Free Agent Talk - Chase Blackburn

[Jeremy Igo]

Chase Blackburn

 

Blackburn is a WLB and occasional plays SLB. Also a solid special teams contributor.

 

Age: 31

 

2014 Salary: 1,050,000

 

Overall PFF Grade: -1.3

 

Blackburn is a vocal player and well liked on the Panthers squad. He was placed on IR on October 28.

 

The Panthers have two very capable younger players in AJ Klein and Adarius Glanton on the roster under rookie contracts. Both Klein and Glanton gained experience this season and performed well. Also, the WLB position took a diminished role in 2014 as a nickel or buffalo package was used extensively.

 

Prognosis:

 

While I like Chase and feel he is still a NFL caliber player, the Panthers have two less expensive options already on the roster. AJ Klein and Adarius Glanton both proved capable of playing at a high level. Blackburns's one million dollar salary could be spent elsewhere in areas of need. I do not feel Blackburn will be extended an offer by the Panthers.

[mbarbour21]

Agreed. Will miss him on ST, but don't think paying him a mil for that makes since. Lol!

[Zaximus]

Blackburn can play MLB right, if unfortunately something happened to Luke?

 

I think that's his real value.  I don't think he should be a starter now but if he's willing to be a backup for backup money than I wouldn't mind it.  If we can find a better backup for Luke though that makes more sense, then I'd let him go.

[Jeremy Igo]

Blackburn can play MLB right, if unfortunately something happened to Luke?

 

Yes, but so can AJ. AJ played some MLB in Green Bay when Luke was ejected and did very well, was a bright spot.

[chknwing]

I think we are well covered at the position with Glanton coming into his own.

[*FreeFua*]

Talking about Chase Blackburn lol...

FreeGlanton!

Is it the draft yet?

[TheAmericanDream]

Klein can take his spot. Also need to draft a linebacker in the later rounds of the draft.

[Jon Snow]

Like the dude but unfortunately he is expendable with the development of Klein and the addition of Glanton. Special Teams may take a hit but it's already bad so it's not a huge factor at the moment.

[London Loves Luke]

Make the decision between Glanton and Blackburn this off-season. To me Glanton needs to size up a fair amount as he did get pushed around against Seattle. At the end of the day we don't need 6 LBs in the 53 when we run Nickel packages 40% of the time. If Glanton can bulk up in the offseason and continue to learn from TD and Luke he should get his opportunity. 

[TheRumGone]

From what I saw glanton was pretty good on special teams. Made some great tackles and looked explosive

[PantherPhann89]

I like Blackburn but I've never thought that he had the speed needed to be a proactive LB but he has done well because of his football IQ. However, Klein and Glanton has performed well and I don't think that we've been hurt by Blackburn's absence from the field...

 

[Frank Hollywood]

I dunno.

Special teams contributor and great depth. If it's a mil or less I'm all for resigning him

[SteveSmithGaveMeAShiner]

One thing to keep in mind is this: TD will be 32 next year and he still has three ACL reconstructions in his medical history. Dude has been All-Pro caliber as a 4-3 OLB the past two years, but time is a fickle mistress and I would want to have some reliable options on the roster in case something were to go wrong with TD and/or Luke. I'd want one more reliable option on the depth chart with Glanton and Klein.

[TheWiz]

Blackburn can play MLB right, if unfortunately something happened to Luke?

 

I think that's his real value.  I don't think he should be a starter now but if he's willing to be a backup for backup money than I wouldn't mind it.  If we can find a better backup for Luke though that makes more sense, then I'd let him go.

 

Now why you gotta go and say something like that man? Don't even SPEAK of it!