Walter grades every team's off-season so far

[Captain Morgan]

yeah I know it's Walter, but go to the link and read what he gave the Saints and Falcons.  Pretty funny, imo.

http://walterfootball.com/freeagents2016gradesteams.php

 Carolina Panthers: A 
Acquired: C Gino Gradkowski, DT Paul Soliai, CB Brandon Boykin, S Trenton Robinson. 

Lost: OT Nate Chandler, C Fernando Velasco, DT Dwan Edwards, CB Charles Tillman, P Brad Nortman. 

The Panthers really did just two things of significance this offseason. The first was re-signing Charles Johnson after they cut him to a dream, 1-year "prove it" deal. Retaining Johnson for just $3 million in 2016 was one of the best signings of free agency. The second was adding Paul Soliai to the roster for a good price. 

Carolina essentially proved that less can be more. They retained one of their better players for next-to-nothing and added quality depth, all without really losing anything. Even without considering that Kelvin Benjamin will be back next year, the Panthers definitely have improved themselves. 

March 28 update: The Panthers signed Brandon Boykin today to a 1-year deal. Assuming it's not for too much, it's yet another great move by the Carolina front office, as Boykin was one of the better players remaining on the market. I'm moving this up from an A- to an "A." 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[JawnyBlaze]

After the contract details were revealed, should be a A+++.

[dugbug]

Gettleman getting it done

[Datawire]

Holy Hell! I didn't know that.

Quote

The Falcons have a history overpaying sub-par free agents, and this season was no exception. That became evident when the Falcons gave Mohamed Sanu a $32.5 million contract over five years, which was just absurd. Sanu is a mere fourth receiver in an offense on a good day, yet he's being paid like a top-end No. 2. There's really no excuse for giving a pedestrian player that much money. Sanu either blackmailed the front office, or the decision-makers were drugged. Those are the only two explanations.

[Cary Kollins]

lol I forgot all about Soliai

 

This team is going to make heads roll next season.

[the butch]

He mentions CJ in the breakdown, but doesn't include him in the "Acquired" list.  Whatevs.  That's nitpicking because I usually hate everything he writes about us.  But yeah, we ain't done yet!

[CarolinaNCSU]

September needs to hurry the fug up. The hype for next year's team after free agency and another draft is going to be through the roof...can't wait to see them back it up. 

[TheSpecialJuan]

1 hour ago, Captain Morgan said:

yeah I know it's Walter, but go to the link and read what he gave the Saints and Falcons.  Pretty funny, imo.

http://walterfootball.com/freeagents2016gradesteams.php

 Carolina Panthers: A 
Acquired: C Gino Gradkowski, DT Paul Soliai, CB Brandon Boykin, S Trenton Robinson. 

Lost: OT Nate Chandler, C Fernando Velasco, DT Dwan Edwards, CB Charles Tillman, P Brad Nortman. 

The Panthers really did just two things of significance this offseason. The first was re-signing Charles Johnson after they cut him to a dream, 1-year "prove it" deal. Retaining Johnson for just $3 million in 2016 was one of the best signings of free agency. The second was adding Paul Soliai to the roster for a good price. 

Carolina essentially proved that less can be more. They retained one of their better players for next-to-nothing and added quality depth, all without really losing anything. Even without considering that Kelvin Benjamin will be back next year, the Panthers definitely have improved themselves. 

March 28 update: The Panthers signed Brandon Boykin today to a 1-year deal. Assuming it's not for too much, it's yet another great move by the Carolina front office, as Boykin was one of the better players remaining on the market. I'm moving this up from an A- to an "A." 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They retained one of their better players for next-to-nothing and added quality depth, all without really losing anything. Even without considering that Kelvin Benjamin will be back next year, the Panthers definitely have improved themselves.
 

Exactly.

