what's wrong with him? he spends like 8 hours a day covering the panthers, he tweets pertinent stuff about the team. what do you use twitter for?

3/6/2014 4:39:52 PM

yea, steve smith was our best wide receiver last year. Anybody remember how Lafell stepped up his game with ZERO catch when smith was out?

3/6/2014 4:40:47 PM

Free agency starts tomorrow. Looking like it's going to be pretty depressing for the Panthers.

Redskins apparently want Captain Munnerlyn and Mike Mitchell. The Eagles really want Mitchell too. I'd love to have both guys back, but we're pretty much broke -- at least until we do something long-term with Hardy.

3/10/2014 2:26:54 PM

If Munnerlyn wants mega bucks then let the Redskins find out exactly how much he is worth. I like Munnerlyn but theres no way we can't find a better option out there

3/10/2014 3:21:21 PM

The bottom line is we can't afford to win a bidding war over any of those guys, so happy trails if another team wants to overpay them. Gross's retirement completely changed our goals for this off season. Instead of prepping for a championship run, we're looking at a pseudo-rebuilding year instead barring amazing luck in the draft. The key is not to make any more bad deals that hamstring us throughout Cam's prime. This is the year to take as much pain as possible to setup a sustained run of success afterwards.

3/10/2014 3:50:52 PM

so it looks like Smitty is on his way out

shitty way for it to end, but I get it

3/10/2014 5:01:33 PM

^^ rebuilding? good lord what a sky is falling post

One year ago at this same time you didn't even know who Mike Mitchell was, but now we can't afford to lose him? Trust me there is somebody who can step in play left tackle on a one year deal that will fill that hole.

There will always be free agents that can step in and do a good job in that second wave after the frenzy is over. Our cap situation compared to the rest of the league isn't bad at all. Everybody has to make tough choices on players in contract years.

Just because our path isn't spelled out for you doesn't mean we don't have one.

[Edited on March 10, 2014 at 5:04 PM. Reason : .]

3/10/2014 5:03:16 PM

if someone is dumb enough to pay captain munnerlyn a ton of money to be a nickel corner, more power to them.

3/10/2014 6:20:53 PM

ugh gonna suck to see Smith go

3/10/2014 6:36:58 PM

this year was destined for a rebuilding season regardless of the player moves the second the season ended without mike shula's firing being announced

3/10/2014 11:20:02 PM

Seattle might win it all next year if they just fire Darrell Bevell

[Edited on March 10, 2014 at 11:27 PM. Reason : and hire tower to face their team]

3/10/2014 11:27:31 PM

It's going to hurt badly to see Smitty in another uniform.

That being said, Gettleman's job is to put the franchise in the best position possible, not to be loyal to aging players. Sometimes he has to be the bad guy that Hurney refused to be.

3/11/2014 8:19:59 AM

So what's the word on Smitty? Trying to trade him?

I trust Gettleman. And I know the Panthers owe Smith a lot of money with his contract. But I can't imagine his trade value is all that great.

3/11/2014 8:23:48 AM

Quote :

"QCsportsreport ?@QCsportsreport 15h Told that Steve had a goodbye dinner at Jerry's, will be cut 2morrow. Likely will go to Tampa, Baltimore, New England or Philly. @Panthers"

3/11/2014 8:26:14 AM

The right move but an ugly way to do it. He can finish his career where ever he wants now.

3/11/2014 8:28:05 AM

Wow that sucks.

So what's the plan for WR? Gotta go after somebody in free agency. I don't think we can rely on the draft for a #1 WR this year. No way the Panthers go into 2014 with Ginn or LaFell and a rookie as the go to WRs. Especially with LT being an area of need in the draft. I would assume Carolina goes LT in round 1 and then WR in round 2.

3/11/2014 8:29:25 AM

Sure it sucks, but I'm not that mad. I get why it's being done. Only a few more years until Gettleman can get out from under horrible Hurney contracts!

If he goes to Tampa though, I will not be pleased.

3/11/2014 8:37:55 AM

^^ Joe Person said on the Mac Attack a few minutes ago that we have legitimate interest in Sidney Rice.

3/11/2014 8:42:10 AM

I just don't understand how this helps us that much. Especially in the position we are in at receiver. This only saves us $1 Million this year and I think only 4-5 next year (which is probably why Gettleman is cutting him). Next year who knows what our receivers will look like. Ginn and Lafell (who I don't like anyways) are free agents. Rumors say we are interested in Rice, Nicks, and Decker. Not really a huge Decker fan and Sidney could be the Johnathan Stewart of the receiving corps.

3/11/2014 8:42:14 AM

I could be wrong, but I think we only save that million if we trade him, which is why we are trying that first before releasing him.

