2010 FA rules may force our hand...

[firstdayfan]

If a stay isn't granted the NFL will have to start free agency and more than likely the 2010 rules will apply which can be good and bad for us. The good is that the only UFA would be Thomas Davis...who's value is down coming off two knee injuries.

So what's the bad??? The number of defensive tackles available is drastically reduced as well. This uncertainty would leave us with Landri and company again...not where we need to be. Dareus becomes even more valuable with a limited free agent pool. We could still sign hasselback, trade for Palmer, or sign alex smith or bulger to help the current QBs develop.

These last minute developments could change how the Panthers view that number one pick...thoughts???

[Jackofalltrades]

It's also likely to prevent us from locking CJ and DLo up long term, until a CBA is done. As a measure of good faith I would hope both are signed to lucrative 1 year contracts.

[mountainpantherfan]

I may be wrong but I don't the 2010 rules being put in place by the league, or if they do it is a stupid move on their part.

However, if that does happen it is horrible for the Panthers. Richardson is not going to sign any big time contracts until there is a new CBA. Davis is as good as gone and the rest of the team will play under their tenders. I would guess that the only new players coming in would be drafted players and low level free agents that wouldn't sign monster contracts. I think you look at the trends from last year for the most part; the big spenders will continue to spend while the others get by with spending as litle as possilbe.

[Snake]

The judges ruling makes the NFL a clusterfug.

[Marguide]

If a stay isn't granted the NFL will have to start free agency and more than likely the 2010 rules will apply which can be good and bad for us. The good is that the only UFA would be Thomas Davis...who's value is down coming off two knee injuries.

So what's the bad??? The number of defensive tackles available is drastically reduced as well. This uncertainty would leave us with Landri and company again...not where we need to be. Dareus becomes even more valuable with a limited free agent pool. We could still sign hasselback, trade for Palmer, or sign alex smith or bulger to help the current QBs develop.

These last minute developments could change how the Panthers view that number one pick...thoughts???

Excellent points.

I still think there is too much uncertainty regarding FA and future rules regarding RFA to have a huge impact on draft strategy.

GM's must be seriously stressed out trying to anticipate the possibilities.