Tampering

[Mr. Scot]

A quick look back at some notes from Panthers team history...

In 1995, the Panthers had two draft picks taken away from them. Both were supplementary picks that had been awarded due to the team's expansion status.

The picks were taken as a penalty for...tampering.

Panther officials had targeted Dom Capers for their head coaching spot, and became nervous when they saw Nick Saban (then Browns DC and considered a hot assistant) leave to take the head coaching job at Michigan State. Fearing that something similar might happen with Capers, they contacted him before rules officially permitted.

They paid a price, but got the guy they wanted.

A few years later, the roles were reversed. In 1998, the Colts managed to secure the services of Bill Polian despite the fact that he was still technically tied to the Panthers. The NFL agreed that compensation was in order, and team owner Jerry Richardson lobbied for the #1 overall pick. Instead, he got the first pick in the third round.

(said pick was used to draft DE Chuck Wiley; DE Leonard Little, C Olin Kreutz and LB Jeremiah trotter were all taken later in the round; but I digress)

So we have an incident in team history where the organization flouted the rules in order to get the coach they wanted.

It's too early to think that it would happen right now. And if it did, the team would only be punished if they were caught (it was kind of obvious in 95, as I recall).

But it does make one wonder, seeing as the team is once again ready for a coaching search, would they again take the risk to get the guy of their choice?

Keep in mind, no supplementary picks this time, so if we lose a third rounder we'll have our first round spot but then not pick again till the fourth on day three.

Would you do it if it were your call?

[Brandon]

Would you give up a draft pick for a coach that might be a top 5-10 coach in the NFL who is familiar with and will build a system around your future franchise QB? I say worth it.

[Brooklyn Bully]

Just don't hire anyone who worked at SMU in the 80s to help you get the new coach in here and you'll be ok.

[Debil]

It could be argued that 95 was due to some amount of ignorance to the rules. I don't think that it would happen now.

Then again, after a year like this... I wouldn't be surprised at anything.

[Mr. Scot]

Would you give up a draft pick for a coach that might be a top 5-10 coach in the NFL who is familiar with and will build a system around your future franchise QB? I say worth it.

Well, that's the million dollar question, idn't it? But what are you prepared to lose?

I seriously doubt they'd take our first rounder, especially if it's the #1 overall. If they followed the previous pattern, maybe a third and a sixth.

[TylerDurden]

I still wonder how if JR is so "cool" with the Rooneys and looks up to them, then how'd we get hit with tampering charges for that?

And that Polian deal was well worth the #1 pick. The commish definitely left us out to dry on that.

[Mr. Scot]

I still wonder how if JR is so "cool" with the Rooneys and looks up to them, then how'd we get hit with tampering charges for that?

League rules. Everybody has to abide by them.

Given that we had extra picks in every round, there was some cushion. This year, of course, that doesn't apply.

some say Fox aready has a job, the same rules apply don't they

To other pro teams? Yes. A college team could offer him a job tomorrow if they wanted to, though they generally try to respect NFL team rules most of the time.

Before anyone asks, no that doesn't mean we can contact Harbaugh. We have to wait until season's end, even if we fire Fox early. That's so that all teams - except those in the playoffs, who generally aren't looking for a new head coach - are on equal footing regarding their ability to contact potential hires.

That said, tampering is an extremely difficult thing to police, and accusations very tough to prove.

[TylerDurden]

League rules. Everybody has to abide by them.

Given that we had extra picks in every round, there was some cushion. This year, of course, that doesn't apply.

I've heard before that technically, tampering happens all the time, it's only punished when a claim is filed with the league, it's investigated, and they find proof.

What I meant was, if JR was so tight with the Rooney's, then you would think they'd understand Dom was on his way up and out... And if ANYBODY tampered with him, you would understand your friend contacting him as they were starting up their franchise and needed a good coach. And you'd think it was flattering they look up to you in that way (if you're really that close).

I know it's the rules, but who would've filed a claim about that? How'd they get proof? I guess I'm saying that I assume the Rooneys don't care for JR as much as he admires them.

[Catalyst]

Not sure about that. As I understand it Rooney actually helped Jerry get access to Capers and J.R. knew we'd get hit with a penalty and accepted the lost picks in order to get the coach he wanted most. Not sure about the tampering charges being filed.

And we actually will have a 3rd round comp. choice this year for losing Peppers and not signing anyone else. Might even get another pick or two from losing Diggs who has started most of the year for the Rams. I'm not exactly sure what the rules are for those picks, though.

[TylerDurden]

Not sure about that. As I understand it Rooney actually helped Jerry get access to Capers and J.R. knew we'd get hit with a penalty and accepted the lost picks in order to get the coach he wanted most. Not sure about the tampering charges being filed.

And we actually will have a 3rd round comp. choice this year for losing Peppers and not signing anyone else. Might even get another pick or two from losing Diggs who has started most of the year for the Rams. I'm not exactly sure what the rules are for those picks, though.

Thanks for clearing that up. But, I'm still almost certain that there has to be a claim filed and it has to be investigated before anyone can be punished. That's why I was wondering.

[Ccat]

That question is hard to answer without knowing how great this supposed coach is and how far behind the rest of the potential choices are. Personally, I think that there is more than one guy out there who might turn out to be a great coach, so I wouldn't risk losing too much for one person. That third round pick could end up being a star for us in the future. Would you trade Steve Smith's career to get a specific coach?

[Catalyst]

Depends on the coach. For Fox's tenure here? No. For a Mike Tomlin or Sean Payton? Yes.

[Cavscout]

There is not a coach right now that I would think they'd get involved with tampering for. Most of the coaches that seem to be on the Panthers radar are about equal

[Anybodyhome]

The "tampering" issue is one of those rules the NFL 'wink-winks' at and does nothing 90% of the time unless someone really complains.

Ever year when free agency starts we hear of some big name signing a contract with another team within minutes after midnight on free agency day. You don't think there was any tampering there? You don't believe that a multi-million dollar contract, complete with salaries, bonuses and guaranteed money merely took just a few minutes to negotiate?

Happens all the time and the league will only penalize you if you're stupid enough to be obvious about it and leave a trail of undeniable stuff laying behind you.