Charles Johnson to stay in Carolina after receiving massive contract offer
by James Dator on Jul 26, 2011 7:48 PM EDT
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We can cross priority #1 off the list as the Carolina Panthers agreed to terms to keep defensive end Charles Johnson in Charlotte with a deal that rivals that of Julius Peppers who left the Panthers for Chicago last year.
The 6 year, $78 million deal includes $32 million in guaranteed money, including a $30 million signing bonus. On the surface this seems like a huge reach for the Panthers, and a ludicrous amount of guaranteed money for a one year starter, but in reality this could be a very clever contract depending on how it's structured.
Theoretically, the Panthers could choose to basically stand pat from here on out. Sign the rookies, Williams, Anderson and Davis and essentially let the chips fall where they may. Should they choose this route all $30 million of Johnson's signing bonus could count against this year's cap. This could leave the Panthers owning CJ just $8 million a year for the length of the deal, freeing up more money for extensions for Ryan Kalil and Jon Beason next season.
If there's a dark lining to this cloud it's pondering Chris Gamble. There seem to be some serious rumblings the Panthers will cut their starting CB, and if this is the case Johnson's large deal could foreshadow a need to recoup some money.
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Holy crap
Didnt see that contract coming. I guess the front office agreed with most of us here at CSR that CJ was the #1priority this offsesson. Lets keep this Panther train chuggjng along
by sgtx on Jul 26, 2011 7:54 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
If they plan to deal Gamble
reconstructed his contract and see what draft picks you can get out of him. Personally I think he should stay.
I say until cap'n gives us a reason to doubt that he can complete his duties as a starting CB, we need to keep him as a starter over anybody else just because size favors them
"My last name is Rivera but I ain't related to the coach, wish i was"
"Hope for the best plan for the worst"
"They laugh at me because i'm different, I laugh at them because they're all the same"
Yeah but so is Gamble
Who’s #1???
STEVE SMITH!
by southtunnel on Jul 27, 2011 6:21 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
what happened to the idea
of chris gamble being cut being laughable? i mentioned this months ago and was ridiculed
"..and we have scott may coming back this season.." bob johnson quote before the start of 07-08 season, when he didnt even know his own players name.
Not only that, but it is also ridiculous. ;)
just messing bud, we all have typos.
Yes I'm a dude.
by Flowing Willow on Jul 27, 2011 12:20 AM EDT up reply actions
I am a walking Typo is I do not copy and past from word.
Grammar is the evil twin of Satan. Think about that.
I am a proud supporter of troll hunting---- me.
When I see or hear sports segments dedicated to fantasy sports I want drive a nail in my ear because it is less painful. --also me.
if u let gamble go for $
then you better sign a legit starting CB this week. it is NOT a position of depth for us right now
Very interesting about Gamble. Something's up there, especially if we just cut and don't trade him.
It leaves me wondering what the plans are at CB. There are a lot of young guys out there, if plus Sanford and McLane, and I think Hogan will be awesome. Then there’s the option of moving Williams, Godfrey, or Pugh to the nickel. Or maybe they’ve got a deal worked with somebody (like Smitty to SD for Jammer or Cason). We’ll see.
I’m stoked that they laid it on the line for CJ.
So much to be done, and so few people willing to do it for me.
by Rick Bates on Jul 26, 2011 8:04 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
I dont see what this deal has to do with cutting Gamble?
I thought we had money to spend? I say restructure his deal and bring in another vet cb
Jonathan Joseph anyone????
Thats the only person i would be satisfied bringing in if Gamble is let go. Hes a probowl caliber player that isn’t a problem in the locker room. Plus hes a local kid(sort of)…your thoughts?
Cutting ties with Gamble
Would be a huge, huge mistake…I love Joseph, but i still think we need the size of Gamble…JJ is gonna want some huge money, and we have CG @ around 6mil? I’m keeping him unless we have some kind of crazy plan that none of us can see quite yet…
can't disagree
Gamble has the size you want in at least one of your starting CB….
CB in free agency
They could cut Gamble if they had someone in mind in free agency, several available besides Asumough
by PantherHazard on Jul 26, 2011 8:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Outside Aso and MAYBE Joseph, there’s no CB in free agency better than Gamble. AND there is no one that would take less than what we’re already paying him.
by Blahbla on Jul 26, 2011 8:29 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
I disagree with the metodology...
