Mike Tolbert - PANTHERS (1 Viewer)

[Touchdown There]

I don't understand how Tolbert would choose to be third string in Carolina, instead of 2nd string in SD with an extra million bucks. There has to be more to this.

 

[identikit]

(KFFL) Carolina Panthers RB Mike Tolbert's agent, Joel Turner, said Tolbert left over $1 million on the table from the San Diego Chargers to sign with the team. Financial terms of the deal have yet to be revealed.

Sounds like Tolbert had more than just $$ in mind.

FWIW Tolbert did play college ball in Carolina.

 

[shadyridr]

I don't understand how Tolbert would choose to be third string in Carolina, instead of 2nd string in SD with an extra million bucks. There has to be more to this.

makes no sense

 

[MAC_32]

I don't understand how Tolbert would choose to be third string in Carolina, instead of 2nd string in SD with an extra million bucks. There has to be more to this.

Some people prefer to win, my guess is he believes Carolina is a better situation to win. Is there another explanation?

 

[Football Jones]

One explanation for Carolina is they could view Tolbert as their starting FB. They love to run the ball & having a HB/FB combo like DWill-Stewart/Tolbert puts a lot of pressure on the D, especially with a decent passing game.

As far as Tolbert choosing Carolina, he went to college at Coastal Carolina & he may very well be from the area. Blood is thicker than water (& sometimes money).

 

[identikit]

per Kevin Acee, Chargers beat writer:

Mike Tolbert got $2.7 million guaranteed from Panthers. The $8.4 million total possible value was abt $1 million less than Chargers offered.

 

[pantherclub]

per Kevin Acee, Chargers beat writer:Mike Tolbert got $2.7 million guaranteed from Panthers. The $8.4 million total possible value was abt $1 million less than Chargers offered.

wow thats incredibly cheap.Tolbert is an above average back

 

[identikit]

per Kevin Acee, Chargers beat writer:Mike Tolbert got $2.7 million guaranteed from Panthers. The $8.4 million total possible value was abt $1 million less than Chargers offered.

wow thats incredibly cheap.Tolbert is an above average back

It's a buyer's market on RBs.Opposite of WRs seems like.

 

[simey]

I'm guessing that Tolbert realized his market value is not that high as a traditional RB, and decided to go to a team on the rise where he can still have a versatile role. Plus, he used to play for Rivera and Chudzinski in San Diego, so there's big time familiarity there.

It's been said that they like him as a fullback, and as a special teams player. The Panthers were horrible on special teams last year. They also signed Haruki Nakamura from the Ravens to help on special teams, and compete at safety.

 

[simey]

One explanation for Carolina is they could view Tolbert as their starting FB. They love to run the ball & having a HB/FB combo like DWill-Stewart/Tolbert puts a lot of pressure on the D, especially with a decent passing game.As far as Tolbert choosing Carolina, he went to college at Coastal Carolina & he may very well be from the area. Blood is thicker than water (& sometimes money).

As of right now, Tolbert is their only fullback, and they need help bad on special teams. I think he will mix in great. Here is a quote by Marty Hurney...

"Mike is a very versatile player who can do a lot of different things for us," Panthers general manager Marty Hurney said. "He plays fullback, catches the ball well out of the backfield, plays running back, and is an outstanding special teams player.

 

[kurtrudder]

WTH? Couch Potatos has to be on something with regards to a Stewart trade.

Sure hope so As the last man on earth still holding Mike Goodson I feel it may be time to cut him. :(

This is what you don't do.If you have roster space you hold Goodson because his next landing stop MUST be better

 

[Alex P Keaton]

WTH? Couch Potatos has to be on something with regards to a Stewart trade.

Sure hope so As the last man on earth still holding Mike Goodson I feel it may be time to cut him. :(

This is what you don't do.If you have roster space you hold Goodson because his next landing stop MUST be better

CFL is better?

