Hurney: Wharton to be released

[PantherBrew]

Wharton will be a Cowboy or a Saint, depending on where Nicks lands.

[OneBadassCat]

We have to be trying to make a play at somebody. Releasing Wharton is going to free up a good amount of cap space. Wharton is not just expendable imo, they have someone in mind they really want.

[Louie]

I think we need help on the defensive side more than O line. If...a big if, Otah is healthy we could use Bell at G and he would probably be fine. We do need a FA guard though.

[CatMan72]

Panthers were VERY high on Garry Williams before he got hurt last year... he was slotted to be the starting RG.

With Wharton's cap # and Williams returning from injury, this move made sense.

[panther4life]

We have to be trying to make a play at somebody. Releasing Wharton is going to free up a good amount of cap space. Wharton is not just expendable imo, they have someone in mind they really want.

I agree/hope this is the case. Otherwise we could have waited until june 1st and spread the 4 milliion cap hit over this year and next.

[MHS831]

Trust me. We will get a starting guard. No way Rivera will let our franchise QB get destroyed. Looks like DeCastro will be our #1 pick.

Osemele (sp? Iowa St., 2nd round) is interesting to me because he has long arms and good feet. He is projected to G, but he would be a good RT. He could play G for a while and kick outside when the Otah experiment ends. I think he has LT potential--at least as a back up should something happen to Gross. I am not saying he would be a reserve--just a RG for Now. Bell should compete for the other G spot with Hangman.

I think we will draft Reiff or no offensive lineman at all #9. We could trade down, but if not, hard to explain leaving a LT on the table and taking a G when your LT is 32 and your RT is in intensive care.

Why do I think Reiff will be there? Eric Winston is visiting Miami first. Isn't that where he is from? Either way, if they sign him, Miami will not take Reiff. The only other team that could take him? St. Louis (Jax is a long shot). St. Louis needs CB, WR, and DL as well.

[prowler2k8]

Panthers were VERY high on Garry Williams before he got hurt last year... he was slotted to be the starting RG.

With Wharton's cap # and Williams returning from injury, this move made sense.

Not sure why, but I trust the coaches on this one. He wasn't all the impressive 2 me the times I saw him play. IMO good backup and depth but not starter material. He could prove me wrong this season though. Let's not forget we also drafted a G in the 5 or 6 round last year from WSU (Zach Williams) and this could open the way to develop another young player. And Byron Bell may also be in the mix for either G spot.

[chknwing]

Wharton still counts $4million against the cap

[klumme]

Wharton still counts $4million against the cap

3.6 and as a juni 1st cut we can spread it over two years. So 1.8 mil

[MHS831]

I agree/hope this is the case. Otherwise we could have waited until june 1st and spread the 4 milliion cap hit over this year and next.

Probably not today, but the tea leaves suggest that a LB and possibly an OL are in the cards. I do not like the free agents at DL. A WR is also a possibility, and maybe a CB they feel would do well in our scheme.

Someone suggested Braylon Edwards. Eeeek. However, his stock is low and he has never had a stud QB throwing to him (Cleveland, Jets, niners...)

[Matthias]

If we could re-sign Schwartz on the cheap, I would be okay with this starting line up....

LT Gross

LG Schwartz

C Kalil

RG Bell

RT Otah

[MrBubba]

Seriously doubt we will pick DeCastro @ #9. If we trade back, he could be an option but the general rule is you can find quality G in the later rounds of the draft and the Panthers are not known for using high picks on G's.

But I think OL talent just shot up the "draft need" meter. A OT is very possible now.

[panther4life]

3.6 and as a juni 1st cut we can spread it over two years. So 1.8 mil

No, its march 13th, so no spreading it out over 2 years and the hit is 4 million, the savings us 3.7

[megadeth078]

The only way I would want to get an OT in the first round is if we trade up and get Kalil (which is pretty ridiculous in itself). Anything else and I will be pissed, and that includes trade downs.