If there is a lockout shortened season many have called whatever 2011 is a 'season of veterans' and this is clearly the case based on the tenders handed out today to potential free agents. Obstensibly the Carolina Panthers organization carpet bombed their free agent class extending tenders to anyone 'userful or semi useful with less than 6 years experience', per Darin Gantt. This list includes well known guys like DeAngelo Williams and Matt Moore, to Keith Null and Charly Martin.
Already people are formulating all sorts of conspiracy theories, like "they tendered four DTs- that means they don't like one in the draft" in reality, file this one away as due diligence. This is a back-up move because the Panthers can choose to retain nobody and let them hit free agency, it just gives them right of first refusal. Furthermore, it ensures that if there is no true free agency there's still a group of guys who know the play book. Also, it would be a shame to lose players Ron Rivera hasn't even had time to evaluate.
The real question now becomes: "What were the tenders?" especially for DeAngelo Williams and Charles Johnson. If they are at the 1st round grade there is a possibility someone would take a chance on them in a RB and DE weak draft, if either are tendered at the second round level it would be insane not to grab one. Agents seem as mystified as the players, as (again per Gantt) they don't know at this time what level their clients have been tendered at.
The list of players after the jump
UPDATE: According to Darin Gantt LB James Anderson was tendered at the 1st round level
- RB DeAngelo Williams
- DE Charles Johnson
- TE Jeff King
- LB James Anderson
- QB Matt Moore
- WR David Clowney
- S Marcus Hudson
- TE Dante Rosario
- DT Derek Landri
- CB CJ Wilson
- K Rhys Lloyd
- LB Jordan Senn
- LS JJ Jansen
- CB Richard Marshall
EFRA (can only resign with the Panthers <2 accrued seasons experience)
- QB Keith Null
- DT Ed Johnson
- G CJ Davis
- WR Charly Martin
- LB Nic Harris
- DT Nick Hayden
The following players were not tendered: Abdul Hodge, Jamar Williams, Gerald Alexander, Rob Pettiti and Chris Morris.