But the ‘sense’ would be to clear his cap number and take the 80% remaining hit during a year where you’re not in risk of straddling the cap line. Like I said, I don’t agree with it.
already losing marshall
consensus has been richard marshall is gone. if he’s not, that would be another body at the position. but if he is, you’d better sign somebody good… you dont release 2 of your 3 corners without a better plan than some draft picks
What's your source for these grumblings?
I believe that Gamble is a badass waiting to happen with the proper coaching. I would hate to see him cut or traded.
the guys on The Drive on WFNZ were big on Gamble being gone today
im not sure what their source was tho….unless its just speculation: if the panthers are gonna cut a big contract, it would be 1) brayton, and 2) gamble
Bet it would be brayton
No way brayton stays around after the deal CJ just got, with norwood moving to DE full time and hardy and brown waiting in the wings
by PantherHazard on Jul 26, 2011 8:36 PM EDT up reply actions
since their lineup change
610 has been total chit, you shouldnt count on them to do or say anything remotely coherent (except when plugging their own FB and twitter accts)
mack is ok, and the kris jenkins interview was a rare fillet over the poo poo platter they normally offer up.
you also mentioned big contracts and brayton, I thought he was only on the books for 3 mil or so. thats 3 mill way too much but i still dont think thats a big contract after seeing the CJ #s.
by Supenusenfone on Jul 26, 2011 8:45 PM EDT up reply actions
yeah im cool with him gone
just curious if anyone knew if cutting him would salvage more than 3 mil or so?
by Supenusenfone on Jul 26, 2011 8:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Agreed
those guys just like to hear their own voices….i miss the Packman
If I was to pick it would be bye bye Brayton.
"My last name is Rivera but I ain't related to the coach, wish i was"
"Hope for the best plan for the worst"
"They laugh at me because i'm different, I laugh at them because they're all the same"
I love Gamble... I've been a huge proponent of his and mocked the idea of his leaving
What I’m hearing through a few different outlets is that it could be a possibility.
I was wondering what outlets you are referring to?
Have they started other rumors that were reliable?
I’m with you on the keeping Gamble. I am a big supporter of his. He is better than folks give him credit for. He has the ability to be a shutdown CB. I was hoping that this coach would bring that talent out of him.
That's a shit load of dough for CJ.
He better keep bringing the pain now that he doesn’t have the carrot dangling anymore.
I like to believe that my best hits border on felonious assault. -Jack Tatum
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Holy effing crap!
That is A LOT of money. I am interested to see how the deal is structured. Until we know the terms of the contract we won’t really be able to decipher the intentions of the front office.
This comment section has officially been Tater'd.
I'm anxious to see the structuring of the deal myself.
Hurney’s no fool so I have to imagine there’s a safety net built in.
I like to believe that my best hits border on felonious assault. -Jack Tatum
Follow me on Twitter
If they cut Gamble outright, would it be out of the question to think they entertain an offer for Aso?
Proud Member of Cat Scratch Reader and coiner of the (minus Bowers) meme
Yes, I think that would be out of the question.
It’s just my opinion, but I don’t think we’re ready to put (or pay for) that kind of talent on the team. Plus, I don’t think he wants to come play here anyway.
I like to believe that my best hits border on felonious assault. -Jack Tatum
Follow me on Twitter
More than likely that is true. I guess we would have to make a serious play for Joseph or someone else…
Proud Member of Cat Scratch Reader and coiner of the (minus Bowers) meme
That's probably more our style anyway.
I like to believe that my best hits border on felonious assault. -Jack Tatum
Follow me on Twitter
It's not just your opinion... We can't even afford him anymore
Unless that 32Mil signing bonus doesn’t go against the cap (which is unlikely), the we won’t have anything left for a name bigger than James Anderson.
STEVE SMITH!
by southtunnel on Jul 26, 2011 9:30 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Depends on how the deal is structured, calm down mang
Blogger So Dear
"Meet me on the Quad at midnight" Skip Prosser
They did say they'd be aggressive.
We keep our own, including Smitty. We sign a DB to go WITH Gamble, and we live happily everafter!
by DesertCat on Jul 26, 2011 8:54 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Aggressive apparently meant throwing 30Mil of your cap space at one player
There’s no big moves coming now. We still have to sign Cam. Maybe Anderson and maybe TD if nobody else wants to pay him. After that a slew of scrubs to fill a 90 man roster.
STEVE SMITH!
by southtunnel on Jul 26, 2011 9:26 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Without knowing
the structure of the deal there’s no way to know how much cap space he is actually going to take up. I doubt Hurney is stupid enough to allow one player to account for $30 million on the cap for a single year. Either way, I have to believe he wouldn’t have done the deal if he didn’t have a concise plan.
