Panthers Add DT Ed Johnson

[KillerKat]

I still think either Thomas or Kemo will be back.

Even with the other DT's on the roster, outside Kemo and Thomas, we do not have that Big Fat Guy. We need that Big Fat Guy...as evidenced to how bad our run defense was before Thomas...and how much it immediately improved after bringing him in.

Leonard is 325 and Tank is 306 but we know he has the ability to get bigger.

[Strong Arm]

I like this addition.... great run stuffing.

[zebrainz]

-Dropped to undrafted because of character/behavioral issues at Penn St, although Joe Paterno did recommend him fwiw

-cut in 2008 after marijuana possession, given 1 game suspension

-re-signed by Colts, cut in 2009 due to performance (Caldwell) and/or weight (Polian) issues

The guy can play, started 16 games in 2007. The Panthers usually don't overlook character issues unless the player is pretty talented (see Moose's guns/marijuiana possession charges). We're very heavy at UT (3-technique) and weak at NT (0-1 technique). It could be we're migrating toward the smaller/quicker d-line Meeks was known for in Indy. I hope not.

NT

Leonard

Kemoeatu

Thomas (probably won't be retained)

UT

Lewis

Tyler

Irvin

Landri

Hayden

Johnson

It's starting to look like the "throw bodies at it" approach is finally being used to find DTs, similar to the way we found a RG in Vincent.

[R0CKnR0LLA]

I think Kemo is done here regardless of this move, we owe him too much $ for the value he provides

Owe him too much? We can have him for 750K in 2010 if we don't pick up the option for future seasons.

[klumme]

Hollis Thomas isn't under contract.

Maybe we can trade him then:)

[CatMan72]

-Dropped to undrafted because of character/behavioral issues at Penn St, although Joe Paterno did recommend him fwiw

-cut in 2008 after marijuana possession, given 1 game suspension

-re-signed by Colts, cut in 2009 due to performance (Caldwell) and/or weight (Polian) issues

The guy can play, started 16 games in 2007. The Panthers usually don't overlook character issues unless the player is pretty talented (see Moose's guns/marijuiana possession charges). We're very heavy at UT (3-technique) and weak at NT (0-1 technique). It could be we're migrating toward the smaller/quicker d-line Meeks was known for in Indy. I hope not.

NT

Leonard

Kemoeatu

Thomas (probably won't be retained)

UT

Lewis

Tyler

Irvin

Landri

Hayden

Johnson

It's starting to look like the "throw bodies at it" approach is finally being used to find DTs, similar to the way we found a RG in Vincent.

I think the writing is on the wall that we're migrating to a smaller defensive line based on Meeks scheme. If Peppers goes and we don't retain Kemo, we will have a d-line very similar in stature to the Indy d-line when Meeks was there. Will be interesting to see how this plays out...

[CatMan72]

Owe him too much? We can have him for 750K in 2010 if we don't pick up the option for future seasons.

It was my understanding that we owed him somewhere in the neighborhood of 7.5 mill if he was still on our roster as of 3/5?

[R0CKnR0LLA]

The Panthers have “extended” other players under such apparent terms. For instance, defensive tackles Damione Lewis and Maake Kemoeatu are technically under contract through 2014.

However, that's contingent on $9.3 million option payments this spring. When they don't make those payments, the deals will revert to their original length, carrying them through 2010.

Bonuses are optional, though both Lewis and Kemo won't be under contract after 2010 if we don't pay them. But we can have Kemo in 2010 for 750K and Lewis in 2010 for 755K assuming we don't pay either bonus.

[CatMan72]

Bonuses are optional, though both Lewis and Kemo won't be under contract after 2010 if we don't pay them. But we can have Kemo in 2010 for 750K and Lewis in 2010 for 755K assuming we don't pay either bonus.

Ah, I see - I misunderstood - thanks for correcting me on that.

To me, this is good news because I like Kemo.

[KillerKat]

Only problem I have if Kemo stays is that Thomas > Kemo.

[scpanther22]

Bonuses are optional, though both Lewis and Kemo won't be under contract after 2010 if we don't pay them. But we can have Kemo in 2010 for 750K and Lewis in 2010 for 755K assuming we don't pay either bonus.

Gantt says Kemo has a base of 2.6million this year.

http://twitter.com/Daringantt

[CatMan72]

There are also some issues with Kemo's recovery at the moment - he's had some setbacks with this surgery - that may ultimately decide his fate here.

[R0CKnR0LLA]

Not sure where Gantt got 2.6 million.

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/clubhouse_contracts.aspx?sport=NFL&majteam=CAR

[scpanther22]

-Dropped to undrafted because of character/behavioral issues at Penn St, although Joe Paterno did recommend him fwiw

-cut in 2008 after marijuana possession, given 1 game suspension

-re-signed by Colts, cut in 2009 due to performance (Caldwell) and/or weight (Polian) issues

The guy can play, started 16 games in 2007. The Panthers usually don't overlook character issues unless the player is pretty talented (see Moose's guns/marijuiana possession charges). We're very heavy at UT (3-technique) and weak at NT (0-1 technique). It could be we're migrating toward the smaller/quicker d-line Meeks was known for in Indy. I hope not.

NT

Leonard

Kemoeatu

Thomas (probably won't be retained)

UT

Lewis

Tyler

Irvin

Landri

Hayden

Johnson

It's starting to look like the "throw bodies at it" approach is finally being used to find DTs, similar to the way we found a RG in Vincent.

Its looking like we will be going to the smaller line.I hope not.We need big bodies in the middle