Fox and Hurney=Playmakers in 2010 Offseason

[mountainpantherfan]

The past several offseasons have seen the Panthers front office making long-term investments in players both in free agency and in the draft. This also includes who they retain from their own list of restricted and unrestricted free agents.

2010, however, will be a complete change in how the team usually approaches the offseason. Not only is head coach John Fox entering into the final season of his contract but general manager Marty Hurney is also approaching his contract's end in June of 2010. This will mean that the outcome of both the free agency period and the draft will be a major factor in decissions made by owner Jerry Richardson and new team president Danny Morrison.

The first and probably most important asspect of this offseason will be for Fox and Hurney to create excitment about the 2010 season through the moves they make as to secure ticket sales. But this can not come through a major spending spree as Richardson has already stated the importance of reamining fiscally responsible in an uncapped season. While retaining your own free agents is important and can create some excitment, being active during the first days of the new league year and drafting big names on draft day usually gets the fan base more excited than anything else.

These moves will be made mainly by Hurney but could result in both he and Fox getting extentions by June. But Fox will not be able to bank on this and thus he will be wanting Hurney to retain and keep playmakers and sign and draft playmakers. Having a winning, playoff season may be the only way Fox sees a new contract in Carolina. Lucky for Fox, the offesnive line, the most overlooked position on the field in terms of playmaking, is already in a good place. So Fox will be wanting scoring, turnover and sack producing players.

So what exactly does all of this mean? Well, if you are trying to make exact predictions, not much. In other words, there very well could be a lot of surprising moves this offseason. For example, most fans have assumed trying to get Thomas Davis in a long term deal would be one of the top priorities this offseason. While Davis is a great player and could have been a pro-bowler this season before going on IR, he isn't known for scoring, turnovers or sacks. If the team could get another high draft pick, most probably a 2nd rounder, then they might just make that move.

Another surprise trade move could be Travell Wharton. Not only did he show that he can still be a productive LT but he also showed that his backup can be a productive LG.

But trades for draft picks might not be the only surprises. Look no further than our Super Bowl winning, NFC South counterparts to see a possible big name FA signing. If the Saints ultimently deside not to tag safety Darren Sharper, the Panther might see an opportunity they can't pass up. Signing Sharper would not be apart of any long-term plans and would take away valuable playing time from younger safeties Godfrey and Martin but his ability to create turnovers, if only for one season, could be just too tempting.

Understand I'm not predicting any of these moves nor am I in advocating for the moves. Only that with in a situation like the one Fox and Hurney are facing, you can't rule anything out.

[Ricky Spanish]

if fox and hurney are at the helm, you can rule out basically anything exciting happening in the offseason.

[Snake]

We are basically the 49ers of 4 years ago. We are not gonna spend a cent on a good player this year. Suck ass then start the rebuild in 2011 after the lock out.

[pantherfan81]

If they want to keep their jobs, in addition to re-signing some of our free agents, they will have to pick up quality free agent players and produce. Either that or re-sign our guys and hope to god in the draft we hit on some and the team plays lights out.

[VMIPanther]

Do you think Fox really wants to stay in Carolina beyond this year, or has that bridge been burned? He would still need to show some success this year to land a good HC job with another team in 2011 or whenever play resumes. I'm not so sure Fox wants a new contract with the Panthers.

[CRA]

this offseason will look like last offseason......even if Pep walks. If he walks they will just bring in some rejects who they think might be a diamond in the rough who flopped somewhere else or is on there last leg.

[skarbar001]

Sharper doesn't fit our scheme. We've got great depth at FS, it'd be a waste of a roster spot/money to pick him up.

They need to make a play for Antonio Bryant.

[CanadianCat]

they better not trade TD....

[HSCBandit07]

Sharper doesn't fit our scheme. We've got great depth at FS, it'd be a waste of a roster spot/money to pick him up.

They need to make a play for Antonio Bryant.

Us picking up someone like Bryant would almost make me feel ok about losing pep