This deal was done for one reason
To keep him from signing with ATL. Nothing concise about it.
STEVE SMITH!
by southtunnel on Jul 26, 2011 9:40 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Yes, but the future cap hits will be very friendly.
We dont know how that 30m is structured though.. They can allocate a signing bonus across the life of the contract, or skew it. We dont yet know what there plan on that is.
by Ryan439 on Jul 26, 2011 9:36 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
That would be an AWESOME contract!
In situations like this when things are bad, the easy thing to do is fold up the tent, just pack it up and accept it. But winners and people who are successful realize that when things get tough, it’s an opportunity to define yourself. They realize that in this moment, you can do something great. - Jon Beason
by Tarheel Soldier on Jul 27, 2011 9:45 AM EDT up reply actions
Along with Marty....
Steve Reed
Panthers sent HC Ron Rivera, DC Sean McDermott, DL coach Eric Washington , LB coach Warren Belin to Miami to get Charles Johnson to stay.
Rules and Regulations of the Game: 89, Bottom Line
went down there mon nite
according to patty y @ espn
by Supenusenfone on Jul 26, 2011 9:33 PM EDT up reply actions
holy crap, Jeff King signs with the Cards...
Adam Schefter
Cardinals reached agreement with former Panthers TE Jeff King, filling a need that Arizona had for a blocking TE.
Rules and Regulations of the Game: 89, Bottom Line
guess that answers that question
Rules and Regulations of the Game: 89, Bottom Line
by John Chilton on Jul 26, 2011 9:33 PM EDT up reply actions
tell me about it
One cries because one is sad. For example: I cry because others are stupid, and it makes me sad.
damn
One cries because one is sad. For example: I cry because others are stupid, and it makes me sad.
I'm still in shock over that signing bonus
And I’ve read both that it would and wouldn’t count against the salary cap. Anyone have a clue? Cause I could care less if JR wants to write a check to some 25 year old. I just don’t want to get screwed out of the rest of free agency because of it.
STEVE SMITH!
by southtunnel on Jul 26, 2011 9:36 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
it will count against the cap
But they can allocate parts of it over the life of the contract. They don’t have to count the entire guaranteed portion on the first year, at least that’s my understanding of how it works.
One cries because one is sad. For example: I cry because others are stupid, and it makes me sad.
Something Ifound encourageing in reading was that CJ...
was known for being smallish coming in but was the gym rat that got bigger and better after putting on some more wieght the right way. Even if they do streatch that bonous as long as he keeps working hard as been his habit I think we are ok.
I guess only time well tell if Hurney overpaid or was wise enough to lock up an all-pro. Man got to love the 20-20 hindsight.
I am a proud supporter of troll hunting---- me.
When I see or hear sports segments dedicated to fantasy sports I want drive a nail in my ear because it is less painful. --also me.
He's back!
One cries because one is sad. For example: I cry because others are stupid, and it makes me sad.
Nothing much.
Doing a lot of surf fishing.
UNLEASH THE KRAKEN!!!!
by RjTheMetalhead on Jul 26, 2011 10:17 PM EDT up reply actions
If Gamble is disposed of...
Is Cromartie a viable alternative? Just a conversation piece, would take Gamble over Cro any day of the week, but…
I certainly hope not.
Cromartie is looking to be paid. Dumping Gamble to save cap space, then signing Cromartie would be idiotic.
We have too many small CB's
Gotta have at least one big CB to make it defensively in this league these days…Right???
Regarding all the whiners at espn that CJ didnt sign with their team(s)....
sorry for the spam folks but im quite happy we got the foosball back and we keepin CJ
while trolling for those images
I actually stumbled across the first documented “Planking” that is actually cool, this chick could teach everette brown and boris diaw alot
and on that note I shall call it a nite no more gif spam i promise folks
by Supenusenfone on Jul 26, 2011 9:59 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
I promise you that is the ONLY display of planking that I found even remotely impressive and/or entertaining.
Nice find.
Newton for '11 ROY!
Walker for '11 ROY!
Biyombo for '11 DPOY!
any word yet on Steve Smith?!? I havent heard a peep about him since the lockout ended. What are we going to do about WR if Smitty is gone? With this big money tied up in CJ, with D Williams staying i hope Panthers can re sign smith
by PantherTrain on Jul 26, 2011 10:18 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Smith is under contract thru 2012.
It’s a matter of whether or not he wants to stay on the team.
