Impact of Free Agents This Year

[jtm]

So everyone here (including myself) was hoping for a very busy off season from the Panthers this year. I have said many times that I am not a fan of signing big name free agents because they typically don't work out. I think the Eagles will prove my point this year. I don't expect them to be any better than they were last year (which was pretty good). Looking at the guys that we signed this year (other than DW, CJ, TD), what other off season acquisitions do you actually think will make an impact?

I think the Olsen trade was brilliant, and this move by itself makes our off season a success. Naanee has the potential to be a sold number 2, but it wouldn't surprise me if LaFell or Pilares stepped up.

All in all, it appears at this point (w/exceptions of guys discussed above), our team's success will hinge on guys already on the roster and recent players drafted. Seems like a lot of the guys we grabbed through free agency will increase our depth, rather than define our team (except for Olsen trade).

I want to reiterate, I am not saying that our free agency was not a success. Actually, I think we did pretty dang good. However, I think fans often put to much stock into free agency when at the end of the day players already on our team previously will likely have the biggest impact. I thought our team to begin with was a lot better than people were giving us credit and I didn't think we had as many holes as others thought.

[CarolinaCatBrigade]

We will be solid. Still worry about CB and DT, but more so CB. Hopefully our rookies can step up at DT. Fua and Mcclain have been making strides from what I've been told.

[csx]

How does a trade make the free agency a success? We were very active in signing our FA's.

[jtm]

We will be solid. Still worry about CB and DT, but more so CB. Hopefully our rookies can step up at DT. Fua and Mcclain have been making strides from what I've been told.

I agree and it appears that a lot of players appear to be stepping up. I just find it interesting that the biggest holes that needed to be filled (QB, DT, CB) are being addressed with rookies or players already on the roster. I think this is a good sign. We are young and I would much rather let these guys grow together.

[jtm]

How does a trade make the free agency a success? We were very active in signing our FA's.

I was talking about offseason acquisitions in general.

[JawnyBlaze]

I think the Olsen acquisition will be the 3rd best move of the offseason, behind drafting Cam and resigning CJ. And they're all pretty close.

[bleys]

I think jtm and I agree, if the Panthers can't draft players and coach them up, you won't go deep into the playoffs..

[JawnyBlaze]

I think you can, it just doesn't happen often. Look at the Bears, they're TERRIBLE at drafting and typically rely on FA. Last year aside, the last time they did anything in the postseason they had Rivera coaching their defense to #2 ranking with more or less their own guys. Dallas is a good recent example too.

On the flip side, the Eagles often have a lot of guys starting that they didn't draft and they often do decent in the postseason, just no trophies.

[Leeroy Jenkins PhD]

Honestly, with the way our CB's played in last weeks game, I am not as worried as I once was. We have some young talent at that position. Our young DT's held the line as well.

I know its only the first preseason game, but the Giants have a decent offense and even with starters in, we did not allow an offensive touchdown. That is their starters playing against, in many positions, our back-ups

[ladypanther]

I think Olsen will make a big difference.

[Udogg]

Following the Green Bay/Pittsburgh strategy. The team seems to have a clear direction on how it's going to proceed. Hopefully we can lock up players earlier and thus not having to overbid to keep them in free agency.

[jtm]

I think jtm and I agree, if the Panthers can't draft players and coach them up, you won't go deep into the playoffs..

My point exactly. Fans love free agents and offseason acquisitions, but when the rubber meets the road, players we drafted will determine our fate. I just find it very ironic that our two biggest needs in the offseason will be addressed in the draft instead of free agency/trades.

[bleys]

I think you can, it just doesn't happen often. Look at the Bears, they're TERRIBLE at drafting and typically rely on FA. Last year aside, the last time they did anything in the postseason they had Rivera coaching their defense to #2 ranking with more or less their own guys. Dallas is a good recent example too.

On the flip side, the Eagles often have a lot of guys starting that they didn't draft and they often do decent in the postseason, just no trophies.

up until this year, MAJORITY of the Eagles teams has always been draft picks.. minus 1 or 2 here and there.. their entire defense was full of their draft picks, minus Asante Samuel, and majority of their offense as well, minus Vick & TO...

and maybe I'm forgetting 1 or 2 others that I can't think of.. but their team certainly hasn't been stacked with FAs.

also, you can make the playoffs through FA acquisition, however, I fully disagree you can on a consistent basis.. the Cap becomes a huge issue if that is a team's true philosophy.. and based on the Redskins example, Chemistry as well..

[jtnc]

We develop our own talent, unlike the Failcons and Eagles. And we have been pretty darn good at it, Eagles add all those FA's and expect them to have chemistry?

yeah, let's see how that works out.