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FREEAGENCY FRENZY


TheSpecialJuan
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Just now, CarolinaLivin said:

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Panthers are hosting former Indianapolis Colts safety Julian Blackmon on a free-agent visit on Monday.

"Free agent S Julian Blackmon is on a free agent visit to the Panthers today, sources say," Rapoport wrote. "Just 26, Blackmon has been a starter with the Colts for the last five years. Carolina is still looking to add on defense, with Blackmon being the latest they’re taking a look at."

A former third-round pick of the Colts in 2020, Blackmon spent the first five years of his career in Indianapolis, where he tallied 300 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 21 passes defensed and 10 interceptions in that span.

In 2024, Blackmon finished with 86 tackles, four passes defensed, three interceptions and one tackle for loss. The 26-year-old also posted Pro Football Focus grades of 73.5 in coverage and 55.1 in run defense.

https://www.si.com/nfl/panthers/carolina-panthers-nfl-free-agency-visit-julian-blackmon

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5 minutes ago, MHS831 said:

So we could be around $10-11m.  I do not get into the cap stuff and contracts that much--too stressful--but I do think we have some veterans who might be released after the draft.

I like to throw a radical idea out there on occasion, so here is my radical idea for today--and it has literally a less than 1% chance  of happening--put Robert Hunt on the trading block.  Zavala played well last year and I hate to see him on the pine on a rookie contract while Hunt is approaching 30 and making bank.  Based on PFF:

image.thumb.png.23b7fbebd79d080addabcbb37fe008a7.png

Now, remember, the idea is to keep Bryce's uniform clean. Note the difference in pass blocking and the similarity in run blocking.  Zavala might be the better player. I realize there is a smaller sample size, but Zavala BALLED OUT when he played.  Had we known he would, we would not have signed Hunt.  A team could pick up Hunt for $16m or so, and that is what the Panthers would save in Cap room. I am thinking this would be a post draft trade--maybe a mid season trade--but if they could find a partner, I think I would do it.

I realize that some would say "That's crazy!! We just got the OL right and now you do this?"  The reality of the situation is a team cannot pay $80m per year for its offensive line.  Ickey is going to need a deal and deserves it.  Moton is probably in his final season, but as soon as we can break away from paying our guards $40m per year, the better off we will be.  Zavala has earned the right to start.  If I were another team in the NFL, I would be trading for him.

image.thumb.png.33149aace5f8059d6566cd9b10722074.png

And THAT is the radical concept I have for this point in time in Panther history.  You're welcome.

Honestly, I think the way ahead to get out of paying our OL so much is to draft our way out. Let the expensive deals play out like Moton, and draft the replacements. Easier said than done with our drafting history, but hopefully this is how we get it done. I just wouldn't want us to jump the gun on this. Every draft we should be taking at least one OL prospect.

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On 3/22/2025 at 10:26 PM, PNW_PantherMan said:

Already locked up superstar David Moore

Jeopardy

Clue:  "A 34-year old, undrafted white guy from Minnesota State, a racoon-eating linguist equestrian, an undrafted WR from Holy Cross, and a special teamer from East Central Oklahoma who had 94 yards receiving in the three years preceding 2024."

"Who are the 2024 Carolina Panther WRs?" 

 

Edited by MHS831
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1 minute ago, MHS831 said:

Jeopardy

Clue:  "A 34-year old white guy, a racoon-eating linguist equestrian, and undrafted WR from Holy Cross, and a special teamer from East Central Oklahoma who had 94 yards receiving in the three years preceding 2024."

"Who are the 2024 Carolina Panther WRs?" 

 

JEOPARDY TOPIC

HIGHER FLOORS THAN CEILINGS

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9 minutes ago, XClown1986 said:

Paired with Moehrig, this could be a very good safety tandem.

He is 27 and has an injury history--played hurt last year.  had 3 picks, 82 combo tackles, but a 107 passer rating against.  Is versatile--but has been injury prone.  played 0ver 1000 snaps last season while banged up.  SInce he is versatile, I would love for him to be a "swing S" but he has been injury prone.  For that reason, I would like him as depth--

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15 minutes ago, rebelrouser said:

And Marcus Williams.  We have two safeties on the roster currently. Need this one.

 

Panthers Wire

According to Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer, the team is hosting safeties Julian Blackmon and Marcus Williams on free-agent visits today.