I like to believe that my best hits border on felonious assault. -Jack Tatum
Follow me on Twitter
Mebane May Return To Seahawks, Cofield Is Cheap & TE Zach Miller Want's Out
RotoWorld.com reports that after getting their QB Jackson, the Seahawks are now focused on re-signing DT Brandon Mebane, and he’s willing.
They also reported that DT Barry Cofield’s price may only average $5 million a season
Most of us laghed it off (I know I did) a while back when it was suggested that the Panthers might sign the Raiders free agent TE Zach Miller, but a report this afternoon says he is actually in play. The Raiders are $14 million over the cap, and Miller (the Raiders union rep) even turned down the opportunity to talk to them about re-signing him today. He would be a long-term answer to the Panthers TE needs, and the only team needing a TE more than the Panthers is the Bills.
You give me hope Roar... We need a young Wesley Walls.
Quike to the time machine.
I am a proud supporter of troll hunting---- me.
When I see or hear sports segments dedicated to fantasy sports I want drive a nail in my ear because it is less painful. --also me.
"PanthersRoar"
I heard that Cofield wanted 6-9 mil a year, but idk. If he can play the nose then sign him
Coefield isn't even worth that much a year
, but the Broncos will overpay for him. $5 million is a reasonable price, any news they are actually trageting a dt? If so who since Mebane may return to the Seahawks?
by adam carter on Jul 26, 2011 10:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Yikes...that's the first "downside" I've come across regarding the CJ resigning
The possibility of losing Gamble, that is. I hope it turns out to be nothing more than speculation.
Newton for '11 ROY!
Walker for '11 ROY!
Biyombo for '11 DPOY!
Gamble's not that big of a loss
He wasn’t even playing the end of last year… With not much drop off. He’s never lived up to the shutdown corner expectations. Definitely don’t want to overpay him.
STEVE SMITH!
by southtunnel on Jul 27, 2011 6:50 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Am I missing something??
I have listened to ESPN radio all day and they only touch on the panthers. It is like "Oh yeah in other news the panthers signed the #2 sought after FA" I keep hearing we are a year or two away from being elite. Am I just a homer or do we have great talent. Last year was a perfect storm, I see no way we are not competitive this year. Put us talent wise against anyone, I just dont see why none of the "experts" are giving us love. I guess its easy to do after a 2 win season but still.
PS after hearing Cam talk I would follow him into a gang fight, kid is a leader.
by William Ryan Harrell on Jul 26, 2011 11:16 PM EDT reply actions
Such is the life of a "small market" franchise, I'm afraid.
It’s OK. I can’t shake the feeling that last year will turn out to be a gross anomaly once everything is said and done this season.
(and for the record, I am definitely a homer)
Newton for '11 ROY!
Walker for '11 ROY!
Biyombo for '11 DPOY!
Big time overpayment but I think we had to do something like this with the new cap floor and all. I’m not too thrilled about it but I don’t hate it either.
www.shutdownline.com
Would you rather have an aging Peppers at a higher tag?
Not me. But bottom line, premier DE’s get big money. And we likely just locked up our premier DE for the next 6 years.
STEVE SMITH!
by southtunnel on Jul 27, 2011 6:48 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
From my understanding, either this deal will be probably around 8 million on the cap this year capping out at around 15-18 mil near the end.
Or in a best case scenario we end free agency at about 15-20 mil undercap and we can dump 20 mil of CJs signing bonus this year and average 9 mil against the cap for the remaining 5 years.
JR is more willing to play guys in house than newcomers
We rarely see big name free agents signed here. But it’s very common to see ridiculous money paid to guys like Peppers, Jake, etc. Johnson fits this mold well… But unlike others, he’s still young!
STEVE SMITH!
by southtunnel on Jul 27, 2011 6:45 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
It is going to scary to see who the Panthers do cut come Thursday.
I am a proud supporter of troll hunting---- me.
When I see or hear sports segments dedicated to fantasy sports I want drive a nail in my ear because it is less painful. --also me.
This is a sign of what Chud plans to do on offense
I bet no more 2 blocking TE run plays. TE’s are now receivers, and the pass will set up the run.
STEVE SMITH!
by southtunnel on Jul 27, 2011 6:41 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
What about Josh Wilson at cb?
Showed promise as a play maker but provided very good coverage and as a “tier 2” player would be cheaper to sign and has got be better than Marshall and started for a very good Ravens d.
As the great philosopher Yoda said "Try not! Do you must!"