This article just came out

Quote :

"On Monday, we explained that the Panthers will owe receiver Steve Smith up to $3 million if they cut him. We were wrong. They’ll owe him exactly $3 million. The contract omits offset language. This means that he can join another team, collect full compensation from that team, and keep the full $3 million in fully-guaranteed salary he’s due to pocket from the Panthers. We revisited our information after Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer mentioned to our friends at WFNZ in Charlotte Tuesday morning that the deal doesn’t include offset language. He’s right; we missed it. “No offset language.” While it won’t make it any harder (or easier) to trade Smith, it highlights the conundrum the Panthers now face: (1) keep Smith and pay him $7 million; (2) cut Smith and pay him $3 million; or (3) trade Smith and pay him nothing. Maybe the trade should be Smith and a low-round pick — from the Panthers — to get another team to simply take that contract off Carolina’s hands. Barring that, Smith will be able to apply a twist to his 2013 catch phrase: “Pay up, son. Pay up.”"

[Edited on March 11, 2014 at 8:49 AM. Reason : ...]

3/11/2014 8:48:18 AM

man, this sucks, sounds like its inevitable. I was hoping Smitty wouldn't go out like this


in other news, how amazing would it be if we could talk Revis into coming here

3/11/2014 8:57:25 AM

Quote :

"I just don't understand how this helps us that much. Especially in the position we are in at receiver. This only saves us $1 Million this year and I think only 4-5 next year (which is probably why Gettleman is cutting him). Next year who knows what our receivers will look like. Ginn and Lafell (who I don't like anyways) are free agents. Rumors say we are interested in Rice, Nicks, and Decker. Not really a huge Decker fan and Sidney could be the Johnathan Stewart of the receiving corps."

This is kinda my opinion as well. It's my even that I'm completely against cutting ties with Smitty. I understand that it is a business and taking emotion out of the decision making process is necessary. But do we really have that much to gain by cutting/trading him? Maybe I'm missing something

3/11/2014 9:43:52 AM

Quote :

"No way the Panthers go into 2014 with Ginn or LaFell and a rookie as the go to WRs. "

I think Ginn, LaFell, and Hixon are all UFAs too, and we haven't tried to resign any of them that I know of.

With Smitty likely gone, that means our 2014 WR core currently consists of ..... wait for it ....

Marvin McNutt and Tavarres King.

Nothing to worry about.

3/11/2014 9:49:24 AM

It's a tough situation for sure. As a fan, I never want to see one of our own go out in another jersey. However, it really comes down to value for the position he plays. As much as I love Steve Smith he's at best a #2 WR in the NFL now and most likely he's a #3. The Panthers receiving group is just so bad he's our #1. He did well this season using the patented "Old Man playing Basketball at the Y with young people" technique. He pushed, shoved, and trash talked his way out of coverages and got away with it because he's a vet. And I LOVE watching him because of that.

But, like others have said, it might not save us much for this year, however it does save more next year. And, while it's a business decision and a super tough one to make, I trust this front office is doing the right thing. It's a sucky thing to have to do, but all kinds of teams have parted ways with long time fan favorites and it typically works out well for both sides. We'll get some cap relief over the next couple of years and get younger at WR. He'll catch on somewhere and have a chance to compete for a title.

As soon as his playing career is over though, the Panthers need to bring him back in some capacity with the team. Going to miss seeing him get in WRs heads like Aqib Talib, etc.

3/11/2014 9:55:18 AM

Quote :

"I think Ginn, LaFell, and Hixon are all UFAs too, and we haven't tried to resign any of them that I know of. With Smitty likely gone, that means our 2014 WR core currently consists of ..... wait for it .... Marvin McNutt and Tavarres King. Nothing to worry about."

Yup!


III

3/11/2014 9:57:51 AM

wr is ugly with Smith. without him it's looking like a cluster fucking travesty

3/11/2014 9:58:05 AM

I'd restructure Smith's contract, bring in Sidney Rice, resign Ginn, and draft WR in Round 1/2. But I guess restructuring his contract really isn't an option since Gettleman wants to have more cap space going forward after this year?

3/11/2014 10:02:46 AM

Quote :

"I understand that it is a business and taking emotion out of the decision making process is necessary. But do we really have that much to gain by cutting/trading him? Maybe I'm missing something "

He costs us 7 million if he is on the roster and 3 mill if we cut him. Obviously nothing if we trade him. So yeah, cap relief to potentially sign a young WR, a LT, or possibly Mitchell/Cappy.

Call me crazy, but I feel like McNutt at least has potential for a bigger role. Maybe not a stud, but better than our fanbase is giving him credit for atm.

Also,

Quote :

"Cat Scratch Reader ?@CatScratchReadr 14h CSR has been told that locker room/organization dynamics are largely at play with Smith situation, not money."

^ He would never restructure because of this

Quote :

"The contract omits offset language. This means that he can join another team, collect full compensation from that team, and keep the full $3 million in fully-guaranteed salary he’s due to pocket from the Panthers."

[Edited on March 11, 2014 at 10:11 AM. Reason : ...]

3/11/2014 10:09:02 AM

Yea, I'm hoping the plan is to sign someone in FA because you don't often get rookie WRs contributing as much as say Kennan Allen did in San Diego this year.

