Will receivers want to come to Carolina??

[Dpantherman]

By Pat Yasinskas

Panthers may have trouble finding No. 2 WR

I just did a phone interview with the “Frank and Buck Show’’ on WFNZ in Charlotte and Mark Yarborough, who was sitting in as a host today, brought up what I think is an excellent question.

Yarborough asked how difficult it might be for the Carolina Panthers to attract a No. 2 WR in free agency. His point was that the uncertainty at quarterback might not be a real selling point to free agents.

The Panthers finished last season with Matt Moore as their starter after Jake Delhomme got hurt. Even before that, Delhomme had struggled mightily. When general manager Marty Hurney met with the media Tuesday, he wouldn’t elaborate much on what the Panthers plan to do at quarterback. They may sign a free agent or they may draft a quarterback. Or they may really go to camp and let Delhomme and Moore battle for the job.

They’ve also got veteran Muhsin Muhammad about to become a free agent. The Panthers may re-sign Muhammad, but, at this stage of his career, he’s probably best suited to be a No. 3 receiver. They need to get a younger starter to go with Steve Smith.

Any free agent that does his homework might be scared off by the history of that position with Carolina. Even back in the days when Delhomme was dependable, the Panthers didn’t have a strong track record with receivers aside from Smith.

Muhammad, who left for a three-year stint in Chicago before returning to the Panthers, has been the only No. 2 receiver to really have success and co-exist with Smith. The Panthers hoped Keary Colbert, Keyshawn Johnson, Drew Carter and Dwayne Jarrett could fill that role. None of them did.

It might be difficult to sell a free agent on coming into a place with uncertainty at quarterback and an offense that has relied almost exclusively on one wide receiver.

http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcsouth/post/_/id/8420/panthers-may-have-trouble-finding-no-2-wr

I have to say, he makes an excellent point. Whats your take?

[The Saltman]

if delhomme is under center I wouldn't be surprised

[Jangler]

So he is just now thinking about this...?

http://www.carolinahuddle.com/forum/carolina-panthers/27577-will-any-fas-wrs-even-come-to-carolina.html

[ncbobcat]

You don't have to neccessarily sale the potential for gaudy stats as you would the city, organization, contract amount and the fact this team is only a couple pieces away from a championship.

Only a narcissistic player like T.O. would put personal stats above all the things previously mentioned. Heck, even T.O. went to Buffalo who hasn't had a decent QB since Jim Kelly. There is hope.

[Woodcookedbbq]

Yeah he makes a good point, but I think we need to look for WR's in the draft rather than in FA. Looking throught he list of UFA's, the only one I like is Nate Burleson. But it looks like he's going to resign with the Seahawks.

[The Saltman]

lol rep bojangler

[rayzor]

if there is a real possibility of jake as the starter i could see very few interested FA WRs interested in coming. with moore under center, that becomes a good bit more attractive.

[ncbobcat]

Yeah he makes a good point, but I think we need to look for WR's in the draft rather than in FA. Looking throught he list of UFA's, the only one I like is Nate Burleson.

Really? You have seen our track record drafting wideouts, not to mention the crux of the situation where a couple of players can put us over the top. I don't believe staying out of FA or picking up a couple of camp guys will get us there by attempting to rely on a couple of rookies.

[Woodcookedbbq]

I wouldn't mind picking up Derrick Mason either. He said he would be willing to sign with another team if he can't come to a long deal term with the Ravens.

[ncbobcat]

Isn't Mason approaching Jerry Rice age? Seriously, he's getting pretty old and doesn't have the speed or size that we need to compliment Smitty. We have enough average WRs. We have an elite guy and then the talent drops off to fair. We need someone who can fill the billing of very good or better than average at the very least.

[Jangler]

Out of pie so I had to give rep...

[Woodcookedbbq]

Isn't Mason approaching Jerry Rice age? Seriously, he's getting pretty old and doesn't have the speed or size that we need to compliment Smitty. We have enough average WRs. We have an elite guy and then the talent drops off to fair. We need someone who can fill the billing of very good or better than average at the very least.

Well Damn, who would you like to see the Panthers sign?

[WilkinsonDonnie]

I think our offense will have a slightly different ratio of passes to runs seeing our passing game increase more, not much if we keep Moore or draft a good QB. That being said I doubt we touch any of the free agent WR's and rely on the draft 2-4 rounds to address WR

[ncbobcat]

Well Damn, who would you like to see the Panthers sign?

Kevin Walter, Antonio Bryant or Josh Reed if we are talking strictly FAs. Restricted FAs (which I might as well not list becasue it won't happen) Breaston, Jackson, Moore or Urban. The front office won't give up compensation, so RFAs are a pipe dream.