Color me surprised that the Panthers made a splash in the first week of free agency, at least for the Panthers anyway. In years past it would be a week before the Panthers made their first significant move. Instead the Panthers filled three critical gaps by securing center Matt Paradis, offensive tackle Daryl Williams and defensive end Bruce Irvin. Paradis was arguably the best interior offensive lineman on the market and they signed him right out of the gate.
What is this madness?
Not only that, but the pundits love it too. Even more madness!
Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com listed both moves among his 18 favorite value plays so far, taking particular note of the positions involved. Rosenthal praised just one other offensive line signing across the league, while half of his 12 “worst contracts” so far involved offensive linemen.
Geoff Schwartz of SBNation.com, a former Panthers offensive lineman, listed the Paradis signing among his six best moves across the league to date, noting the intrinsic value he will bring as “a Super Bowl-winning offensive lineman who was the center for Peyton Manning. That experience will be a boon.” Bill Barnwell of ESPN.com graded the Paradis signing a B-plus while giving the Williams signing an A.
In order to avoid showing bias to one side of the possible grading selection in the poll, here’s some red meat for the other side, the never happy crowd:
Where’s the free agent safety we need huh? What about the back-up running back? Get with the program Hurneynator! Salary cap! Dead money! Cam’s shoulder. Ahhhhhh!
So think long and hard and put a grade to it.
Poll
What grade would you give the Panthers first week of free agency?
This poll is closed
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40%
A - filled needs with value contracts
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55%
B - I like the moves but more is still needed
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3%
C - good intentions, results are meh
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0%
D - dumb stuff right there
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0%
F - I’m a sorry Saints fan