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!

     

Will the Panthers still pursue Victor Cruz in free agency?

Byrdman4real

By Byrdman4real,
in Carolina Panthers

Recommended Posts

Byrdman4real Mentor

Byrdman4real

Posted
Posted

http://car.247sports.com/Bolt/Will-the-Panthers-still-pursue-Victor-Cruz-in-free-agency-51769174

The Carolina Panthers have already made a bevy of moves this offseason, but they might not be done yet.

Despite the top-tier free agents having been scooped up and signed teams across the NFL, the Panthers could still have their eye on another upgrade or two, including a visitor they brought in even before free agency officially began.

Former All-Pro receiver and 30-year-old Victor Cruz remains a free agent, and a quiet one at that. Outside of visiting Charlotte shortly after he was cut as a cap casualty by the Giants earlier this offseason, there's been little to no news on Cruz's standing across the NFL.

Both Cruz and Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman indicated the wide receiver's visit to Bank of America Stadium went "fine," though there hasn't been any news since, and Carolina has since had major turnover at the receiver position.

Veteran Ted Ginn Jr. has joined the Saints, while Corey Brown is now with the Bills. Carolina replaced them with Russell Shepard and Charles Johnson, two wide outs who don't have quite as much of a pedigree or experience, but will likely have more upside than Ginn and Brown. But still, when looking at the rest of the roster, the Panthers have no receivers above the age of 28 (Johnson). Kelvin Benjamin is 26, and Devin Funchess is 22.

Cruz, who will be 31 by the end of next season, isn't the player he once was, but the Panthers could use his veteran expertise to help lead the pack and guide the younger receivers to new heights.

The real issue with Cruz, however, is making his potential fit work with the cap. Carolina exhausted much of its offseason funds shoring up the trenches, adding Matt Kalil and bringing in Julius Peppers along with re-signing defensive ends Mario Addison and Charles Johnson. Most reports indicate the Panthers still have anywhere from $12-15 million left to spend, though they must leave some of that unused for the draft and other potential moves down the line.

If Carolina could get Cruz to agree to an incentive-laden contract in the $3-5 million range annually, it may be able to bring him in. If Cruz continues to hold out for a bigger offer, it could be tough for the Panthers to squeeze him in.

After two injury-plagued years in 2014 and 2015, Cruz had 39 receptions for 586 yards and a touchdown for New York last season.

Should Cruz still be signed for his vet. experience?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Khyber53 Grand Master

Khyber53

Posted
Posted

What, exactly does Cruz get us for the money and roster space?

He doesn't have the speed anymore. He has injuries and he's getting older by the day.

We don't need another on-field coach type of player. What we need is either one helluva fast receiver with good hands, or someone brave and sturdy enough to play slot receiver and take the risky routes through the center of the field.

Cruz isn't really either of those types. Our new pick ups might well be, and if not, there are a slew of them in the draft.

Had he been coming out of the Giants with plenty of tread on his tires and a good season just waiting to happen, Gettleman's connections would have let him know. And we haven't heard a sniff out of Gettleman so far on this. I'm thinking he's been told to let Cruz go elsewhere in the market. Just like Nicks in the years before.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Jeremy Igo Newbie

Jeremy Igo

Posted
Posted

Cruz is making a calculated decision. The Panthers would have liked him at a modest price tag, but he is hopeful another team will be interested or in enough need to pay him more this season. Can't blame him. 

The only way he lands in Carolina is if there is no other team out there willing to pay him a little more, which is unlikely. We will know after the draft and possibly into training camp as injuries around the league happen. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

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

Go to topic listing

  • PMH4OWPW7JD2TDGWZKTOYL2T3E.jpg

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • strato
      The running back situation....

      By strato · Posted

      okay I found this and it sounds like my hopes for the first surgery being not such a great job seems like it could be actual reality.  I only hoped because that would give a better chance for recovery and ia a possible scenario so I just thought it could be possible. Had no real evidence of it. But I’ll be damned.    This is a detailed report of Brooks’ surgery and the condition of his knee after the failed repair.     https://x.com/jmthrivept/status/2055743129408704806?s= Sparked by some very good questions by @CoachspeakIndex, here’s some info on Jonathon Brooks: 1. Speculation that the first graft/ACLR by Dr. Cooper didn’t “take” or at least was too lax, leading to failure and re-tear. Brooks dealt with issues cutting, progressing in his rehab into the early stages of 2024 and then re-tore it late 2024, requiring a second ACLR in January 2025 (essentially revision). Notably, CAR prolonged Brooks’ rehab process through Sept-Oct due to issues progressing into the next stages of rehab. 2. Second surgery performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who has extensive experience with revisions. He did a double bundle technique, harvesting graft from Brooks’ left patellar tendon and a strip of his right IT Band (his right patellar tendon had been utilized for the prior graft in 2023. The double bundle technique significantly increases rotational stability of the knee, leading to a stronger and more secure graft/reconstruction. Also to note, Brooks’ surgery wasn’t significantly delayed, meaning that the tunnels from his prior ACLR were in good shape and they didn’t need to perform bone grafts to fill in (would have delayed 2nd surgery by 5-6 months). Essentially, reading the tea leaves tells me that everything else except for the graft itself was still in good quality within his knee. Good sign for future.  3. Typically, you see a performance increase anywhere from 16-20 months post-revision. Brooks will be ~21 months out from his second surgery by the time Week 1 hits. His knee should be more stable and stronger this time around, with adequate time for healing and return to all movement patterns. I’m not viewing this situation as a typical “Player __ had TWO ACL tears, he’s cooked” situation. Rather, I’m viewing it as the first procedure failed, but the second procedure is significantly stronger and should allow him to return to form this time around. I don’t know why it posted as a link but there it is.  
    • Captain Morgan
      OTA's

      By Captain Morgan · Posted

      Jackie, any more reps tomorrow, or is that it for this session?  thanks for the work
    • WUnderhill
      Myles Garrett Traded to Rams

      By WUnderhill · Posted

      How can you say they aren’t trying to win now with all the moves made in free agency? Or is trading first round picks the only way to be win now? I’d be fine never trading another first round pick again, win now be damned.
×
×
  • Create New...