With a lockout looming and an 0-5 record, it is time to truly start rebuilding...

[Samuel L. Jackson]

Williams ain't worth a 1st. Not in today's NFL. RBs are pretty easy to find if you have a good overall offense.

Why spend a 1st rounder on a 27 yr old RB.....when you can just use a 1st round pick and draft a 21 yr old kid.

Because the way it is today, the 27 year old would most likely be cheaper...

[Taom82]

the draft is a crapshoot

[Samuel L. Jackson]

DeAngelo Williams - easily worth $31M over five years (MJD-esque contract)

CJ Spiller

Spiller's deal is 5 years and worth $25 million, but could escalate as high as $37.5 million if incentives are met, a source told ESPN.com senior NFL writer John Clayton. According to the source, the contract also includes $20.8 million in guarantees.

Ryan Mathews

a five-year deal worth $25.65 million with slightly more than $15 million being in guaranteed money

Jahvid Best

The deal is 5 years for $12.7 million, $7.1 million guaranteed, according to a league source.

I'm not sure on escalators for Mathews and Best...

Williams would average out to be cheaper over the long haul, even if he gets top RB money, as you don't have the risk of an unproven rookie, or the chance of a holdout because he is unhappy (I can't see DWill doing this to any team)...

[guyinchesapeake]

Rebuild what? We already are doing that! Bad as the FO decisions have been the past couple years, the big money drains of Pep (from last year) and Jake are gone after this year. We are the youngest team in the league. What we need are some COACHES. After Meeks and those who work directly for him on the defense, we have nothing. We need coaches who can develop good offensive schemes and actually develop the offensive players, something that is sorely missing. Jake made a big splash in 2003 but never got better mechanically. The fact that we haven't developed any WRs under Fox is no mystery.

We have a good defense, and we have a good running attack (when it can be utilized). We have a good "O" line when we're healthy. We have most of the building blocks in place. What this year is proving is the value of having real experience on the sidelines to help with the development of the younger players, especially the QBs! We are lacking that in many key places, like the aforementioned QBs. Our special teams took a step backwards yesterday. But we have a lot going on here for the right coach to come in and start putting it all together.

[Wither]

If Smith is traded I will never be a fan of this team again.

[dhazer]

I thought that was a well written post by slj, but It got me thinking when he kept saying you should be able to get a 1st round draft pick for D Will. What teams out there are actually looking for a rb? I know my Packers are but what other teams are in need of one?

I think this could be the possible teams:

Packers

maybe Bucs

Pats

and maybe Browns

the list seems short for me so I don't see a 1st round pick possible.

[PantherBrew]

If Smith is traded I will never be a fan of this team again.

Say it aint so Dock?

[g5jamz]

tell the Pats we want the pick they got from Oakland for him.

[Murph]

You are correct about that, Murph... but remember that those 4th and 5th year potential UFAs would then become RFAs, meaning we will have to tender or tag them...

If there isn't going to be football, some teams (read thrifty teams) may be hesitant to tag their RFAs, and as you mentioned, some players may be hesitant to sign their tender until it is almost too late to do anything with them (read Marshall)...

This is where a savy GM will come in handy. Obviously DWill, Kalil and others will feel they have been in the league and accomplished enough to feel it is time to get away from their rookie contracts. Tendering them in late Feb. (thus only offering them one year contracts with a modest increase) will not exactly endear them to this franchise. Coming off the kind of season we are heading towards and having an owner who is and will be focused on securing a new CBA that favors his side doesn't help player morale.

Hurney is the kind of GM who can work with the players and their agents and keep them interested in staying. Having extensions for the key players ready to sign as soon as the new CBA agreement goes into effect will be key. If anyone can walk that tightrope, Hurney can find a way.

[Wither]

Say it aint so Dock?

I'm actually lying, but I would be heartbroken. I want to see him retire as a Panther.

[The Saltman]

I'm actually lying, but I would be heartbroken. I want to see him retire as a Panther.

damn I was hoping he would be traded so I could stop seeing u post.

[Wither]

damn I was hoping he would be traded so I could stop seeing u post.

I would have a smart ass retort but there is nothing that ever stops you from posting. Well, I take that back, your monthly Jihad meetings keep you away for a few hours.

[The Saltman]

I would have a smart ass retort but there is nothing that ever stops you from posting. Well, I take that back, your monthly Jihad meetings keep you away for a few hours.

true!!

[Wither]

On that note, I'm off to my White Power meeting.