I may be way off, but I seriously doubt there is much mutual interest there with Nicks, at least not for a long term deal. He has bad knees and is already declining at 26 years old. Caught 0 TD passes last year and only 3 the year before. The receiver market is so soft right now and I think the Nicks camp is just putting out some smoke to try and drive up his price. It would be an absolutely terrible signing for anything more than a 1 year "prove it" deal.

3/11/2014 7:16:58 PM

Miles Austin was released by Dallas. Honestly I'd feel better about him than Nicks I think.

3/11/2014 7:23:30 PM

I'm less concerned with WR than I am with the OL. We've had shit WRs and Smith forever. Next year we're going to have 1 guy like Nicks and a bunch of shit. Not a whole of difference there.

Meanwhile, on the OL we have Ryan Kalil, a converted DT and a turnstile.

3/11/2014 7:59:24 PM

Amini and Kugbila both should be ready to step in

3/11/2014 8:02:44 PM

What's Otah up to these days?

3/11/2014 11:53:43 PM

I wouldn't be surprised at all to find out that our front office believes Lester could be the guy for the future at FS.

Let C-God battle Mikell for that spot at SS.

3/12/2014 6:40:56 AM

Mitchell to the Steelers ... 5 years/$25 million

Godfrey better not suck this year; assuming he doesn't get cut.

3/12/2014 8:28:47 AM

I'm fine with losing Mitchell if it meant we had to pay him that much after 1 good year.

3/12/2014 9:13:36 AM

Has a single free agent wide receiver been signed yet? Man, this draft class is absolutely killing that market. Offensive linemen are already getting scarce though.

3/12/2014 9:25:29 AM

WRs signed/re-signed so far:
Andre Roberts
Dexter McCluster
Kevin Ogletree
Andre Caldwell
Eric Page
Santana Moss
Anquan Boldin
Jeremy Maclin

No big names as far as signings, but mainly because there are no "premiere" options available. Basically going to let things settle a bit and then look for more bargain shopping to occur. Guys like Kenny Britt, Miles Austin, Hakeem Nicks, etc, they'll end up on teams eventually.

3/12/2014 9:39:29 AM

Quote :

"Houston Texans 3/11 Owen Daniels (TE) Terminated, Vested Veteran, Failed Physical (terminated, vested veteran, failed physical)."

Anyone think picking up Daniels to be opposite Olsen is a good idea?

Quote :

"Tennessee Titans 3/11 Kevin Walter (WR) Terminated, Vested Veteran, Failed Physical (terminated, vested veteran, failed physical)."

Might not be a bad cheap signing.

Quote :

"Santonio Holmes (WR) Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts (terminated, vested veteran, all contracts)."

Probably wants too much money...

[Edited on March 12, 2014 at 10:27 AM. Reason : .]

3/12/2014 10:25:23 AM

Smitty's agent says Smitty won't be with the Panthers next season

sucks, but life will go on

3/12/2014 1:15:23 PM

yeah that sucks they couldnt come to terms to make him a lifer, even if he is well past his prime already

3/12/2014 2:00:13 PM

He's going to end up in Tampa or some shit and do nothing all year except for twice. Both times will be against Carolina.

3/12/2014 2:03:06 PM

He'll go to New England and be Wes Welker.

3/12/2014 2:05:42 PM

Smitty himself confirming it on Twitter now.

3/12/2014 2:11:36 PM

3/12/2014 2:43:23 PM

regardless of the breakup, plans better already be under way for his statue outside of the stadium

3/12/2014 3:14:53 PM

Quote :

"yeah that sucks they couldnt come to terms to make him a lifer"

i don think this was ever in the plans. if so they would been reconstructed the contract.


Steve is fiery on the field and you cant tell me he isn't fiery in the locker room. He come a long way but him punching players wasn't that long ago. I wish him the best and I'll miss him in the uniform.


Few Good WRs in the history of the FA era has stayed with their 1 st team. I can only think of two.

