Tau837
Footballguy
From The (Rock Hill, S.C.) Herald (LINK):
Panthers need tweak
Carolina's offseason to-do list includes options
By making a Super Bowl and an NFC Championship Game in the past three years, the Carolina Panthers have established themselves as a consistent contenders in the NFL.
To stay there and take the next step, the team will need to fill in several blanks during the offseason.
The Panthers have 12 unrestricted free agents, and would like to ink several of them before the signing period begins on March 3. But Carolina's needs go beyond what they can address by simply re-signing players.
Here is a position-by-position look at who the Panthers have coming back in 2006 and how the team can shore up its weak spots:
QUARTERBACK
UNDER CONTRACT: Jake Delhomme, Stefan LeFors
THE SITUATION: Delhomme is set, but LeFors probably isn't ready to be the primary backup. He did show savvy during preseason games last year, however. The Panthers want Chris Weinke back if he is willing to return. He may be ready to move on, however.
RUNNING BACK
UNDER CONTRACT: Nick Goings, Brad Hoover, Stephen Davis, Eric Shelton, Jamal Robertson, Rod Smart
THE SITUATION: Davis will almost certainly be released or have his contract restructured. Do not discount DeShaun Foster returning, the signing of a mid-priced free agent or a draft pick here. They found out the hard way what happens when you run out of running backs.
The smart bet would be to give Foster an incentive-laden contract that would allow him to become a free agent again in a few years.
WIDE RECEIVER
UNDER CONTRACT: Steve Smith, Keary Colbert, Drew Carter, Karl Hankton
THE SITUATION: Colbert still has fans/apologists in the organization despite a dismal season. Carter earned more time as the season progressed and could be a better option as the starter opposite Smith. Veteran Ricky Proehl left the door open for a return, but the Panthers might be better served with an upgrade at this position.
Seattle struck gold this year with Joe Jurevicius, and he's out there again, along with a load of middle-of-the-road starters.
TIGHT END
UNDER CONTRACT: Kris Mangum, Michael Gaines
THE SITUATION: Remember two years ago? One of the team's first post-Super Bowl moves was to offer a contract to TE Brandon Manumaleuna. He's still under contract with the Rams, at a number St. Louis may be tired of paying. If he becomes available, he could be the big-bodied guy Carolina wants.
OFFENSIVE LINE
UNDER CONTRACT: Travelle Wharton, Mike Wahle, Geoff Hangartner, Evan Mathis, Jordan Gross, Dave Kadela, Brandon Winey
THE SITUATION: The line did not play bad enough to suggest a massive overhaul, but some work is needed. The Panthers need to beef themselves up in the middle. They would be wise to spend some money and land a big-ticket free agent like New Orleans center LeCharles Bentley or Seattle guard Steve Hutchinson.
DEFENSIVE END
UNDER CONTRACT: Julius Peppers, Mike Rucker, Al Wallace, Jovan Haye, Khaleed Vaughn
THE SITUATION: Carolina has a decision to make on free agent backup/special teamer Kemp Rasmussen. Other than that, the team is set here. They have established starters, a productive veteran backup and a young pass-rusher.
DEFENSIVE TACKLE
UNDER CONTRACT: Kris Jenkins, Brentson Buckner, Lorenzo Alexander
THE SITUATION: This is probably the biggest priority of the offseason. Watching Seattle (and Dallas) run through the middle of the defense illustrates how much the injured Jenkins was missed. Replacement Jordan Carstens will probably be back (he's an exclusive rights free agent), but they need another starting-caliber player. The best place to find one would be with their first-round pick, even if they have to move up.
LINEBACKER
UNDER CONTRACT: Dan Morgan, Brandon Short, Thomas Davis, Chris Draft, Adam Seward, Corey Jenkins
THE SITUATION: As good as it would be to bring unrestricted free agent Will Witherspoon back, this unit would not be crippled without him. A starting lineup of Davis, Morgan and Short is not be too shabby. Versatile Draft is back for another year of fill-in duty, and Seward may be the sleeper of the group.
CORNERBACK
UNDER CONTRACT: Ken Lucas, Chris Gamble, Garnell Wilds
THE SITUATION: An interesting decision looms regarding restricted free agent Ricky Manning Jr. If the nickel back is offered a low tender (probably around $700,000), another team could make a play for him at the cost of a third-round pick. A replacement for Manning could come through the draft or an inexpensive veteran.
SAFETY
UNDER CONTRACT: Mike Minter
THE SITUATION: The Panthers probably will try to make a deal with Marlon McCree before March. Former starter Colin Branch is restricted and would return as the backup if McCree is brought back.
SPECIAL TEAMS
UNDER CONTRACT: John Kasay, Jason Kyle
THE SITUATION: Punter Jason Baker, the crown jewel of the Todd Sauerbrun trade last year, nearly made the Pro Bowl. That could put him in line for a nice payday as an unrestricted free agent.
But as with the safety position, his ascension also proves you can find someone without breaking the bank. Given the emphasis the Panthers put on keeping good coverage players, most decent punters would flourish here and have good net averages.
Several of the aforementioned key components to the special teams are also free agents (Wesley, Rasmussen), and Rod Smart could easily become a cap-savings victim. Do not expect Carolina to scrimp here, though. It's just not their style.
Last edited by a moderator:
