Panthers changing their strategy for building a winner

[Mr. Scot]

Nice article by The Observer's Jonathan Alexander...

GM Scott Fitterer mentions that he's willing to talk to players and agents about their contracts at pretty much any time when it might be beneficial. Some GMs won't, but Fitterer apparently doesn't feel like it's too much of a distraction.

Both Fitterer and Rhule seem to want to concentrate more on keeping our own than going out and spending big in free agency. Hence the extensions for guys like Moton and Anderson.

On a related note, a recent discussion in The Athletic asked agents to talk about team officials. Fitterer was mentioned a couple of times as somebody agents believe they can trust; also as someone who knows what he's talking about when it comes to evaluating players.

For the curious, the least trusted GM was Philly's Howie Roseman. Agents felt like he'd lie to his own mother just for the heck of it.

[Craig Cartner]

This is a good thing as it will bring better free agents (better talent) looking to come to Carolina.

[davos]

Reassuring piece.  Seems like Fit is well balanced when it comes to football savviness and the financials which is great. 

Only real headscratcher by him was Elflein IMO but it's not an obscene contract or anything.  Hopeful for the continued building of the team around CMC, Burns, Brown, Moore, Horn & Co.

[OldhamA]

33 minutes ago, Mr. Scot said:

For the curious, the least trusted GM was Philly's Howie Roseman. Agents felt like he'd lie to his own mother just for the heck of it.

Coming from sports agents that's saying something.

[TheCasillas]

This article shuts down that other thread and it's negative nancys. 

[Snake]

I'm just happy we are retaining talent. Watching it walk out the door was infuriating.

[glenwo2]

6 minutes ago, TheCasillas said:

This article shuts down that other thread and it's negative nancys. 

Those negative nancys will probably deny they were serious.  lol

[Tbe]

It’ll be interesting to see what they do with Brown and Burns.

Burns could easily fetch 100+ mill. Brown could end up commanding a lot as well.

Thats a ton of D line money.

Horn and Chinn will be interesting too but that decision is 5 years out.

[1v0]

With Rhule and now Fitterer I get the feeling, that there is a long term plan in place, that is being pursuit. Which I really appreciate, obviously. With Hurnia it was more of a trial and error.

I feel like they want to build a team that can content first and then get the QB of the future.
In the best case on a Rookie deal, so it would be easy an the cap. Teddy was just a bridge QB and so could be Darnold, plus he has a pretty high upside.

I feel like we have a good core of players now and I really like the approach of keeping them with us. For anybody crying out because the Robbie extension would make it impossible to sign DJ: do you really think our decision makers are such fools? It is the opposite. Obviously they are trying to keep both. Moton got a new deal done. This is good stuff. Why have turmoil when you want stability?

I wonder why we wouldn't be better than last year. To be worse, Darnold would have to be a burning clown car, falling off a cliff. Our defense is better, some optimists say it might be top 10. Or offense is loaded as well, with depth and high caliber players. If Darnold fulfills his potential, that all the scouts s in him or offense might be top 10 too...

Our draft class seems to be one of the best in Panthers history. I know it's early for this statement and probably we could have done something a little different to maximize (LS comes to mind).

What I am getting to is: I have trust, that we are on the right track and are building a contender.

Sorry for the long read, and my blatant optimism, but I don't post often and wanted to share my feelings before the season starts.

I am excited and looking forward to Panthers football.

[Mr. Scot]

19 minutes ago, OldhamA said:

Coming from sports agents that's saying something.

This is true.

[onmyown]

54 minutes ago, Mr. Scot said:

Both Fitterer and Rhule seem to want to concentrate more on keeping our own than going out and spending big in free agency. 

Ehhhhhhh kind of tired of this song and dance yet again. Granted Hurney just said it and did the exact opposite in letting players walk. But he didn’t exactly sign FAs either since he overpaid the wrong players. Being skilled in FA is just as important as the draft.

I’d rather hear something like we’ll sign the best player no matter where they come from.

Edited August 25, 2021 by onmyown

[Jon Snow]

7 minutes ago, Tbe said:

It’ll be interesting to see what they do with Brown and Burns.

Burns could easily fetch 100+ mill. Brown could end up commanding a lot as well.

Thats a ton of D line money.

Horn and Chinn will be interesting too but that decision is 5 years out.

It depends on how they draft.  Draft well enough and they may not have to pay "everyone".   They have to choose wisely in that regard.   We need enough depth to allow for the possibility of having to let someone walk occasionally.   Something the past GM's didn't quite grasp.

[kungfoodude]

I think you could basically see that this seemed to be their plan(keeping our drafted guys and not spending wildly in free agency) with the moves we made in the offseason. I somewhat agree with that strategy, although if you need to make a move to get a critical position in a "win now" mode, I think you spend the money if it puts you over the top.

I am glad to hear that he is always open to talk about new deals. That alone makes us a more attractive spot for both our drafted guys and potential free agents.

[Mvp2014]

41 minutes ago, 1v0 said:

 

I wonder why we wouldn't be better than last year. To be worse, Darnold would have to be a burning clown car, falling off a cliff.

hahah