Pat Yasinskas the voice of reason??

[Dpantherman]

In response to several concerned emailers, Pat Yasinskas (espn.com) responded as some here (including myself) would. Just wait:

"...Yes, these are very puzzling times in Carolina and I’m not going to pretend to have an easy answer as to exactly what the Panthers are thinking. But let’s try to sort through it. First off, let’s start with Jerry Richardson. The owner has had some health issues in recent years, but he always has remained very much in control of this team and I suspect, right now, he’s even more involved in football issues than ever. I know for a fact Richardson is extremely worried about the labor situation in the NFL and is preparing for the possibility of a lockout in 2011. I think he is sending a message to his players and also tightening things up in case there is no football in 2011.

I’ve got to believe he’s the one behind this plan, in which the Panthers have parted ways with a bunch of expensive and older players. As several of you pointed out, it’s tough to imagine John Fox and Marty Hurney deciding to go in this direction on their own. They like to tell you they make the football decisions and that’s usually true, but, in this case, I think Richardson is calling the shots.

I hate to even make this comparison, but I’ve got to be honest. It almost reminds me a little of the 2001 offseason when George Seifert was coaching. The Panthers got rid of all their old players and it resulted in the disastrous 1-15 season that cost Seifert his job. I’m not saying that’s going to happen with these Panthers because Fox is too good a coach and there is some talent remaining with Steve Smith, John Beason, Jordan Gross, Chris Gamble, DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart.

But, as several of you pointed out, there’s no way this team is better right now than it was a couple of weeks ago.

Now, let’s move over to a little brighter side. The one thing I urge Carolina fans right now – and I know it’s not easy – is to be patient. Let’s wait a bit and see what the flip side to all this is – if there is a flip side. Richardson, Fox and Hurney are too smart to just simply gut their team. I’m not saying they’re going to go out and go crazy in free agency. That’s not their style and, besides, there’s not a lot left in free agency. But I think you’ll see them make some moves on some mid-level free agents. While it’s true they don’t have a first-round draft pick right now, that can change between now and late April.

It may all look crazy right now, but there’s got to be more to come. Maybe, in the end, it will all make sense. Or maybe not.

http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcsouth/post/_/id/8788/the-hot-button-carolina-chaos

[carolinanimal]

isnt this what we are all saying in one way or another?

[carolinanimal]

i did notice he didnt say the guys we cut sucked and we didnt need them anyway. or that we are automatically better by cutting them. he also did categorize this as a youth movement either.

[Dpantherman]

isnt this what we are all saying in one way or another?

not ALL. many yes. Im trying to do some converting here.

[carolinanimal]

not ALL. many yes. Im trying to do some converting here.

oh ok!:leaving:

[Brooklyn Bully]

No, not all. Some think this team IS as good as it was a few weeks ago.

[CanadianCat]

haha he also sounds shell shocked

[beastson]

Didnt I say after D.Will comments that more is going to happen after that and Pep situation. I knew it, and just look....

[Tank]

I keep hearing how Richardson is worried about a labor lockout. I have to ask what doest his have to do with purging the roster? And why is Richardon seemingly mountiing a one man show with regards to this issue? Mr. Richardson you owe the fans a winner not some self serving effort to stand up against this whole labor thing.

[hoover fanz]

I keep hearing how Richardson is worried about a labor lockout. I have to ask what doest his have to do with purging the roster? And why is Richardon seemingly mountiing a one man show with regards to this issue? Mr. Richardson you owe the fans a winner not some self serving effort to stand up against this whole labor thing.

other than the hoover move he is getting rid of all his salary cap hits in an uncapped year when and if there is a lockout when they play again they will be some type of salary cap. that being said the panthers will be able to attack in free agency

[Brooklyn Bully]

Keeping younger players means you don't have to shell out as much. Not that Hoover, D-Lew, and Kemo broke the bank, mind you, but they cost a heel of a lot more than the guys they have there now.

[STIFFPAWED]

Hoover made less than a Mill a year and only had one year left on his contract. Then again I'm a little biased because he's our hometown boy.

[panthers55]

Yasinskas isn't the voice of reason, I am. He is just saying almost the same thing I said and got crap for by the addition by subtraction folks and the everything is better crowd. It is obvious to everyone who is not delusional that we are not better off with this losses. The good news is that it isn't over yet. But we need to be active in free agency and have a good draft in order to be decent this year. His comparison to 2001 has also been mentioned on this board as well although not by me. I don't think it is going to be that bad but without reinforcements there is no way we make the playoffs.......

[AKPantherFan]

I keep hearing how Richardson is worried about a labor lockout. I have to ask what doest his have to do with purging the roster? And why is Richardon seemingly mountiing a one man show with regards to this issue? Mr. Richardson you owe the fans a winner not some self serving effort to stand up against this whole labor thing.

Wont get it-- Just look at the 50..

He wants the Panthers to be the "NFL's Team", not Carolinas Team...

:confused: