Jump to content
  • Welcome!

    Register and log in easily with Twitter or Google accounts!

    Or simply create a new Huddle account. 

    Members receive fewer ads , access our dark theme, and the ability to join the discussion!

     

The teams that "won Free Agency" are a combined 1-5.


PanthersUnited

Recommended Posts

I don't care about necessarily making a big FA "splash". I only want us going after players that we need or can contribute immediately, in some role. Even if that is just solid depth. However, I don't want that depth signing to be a guy we got on the cheap for the sake of him being cheap. As long as he is the highest quality backup that we can afford and fits our system the best, I'm good. I'll take signing no name FAs and having them give us good field time, if/when they do get in over making big moves and suffering from not addressing areas we need (since you don't draft for need).

 

Off topic, but I swear PU has to be a SCP alt or a Jeremy alt.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Look at the last 4 SB winners all of them had at least one big name they acquired through free agency or a trade

But yeah keep that "we only build through the draft" mindset

I know that Seattle got Harvin, but since he didn't play much in their SB season, not sure he counts.  Who else did they get?  Maybe Lynch? 

 

Fwiw, we haven't had the cap space to be a big free agent player yet, but we might this season. 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Look at the last 4 SB winners all of them had at least one big name they acquired through free agency or a trade

But yeah keep that "we only build through the draft" mindset

And what did they do in the years prior? Built through the draft, retained their own core players, and got themselves in good cap shape to make said moves. Sounds like a plan similar to Gettleman's, no? 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This thread has turned into a much more solid discussion than I anticipated. Props to @PanthersUnited. My apologies. @KB_fan has a current thread going about rookies that ties into this.

I also think the parity created by the salary cap is an influencer in this as well. For decades bottom dwelling teams stayed bottom dwelling teams. The salary cap allowed every team to have a chance (relatively) every year.

This reinforces the idea among fans and some Front Offices that the team may only be one or two pieces away. Since teams are now more often less dominant an impact player here or there can have much more of an impact. 

Put Reggie White on the 1976 Bucs and they will still lose. Put him on the 2015 Packers (hell on any team in 2015)? Much more of an impact because the rest of the teams talent level are much more similar in 2015.

Carry that through to fan expectations and you have a real desire to see that one move that could positively impact the team. But, alas, the White Whale that is Reggie White is just as rare today as he was then. This fans and teams are generally disappointed with FAs when they don't meet their perhaps unrealistic expectations.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was just reading the CBS Free Agency grades for the past off season.  Only Green Bay got an A.  Indy got a C- while Philly got a C.  Seems about right so far. 

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/writer/pete-prisco/25110262/nfl-free-agency-grades-32-grades-for-32-teams-but-only-one-a

IMO, free agents sometimes need a little while to acclimate to a new team.  So it might be a little early to write some of them off.  

oh man this post is going to jimmy russel some folks

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I don't think anyone wanted to spend a ton, but signing someone like Stevie Johnson or along those lines would have been genius right now.  Instead, we have this WR core.   We had 2 holes, WR and OL, and there wasn't much OL, but there was definitely some WRs to be had, and not break the banks like Torrey Smith.  

I seen like a handful of WRs scoring TDs on their new teams Sunday.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I don't think anyone wanted to spend a ton, but signing someone like Stevie Johnson or along those lines would have been genius right now.  Instead, we have this WR core.   We had 2 holes, WR and OL, and there wasn't much OL, but there was definitely some WRs to be had, and not break the banks like Torrey Smith.  

I seen like a handful of WRs scoring TDs on their new teams Sunday.

Agreed.  Would have loved Stevie Johnson at the $3MM or so that he got.  Wouldn't have minded Cecil Shorts either or possibly Eddie Royal ($5MM is a bit steep), but everyone else was way too expensive for this offense.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I don't think anyone wanted to spend a ton, but signing someone like Stevie Johnson or along those lines would have been genius right now.  Instead, we have this WR core.   We had 2 holes, WR and OL, and there wasn't much OL, but there was definitely some WRs to be had, and not break the banks like Torrey Smith.  

I seen like a handful of WRs scoring TDs on their new teams Sunday.

Have you considered that maybe Stevie didn't want to play here?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.


  • PMH4OWPW7JD2TDGWZKTOYL2T3E.jpg

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • I’ve haven’t seen anything that says we have interest in Njoku?
    • I think the Njoku interest revealed intent and the type of TE they want.  I really expected more from Sanders.
    • Defensive tackle (or end in a 3-4 base) is suddenly a rather significant need.  It seems to be a forbidden topic on the Huddle.  Well I am going to unforbidden it for this thread. When we lost Robinson, it was a salary cap cutting move, saving us about $9m or so, I think.  That suggests that we are going to get cheaper, younger, and maybe, more multi-dimensional.  First, what did we lose in Robinson: (Charlotte Observer)  "Robinson co-led the team in sacks (5.5) in 2024, and he ranked second among Carolina linemen, behind Brown, in sacks (2.5) in 2025. (Derrick) Brown played on 76.4% of the Panthers’ defensive snaps last year, while Robinson played on 62.2% of those reps. No other defensive lineman played more than 38.3%, as free-agent addition, Turk Wharton, dealt with injuries throughout his first season in Carolina. Wharton played in just nine games, producing 36 total tackles and two sacks. He’s guaranteed $14 million this upcoming season. Read more at: https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/carolina-panthers/article314544998.html#storylink=cpy OK, about Turk Wharton.  The Observer claims that he and Bobby Brown III were to rotate into the Robinson DE position, but that is too weird for my head to comprehend.  First, Brown III is a NT by trade and Wharton weighs about 280 lbs and is not stout vs. the run.  Brown III is not going to provide the internal pass pressure; he is basically designed to take on double teams and dig in.  Wharton, on the other hand, had a PFF score in those 9 games of 40 or so.  In fairness, he was playing with injuries, but Damn.  PFF gives me a higher rating at the Golden Corral buffet.  In other words, we need a true DT who can fill the two thirds of snaps that we just released.  We can't count on Turk and Brown III is not the answer.  Cam Jackson?  Same as Brown.  Have your people do what they do best.  Furthermore, Derrick Brown probably should limit his snaps.  Playing more than 3/4 of the snaps is hard on the body.  A tired player in the trenches is more prone to lower-body injuries. We need a player who can give Derrick Brown some relief and play opposite him as well.  Turk can rotate in but he needs to shoot gaps and give Guards and tackles fits--a change of pace.   I have to think we are going to draft DT much sooner than most Huddlers realize.  My favorite, you didn't ask? Probable second-rounder Gracen Halton (No. 59 overall, according to ESPN's March 2026 update). Once considered a Day 3 sleeper, his 2026 NFL draft stock has exploded into Round 2 or 3 due to elite interior pass-rush metrics.  Projected Round: 2 (Early to Mid) Key Traits: Elite explosive, quickness, 12.2%+ pass-rush win rate, and positional versatility to play inside on passing downs. Combine Highlights: Led defensive tackles in the vertical jump (36.5”) and broad jump, per Sports Illustrated. Draft Stock: Rising fast due to consistent 2025 production (7 tackles for loss) and a "freak show" combine performance, according to Stormin in Norman.  Halton is considered a high-motor playmaker and a potential Day 2 standout, notes   I would not be surprised to see DT on day 2.  
×
×
  • Create New...