Our Free Agency Grade according to ESPN

[setzer2030]

"Grade: C- 

Key signings: WR Jerricho Cotchery, QB Derek Anderson, SS Roman Harper 
Key subtractions: WR Steve Smith, LT Jordan Gross, CB Captain Munnerlyn, S Mike Mitchell, WR Brandon LaFell, WR Ted Ginn Jr. 

The Panthers make for an easy target in free agency, but unlike some other teams, their problems predated the current personnel department. It's tough to hold GM Dave Gettleman fully accountable for an offseason in which he's been cleaning up messes left behind by predecessors. Putting the franchise tag on defensive end Greg Hardy made sense, but it didn't help the short-term financial outlook. We should note, however, that defensive improvements were the leading reason behind the Panthers' jump to a 12-4 record last season. 

"They are cap-strapped, so what are you going to do?" Polian said. "They have done the best they could in a tight situation. They have to do the rest in the draft, which is better than spending bad money in free agency." 

For a couple of years I've thought the Panthers should be adding young weaponry to grow with quarterback Cam Newton. The team has little choice but to follow that course all at once. It's unfortunate Carolina doesn't have an ascending young receiver to help ease the transition. "

 

Personally I agree with their assessment.  There's only so much you can do with so little wiggle room. Definitely looking forward to the draft in May.

[frash.exe]

"It's tough to hold them accountable for the fact that they have no money.

Let's give em a C"

[dugbug]

They left out hardy in the signing list for the franchise tender. That's a key signing. Also yeah we need a clear wr1 but we had to take Luke and star. Had to.

[Gin and Juice]

I think people fail to realize Hardy is not gonna play under the tag and Getts knows this, the injury factor is to great. It's a stand off and Getts will not relent! 5yr/50 mil with 26 guaranteed is a lot better than 13mil and career ending injury

[dugbug]

I think people fail to realize Hardy is not gonna play under the tag and Getts knows this, the injury factor is to great. It's a stand off and Getts will not relent! 5yr/50 mil with 26 guaranteed is a lot better than 13mil and career ending injury

You think he trades him?

[CarolinaNCSU]

Polian making sense? 

[TheRumGone]

I think people fail to realize Hardy is not gonna play under the tag and Getts knows this, the injury factor is to great. It's a stand off and Getts will not relent! 5yr/50 mil with 26 guaranteed is a lot better than 13mil and career ending injury

Hardy literally does not give a fug. He will play under the tag if a deal isn't worked out.

[therealmjl]

Hardy literally does not give a fug. He will play under the tag if a deal isn't worked out.

This.

[Gin and Juice]

Hardy does give a fug! Anybody would! Gman holds the leverage. Hardy plays under tag and has a season ending injury then.....boom, 13mil is all he will ever get! He signs a 4-5 year cap friendly deal that guarantees 26 mil then injury or not, he gets the 26mil plus coming years base pay(8-10ish mil).

Would you go into season guaranteed 13 mil or 35ish mil? It's common sense. Kraken and his agent are just trying to out wait Gman!

Lol, Gman has all the time in the world. No player is stupid enough to play under the tag if a fair deal is presented. I'm sure Getts is being more than fair, just not Hurney to CJ fair

[Gucci Mane]

Hardy does give a fug! Anybody would! Gman holds the leverage. Hardy plays under tag and has a season ending injury then.....boom, 13mil is all he will ever get! He signs a 4-5 year cap friendly deal that guarantees 26 mil then injury or not, he gets the 26mil plus coming years base pay(8-10ish mil).

Would you go into season guaranteed 13 mil or 35ish mil? It's common sense. Kraken and his agent are just trying to out wait Gman!

Lol, Gman has all the time in the world. No player is stupid enough to play under the tag if a fair deal is presented. I'm sure Getts is being more than fair, just not Hurney to CJ fair

 

In what world would a player get $35 million in one year?

[TheRed]

Hardy has already talked about being fine with playing under the franchise tag.

Not sure where Gin and Juice is getting his information from.

[philp]

this is about as exciting a POWER RANKING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[MadHatter]

Hardy does give a fug! Anybody would! Gman holds the leverage. Hardy plays under tag and has a season ending injury then.....boom, 13mil is all he will ever get! He signs a 4-5 year cap friendly deal that guarantees 26 mil then injury or not, he gets the 26mil plus coming years base pay(8-10ish mil).

Would you go into season guaranteed 13 mil or 35ish mil? It's common sense. Kraken and his agent are just trying to out wait Gman!

Lol, Gman has all the time in the world. No player is stupid enough to play under the tag if a fair deal is presented. I'm sure Getts is being more than fair, just not Hurney to CJ fair

 

Hardy has already said that he is fine playing under the tag....and I for one believe him.

[SCP]

ESPN gets a "D" from me for NFL coverage.