Had some to think about this
This is a big contract no doubt. But is it really an overpayment? I don’t think so.
CJ was ranked the #6 player overall and the #3 DE in the NFL in 2010 by Pro Football Focus. He was astonishingly productive given the fact that we did not have a lot of talent in the middle of the line. Some analyst think that he is already a superstar. I would think that he is worth Top 5 DE money. If you look at non-exclusive franchise tags, the price for a DE was about $12.5 million (2010 figures). That would be the average of top 5 DE.
So CJ is getting the average for Top 5 DE. However, this will spread over the next 6 years a period when revenues and the cap will continue to grow. For this reason alone, it is very smart decision by the Panthers. They know they have a stud and they want to keep him.
Also, what other option did we have?
Is there another 24 year old, potential top 5 DE, coming off a great season, that we had a shot at? No. Our only other option was to roll with 2 young guys that have proven nothing, and hand CJ over to ATL… This had to be done!
STEVE SMITH!
by southtunnel on Jul 27, 2011 6:38 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
This was a decisive move, that defines the organization.
If they’d piece-mealed a lower offer to him, leaving the door open for Atlanta to outbid us, he’d have called the Panthers cheap and “disrespectful” (big code word in his milieu) and gone with them, even if we’d then upped ours. It was like a pre-emptive bid in bridge, or all-in in Hold-em, making it hard for the competition to get into the action.
Plus it shows that Richardson had long-term planning going for him a year ago, when he cut back, in obvious (in hindsight, since other owners acknowledged these CBA talks had been working for 2 years) preparation for a new structure. Now you see other teams, who hadn’t planned ahead, forced to cut players, and/or unable to resign their own FAs, just to get under the cap ceiling, whereas the Panthers are floating in cash, and able to pay for WHO THEY WANT.
This last phrase may not include who WE may want, but they’re able to follow their own preset goals, with the personnel they think will achieve them.
It may be a year or so, but we’ll eventually see some well-written articles by national writers, who’ll acknowledge his foresight and planning, as I’ve done here. This won’t happen until the Panthers have won something, but it will happen.
by bigdavis on Jul 27, 2011 8:12 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
In addition
and I think there is some advantage of making a splash with a big deal to start off. Other potential FA targets who may have had any misconceptions about Panthers being cheap or not committed to winning will now take notice.
And it backs up Mr. Richardson's words as part of the owners committee
Showing that he will give the vets who develop thru the team real money after their rookie deals. This probably looked good to Cam too, as he is our potential franchise QB and the guy we care about the most right now.
Goddamn quebecios! It is 35 miles per hour, not 35 kilometers per... whatever is metric for hour.
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#BringJakeBack
agreed
We didn’t get a deal on him by any means, but I think we pretty much paid market value. Not only did he produce 11.5 sacks and consistently pressured opposing QBs, he was solid in run defense as well. He didn’t rack up his numbers against poor teams and had a 6 game stretch last season where he had at least one sack. All this with no interior help.
He replaced Peppers who signed for 6yrs @ 91mil with 42 guaranteed in Chicago.
He signed for 6yrs @ 72mil with 32 guaranteed. (20% less than Peps contract and a difference of 3+mil year that we can spend on other players)
If his production stays consistent, he is well worth that contract. Not to mention an added bonus is keeping him out of the hands of a division rival who were chomping at the bit to get him. I think Marty made the right move by not going back and forth with him to save a few million and risk “disrespecting” him as BigD said only to have him sign with Atlanta and have a chip on his shoulder for us.
Add in the fact we saved a TON of money on Cam’s contract with the rookie wage scale the money we paid CJ would have gone to Cam anyway.
Rules and Regulations of the Game: 89, Bottom Line
by John Chilton on Jul 27, 2011 8:42 AM EDT up reply actions
I don't sweat the amount, because premier DE's are hard to find
Rivera has had a lot of defensive success, so he knows what pieces are needed. He realizes a guy who can get you 10+ sacks, with a lot of years left is extremely hard to find.
This is not a position like RB (sorry DWill fans) where an UDFA can start and put up big numbers. Or where you can win a SuperBowl with a backup nobody’s heard of.
DE’s come at a premium. Just dont expect any more big moves.
STEVE SMITH!
by southtunnel on Jul 27, 2011 6:33 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
@gregcosell Tweets about Johnson
RE: C. Johnson. Money irrelevant. Improving pass rusher w/power, leverage. Not elite edge speed but can win w/hands + quickness. Ascending.
Sounds like he thinks Charles is still on the upswing…
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