You know who is eyeing that peppers money?

[err456]

Why does everyone keep saying that JR is "all about saving money"?

They made one decision that Peppers was not worth $20M for one season or the probably ridculous amount he wanted for a long-term deal.

We may not play heavyin the big name FA signings. But, that is prob a good thing. This FA Class sucks and is very weak. When that happens, you overpay for mediocre players ....just becuase they are the best ones available.

This...makes good sense to me.

[Fiz]

Why does everyone keep saying that JR is "all about saving money"?

it's the latest senseless criticism to throw at him.

i prefer this to all the others though, because you can disprove it in three easy steps.

[Kurb]

I have said it, but I was incorrect in that opinion.

I think JR is taking a wait and see approach before signing whoever.

Just like the rest of the NFL is doing it seems.

[PanthersFanNY]

My priority in terms of resigning current Panthers would be Beason, Kalil, Davis, Marshall, Williams. If Williams would give a big discount to stay in Carolina then I'd put him over Marshall and maybe Davis. Reason for Williams not being higher on the list is purely based on how expensive it will be to keep him.

[panthers55]

Why does everyone keep saying that JR is "all about saving money"?

They made one decision that Peppers was not worth $20M for one season or the probably ridculous amount he wanted for a long-term deal.

We may not play heavyin the big name FA signings. But, that is prob a good thing. This FA Class sucks and is very weak. When that happens, you overpay for mediocre players ....just becuase they are the best ones available.

Because I think he is about the money. In years past there wasn't an easy way to do it since teams all had cap floors and you essentially were forced to spend the money. This year there is no floor so you can spend as little as you want. I think he will take the opportunity to spend less in anticipation of a lockout. As for extending guys and signing long term contracts, all the upfront guaranteed money (signing bonuses) are paid immediately and are paid out of Richardson's pocket. Waiting to extend folks and signing RFAs to tenders instead of long term contracts saves all the upfront money and longterm obligations since you don't have to pay any signing bonuses.

If he signs a bunch of guys to long term contracts and spends a bunch of money on front loaded options and signing bonuses, then I will say I am wrong. But I don't think so at this point.

[Fiz]

shut up

if Richardson was really "just about the money" than he would have circumvented the salary floor the same way the glazers have been doing for years: by filling contracts with unattainable bonuses.

wah wah wah richardson is only spending money because of the salary floor don't look at that chris gamble contract

[rayzor]

i think in this year, this situation, he is all about saving money for two reasons.

1) he doesn't know what the situation is going to be like next year and he wants to see how things play out

2) he wants to set an example for the rest of the league. it isn't about being frugal, though. it's all about a message to the NFLPA from the owners.

in the past he hasn't really shown much of an interest in saving money. panthers are always near the top of teams at or near the cap. the cheap owners are the ones that are consistently at the bottom.

[unicar15]

I agree. I almost think that one of the reasons they let Peppers walk (other than he's not worth the money) is because they really want to keep this backfield together. I think they are going to be willing to pay Deangelo max money to keep him. I don't necessarily agree with it, but I think it'll happen.

[panthers55]

shut up

if Richardson was really "just about the money" than he would have circumvented the salary floor the same way the glazers have been doing for years: by filling contracts with unattainable bonuses.

wah wah wah richardson is only spending money because of the salary floor don't look at that chris gamble contract

I couldn't tell if this was addressed to me with such an infantile writing style inapproriate to the tone of the conversation particularly from someone who aspires to be taken seriously as a writer.

The Glazers have been stingy with their money due to huge losses with their Manchester franchise in England. Still we were 11th in payroll at

112 million. By comparison the Colts were 23rd at 101 million. Tampa was 30th at 84 million. Most teams are bunched in a 20 million dollar range between 95-115 million total payroll.

http://content.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/salaries/totalpayroll.aspx?year=2009

I didn't mean to imply that Richardson won't spend money or that the only reason he does it is because there is a floor but simply that when a businessman has an opportunity to save money like he does this year by putting an extra 30 million in his pocket by not signing Peppers and not picking up the option on Kemo for 9.3 million, he would be a fool not to. Furthermore, with an uncertain future regarding revenue, he would be prudent to keep as much money as possible in the event there is a lockout.

[Fiz]

oh no he's not putting a franchise tag for 21 million dollars on a player who shows up 8 games a season, and he might not pick up the option on a 30+ year old DT coming off a season ending surgery who was never that good anyway.

richardson must be trying to save money a bloo bloo bloo

also the glazers made money on manchester and if you knew anything about the situation or how they bought the team with borrowed money using the actual team as collateral (illegal in the states) you'd know that but nope you're dumb as a poo house rat.

[GRWatcher]

It's not a criticism, Fiz.

There's more to saving money for the franchise than just watching the players' salary cap and, yes, IMO JR is watching the $$ that would be spent in 2011 looking towards a lockout in 2011. He didn't extend or fire Fox or his coaching staff. Extending would've taken him to paying in 2011 whether there's football played or not. And he didn't fire Fox because he couldn't hire any new head coach by offering only a 1 year contract. I believe that is the big reason April signed with Philly and didn't consider the Panthers. He signed a 3 year deal. Our WR coach signed only a 1 year contract and our new ST coordinator is on a 1 year contract too.

He's not cheap and never has been. He'd be willing to spend if he believed it would improve the team. But any money spent in 2011 if there's no football played may as well be flushed. It's better kept in the bank that year.

JR is hedging that there won't be any football played in 2011. So, everybody, count to 10 and chill. Don't be holding your breath that anything is going to happen anytime soon by our FO. If circumstances change Hurney & Morrison will be very busy boys, signing everyone in a hurry that we want to keep. And extending contracts or hiring coaches.

Shouldn't Matt Moore be added to the list??

[Fiz]

I believe that is the big reason April signed with Philly and didn't consider the Panthers.

yeah no

According to a source with knowledge of the situation, Fox called legendary special teams coach Bobby April on Wednesday night to see if he was interested in the opening here. But by the time Fox called, April already had agreed to a contract with the Philadelphia Eagles.

[GRWatcher]

So that's all you got????? Did you read the rest of what I wrote? Have you calmed down yet?

[MadHatter]

It's not a criticism, Fiz.

There's more to saving money for the franchise than just watching the players' salary cap and, yes, IMO JR is watching the $$ that would be spent in 2011 looking towards a lockout in 2011. He didn't extend or fire Fox or his coaching staff. Extending would've taken him to paying in 2011 whether there's football played or not. And he didn't fire Fox because he couldn't hire any new head coach by offering only a 1 year contract. I believe that is the big reason April signed with Philly and didn't consider the Panthers. He signed a 3 year deal. Our WR coach signed only a 1 year contract and our new ST coordinator is on a 1 year contract too.

He's not cheap and never has been. He'd be willing to spend if he believed it would improve the team. But any money spent in 2011 if there's no football played may as well be flushed. It's better kept in the bank that year.

JR is hedging that there won't be any football played in 2011. So, everybody, count to 10 and chill. Don't be holding your breath that anything is going to happen anytime soon by our FO. If circumstances change Hurney & Morrison will be very busy boys, signing everyone in a hurry that we want to keep. And extending contracts or hiring coaches.

Shouldn't Matt Moore be added to the list??

I agree with you on the coaching contracts.

However, I think the Pep and Kemo decisions are based more on whether they are worth the money, than on saving money.

there is no way we should have paid Pep $21M for next season. As for a LT deal, we tried before last season. Our FO knows what he is looking for. He could want $15M a year for all we know. He is not worth that kind of money.