Countdown to Free Agency

[Mr. Scot]

For Dave Gettleman, busy time is just around the corner.

The free agent period opens six weeks from tomorrow (March 12th).

No more midnight vigils since the NFL will now start the free agent period in the daytime (thinking 4pm but not sure).

Dave Gettleman and his staff have a month and a half to get ready, but that's not their only task. The scouting combine starts in just under three weeks (February 23-26) and of course there's the draft to prepare for down the road (April 25-27).

Between now and March, moves will have to be made to free up cap space, so it'll be no surprise to see the Panthers roster in a state of flux.

Will be very interesting to see if this year's free agency period differs from prior years.

[Argus Plexus]

I wonder if we will ever get a blue chip free agent. I can't remember the last time we did.

[UNCrules2187]

I wonder if we will ever get a blue chip free agent. I can't remember the last time we did.

Our blue-chip free agents never really turn out to be much. Ken Lucas was good for a few seasons, as was Kemoeatu, but we had just as many big money busts (Mike Wahle, Justin Hartwig, etc.).

[Mr. Scot]

With a guy who spent the last twelve years as a pro personnel guy, I'd say the odds of us being more active in free agency go up.

But then there's that salary cap situation... :(

[Argus Plexus]

Our blue-chip free agents never really turn out to be much. Ken Lucas was good for a few seasons, as was Kemoeatu, but we had just as many big money busts (Mike Wahle, Justin Hartwig, etc.).

My God I'd forgotten about those until you reminded me. Thanks a lot -_-

[4Corners]

Mike Wahle was a good player during his time here. Hartwig was a colossal bust.

[UNCrules2187]

Mike Wahle was a good player during his time here. Hartwig was a colossal bust.

Wahle was serviceable at best, certainly not worth the $25m deal he signed.

[Frizzy350]

I can't remember the last time a "blue chip" free agent was worth what the team payed with the exception of Manning/Brees.

[rayzor]

I wonder if we will ever get a blue chip free agent. I can't remember the last time we did.

if by blue chip you mean one of the high profile big money/overpriced guys that go quickly...nope. won't happen. not the panthers way of doing things and not the gettleman way of doing things from what i can tell. the typical panthers way is one i don't agree with because it focuses too narrowedly on the draft for addressing needs.

the gettleman way, though, is what he said in his first presser. find value in FA to fill holes but look to sign guys on short-term and affordable deals. i suspect he'll be use it more he'll be much more effective in finding quality guys to fill holes without having to break the bank. he's a guy that can spot talent anywhere that is often over looked. i'm fine with not going after one of the high end guys because i think that overall gettleman will make better used of FA than we are accustomed to.

[Mr. Scot]

I thought Wahle was good, just not worth what he was getting paid.

Honestly, that's a phrase you could apply to a load of Panthers free agent acquisitions.

You could make the argument that Marty Hurney wasn't necessarily bad at finding free agents. He just sucked at valuing how much to pay them.

[rayzor]

With a guy who spent the last twelve years as a pro personnel guy, I'd say the odds of us being more active in free agency go up.

But then there's that salary cap situation... :(

i think he'll find the cap space he needs for his bargain shopping.

[stirs]

that $4 that we have available is burning a hole in our pocket

best guys are lining up for it (sarcasm)

big, big cuts to talk about before talking about signings

[Udogg]

Mario Williams should be in jail beside Madoff for what he is doing to the Bills.

[Frizzy350]

There is some good news though, I was reading an article on NFL.com a few weeks ago and basically most teams have little or no available cap room. All the good teams have their money tied up in QBs, pass rushers, wide receivers and Olinemen and all the bad teams have their money tied up in overpaid FAs and draft picks before the rookie wage scale. Basically the vast majority of contracts that are going to be given out are going to be much smaller than the ones in FA the last two years. Yes the most desperate of teams will still pay big bucks for the top FAs, but a LOT of talent will be around at an affordable rate.

Note: Considering how well Rodgers played without Greg Jennings his market value could be quite low. If he's asking for anything under 5mil/yr we should take a serious look.