 

[DexterDew]

per Kevin Acee, Chargers beat writer:Mike Tolbert got $2.7 million guaranteed from Panthers. The $8.4 million total possible value was abt $1 million less than Chargers offered.

can't remember where i read it and too lazy to look for it but state income tax was a factor and cost of living... San Diego is not cheap and this state has a very high income tax. Maybe Carolina doesn't have one, which saves him almost $1 Million right there. Plus being able to buy a bigger home for less money and going back "home" may have been the deciding factor (all things football being equal).

 

[Blackjacks]

Places I could see J-Stew traded to before the draft

Cincy (They have some xtra picks thanks to Oakland and a HUGE need at the rb position

STL (xtra #2 this y ear and Jackson has alot of miles on his tires)

Cle (2 #1's allows them to draft Tannenhill and a wr and trade their #2 for Stewart)

Pitt (Reports are coming out that Menenahll has played his last snap with Pitt.)

Denver (Reunited with Fox and perfectly paired with McGahee)

NE (not their normal type of move but they have xtra picks and last time they trade for a rb that worked out pretty good)

NYJ (I dont see this but they are not happy with Greene)

Det (if their other guys cant stay healthy)

NYG (Bradshaw by himself wouldnt make me comfotable as a NYG fan)

Teams that could sign him next year as a FA

All of the above

TB (assuming they dont draft a rb this year high in the draft)

ATL (Turner is about done and Stewart would bring the same physical type running skills as Turner)

Dallas (If Murray cant show he can stay healthy)

Washington (they will have money but no picks for thenext couple years. They will have to get stars somehow.)

 

[pollardsvision]

Very curious to see what they could get in a trade.

I simply can't imagine they get a 2nd round pick for him, with his being a free-agent in a year.

I say let everybody know that the first team to offer a 3rd gets him. Then trade him for a 4th when that doesn't happen (or 5th).

 

[elbowrm]

per Kevin Acee, Chargers beat writer:Mike Tolbert got $2.7 million guaranteed from Panthers. The $8.4 million total possible value was abt $1 million less than Chargers offered.

can't remember where i read it and too lazy to look for it but state income tax was a factor and cost of living... San Diego is not cheap and this state has a very high income tax. Maybe Carolina doesn't have one, which saves him almost $1 Million right there. Plus being able to buy a bigger home for less money and going back "home" may have been the deciding factor (all things football being equal).

Property taxes are low, but NC is actually a pretty high income tax state.

 

[Dave Stauff]

IIRC there was a bit of speculation on this board last year that Denver (Fox) was interested in bringing in DeAngelo (before he signed the deal with Carolina) . . . just wondering . . . McGahee getting long in the tooth

 

[coolnerd]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/03/19/chargers-offered-tolbert-more-than-panthers/

This going to be tough for some people grasp, but not every person in America is trying to bleed every single dollar out of his career. If you take this link at face value, dude wants to live closer to his roots make more moeny than most people can dream of being content with the world. No other logical explanation makes sense. We can't have it both ways; complain about the greedy ones and then complain when someone acts in an interest not driven by the pure buck.

 

[drfeelgood]

I think Carolina is a great landing spot for Tolbert. They had an immediate need for a fullback and special teams player, and he fit both those bills beautifully. They also can get creative with him due to the fact he has played RB before, and he is a great pass catcher. He didn't cost an arm and a leg for the Panthers to acquire, and since he could have made more money staying in San Diego or possibly somewhere else, that tells me he is where he wants to be.

 

[bigunreal]

Another idiotic move by Carolina. Once again, both Williams and Stewart get screwed. Will Stewart ever get the chance to be a starting back?

From nearly the beginning, this franchise prevented what should have been DWill's HOF career.

 

[drfeelgood]

Another idiotic move by Carolina. Once again, both Williams and Stewart get screwed. Will Stewart ever get the chance to be a starting back? From nearly the beginning, this franchise prevented what should have been DWill's HOF career.

You mean fantasy players are being screwed. Williams and Stewart have always said they love playing together. Neither have a big ego, and both have said being double trouble keeps them fresh. They are unselfish players and best friends. The only people whoever complain are fantasy owners.