3/11/2014 10:10:15 AM

Bears are probably gonna cut Peppers too

That's basically the 2 best players in Panthers history getting cut today, most likely

3/11/2014 10:19:44 AM

decker or nicks? preference?

[Edited on March 11, 2014 at 10:51 AM. Reason : asdf]

3/11/2014 10:51:09 AM

No Decker please.

3/11/2014 10:57:33 AM

I worry about Nicks staying healthy. But he's a big physical receiver and he's had success, when healthy, with Sheli throwing him the ball. Decker only looked great when Frankenstein was zipping passes to him with a bunch of other #1 wideouts on the field to take pressure off him.

3/11/2014 11:01:50 AM

I don't think we would get either. I think both command too high of a price. But Nicks is more likely, IMO.

3/11/2014 11:02:56 AM

Picking up Nicks or Decker would be a massive mistake, imo. Neither WR is worth what they are trying to get and Nicks is a constant injury concern.

[Edited on March 11, 2014 at 11:35 AM. Reason : .]

3/11/2014 11:34:44 AM

Carolina Panthers guard/center Geoff Hangartner says he’s retiring

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2014/03/11/4757750/carolina-panthers-guardcenter.html#.Ux8zkYVfR2g

3/11/2014 12:16:17 PM

Quote :

"I just don't understand how this helps us that much. Especially in the position we are in at receiver. This only saves us $1 Million this year and I think only 4-5 next year (which is probably why Gettleman is cutting him). Next year who knows what our receivers will look like. Ginn and Lafell (who I don't like anyways) are free agents. Rumors say we are interested in Rice, Nicks, and Decker. Not really a huge Decker fan and Sidney could be the Johnathan Stewart of the receiving corps."

yea, it has more to do with Cam's, Luke's and possibly Hardy's contracts next year

I imagine we'll pick up an FA WR, re-sign one of Ginn/Lafell and take one in the draft

3/11/2014 12:20:03 PM

Quote :

"Seattle might win it all next year if they just fire Darrell Bevell [Edited on March 10, 2014 at 11:27 PM. Reason : and hire tower to face their team]"

why would they fire an OC who has been Top 10 in scoring offense the last two years with a 3rd round QB and a bunch of undrafted WRs?

3/11/2014 12:23:34 PM

Did that just fly right over your head or are you that dense?

3/11/2014 12:40:51 PM

I wouldn't hate the Panthers signing Cotchery if they could get him for around the $1.5 mil he's received the past few years.

3/11/2014 4:54:15 PM

unless nicks signs for the damn veterans minimum(and he won't, he thinks he's better than he is), the panthers would be stupid to court him.

i think going after rice on a short term deal would be good, possibly resign ginn, sign some other guys who won't cost a ton of money and draft some actual talented WRs. I'm sure they'll end up drafting some terrible WR who will make me say WHY DID YOU JUST DO THAT YOU MORONS, just like they always do.

i just looked up their draft history. every single WR pick since steve smith has been terrible. my favorite was the year they drafted keary "butterfingers" colbert and drew "stonehands" carter.

[Edited on March 11, 2014 at 5:47 PM. Reason : .]

3/11/2014 5:43:42 PM

Quote :

"Joe Person ?@josephperson 24m Senn is a former special-teams captain for the Panthers. He will be missed on those teams."

clearly I'm dumb for not recognizing this reporting wizard

3/11/2014 5:55:06 PM

I'm all for resigning Ginn if it can be done at a reasonable cost. But again, there should be no illusion of what Ginn is. He was solid in 2013. But he's a #3 WR and return man at best. Not a #2 and definitely not a #1.

We have got to sign a veteran WR. And imo, Nicks is too injury prone. And I'm not necessarily sold on Rice...but if he can be had at a reasonable price I'm for it.

[Edited on March 11, 2014 at 6:04 PM. Reason : Jj]

3/11/2014 6:03:24 PM

Quote :

"i just looked up their draft history. every single WR pick since steve smith has been terrible."

let's hope Gettleman can find some more Victor Cruzes

3/11/2014 6:30:34 PM

Quote :

"@WillBrinson: Just now on NFLN @rapsheet says most likely landing spot for Hakeem Nicks is Carolina Panthers."

3/11/2014 6:51:13 PM

He's never played all 16 games in a season

But he has played 14, 13, 15, 13, 15 games

And he had 28 catches in the 2011 postseason during the Giants last Super Bowl run

The dude has talent if he can stay healthy. I've heard of some people questioning his effort and work ethic though. But maybe he just needs a change of scenery and a quarterback that doesn't suck dick.

3/11/2014 6:54:38 PM

That and the giants let him go because he wants too much money. He isn't good enough to be paid much.

3/11/2014 7:04:38 PM

I'd be fine with signing him for the right price. If/when we lose 89, he'd immediately be our best receiver.

3/11/2014 7:07:20 PM

It's going to be how many things can be blamed on Cam next year. yep

3/11/2014 7:08:39 PM

Mitchell to the Steelers for 5/25

You can have him for 5 mill per. Not worth that money.

3/11/2014 7:08:53 PM