Jared Allen
Mullets and jean shorts never struck so much terror into fellow players as when they were being worn by number 69. A player's player, a true professional and though on the waning end of his career a key cog in the Panthers machine. Allen made big strides early before settling in and becoming more of a reliable presence that kept opposing offenses in check even though not always disrupting them as much as his earlier days. His presence as a leader and a veteran however, cannot be overstated. This leaves the door open for Kony Ealy who waited until the last possible moment to have the game of his life, unfortunately the rest of the squad wasn't ready to go alongside him. In 2016 we get to see how much of the Pro Bowler rubbed off on his understudy. If nothing else, he gave us the second most awesome gif of the season.
Charles 'Peanut' Tillman
Charles Tillman will remain an enduring boon to this franchise if only for bringing the patented peanut punch to Carolina. Already a ball hawking defense, Tillman's presence also saw an increased awareness for turnover possibilities and most significantly and almost assuredly a result of his tutelage, a renewed aggressiveness for creating turnovers at the point of contact. It remains to be seen if any corners will remain from last season when the games count in September but the mindset that helped create Thieves Ave will live on in the younger players of this locker room for many seasons. This leaves Kurt Coleman who made some big plays in the second half of the season and recently acquired Brandon Boykin to carry the torch from here out.
Roman 'Old Man' Harper
I simply cannot count the number of times I've screamed at my TV because of something Harper did or did not do. To say that he wasn't on the short end of the stick due to lackluster talent during his tenure would be unfair but to say he was the best man for the job would be a gross injustice. In the end Harper was a player nearing the end of his career that was good enough to get the job done, usually. You have to wonder what Rivera and Co. expected Roman to bring but it was obvious after last year his veteran presence alone wasn't going to be enough. It's hard to say anyone from a SB team wasn't starting caliber but it did not look like the old man was going look any younger on the field for another season. With a serious lack of quality depth this looks to be the position most primed for a influx of talent during the draft.
Josh Norman
You don't play chicken with Dave Gettleman. Josh Norman knows that now and his (former) agent does too. Since Stormin' Norman is now a Redskin, he's is officially off the Panthers radar. No more franchise tag discussions, no threats of holding out and lingering training camp hostility. In the end it's probably the best thing for the Panthers who are moving slowly and surely towards a winning mentality. It's all in or go home time now in Carolina. The problem is someone has to take Josh's place. While not a traditional 'shut down corner' if there even is such a thing, Josh held his own against the best in the game. Currently there is no one on the roster, even in our zone scheme that I feel confident saying has that ability. This is the time when we look to Dave and say, work your magic big guy. In Dave we trust is becoming a motto of upsetting commonality and fervor. Eli Apple? Kendall Fuller? A yet to be named free agent? No one knows. Maybe the answer is 'already on the roster.'
Jerricho Cotchery
Of all the positioned opened up by the departure of veteran players, this is the one that should leave Panther fans with the least worry in their hearts. With a log jam of receivers it was all but inevitable Jerricho was getting the boot. After a SB performance where being shafted by shifty play calling was the least of their worries, 'Clutchery' picked the wrong time to bobble a game changing pass. Catch or no catch, old reliable wasn't bringing enough to the table for a team that looks like it's tired of accepting mediocre and making it work. An older, wiser and infinitely more pissed off Cam Newton should have Kelvin Benjamin, Devin Funchess, Ted Ginn Jr. and any of Philly Brown, Stephen Hill, Kevin Norwood, Brenton Bersin and the inevitable wtf draft pick at an already deep position, to choose from. On this one, the departure of an average vet should make very little long term difference.
So what do you guys think? We lost some guys from a great squad but in the end, the core is still here and I see Panthers football being dominant again in 2016.