Cat Scratch Reader - NFL free agency 2014: Greg Hardy given franchise tagKeep Pounding!https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48401/catscratchreader_fave.png2014-03-04T08:35:35-05:00http://www.catscratchreader.com/rss/stream/52333792014-03-04T08:35:35-05:002014-03-04T08:35:35-05:00Hardy signs franchise tag
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<figcaption>Grant Halverson</figcaption>
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<p>There's no friction between the Panthers and Hardy, now it's about getting a long-term deal done.</p> <p><a href="https://www.catscratchreader.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Carolina Panthers</a> defensive end <span>Greg Hardy</span> has signed his franchise tender and will make $13.1M in 2014, <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/AlbertBreer/status/440834496800104448">according to Albert Breer of the NFL Network</a>.</p>
<p>It's no surprise Hardy signed. Unlike other players who are slapped with the tag, the 25-year-old defensive end said he would have no problem with the designation. This made proceedings quick and painless, essentially setting up a win-win situation for Hardy. He can sit back and entertain the Panthers' offers or wait for free agency in 2015, all while collecting more money in a year than he made the previous four on his rookie contract.</p>
<p>Carolina still hope to find a way to retain Hardy with a long-term deal, made easier with reported huge jumps to the salary cap over the next three seasons. It's never been a matter of whether the Panthers could afford Hardy, but whether their cap ratios should dictate them sinking so much money into one position. There's a very real situation where the team is sinking over 30-percent of their yearly cap into three players: Charles Johnson, Cam Newton and Hardy -- that's a tough pill to swallow.</p>
<p>For now we can enjoy confirmation that there's no friction in the front office and hopefully that indicates long-term negotiations are going well also.</p>
https://www.catscratchreader.com/2014/3/4/5469298/nfl-free-agency-2014-greg-hardy-signs-tenderJames Dator2014-03-03T18:37:43-05:002014-03-03T18:37:43-05:00Hardy receives non-exclusive tag
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<figcaption>Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Another team is open to sign the talented defensive end, but there's a cost.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.catscratchreader.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Carolina Panthers</a> have officially applied their 2014 franchise tag to defensive end <span>Greg Hardy</span>, however they're making him available to other teams.</p>
<p>Hardy was given a non-exclusive franchise tag, meaning a willing team could sign him to a contract and give the Panthers two first round picks in compensation. The Panthers also retain the option to match the offer and keep their player.</p>
<p>It's a sensible move for a player the team is unsure will remain with the organization long-term. Nobody is going to realistically sign Hardy and pay the two first round picks, but it allows for leverage in negotiation where Drew Rosenhaus can gauge the market and everyone has a better idea of where Hardy stands if/when he hits free agency.</p>
<p>Hardy is second player to receive a non-exclusive tag in the NFC South along with <span>Jimmy Graham</span> of the <a href="https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New Orleans Saints</a>. The goal will be to retain the 25-year-old pass rusher through a long-term deal, but it's unclear if that is a possibility given the big money he will command.</p>
https://www.catscratchreader.com/2014/3/3/5467776/nfl-free-agency-2014-greg-hardy-non-exclusive-franchise-tagJames Dator2014-03-01T09:00:03-05:002014-03-01T09:00:03-05:00Hardy On Kraken Persona: 'I'm Growing to Love it"
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<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Newly franchised tagged Greg Hardy says he loves the 'Kraken' persona and uses it for motivation on Sunday's. </p> <p>Yes I said that correctly, he uses it to wreak havoc against our opponents:</p>
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<p><a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/carolina-panthers/post/_/id/5103/panthers-couldnt-afford-not-to-keep-hardy">Carolina Panthers couldn't afford not to keep Greg Hardy - ESPN</a><br>"It doesn’t get old,'' he said in an interview with Sports Illustrated's Robert Klemko during <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/super-bowl">Super Bowl</a> week in New York. "You have to sell it. You’ve got to be what you’re saying you are. You’ve got to embody that life, because if you don’t, it will fall to the wayside. <b>So what I did was make it a part of my life and then lived it</b>.</p>
