London Loves Luke

So far we've seen all of the FA/draft focus on OT and WR, there's no doubting these are our #1 and #2 needs this off season. Well for the football purists out there, LLL is here to bring you a mini series of our other priorities. With some cutting edge analysis and stolen salary cap information, I will be attempting to provide the insight that Bleacher Report just won't give you. Onto cornerbacks... 1. On the roster: There is no doubting that we have a ridiculously cheap and young cornerback group, with an average age of 24.5 and a total salary cap going into 2015 of $3m across 6 players. Norman (27) and Benwikere (23) have shown starting caliber and will no doubt be starting next year. The main question for these guys is Norman's contract going into 2016 and whether Bene starts in the slot next year. Norman will be looking for a longer term extension, and the team will have to weigh up his potential from his 2014 performances vs his less than stellar 2013. A few things going in Gman's favor in the contract negotiations will be Norman's interest in playing for Carolina and the fact he has only had 2 seasons as a starter so far. Still, Norman will be looking for a long term extension, and if he continues to produce like he did in 2014, he could demand serious T2 money. Depending on his consistency next year, he could be looking at a 3-4 year, $5-7m average. Beyond these two we have: Melvin White (24) - plays the run well, but doesn't have the speed and hasn't yet shown the competitor mentality to be a true outside coverage corner James Dockery (26) - Has had a few games but never really stood out in coverage Carrington Byndom (22) - Very young and has the speed and length to be a decent coverage corner, but doesn't play with enough strength and is not great against the run De'Andre Presley (25) - The great QB/WR/CB experiment Louis Young (23) - New Future contract signing If Bene does move to the slot, then there's no doubt we'll need to sign another proven outside corner to play opposite Norman. I'm a big believer in letting players play in their most comfortable positions, and while Colin Jones did ok at slot CB when called upon, I think he was a liabiity in zone when he had to rely more on his positioning and less on his speed to match a receiver. 2. Draft: Will be updated post combine. At the moment, there are few stand out corners in this draft, but this doesn't mean there aren't serviceable starters in rounds 2-4. The best prospects with the size and speed to play outside contain Trae Waynes, Kevin Johnson, Eric Rowe and Ifo-Ekpre Olomu. While most of these guys carry a early second to third round grade, there are some guys with off the field question marks that could be considered for later rounds. 3. Free Agency The CB free agent pool this year in my view is second in depth only to the WR group, but the drop off in talent after the top 10 is pretty steep. This might mean GMan takes an experimental, short term approach to CB FAs for 2015, as a stop gap for an incoming rookie. Chris Culliver is the only viable option to me from the top 10 prospects. After his injury in 2013, he came back in 2014 and was used by SF to cover opposing number 1s like Larry Fitzgerald and improved as the year went on. Its likely that he'll have a lot of teams looking at him if SF decide not to keep both him and Cox on for 2015, but he would be an absolute steal for a long term $4-5m a year contract given his age and the fact he's coming off that 2013 injury. But, given what we know about Norman's potential extension, and the fact we spent a total of $600k on CB last FA, I'm not sure Gman will look to spend big this off season on someone like Culliver. Walter Thurmond is another player coming off injury for the Giants. He's not played a huge amount of games throughout his career and could see himself not getting many more games at the Giants behind Prince and Rodgers-Cromartie. With his contract currently at $3m, he'd probably be looking at a pay cut and may be tempted by more play time. Plays physical and has decent experience, so maybe a look to start. Sterling Moore is a young guy at Dallas who showed a lot of potential and played with fire and good attitude when he got his opportunity to start last year. He would be a gamble, but has proven he can play at the level and could probably be had for a relatively small (~$2m) contract if he gets game time. Would definitely be worth a look if we don't want to draft CB higher than round 5. Other guys to be considered as cheap 1-2 year fill ins: Zach Bowman (NY) - didn't have a great year last year but good experience and Brandon Harris (TEN)- former 2nd rounder for the Titans

Ouch, looks like Tannehill's getting burnt down in Miami.

Don't normally agree with you but this is a good post. This offseason is not a one or other situation. Last thing Gettleman wants is negotiating a contract next off season with all the pressure of Cam potentially facing free agency. Think that's what this article is suggesting.

Pretty sure if you treated any woman like that she'd have a right to go a bit mental. From the sounds of it Walker messed her about bad.

Situation is grim, but that first comment is pure genius: Walker, Ex's Anger.

The thing with Cam is JR seemed a little suspicious of him when he joined with the whole tattoo stuff and I haven't really seen much sign of them bonding the way JR drives CJ around on the golf cart in training and stuff. Cam still has that element of young, bubbly behaviour in him. Compare his personality to CJ and TD and you might realise which type of personality JR prefers to hang with.

It's not like these guys got in the car and went over to Jerrys house together. These "discussions" are most probably chats at charity events, golf course or promo events. Greg Olsen was helped out by JR a lot this year with TJ so I imagine this helps with their relationship. Dwill and JR have always been close since his contract renewal, as have TD and CJ

So you don't like Cam because he's a mediocre QB, but Munnerlyn is your boy?

Thats the bit I don't get. I think the league said all the current cases would be judged against the new policy, but now that the trial is complete and acquitted, why are they still digging to try and force the suspension?

The new rule that was brought in last year for athletes facing criminal cases states: 1) players will be put on the commissioner's exempt list until their case was settled 2) NFL would then base its punishment on conclusion of the case 3) players involved in DV would face a 6 game ban http://edition.cnn.com/2014/12/10/us/nfl-conduct/

Loving the memories from last off-season, trying to get a breakdown of every catch made by Tiquan Underwood, Marcus Lucas and Brenton Bersin.

I know it may not feel like it right now but you'll get through this man. There are plenty more message boards out there that need moderating, just keep your head up and never let go of your dream slugger!!!

Now that it's over you do have to admire how one fake tweet caused so much craziness.

I'll pie you bcos you're playing this so cool.

I'm throwing my vote in for Teeray. He's amusing.

It used to be, not so much anymore.

Depends if they were running on time or not #Lategate

Damn... I was hoping "Mods" was short for models. CH Models, Inc. has a ring to it

This is why we need negrep back.

This: And I normally get notifications when Rappoport or the NFL tweets about the Panthers.

Dude at some point you just have to admit that the 7am wake and bake is messing with your head.

Well he did get one hell of a reaction.

So which one you is Daniel Brown?

Oh my god can people not read, RAPPOPORT DID NOT TWEET IT. It was a photoshopped image!

Guys Rappoport did not tweet it, he said it himself. If you saw it on your news feed, its because Jeremy tweeted a picture from the Carolina Huddle twitter with @Rapsheet mentioned.