Blackmon, a third-round pick of the Indianapolis Cols from 2020, has played five NFL seasons. The 26-year-old has amassed 300 combined tackles, 10 interceptions, 21 passes defensed, two forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries over 66 games.

Williams, a 2017 second-round selection by the New Orleans Saints, is set to enter his ninth pro campaign in 2025. The 28-year-old has split his career between the Saints and the Baltimore Ravens—totaling 469 tackles, 20 interceptions, 56 passes defensed, three forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries.

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Panthers reportedly 'intrigued' by Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan, per Joe Person

McMillan has great size (6-4, 219) and an uncanny ability to high-point the ball. Without blazing speed, there are concerns about his ability to separate. Some in Carolina’s organization are intrigued.

https://pantherswire-eu.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/panthers/2025/03/24/2025-nfl-draft-rumors-panthers-tetairoa-mcmillan-interest/82634663007/

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30 minutes ago, CarolinaLivin said:

According to Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer, the team is hosting safeties Julian Blackmon and Marcus Williams on free-agent visits today.

Blackmon, a third-round pick of the Indianapolis Cols from 2020, has played five NFL seasons. The 26-year-old has amassed 300 combined tackles, 10 interceptions, 21 passes defensed, two forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries over 66 games.

Williams, a 2017 second-round selection by the New Orleans Saints, is set to enter his ninth pro campaign in 2025. The 28-year-old has split his career between the Saints and the Baltimore Ravens—totaling 469 tackles, 20 interceptions, 56 passes defensed, three forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries.

would be cool with either, but younger Blackmon would be my choice

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16 minutes ago, CarolinaLivin said:

Panthers reportedly 'intrigued' by Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan, per Joe Person

McMillan has great size (6-4, 219) and an uncanny ability to high-point the ball. Without blazing speed, there are concerns about his ability to separate. Some in Carolina’s organization are intrigued.

https://pantherswire-eu.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/panthers/2025/03/24/2025-nfl-draft-rumors-panthers-tetairoa-mcmillan-interest/82634663007/

Oh damn its time for another TMac thread

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    • When I arrived at college, I was 18, not too much younger than some of these draft picks.  It was not a huge school, but there were guys on the team who were 21, 22, 23....playing ahead of me.  I was seventh on the depth chart.  Those guys have been through a few seasons, were stronger, more knowledgeable.  I was a better raw player than some of them, but those other factors matter.  As I grew stronger, more familiar with the playbook, and learned what it was like to play in college, I gradually improved and with that, I rose up the depth chart.  It took most of my freshman year for the light to come on.  Had the coach thrown me into the starting lineup day 1, I would have probably failed.    And that was college.  So I agree with you based on my experience on a much lower level.  Frankly, I think that is why so many kids drafted to fill huge gaps bust.  The teams are desperate.  Anyone who looks to fill vacancies in the starting lineup through the draft is desperate.  You draft depth to develop.  For this reason, I say, "Let Walker start for a while."  Maybe Brazzell can be our WR 4.  Throw Hunter into a rotation and ask him to do one or two things.  Freeling needs some strength and he needs to work on run blocking.
    • I see Bryce's development this way: He improved when his supporting cast improved.  TMac and Dowdle saved his arse last year, but in fairness, most good QBs have good WRs and good RBs--and good OLs.   The 2025 OL underperformed, actually. They were above average, but they should have been elite if you consider the salary cap.   As soon as we signed Lewis and Hunt, I started thinking, "That's not sustainable.  With Ickey about to get paid a LT salary, Moton and Hunt grabbling $50m per season combined, and Lewis around $17m--that would be nearly $100m and the Center just walked.  Yikes.  What does that mean?  Rico walks, Mays walks, and we do not have a top 5 WR on a second contract.  We do not have an elite TE, and only 1 is on a modest second contract. And now Bryce will demand $50m for his incremental rise to mediocrity?   So when we sign Bryce, we will get weaker at other positions.  Hunt, Moton, maybe Ickey and Lewis, will all be casualties--that is the right move regardless (not sure yet about Ickey, but he was not elite) Bryce is one lucky, entitled camper.  No competition since being drafted, and he lost his job for a while to the aging clipboard holder.  Now we are bringing in UDFAs and busts to compete with him.  
    • Probably not.  If we are taking a QB, it would be a prospect to replace Bryce and not a flyer type player.  I can't say for sure, but I doubt he would have cracked the top 3-4 QBs even if he were to play this coming season.  
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