Would we be happy with this offseason..

[C47]

*Julius Peppers traded to the New York Jets for the Jets 1st (17 overall) 3rd via the Saints (78 overall) and a conditional 3rd round pick in 2010 if Peppers makes the Pro Bowl.

*Cuts and Restructures:

1)Jake Delhomme restructures

2)Ken Lucas restructures and is given a chance to prove himself under our new Defensive Coordinator Herman Edwards.

3)WR DJ Hackett, LB Landon Johnson, RB/FB Nick Goings and OT Jermey Bridges are released.

*Jordan Gross signs a 6 year contract making him a top 5 paid LT in the league.

*Jeff King is given a three year deal to keep our best blocking TE in Charlotte.

*Hangman signs a 4 year deal to keep his versatility for depth.

*Free Agency: Carolina opts not to go for a big splash in free agency, rather to pick up role players and build in the draft.

Biggest FA Pickups: Shaun Cody DT Detroit, Sean Jones CB Cleveland and J.P. Losman QB Buffalo Bills who is brought in late to provide depth and possible future starter.

Draft:

1. Michael Johnson, DE Georgia Tech: Other teams have Everette Brown and Brian Orakpo higher on their draft boards at the end position and Carolina benefits by finding the closest thing possible to the exiting Peppers in the athletically gifted Johnson.

2. Fili Moala, DT USC: Due to a disappointing year for Moala he slides to late in the second round where Carolina rushes to the podium to grab one of the best pass rushing tackles in the draft. Moala can provide immediate production on the line and paired beside Johnson will create a dominate right side for years to come.

3A. Derrick Williams, WR Penn State: Williams is a BPA pick here but can also provide immediate help in the return game. While Mark Jones did an admirable job filling in this year Williams has the top end speed that Jones simply does not.

3B. Rhett Bomar, QB Sam Houston State: Bomar while playing against weaker competition for most of his career excelled at SHS throwing for over 3300 yards with 27 TDS and 13INTS, it wasn’t too long ago that many thought he was the real deal for the Oklahoma Sooners.

4. Kaluka Maiava, OLB USC: Carolina gets a huge steal here with perhaps USC’s most NFL ready linebacker and a very instinctive football player. Can make an immediate impact on special teams and will push Diggs for a starting job quickly.

5. Kevin Ellison, SS USC: Another great USC player falls right into Carolinas lap and it’s a great value pick in the fifth round. Taylor Mays got all the hype in the USC backfield but this kid is the real deal at safety and can lay out the best of them. Ellison will be an excellent special teams player and with his size and football IQ would have the ability to transition to LB if we have to let Thomas Davis leave via free agency next year.

6. Xavier Fulton, OT Illinois: A depth pick here a versatile lineman who can play tackle or guard.

[ladypanther]

Wow...you've got a little extra time on your hands, huh? Well thought out post. Don't know about the JP Losman pickup. Don't think the fanbase is ready for those JP initials. It would be too traumatic.

[Cyberjag]

That would be a good offseason, but I'm not sure all the pieces would fall in place to make it happen. Also, don't we want to hang on to Bridges?

[hdevonxz]

wait until the combine.

[Baschski]

Bridges was solid for us this year so I don't think he should be dropped. Also, why would we pick up a (terrible) QB in JP Losman, and then draft a subpar QB, when we two equally capable QB's already waiting behind Jake? Losman and Bomar would not be any step up from McCown and Moore.

Nick Goings will stay. I'm hoping Lucas goes, but I'm not sure.

[RedMage138]

1) Edwards is still in KC and the longer Pioli hangs on to him, the less likely he is to be let go but would be nice if he came here.

2) Bridges should stay on

3) no need for Losman or a QB in the draft, McCown or Moore is the future.

4) 3 picks for Pep may be a bit much, I think everyone is overvaluing his trade potential, we will be lucky to get a first for him I think.

5) I would really like to see the front office go after a veteran defensive end to sure things up, maybe Bertrand Berry since the Cards probably won't re-sign him if he can play in a 4-3 scheme and wouldn't cost too much