A Hard Look at Free Agency 2009

[Mr. Scot]

You know, as odd and overly optimistic as it might sound, Julius Peppers may be doing this team a bit of a favor.

I had a general sense of something, and decided to take a look over at the ESPN free agent tracker. Position by position, I looked down the list of names. Players signed, players still unsigned, the whole nine yards. And in the end, I came to confirm the general feeling I had, one others have also expressed before.

Outside of a small number of big names, this year's free agent class is pretty weak.

To be clear, there are decent players, but overall, meh.

There are very few players I'm all that sad to see us not get, and even among those there are a fair number (guys like Chris Kemoeatu, Nnamdi Asomugha, etc) that we'd never have had a shot at without breaking the bank. Consider also that among the offensive linemen, the best available was one of our own, and we signed him.

Add in that for the guys we've lost (Hangartner, Omiyale) the deals given to them were more than I'd have felt comfortable seeing the Panthers pay for guys who weren't going to be starters. Arguably the biggest loss has been Ken Lucas, who's still unsigned and whose level of "loss" is a subject for debate.

Bottom line: I don't know that there's anyone we've "missed out on" that's truly worth crying over.

Who knows? Maybe in a free agent class that isn't all that hot, not having money to spend isn't exactly on the level of a Greek tragedy.

[AKPantherFan]

ummm.. whatever...

thats called "being optimistic"

I like it, but its just our emotional way of dealing with the fact that our team has done little to better itself.

It will all change in the next few weeks

[Lone Buc Fan]

Carolina definatley had the best free agent tackle on the market. Tackles are just beginning to become easier to acquire and develop from the draft it seems like, this could hurt Gross's stock in 3-4 years but he hopped out and grabbed his money at the right moment.

The free agent class was weak as hell, if you had the money.. chasing some of the other corners in FA would have been decent. Even Shawn Springs could have taken Godfrey or Lucas's job and did fine.

Good post and I tend to agree with you on this subject. Carolina will be worse if Peppers leaves, no matter if they get 2 1st round picks or not. There isn't any talent in the draft better then Peppers as of now.

[Jangler]

ummm.. whatever...

thats called "being optimistic"

I like it, but its just our emotional way of dealing with the fact that our team has done little to better itself.

It will all change in the next few weeks

Yup, the post draft FA period should be much better. As long as Peppers is dealt and we have some money to use on a couple of them.

[Mr. Scot]

ummm.. whatever...

thats called "being optimistic"

I like it, but its just our emotional way of dealing with the fact that our team has done little to better itself.

It will all change in the next few weeks

I can see looking at it that way, but I'm not the only one who'd say this.

Sad truth is that the 2009 draft class doesn't look to exactly be all that stellar either. Naturally, there are good players and some spots are deeper than others, but I get the sense that overall this isn't a great draft class. Hopefully we'll be wise in our picks.

In the end though, even if we would have had money to spend, this year's FA group would still be mediocre at best. That's not to say there aren't players worth getting, but there's nobody in this bunch that I'm eating my heart out over not getting.

[Kevin Greene]

Yup, the post draft FA period should be much better. As long as Peppers is dealt and we have some money to use on a couple of them.

And the extra draft picks we get in the draft first. :sifone:

[Kevin Greene]

IThat's not to say there aren't players worth getting, but there's nobody in this bunch that I'm eating my heart out over not getting.

When the cap cuts come, I just want the Panthers to have the cap $, should they choose to use it. No way of telling what will be available in June when roster bonuses and such kick in.

[Fiz]

the longer we go without trading Peppers, the more valuable he becomes.

Someone gets injured in preseason? Like a Suggs or a Ware? Holy poo name your price.

you can read more about stuff like this at marginalplayer.blogspot.com because IM DRUNK AND I STARTED WRITING AGAIN

[Kevin Greene]

the longer we go without trading Peppers, the more valuable he becomes.

Someone gets injured in preseason? Like a Suggs or a Ware? Holy poo name your price.

you can read more about stuff like this at marginalplayer.blogspot.com because IM DRUNK AND I STARTED WRITING AGAIN

Yes because so many teams will have an extra ten million dollars in cap space for another player when preseason games start in August.

[Brooklyn Bully]

Pep leaving will hurt the team. However, you are kidding yourself if you think we would not have signed anyone by now if Pep had already been dealt. No matter how "weak" this year's pool may be, teams are making moves. Why? Because that's what you do in the NFL. You find depth, you fill holes, you make your team better if possible. We can't do that because of Peppers. While we have the same roster (minus a few) from a Playoff team last year...that was last year. That means nothing today. Most of you think "we'll be fine", and I hope so...because I want Pep to stay now because without him our line will be a disgrace.

It's just an odd year for the FO and their hands are tied. There's nothing that can be done. What WILL be interesting is training camp . Not much camp fodder this year! Not many position battles either! Sure, they'll scrounge up what pocket change they have right now to sign the draft picks and a few nobodies...but other than that...it is what it is, for real.

It'll be a fun season, I'm looking forward to it. I'm still seeing 10-6.

[Mr. Scot]

Yes because so many teams will have an extra ten million dollars in cap space for another player when preseason games start in August.

In fairness, there are teams that go into the season with a fair amount of cap space on a fairly regular basis. They're the ones whose fanbases are always screaming "why do we have all this money and not use it?"

Not saying it'll happen, but it's within the realm of possibility.

[Lone Buc Fan]

Yea and how people think it'll be awesome to get rid of their most explosive playmaker on defense, which would lead to your defensive line completely collapsing and getting 10-15 sacks tops combined. Peppers leaving puts a huge hole that isn't worth having 2 fist round picks for Carolina. He's 29 and its unlikely anyone will pay that kinda money for someone who's heart is being questioned.

[Kevin Greene]

In fairness, there are teams that go into the season with a fair amount of cap space on a fairly regular basis. They're the ones whose fanbases are always screaming "why do we have all this money and not use it?"

Not saying it'll happen, but it's within the realm of possibility.

Except you're talking about Cincinnati.

[Jangler]

Nobody wants Peppers to leave. But he wants to go. So I would rather he go and get his money somewhere else. Now if he wants the contract that was offered at the beginning of last year, fine. But I don't see that happening.