<p>"People say I’m different, but you can’t put it all on the line and deal with all of this pressure without an outlet. When I start feeling that pressure -- I’ve had five surgeries -- I’m thinking, 'What am I going to do to feed my family?' The Kraken is kind of like putting on a mask -- <b>a secret identity. It helps you out. I’m growing to love it</b>.''</p>
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<p>We here at CSR may never get the official credit for coining the Kraken nickname for Hardy but we will reap the benefits none the less. I sometimes still can't believe this blog has had such an impact on a Panther player. It's quite cool really. Especially given how much the Hardy himself has embraced it. Heck he now has 'Kraken Swag'.</p>
<p>Hardy now has something to live up to every week. So when people ask the question 'Will Hardy be less intense now that he has his big payday' I'm thinking 'No' because he has to live up to the Kraken persona. He just doesn't seem like the kind of guy to slack off because I don't think his big season was simply due to him playing for a contract. He was playing as the 'Kraken' and sea creatures really don't care about money ;)</p>
<p>#Krakenout!</p>
https://www.catscratchreader.com/2014/3/1/5459608/hardy-on-kraken-persona-im-growing-to-love-itJaxon2014-02-28T16:07:39-05:002014-02-28T16:07:39-05:00Greg Hardy to receive franchise tag
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<figcaption>Kevin C. Cox</figcaption>
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<p>It appears the Panthers will keep the band together, for at least one more year.</p> <p><a href="https://www.catscratchreader.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Carolina Panthers</a> defensive end <span>Greg Hardy</span> will receive the team's franchise tag, <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/ProFootballTalk/status/439504250775674880">according to Pro Football Talk</a>.</p>
<p>Hardy broke out in 2013 with 15.0 sacks en route to a Pro Bowl appearance and being named second team All Pro. His future with the team was the Panthers No. 1 priority entering the offseason and it's likely the team will work with agent Drew Rosenhaus on a long term deal that will be more salary cap friendly.</p>
<p>Salary cap concerns are real. The issue was never whether the Panthers could retain Hardy with a franchise tag, but if they should. If Carolina is unable to trade Hardy or sign him to a long term deal his one-year contract will consume over half of the team's available money. Last year a defensive end franchise tag cost $11.2 million, which will likely rise in 2014.</p>
<p>This is a huge domino to fall and has mammoth ramifications for the team's ability to retain other priority free agents. Over 20 players remain without contracts from the 2013 team, including several starters. In real terms the Panthers can't afford to put together a competitive team with less than $10 million, but we've seen in the past that Dave Gettleman has found ways to free up space and find short-term options.</p>
<p>It's exciting to know Hardy is back in the fold, but also very scary.</p>
https://www.catscratchreader.com/2014/2/28/5457924/nfl-free-agency-2014-greg-hardy-franchise-tag-panthersJames Dator2014-02-26T18:42:14-05:002014-02-26T18:42:14-05:00Panthers Prepping Franchise Tag for Hardy?
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<figcaption>Streeter Lecka</figcaption>
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<p>Citing a 'league source' Bill Voth says the rumor is the Panthers are prepared to stick the franchise tag on DE Greg Hardy.</p> <p>I have to agree, how do you let a 15 sack DE walk in his prime?</p>
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<p><a href="http://billvoth.com/panthers-leaning-toward-hardy-franchise-tag/">Panthers Preparing to Use Franchise Tag on Hardy - Bill Voth</a><br>A league source said the team is preparing to use its franchise tag on defensive end Greg Hardy. The fourth-year player tied a team single-season record with 15 sacks in 2013. He would be one of the league’s most sought-after free agents if Carolina lets him hit the open market. The deadline for teams to tag one of their players is Monday at 4 p.m. ET.</p>
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<p>Let's hope that cap number is closer to $29M in order to not limit what we can do in free agency. I assume Gettleman is putting the final touches on his various options and offers with that ace of tag up his sleeve. He has until Tuesday to make his mind up but it sounds like we will hear something before this weekend is over.</p>
<p>So do you think Hardy deserves the franchise tag or should they let him test free agency?</p>
https://www.catscratchreader.com/2014/2/26/5451326/panthers-prepping-franchise-tag-for-hardyJaxon2014-02-21T16:37:37-05:002014-02-21T16:37:37-05:00What would it cost to keep Hardy?