 

[benson_will_lead_the_way]

I read on Twitter that he accepted less money to go to Carolina vs returning to SD. Weird

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/03/19/chargers-offered-tolbert-more-than-panthers/This going to be tough for some people grasp, but not every person in America is trying to bleed every single dollar out of his career. If you take this link at face value, dude wants to live closer to his roots make more moeny than most people can dream of being content with the world. No other logical explanation makes sense. We can't have it both ways; complain about the greedy ones and then complain when someone acts in an interest not driven by the pure buck.

he probably also knows that SD is on the verge of a meltdown and is about to be blown up. Working for AJ & norv is not easy Im sure. Maybe his relationship with Chuds & Rivera is a good one too.

 

[inzanitee]

I read on Twitter that he accepted less money to go to Carolina vs returning to SD. Weird

It's answered above; supposedly he wanted to be closer to home. The guy doesn't seem to be driven by money, which is pretty cool.

 

[rzrback77]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/03/19/chargers-offered-tolbert-more-than-panthers/This going to be tough for some people grasp, but not every person in America is trying to bleed every single dollar out of his career. If you take this link at face value, dude wants to live closer to his roots make more moeny than most people can dream of being content with the world. No other logical explanation makes sense. We can't have it both ways; complain about the greedy ones and then complain when someone acts in an interest not driven by the pure buck.

Seems like this is good common sense that a lot of "regular guys" do all the time, but with the high paying and anticipated short lived NFL career, those same "regular guys" bad mouth the NFL player that makes that same choice.It is only bad for the fantasy prospects of Tolbert, not the real world prospects.

 

[ImTheScientist]

A buddy of mine in charlotte with ties to the Panthers just texted that teh Panthers were going to cut Dwill. I have no idea if this is true or not jsut passing it along.

I suppose anything is possible, but that would definitely surprising. I believe the Panthers would lose cap space this year by cutting him.

an $8 million hit for this year is bouncing around twitter

do you have a twitter link with some details? 8 Million is a lot to absorb.

per Evan Silva of Rotoworld, PFT, NBCRyanMc23 Could DeAngelo Williams be cut? Would that save them big money? ... No & no. Would cause roughly $8M cap hit this offseason.

The total number would $17.8M for cutting him this year.

OKIs this more accurate than your adamant post that Kolb's and Flynn's contracts were essentially the same?

 

[Silver & Black]

I think this is an absolute great signing by Carolina. I also don't think they are going to trade either Stewart or Williams, which, IMO, is a very smart move by them.

Tolbert is going to be their starting FB. He is a pretty darn good blocker and a very good special teams player. I don't think he was signed to eat into either Stewart or Williams' touches carrying the ball. Sure, he may get a touch here or there, but I don't think thats why they signed him. And I think Tolbert knows that and is fine with it.

And lets face it, neither Stewart nor Williams is a poster child for health so having a FB that can pick up some slack in case one or both gets hurt is an absolute bonus for the Panthers.

I like Tolbert's style and I am somewhat baffled that people are confused as to why he would take less money to play somewhere close to his roots, that has a young and awesome QB and for a team clearly on the rise. To some people, money isn't the ONLY thing to consider. It may be a factor, but not the only factor.

Good for Tolbert. I hope he does well.

 

[scrumptrulescent]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/03/19/chargers-offered-tolbert-more-than-panthers/This going to be tough for some people grasp, but not every person in America is trying to bleed every single dollar out of his career. If you take this link at face value, dude wants to live closer to his roots make more moeny than most people can dream of being content with the world. No other logical explanation makes sense. We can't have it both ways; complain about the greedy ones and then complain when someone acts in an interest not driven by the pure buck.

I totally understand wanting to move back home but man, leaving San Diego would be tough. Isn't it sunny and 75 every day in that city?

 

[benson_will_lead_the_way]

I read on Twitter that he accepted less money to go to Carolina vs returning to SD. Weird

It's answered above; supposedly he wanted to be closer to home. The guy doesn't seem to be driven by money, which is pretty cool.

