Thinking Towards Next Season: Who Is Safe?

[Chaos]

I know he's not a lock, but I was really impressed with Frank Kearse... hell, even Shirley was OK.

[SOJA]

Who is guaranteed to start?

Cam, Smith, Gross, Kalil, Olsen, D-Will/Stewart

Beason, Gamble, Anderson, CJ

Godfrey, Wharton, and Lafell are likely starters

[Zithers]

i think we'll cut wharton. 31 years old and not playing anywhere near up to his contract. bernadeau fits in at LG nicely.

cam, double trouble, smitty, lafell, olsen, gross, and kalil are safe on offense. i think all of our DEs are safe (including backups), beason, anderson, godfrey, gamble, neblett, senn, and captain will stick around. senn and capn for ST purposes mainly.

[davos]

I'm gonna focus just on defense:

(+)

First off: Beason, Anderson, Gamble, Godfrey, CJ, Hardy, & Edwards are safe

Guys like Butler, Applewhite, Nebbles, Shirley, Senn, Kearse, & Keiser (especially) have looked solid and have exceeded the expectations of a random depth player that goes nowhere. If they keep it up, I say most of these guys will be here at least on the big roster before cuts.

(-)

Guys like Munnerlyn, Martin, Connor (who has not played well), Stanford, and Norwood may in fact be gone if they do not show some late season spark...within this group may be the players that carry the late Fox-era "losing" attitude that many have alluded to recently. These types weren't here when Fox was at his peak therefore are in that murky transitional zone and have only experienced bad seasons/bad teams.

My only 100% sure-fire prediction: Pugh's as$ is gone

(~)

The Williams LBers, & Gaither are meh (probably gone) and the rookie DTs should be safe...but I'm not certain with Fua.

So with this in mind, priorities:

-Better LB depth, a healthy Beason (our whole team's leader)...and possibly a new starting OLB

-A more forceful D-line needs to be built through FA or draft...it doesn't matter. If the staff thinks they can upgrade, upgrade.

-CBs!! We're definitely getting at least 1 CB in the draft and I wouldn't mind going after a legit seasoned player in the FA. I haven't checked who's gonna be available yet but having someone who you know can make turnovers is a must.

-A legit safety to compliment Godfrey. Godfrey can be good, but he needs a supporting cast. Get him a better supporting cast.

[PantherFanOne]

I'd like them to keep the current DTs for next year and avoid using a high pick on one

My guess is we go free agency to try getting our DT need fixed, instead of the draft.

[davos]

My guess is we go free agency to try getting our DT need fixed, instead of the draft.

The DT direction will be interesting to watch unfold this offseason

Right now it seems many are trying to convince themselves we should stay where we are simply because we have 3 upcoming sophomore DTs with only the UDFA who has looked the best (by a mile), McClain looking meh, and Fua showing absolutely no development.

Like I've mentioned, if this staff thinks they can upgrade...a change is gonna happen regardless of the returning Ron Edwards who really only showed average play with KC (and I'm not just looking at stat lines). There's a reason he didn't start in Buffalo (minus replacing injured guys) his first 5 years in the league

[Cat'sGrowl]

The FA market for DT's is bare. Wouldn't be a stretch to assume we invest a high pick in the position.

[DoWorkBson]

No one playing the panthers next year will be safe from the ass whippings the Panthers are sure to hand out week after week

[The_Cannon]

I'm not sure both our RBs are safe...I wouldn't be surprised if we go into the season with only D-will or only Stew

[redbuddha]

Can we close this thread during the Christmas holiday, it is kind of insensitive to be plotting somebody's demise on Xmas. Feel free to restart next week.