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<figcaption>Streeter Lecka</figcaption>
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<p>We break down what it would take to keep Greg Hardy and the outlook is not so good.</p> <p>We've spent time looking over the numbers, explaining why it's near-impossible to keep <a href="https://www.catscratchreader.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Panthers</a> sack artist <span>Greg Hardy</span> for market value but today we look at precisely what it would take to keep him based on Carolina's cap situation.</p>
<p>In order to accurately look at the situation we can't waste time on "home town discounts" or any other unlikely frivolity that assumes he wont get paid precisely what some team will offer in free agency. Charles Johnson was given a six year, $76 million deal in 2011 and at equal stages in their career Hardy is more decorated. Therefore, it's assumed he will command a <b>six year, $80 million contract with a $32 million signing bonus</b>.</p>
<h5>The cap, as it stands now</h5>
<p>Carolina is currently $11.9 million under the 2014 salary cap. They have 26 players scheduled to hit free agency. In order to retain Hardy and still field a team the Panthers would need to be at least $26 million under the cap. This allows for a back-loaded deal that pays Hardy roughly $1 million in 2014, with $5.33 million counting against the cap as amortized signing bonus for a total hit of $6.33 million, give or take a little for workout bonuses etc.</p>
<p>The remaining $20 million would pay the Panthers draft class (around $4.5 million) and keep $15.5 in the coffers to field a roster.</p>
<p>Here's what it would take</p>
<p>Getting to a cap figure of $26 million under is no easy feat. It requires one key player to play ball and give the team some help.</p>
<p><b>1. Cut Charles Godfrey outright, with a June 1 designation.</b></p>
<p>This move saves $5 million against the cap</p>
<p><i>Current room: $16.9 million</i></p>
<p><b><i></i>2. Try to restructure Charles Johnson</b></p>
<p>Johnson is set to pocket $9 million this year and his cap hit is $16 million. The remaining salary on his deal is $29.25 million, so the smart move would be to offer a five-year restructured that converts that salary into a $31 million signing bonus.</p>
<p>CJ gets the money up front, guaranteed and it lets the Panthers reduce his salary to the veteran minimum for at least the next two years. This would save $9 million against the cap.</p>
<p><i>Current room: $25.9 million</i></p>
<p><b><i></i>3. Cut Dwan Edwards</b></p>
<p>Making this move outright would save $1.4 million against the cap.</p>
<p><i>Current room: $27.3 million</i></p>
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<h5>Sacrifices as a result</h5>
<p>Let's assume those three dominoes fall into place and the Panthers re-sign Greg Hardy. They now have 26 roster spots to fill and roughly $17 million to do it.</p>
<p><b><span>Jordan Gross</span></b></p>
<p>With $17 million left there's simply no room to keep a veteran of his caliber. Given that he's mulling over the idea of retirement it's wholly unlikely he'll accept the veteran minimum. A realistic deal would be two years at $12 million with a $6 million signing bonus. Back-load that deal and you cause problems for 2015, keep it even and he's a $6 million cap hit.</p>
<p>Assume they keep him: You have $11 million to spend on 18 players.</p>
<p><b><span>Graham Gano</span></b></p>
<p>A high-level kicker isn't something the Panthers can afford if they want to retain Hardy. Gano is one of the top-tier kickers scheduled to hit free agency and anything over $1 million is too much for the team to bare, and it will be.</p>
<p><b><span>Brandon LaFell</span></b></p>
<p>Most people don't like him, so what the heck? Retain Hardy, you can't keep LaFell -- it's that simple. He will command more than <span>Darrius Heyward-Bey</span> made from the <a href="https://www.stampedeblue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Colts</a> in 2013, which was $2.5 million against the cap.</p>