Oh okay, thanks. I would think more playing time/less competition/more money would be the place to go.

 

[simey]

I read on Twitter that he accepted less money to go to Carolina vs returning to SD. Weird

It's answered above; supposedly he wanted to be closer to home. The guy doesn't seem to be driven by money, which is pretty cool.

Oh okay, thanks. I would think more playing time/less competition/more money would be the place to go.

He would get plenty of playing time as their fullback, plus being mixed in at RB some, plus playing on special teams. With DeAngelo and Stewart sharing carries, Tolbert would probably be on the field more than them.

 

[Shutout]

Ok, lost in all of this is "What IF Tolbert really is used as a FB?" You know, the guy that blasts those holes open.

Wouldn't this be a relative boon for DWIL and JSTEW (knowing they are somewhat limited as a time-sharing duo, but overall, wouldn't it be a sign the Panthers are looking to run some?

 

[Bronx Bomber]

I read on Twitter that he accepted less money to go to Carolina vs returning to SD. Weird

It's answered above; supposedly he wanted to be closer to home. The guy doesn't seem to be driven by money, which is pretty cool.

Oh okay, thanks. I would think more playing time/less competition/more money would be the place to go.

He would get plenty of playing time as their fullback, plus being mixed in at RB some, plus playing on special teams. With DeAngelo and Stewart sharing carries, Tolbert would probably be on the field more than them.

Some football players just like to hit people and have a starting role on a team they think can win, and don't care as much about touching the ball. If he can be a full time FB and be back at home maybe that's more appealing to him. I would have stayed in SD myself

 

[drfeelgood]

link

Free agent running back Mike Tolbert signed a 4-year contract with the Panthers on Monday, joining a crowded backfield that featured DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart the past four seasons.

Tolbert, a 5-foot-9, 243-pounder, was San Diego’s leading rusher in 2010 when he ran for 735 yards and 11 touchdowns. But the Panthers say they plan to use him as a fullback and have no intention of trading Stewart, who is entering the final year of his contract, or Williams, who signed a 5-year, $43 million extension last summer.

Joel Turner, Tolbert’s agent, said Tolbert’s deal includes an option bonus for the final two years of the contract that must be exercised next year. The inclusion of the option clause gives the Panthers insurance in the event they are unable to re-sign Stewart next year. A league source said Tolbert’s deal is worth $10 million, with a $2 million signing bonus and a $1.5 million bonus for the aforementioned option. Tolbert will have base salaries of $700,000 this year and $1 million in 2013.

If the Panthers exercise the option, Tolbert’s base will jump to $2.3 million in 2014 and $2.4 million in 2015. He also will receive a $25,000 bonus each year he participates in the offseason program.

Turner said Tolbert turned down an offer from San Diego that was $1.1 million more lucrative than his deal with the Panthers. Tolbert, 26, grew up outside of Atlanta and was an undrafted free agent in 2008 after finishing at Coastal Carolina.

“For Mike, it’s a better fit,” Turner said. “He’s jacked. Even though technically Georgia’s home, the first thing he said is he’s coming home.”

Tolbert, who had a lot of short-yardage and goal-line carries in San Diego, led the Chargers with eight rushing touchdowns in 2011. But he also blocked for 1,000-yard rusher Ryan Mathews, and tied for the team lead with 12 special teams tackles. The Panthers have made improving the special teams a focus this offseason. Their first three free agent acquisitions are proven special teams players.

“Mike is a very versatile player who can do a lot of different things for us,” Panthers general manager Marty Hurney said in a release. “He plays fullback, catches the ball well out of the backfield, plays running back, and is an outstanding special teams player. It was a good fit and gives us a chance to add another weapon on offense. We are excited about bringing him back to the Carolinas.”

Tolbert has 109 career receptions for 1,012 yards and six touchdowns. He played in 59 regular-season games in four seasons in San Diego, with 15 starts. But he hasn’t started more than four games since his rookie season, and Turner said he would not have a problem sharing carries with Williams and Stewart.

