thennek

Signing K.Short to a long-term deal is more important than signing J. Norman to a long-term deal. Josh had 1 very good season.....but he also plays on a consistently top ranked defense, and with some of the best LB's in the game (Luke & Thomas). He should get paid, but what he is reportedly expecting to be paid ($14M per year!) is greatly over-valued for what the Panthers will pay for a CB. I hope they trade him, and collect draft picks. Other than Chris Gamble (who was arguably the best Panther CB of all time), the Panthers have historically only had 'average CB's' on some of their best teams. With the right front 7, the Panthers have proven that a 'shut-down corner' is a luxury, but not needed to win.

The Panthers definitely have a very 'seasoned' D-line now: Johnson 29, Allen 33, Edwards 34, and Cole 35.

I think Amini gets cut. He has been often injured, and when healthy has been ineffective.

The good news is that 3 of the 5 o-line positions should be better than last year at this time, and Kalil should be equal to last year at Center. Remmers and Williams (RT) were not even on the team last year at this time, and Chandler was the starting RT. Amini was the starting LG , and Norwell was not starting yet. And Turner was a rookie and not the starting RG yet. I'm not surprised that Oher does not look like an all-pro LT because he never was. He is a stop-gap until the Panthers can draft a legitimate LT. I think he will be better than Bell just from the fact that the rest of the o-line is better than 1 year ago.

What I saw out of Gettleman's quote: Remmers and Newell were just given a very big vote of confidence, and apparently they are the starting RT and LG going into training camp. Amini is not getting his job back at LG which means (with relief) they have finally figured out he is not really that good, and Newell is better. And that they think Remmers can start at RT.

I am a Panthers fan, and I want them to win whether Cam is the QB or not. Cam is the best Panthers QB ever, and I would love for him to stay a Panther, and sign a contract so the Panthers can continue to build the team. But, is it even possible to sign Cam to the kind of money he wants/deserves, and still be able to field a competitive team? And if not, why would Cam be willing to take less to stay a Panther? Bottom line is If Cam requires more money than the Panthers are willing to pay, than Cam will go somewhere else to finish his career. This a business decision, not a personal or emotional decision. The worst case scenario is Cam will be the Panthers QB for 2-more years. He is under contract for 2015, and they can franchise him in 2016.