<p><b><span>Mike Mitchell</span></b></p>
<p>Bye.</p>
<p>The Panthers got a great deal in 2013 and he vastly out-performed his contract. Expect an offer in the range of $6-8 million for 2-3 years, which isn't something Carolina can afford.</p>
<p><b>Ted Ginn</b></p>
<p>Like Mike Mitchell, it ain't gonna happen. Teams need deep threats and there aren't enough in the league. Factor in his relative youth and additions on special teams and Ginn will command deals around the $3-4 million mark, as a cap hit in 2014.</p>
<p><b><span>Captain Munnerlyn</span> and <span>Drayton Florence</span></b></p>
<p>Here's two player the Panthers can't afford to lose. You hit a breaking point pretty quickly when releasing players that results in a barely-competitive franchise. Wide receivers can be drafted or signed, getting quality corneback play doesn't happen immediately.</p>
<p>Let's assume the pair counts as $4 million against the cap in 2014 (which could be low-balling).</p>
<p>Carolina now has 16 available roster spots and $7 million to do it.</p>
<h5>The good news</h5>
<p>Fourteen players leaving in free agency were rotational guys or special teams players. Those can be found for cheap enough to make it work.</p>
<h5>The bad news</h5>
<p>Under this plan the Panthers lose a grand total of five starters: LaFell, Gano, Mitchell, Bryon Bell and <span>Travelle Wharton</span>.</p>
<p>It means that between a seven pick draft and dwindling free agent money you need to find a starting offensive tackle, wide receiver, safety, guard and kicker. Take a guess how likely that is to happen?</p>
<p><img alt="Star-divide" src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/images/blog/star-divide.v5e9d7f1.jpg"></p>
<p>None of this is impossible. The plan outlined above would fiscally allow the Panthers to keep Hardy a field a team in 2014, but it's the cost that needs to be evaluated. If the long-con is to treat Hardy as a franchise cornerstone then it means accepting that Carolina will probably suck in 2014.</p>
<p>A struggling offensive line and secondary gets worse, while Cam Newton is sure to lose weapons. Unless there's some serious luck in the draft the idea of making the playoff again is near-impossible, there's just no quality depth.</p>
<p>The bright side would be, as Dave Gettleman says "a dollar over three dimes." It positions the Panthers to be more competitive when they get out of cap hell, but is it worth it?</p>
https://www.catscratchreader.com/2014/2/21/5434442/2014-nfl-free-agency-panthers-greg-hardyJames Dator2014-02-21T13:40:04-05:002014-02-21T13:40:04-05:00Rivera: I'm Confident We Will Have Our Guy (Hardy)
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<figcaption>Kevin C. Cox</figcaption>
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<p>CSR member watching NFL Network just tweeted that Rivera was referring to Hardy with this quote and he expressed confidence.</p> <p>Hat tip to MMA_Pitbull:</p>
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<p>Rivera just said on NFL Network im confident we are gonna have our guy going forward. Was referencing Hardy</p>
— MMA_PITBULL (@MMA_PITBULL) <a href="https://twitter.com/MMA_PITBULL/statuses/436929649705517056">February 21, 2014</a>
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<p>Maybe Rivera was using his Riverboat face when he said that but it's still nice when he could just have easily said something like 'well that's up to the front office, etc...'. He could easily have side stepped giving such a straight forward, positive answer. The Panthers have until March 4th to use the franchise tag on Hardy if they have too. I expect we start to see movement on this next weekend.</p>
<p>So is this good news?</p>
https://www.catscratchreader.com/2014/2/21/5433960/rivera-im-confident-we-will-have-our-guy-hardyJaxon