 

[UKPanther94]

I'm not used to the media giving us credit for off season work, i was expecting hot takes upon hot takes of how we're going to regress and be a one season wonder and go from first to last etc etc

[KB_fan]

28 minutes ago, UKPanther94 said:

I'm not used to the media giving us credit for off season work, i was expecting hot takes upon hot takes of how we're going to regress and be a one season wonder and go from first to last etc etc

Exactly.  It seems some people are starting to believe in Gettleman & Rivera & co, as well as recognizing the depth across our roster.  There may be tons of Cam haters out there, and I expect Panthers hate to increase as we keep winning, BUT opposing coaches and serious analysts are routinely talking with respect.  They know what it takes to gameplan for us.  Those who are paying attention see clearly now what we are becoming... Gettleman's plan is becoming recognized & understood and appreciated.  GM of the year, coach of the year, league MVP, OPOY, 3 candidates (Luke, Josh, KK) in the running for DPOY....  It's a bit hard to trash us with those kinds of accolades pouring in unless there had been some kind of major turnover, which obviously there has not been.

[Hoenheim]

I still think getting Kelvin back is like having an additional 1st rounder since he didn't play last year.. he should even make things easier for all our other receivers getting open more often with DBs having to focus on KB.

I think the biggest questionmark is how Charles Johnson is going to perform this year. Yes already I know he was signed on a cheap deal whoop te do. I just hope he somehow finds a way to get back to his earlier days performance levels and not be a ghost on the field again next year given the panther's coaching staff love starting vet players even if they are under-performing.

I really want Dodd as the first round pick so we can have a pair of good young DEs. Sterling Shepard in the 2nd or get a vet receiver like Anquan Boldin so we have a WR who can catch 99% of the time. Get a decent CB in the 3rd and that would be great.

[Pejorative Miscreant]

I feel like heading down to the Burg and camping out.  Can't wait for things to ramp back up.  

[MHS831]

It is almost as if we can see the draft coming into focus by the moves NOT made.  There are obvious players to upgrade, but we need to keep our roster in place until after the draft.  

1. SS:  Trenton Robertson is a small coverage SS--a dime back maybe?  Good, functional depth.  I am not sure Marlowe will ever be more than special teams, and we know that is basically all Jones is.   Keep them all until you draft a solid SS who can start.  That is why we are loving some Su'a Craven.

2. TE:  Without a stud blocking FB, we need a #2 TE that can block and catch passes.  Dickson does neither.  However, it makes no sense to cut him now and waste $1m if we don't draft a better TE.  I think we will take one, but not Henry---I am thinking Vannett from Ohio State.  Simonson is still a solid #3.  If we draft a TE, expect Dickson to be cut, saving us about $1.2m in cap room.

3. CB:  Norman is as good as gone, and Bene is uproven (for the most part) and is injury prone.  We should never, ever be in a situation where we sign guys off the couch to play CB on a Super Bowl run.  Expect a CB in the draft if we do nothing more in free agency at CB.

4. DT:  We have 3 of the 4 DT spots filled; but there seems to be a lack of urgency in bringing in DTs.  Why?  The free agent market is bad right now, and the draft has the best DT crop in years.  a mid rounder would be a good value and probably all we need.  A 3 technique, to be exact.

Positions we might go after in the draft, but may not...

 

1.  DE:  I am not sure that CJ would not sign another one-year deal after this one, so the sense of urgency is not that severe.  I think Gettlemen wants to see what he has in Delaire/Cox/Miley in addition to Johnson, Ealy, and Addison.  Everyone seems certain that we go DE in the draft, but I am not sure that we do.  If so, it will be in the first or second round, imo.

 

[KB_fan]

Nice draft analysis @MHS831  I think you've about nailed it. 

If a good DE is available when we pick in round 1, I'm still assuming that we'll take one.   In the various mocks I've done, I just don't consistently see a decent DE available to us in later rounds unless we were to trade up or to reach.

With Ryan Kalil's contract ending next season, we could also take a C. There seem to be a few solid prospects who might be available in round 3.   I doubt we envision Gradkowski as anything more than backup.

Punter?  In one draft I did, the best punter in the draft, from Texas A&M, ended up as BPA on the board when we picked in round 5.  Given Nortman's departure, this could happen, though I more likely think we'll go for a UDFA punter, or maybe round 7 if Dave actually keeps our round 7 pick this year.

And I wouldn't be shocked with picking a RB or WR.  Especially since we mostly focused on D during free agency, maybe in the draft Dave will add some more offensive depth & talent.