’s largely because I don’t feel the Panthers will have as much room under the salary cap as you do.

I think age rules out your NT picks, both Garay and Edwards (who looks like he fell over the hill this year) will both be 32 years old next season. NT Paul Soliai (6-4, 355, age 28) was franchised this year, so how big a cut from $12 million a year will he take. My top NT target is the Bengals Pat Sims (6-2, 330, age 26), but the Bengals are currently $19.2 million under the salary cap, so he may not be as cheap as we might think.

Stephen Tulloch (5-11, 240) went to NC St. so he might want to return, but he’s only played MLB, and he’s a little short for OLB.

I like both your CB’s, but the Panthers currently have 6 CB’s, though 5 are 5-10 or shorter, but only 3 S’s. My choice would the Raiders free agent SS Tyvon Branch (6-0, 205, 4.31-40, 1.43-10), who had 124 tackles in 2009, and 104 in 2010.

OG Nicks will be expensive, and un-needed if the Panthers draft a OLT, or re-sign Schwartz and Hangartner, and OT Bell can also play OG.

WR Vincent Jackson has been franchise tagged twice, and will probably want that same type money, but his production isn’t worth that much, in 7 seasons he’s only had 2 seasons with over 42 catches (68 in 2009, and 59 in 2008). My pick is to trade for the Bears Johnny Knox (6-0, 185, 4.34-40, 1.47-10, 45 catches as a rookie in 2009, and a team leading 51 catches in 2010, with a 18.8 YPC), he’s a very good deep threat (which is needed most), and way more cheap than Jackson (around $600,000 salary in 2012).

To the old panthers, don’t think we’ll be spending much money in FA tbh. Don’t think we have a chance of getting nick, v-jax or tulloch anyhow. Personally I think we’ll try for D-line and draft linebacker. Wr is less of a priority for me. I’m going off drafting offense at all. Our D is terrible, its all well and good drafting a huge talent on offense but what’s the point if I D can’t keep us in games. We saw it last week, scoring 35 only to be out gunned, rivera himself called it one of the worst defensive performances he’d been a part of. Obviously kalil, blackmon etc are outstanding players, but I for one don’t want to see another shit season with 2-5 wins. I get that its a process but we know where our weakness is so let’s fix it

There’s a wealth of offensive talent in this draft. If the “Kalil the Younger” is available, snap him into the fold. If Otah recovers, move him inside and later move one of them to the left side.
One big run stuffer to rotate with a healthy Edwards would make a huge difference for the Panthers front. That would change matters for the secondary.

we will go for 2nd. tier guys for temp. fixes.i say no way they spend big money in fa. car. builds through draft. i think priorites will be safety, lb, in fa. . they will draft fat nose to pair up with edwards and lb or cb.

It was on panther website that he had soreness in knee. doesnt sound good. hopefully, its just mild soreness from being out. it was reported last week. i know they are dying to get him on field. it could greatly affect futre plans at cb.

It’s not Hurney’s style to go after the big-name free agents and he’s been burned by doing it in the past. Instead I think we should look to the middle-tier of free agents for who we could be acquiring. Here’s the guys I think we should be looking at…

1. Defensive Line

Pat Sims – A rotational DT and occasional starter for the Bengals, Sims should be looking for a starting gig this offseason. He’ll only be 27 for the 2012 season and at 6’2" and 330lbs, he’s the perfect size to fill the NT role we thought Ron Edwards would fill for us this year.

I’d also suggest another rotational DE, someone like

Jason Hunter – The Appalachian State product is a scheme-versatile player, playing both 3-4 OLB and 4-3 DE for the Broncos. He brings size to the DE position at 6’4" and 271lbs, and was a special teams ace during his time with the Packers.

2. Linebacker

It’s pretty obvious we can’t depend on Davis to be our WLB, so I suggest we sign…

Manny Lawson – Lawson is a scheme-versatile OLB, playing in SanFran’s 3-4 and Cincy’s 4-3. He’s an SLB for Cincinnati, but he came out of college with 4.43 speed, leading me to believe that he could play WLB for us. Even if he can’t, we’ve seen that Anderson is a more than adequate WLB. A North Carolina native, he may jump at the chance to return home.

3. Defensive Secondary

Can’t really argue with your picks, but I think the CB depth in the draft will have us going a different direction in free agency. The regression of our safeties is concerning to me, so while I don’t have any names here, I’d take a long look at the free agent class.

4. Offensive Line

Another position I think will be relatively fine, and we should address in the draft if we do at all. Having Schwartz back will be good for our line, but perhaps we should look at another swing OG/OT due to Otah’s injury history.

5. Wide Receiver

I’d fill this internally as well, but if we’re going to spend some money then I’d suggest…

Robert Meachem – He’s been a nice part of the Saints’ passing attack for several years now and represents a deep threat, averaging over 15 yards per catch for his career. I’d be a little weary that he’s a product of Brees, as I am with every receiver the Saints use, but he’s got a first-round pedigree and could be looking to assume a bigger role in another offense.

And let me add one of my own…

6. Special Teams

Our special teams units as a whole are horrible. I’ll have to do some research as to who the best gunners on the market are, but we NEED to go after them. I’d also target a returner. I love Armanti (I am a Mountaineer after all) and Pilares has had the TD return, but I’m not sold on either of them as a returner.