3/12/2014 3:23:50 PM

Quote :

"But the decision to cut ties with Smith is about more than money. Sources say Gettleman views Smith as a distraction and is ready to turn the locker room over to emerging stars such as quarterback Cam Newton and middle linebacker Luke Kuechly."

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2014/03/12/4760498/agent-leaves-no-doubt-steve-smith.html#.UyCz8YWxpBM#storylink=cpy

3/12/2014 3:32:35 PM

apparently a few Colts just followed Steve Smith on twitter

so there's that

3/12/2014 5:19:26 PM

3/12/2014 8:29:07 PM

Quote :

""But the decision to cut ties with Smith is about more than money. Sources say Gettleman views Smith as a distraction and is ready to turn the locker room over to emerging stars such as quarterback Cam Newton and middle linebacker Luke Kuechly.""

After hearing about this it made me wonder if Cam had complained or was not happy that the team maybe looked to smith instead of him?

3/12/2014 10:18:36 PM

Feels like smitty was the soul of the panthers for so long

3/13/2014 1:56:34 AM

I think I'm in the minority, but I always felt like Steve Smith was somewhat of a diva, and felt like he would create problems for our QBs.

Steve Smith is a potential HoF level WR, he put up great numbers and WAS our passing game for several years, but he always seemed like he'd be hard to play with. He would scream at our QBs on the sideline(Delhomme, our train of young crappy QBs, even Cam) and would demand the ball. Then our QBs would throw picks trying to force him the ball and he seemed content with them throwing picks as long as they were being thrown towards him. Also never felt like he really "groomed" any of our young WRs, felt like Moose was a much better influence on our WR core.

I hate to see us get rid of fan-favorites, but when they say he was a problem in the locker room, it really doesn't surprise me. And if we can take Steve Smith's cap savings, and flip that into something like: James Jones, Hakeem Nicks, and a 1st round WR, I'll take that. Would love to get Ginn back too(but seems unlikely with other teams pursuing him).

3/13/2014 8:28:48 AM

If you take the pure emotion out of it, it's hard to argue that Gman isn't doing the right thing.

It really is time for our new generation in Cam and Luke to take the reins. It would never fully be their team until Smitty wasn't in the picture anymore however.

Cam is the undisputed guy now. His word is the final word on that side of the ball.

3/13/2014 8:51:21 AM

Getting rid of Smith and bringing in Roman Harper (who is visiting today) would be a pretty good way to piss off a large chunk of the fanbase.

3/13/2014 8:52:16 AM

The only free agent rumor I've liked so far is that we brought in Anthony Collins.

3/13/2014 9:00:56 AM

^^ It's not like he would be starting. Lester and C-God will be our backfield there.

3/13/2014 9:02:50 AM

Steve was our Allen Iverson. He had his flaws, but he always laid it all out there for us.

3/13/2014 9:34:24 AM

Destroy offense, make it impossible for Cam to have good stats, get him to sign for cheaper, profit?

3/13/2014 9:38:29 AM

You can't manufacture leadership, if Gman moved Steve to make Cam the offensive leader then we can expect another repeat of the 2000' Carolina Panthers.

3/13/2014 9:42:38 AM

^^Why would Cam be willing to sign with us if we're not willing to put weapons around him or at least have some weapons on roster?

3/13/2014 10:00:01 AM

No idea, which is why I dont understand the plan here. At this point we are either going to have to overpay for a WR or rely on a lot of guys with little experience/rookies. Just not looking forward to what is beginning to look like another non playoff season next year.

3/13/2014 10:17:23 AM

The Panthers(Gettleman) don't want to pay Steve the 7 mil hes owed this year or the 9 mil hes owed next year for what is likely to be 500 yd receiving years and a couple TD's. Can't say I blame them. All the rest of this information that is leaking out is just posturing with the fans so that they can say, "See...this is why we're letting him go. He wasn't good for the team!"

3/13/2014 10:21:07 AM

Doss and Ludchris make my head hurt. You both have trouble seeing any future unless it is laid out for you like baby steps.