“Mike’s not a ‘me’ guy. He’s a ‘we’ guy. He wants to win,” Turner said. “He wants to do whatever it takes to help his team win. And his goal in coming here is nothing short of the Super Bowl.”

 

[SWC]

i bet that 8 all you can eat country buffays in the greater coastal us region just hired extra wait staff and are predicting that mike the human wrecking ball withou the chain tolbert will eat there a lot and will then gain 10 to 15 pounds and just run through guys every time he gts the rock straight ot the end zone unless some brohan is near the sidelnies with a steak in which case he will make a brief detour to eat that steak

 

[Two Deep]

Unless they cut Newtons legs off at the knees, Williams,Stewart and Tolbert will be sucking hind titty.

 

[matttyl]

Lets just assume for a second that all of Cam, D Will, J Stew, and Tolbert will be Carolina Panthers for the entire 2012 season (which as of now looks to be the case).

What would you think the totals for those 4 would be in the following categories?

Total rushing yards -

Total rushing TDs -

Total # of recpetions -

Total receiving yards -

Total receiving TDs -

Keep in mind that last year Carolina was #1 in the league in YPC and in rushing TDs.....but only 14th in rushing attempts. Signing Tolbert could show that they hope to be top 10 or maybe top 5 in rushing attempts...

My guesses - 2,700; 30; 105; 1,000; 6.

 

[stratocatter]

Sure hope so As the last man on earth still holding Mike Goodson I feel it may be time to cut him. :(

Fox drafted him, liked him as far as I know, is in Denver, needs RB help.

 

[Touchdown There]

This effectively removes fantasy value from every RB in Carolina. The dreaded "3-headed monster".

 

[Kenny Powers]

This effectively removes fantasy value from every RB in Carolina. The dreaded "3-headed monster".

I wouldnt touch DWill, Stewart, or Tolbert with my 10 foot pole

 

[Kenny Powers]

per Kevin Acee, Chargers beat writer:Mike Tolbert got $2.7 million guaranteed from Panthers. The $8.4 million total possible value was abt $1 million less than Chargers offered.

wow thats incredibly cheap.Tolbert is an above average back

That other post in here says 4yrs/$10, but either way, DIRT CHEAP for Tolbert.Kind of angry the Steelers didnt make him an offer now.

 

[Kenny Powers]

he's more of a fullback. Brinkley didn't turn any heads last year - I bet they get someone else.

What in the 2 games he played? I thought it is pretty widely known that he did look good in his limited looks, no? He looks like he had a lot of versatility/speed to do a lot of things for that team if needed.At first glance it seems like Tolbert takes a little hit with Cam using himself at the GL and rushing a lot, but then again JStew and DWill can't really stay that healthy over a full season anyways. Also- perhaps this is good for Goodson. Maybe they do keep JStew and cut or ship Goodson out to a better home.

This is horrible for Tolbert. He now has two RBs ahead of him and both are better than him. If they trade one of those two guys, he is still worse off because he will be a backup/change of pace guy to the one who is left AND he has to content with CAM vulturing the TD role as you say. How is that better than SD where he only had Matthews to compete with and a QB who didn't run?

Its more money for him. I guess that is how it is better.Lost in all of this, I think this is an indicator that Cam won't be used at the goal line as much. Maybe as a thought by the organization that they don't want their franchise QB taking THAT many hits.

The other point is that CAR clearly wanted him, so it's not likely that he'll be a spare part. His value is still there, the CAR backfield is still in flux with his addition.

Just like how CAR clearly wanted DWill last year and gave him 5yrs/$43M and really showed it by giving him all those carries last year

 

[Hendo]

As a Jonathan Stewart owner this makes me VERY VERY happy! This either puts Stewart on the block or engraves his decision to walk next year(hopefully to Atlanta as Turners replacement).... thank you Tolbert for raising the value of Mathews and finally giving me some light at the end of the tunnel on Stewart. Stewart has talent on par with the top 5 guys at RB and should not be wasted like this at all.