Stop and think for a minute, do you really think that this WR transition just occurred to Gettlemen a month ago? Really? Give the guy some fucking credit. He didn't luck into this job and the one offseason he did have with us he worked some god damn magic with no money to speak of. RELAX.

There will be players, drafted, cut, emerge, etc for the next six months. Just because the dude doesn't want to show his cards doesn't mean he isn't playing the game.

Also, when's the last time a (healthy young) franchise quarterback hit the open market? Never? Cam will be here until the end of his career. Spending one second worrying about that is foolish.

3/13/2014 11:14:03 AM

I have no doubt in the future down the road. I just dont at this time like where next season appears headed. I realize that we are hamstrung by some terrible fucking contracts right now and hopefully once we get those off the books we can get the right pieces in here. I guess its more the thirst for more success after last season even if it was more of a surprise year. I know in the end builing sustained success is better than the win now approach, but damnit I want to win now! haha

3/13/2014 11:20:46 AM

I completely understand the logic and rationale behind this move. That said, we can all agree that this situation could've been handled a lot better. I'm gonna wait and see who the panthers are able to get in free agency at WR before I pass judgement on the move. But either way, thisorning could've gone much smoother than it did

3/13/2014 11:22:00 AM

forgive us for being worried. Most of us are State, Panther, maybe Hurricanes fans. When was the last time ANY of those teams were good more than one consecutive year? 25 years ago with NCSU BBall?

We have a right to be pessimistic and mistrustful of how our teams are managed. Our GMs and coaches have had plenty of WTF moments over the last few years that made no sense, then also paid no dividends.

3/13/2014 11:26:58 AM

Quote :

"If you take the pure emotion out of it, it's hard to argue that Gman isn't doing the right thing. It really is time for our new generation in Cam and Luke to take the reins. It would never fully be their team until Smitty wasn't in the picture anymore however. Cam is the undisputed guy now. His word is the final word on that side of the ball."

exactly

and as much as I (and I'm nearly certain all of you) love him, you can't deny that he was showing signs of decline last season. that added to his contract is how we got here. we're in a situation in which every dollar counts, so without restructuring, this had to be done. the only thing I'm not cool with is how it all has gone down, but we'll see how the press conference goes later today

[Edited on March 13, 2014 at 11:47 AM. Reason : looks like there won't be a press conference, contrary to earlier reports]

3/13/2014 11:36:06 AM

Don'tworry the panthers will be good next year.

3/13/2014 11:47:28 AM

they cut smith because he talked about how much shula sucked

i told you assholes shula was the problem

3/13/2014 11:57:52 AM

[Edited on March 13, 2014 at 12:45 PM. Reason : I should know better than to trust a dads Instagram account]

3/13/2014 12:38:51 PM

i was a little upset when I heard of this. but now that I've had time to marinate on it, I can see that I was emotional due to being a fan. however, once I thought about this from an organization building and business standpoint, i'm not sure it bothers me as much anymore. but i'm basing that thought on the assumption that we'll add a couple of FA receivers.

another reason I have come around is seeing the incessant whining from panther fans on facebook. seeing that makes me want to tell each of them to shut the fuck up.

3/13/2014 12:55:46 PM

Hixon is a bear

3/13/2014 12:56:33 PM

oh, I have seen some close friends of mine threaten to boycott the team/give up their PSL's over it

sometimes it's a good idea to take a few steps back and take a couple of deep breaths

3/13/2014 12:58:04 PM

Quote :

"they cut smith because he talked about how much shula sucked i told you assholes shula was the problem"

Interesting, because he co-hosted The Drive every Monday this past season and genuinely couldn't say enough good things about Shula. Everytime dumbass Marc would start on a rant Smitty shut him down.

I'm calling bullshit on this statement.

3/13/2014 1:28:11 PM

Smitty was a big proponent of promoting Shula to OC before the season started, despite Marc James bashing Shula. that's just tower being tower.

3/13/2014 1:51:41 PM

Ginn signs with Cards... I'm pretty tall maybe I can find a new profession as a Carolina WR

3/13/2014 6:01:25 PM

hixon gone too?! wtf

3/13/2014 8:57:04 PM