bubba9497
February-22nd-2005, 09:40 AM
Plenty of difficult personnel decisions waiting to be made
http://www.buzzfans.com/sports/story/4620946p-4292191c.html
CHARLOTTE -- NFL free agency starts March 2, but before then, the Carolina Panthers will go a long way toward defining strategy and goals for the shopping season.
Will they hang onto their veteran core or let popular elders slide and move on with talented additions?
The answer will most likely be a combination, but choosing how long to hang on to some players will be as important as anything.
The team can begin releasing veterans today, and while they may not choose to do so immediately, there are a number of possibilities they could pursue to make themselves better and younger for 2005.
"I don't think you go in with that thought," Panthers general manager Marty Hurney said. "But you always have in mind that you don't want to get too old.
"You never let a thought like that drive what you plan to do, but at the same time, you certainly don't want to get too old."
Although they carried the reputation and mannerisms of a younger team, the Panthers were the second-oldest in the NFL last year (average age 27.68), based on opening-day rosters. They also carried 18 players 30 or older, most in the NFL.
Hurney said those numbers were skewed, that the team's core was built around its young stars -- Julius Peppers, Jordan Gross, Kris Jenkins, Dan Morgan and Steve Smith.
Being old's not necessarily the worst thing. The New England Patriots built their dynasty with a series of interchangeable veteran pickups each year (Rodney Harrison, Corey Dillon, et al). It should be noted that last year they were sixth-oldest in the league and carried 16 players 30 or older into the season.
Being built for the long term means a youthful foundation, and to stay there, the Panthers also have to dispatch some productive veterans before they begin the inevitable decline -- either by releasing them or letting them sign elsewhere. The Patriots have also done that, shedding Ted Washington, Lawyer Milloy, Antowain Smith and Damien Woody in recent years.
The Panthers make no secret of trying to replicate the Patriots' formula, since everyone wants their success.
To do so, they're faced with a number of difficult personnel decisions. That means a series of questions, where honest answers won't be available for two or three years:
n Should they invest heavily in keeping Muhsin Muhammad?
That they won't pay the $10 million roster bonus to keep their all-time leading receiver is well-documented. The idea they can reach a long-term deal before March 1 seems less and less likely.
With a run-first philosophy, an emerging star in Steve Smith and plenty of other concerns, the bigger issue might be whether they should try to keep him, when others seem poised to make a big (money) run at him.
While no one's saying anything publicly, it would hardly be a surprise if the Panthers were already exploring ways to replace Muhammad, since it appears unlikely he's coming back.
n Should they cement Mike Minter's place in the back of the defense, giving him an extension that will allow him to retire a Panther?
Minter's toting around a cap figure north of $6.5 million, and his numbers last year were his worst in recent memory. Much of that had to do with baby-sitting a corps of young defensive backs, particularly free safety Colin Branch.
Minter can still play. The Panthers have to decide if they want him for four or five years, or whether it's time to part ways.
n How long can their defensive line play at the high level demanded by their philosophy?
Mike Rucker's play dipped last year, perhaps in part because of concerns about an irregular heartbeat. Either way, he wasn't the monster he was in the Pro Bowl year of 2003. While Brentson Buckner was the team's second-best lineman behind Peppers, the notion he'll play at his current level until 2007 seems farfetched.
n Should they rid themselves of one or both of their veteran backup quarterbacks?
The fact Rodney Peete turns 39 in less than a month matters little. If you don't put miles on a vintage car, is it really getting older? With Rod Rutherford showing enough spark to merit a return, the Panthers don't need Peete and Chris Weinke. Peete might get the nod because he's comfortable as a backup.
n At 31, can center Jeff Mitchell remain the rock of the offensive line, and can they afford to keep him?
Like a good baseball team, the Panthers believe in having strength up the middle. One of the most underrated linemen in the league, Mitchell has helped keep an ever-changing cast around him playing at an acceptable level. Like Minter, his cap number's grown too large ($6 million), and it's a tough call whether to invest four more years.
Can they keep quality depth while still developing young players?
The Panthers made honest efforts to keep veteran backups, although they all seemed to get hurt last year (Jessie Armstead, Kavika Pittman). It's a strategy they'll probably pursue again, even if the names change. They got what they needed out of low-cost players such as Rich Tylski, and will probably continue to look for cheap, established players to fill certain slots.
http://www.buzzfans.com/sports/story/4620946p-4292191c.html
CHARLOTTE -- NFL free agency starts March 2, but before then, the Carolina Panthers will go a long way toward defining strategy and goals for the shopping season.
Will they hang onto their veteran core or let popular elders slide and move on with talented additions?
The answer will most likely be a combination, but choosing how long to hang on to some players will be as important as anything.
The team can begin releasing veterans today, and while they may not choose to do so immediately, there are a number of possibilities they could pursue to make themselves better and younger for 2005.
"I don't think you go in with that thought," Panthers general manager Marty Hurney said. "But you always have in mind that you don't want to get too old.
"You never let a thought like that drive what you plan to do, but at the same time, you certainly don't want to get too old."
Although they carried the reputation and mannerisms of a younger team, the Panthers were the second-oldest in the NFL last year (average age 27.68), based on opening-day rosters. They also carried 18 players 30 or older, most in the NFL.
Hurney said those numbers were skewed, that the team's core was built around its young stars -- Julius Peppers, Jordan Gross, Kris Jenkins, Dan Morgan and Steve Smith.
Being old's not necessarily the worst thing. The New England Patriots built their dynasty with a series of interchangeable veteran pickups each year (Rodney Harrison, Corey Dillon, et al). It should be noted that last year they were sixth-oldest in the league and carried 16 players 30 or older into the season.
Being built for the long term means a youthful foundation, and to stay there, the Panthers also have to dispatch some productive veterans before they begin the inevitable decline -- either by releasing them or letting them sign elsewhere. The Patriots have also done that, shedding Ted Washington, Lawyer Milloy, Antowain Smith and Damien Woody in recent years.
The Panthers make no secret of trying to replicate the Patriots' formula, since everyone wants their success.
To do so, they're faced with a number of difficult personnel decisions. That means a series of questions, where honest answers won't be available for two or three years:
n Should they invest heavily in keeping Muhsin Muhammad?
That they won't pay the $10 million roster bonus to keep their all-time leading receiver is well-documented. The idea they can reach a long-term deal before March 1 seems less and less likely.
With a run-first philosophy, an emerging star in Steve Smith and plenty of other concerns, the bigger issue might be whether they should try to keep him, when others seem poised to make a big (money) run at him.
While no one's saying anything publicly, it would hardly be a surprise if the Panthers were already exploring ways to replace Muhammad, since it appears unlikely he's coming back.
n Should they cement Mike Minter's place in the back of the defense, giving him an extension that will allow him to retire a Panther?
Minter's toting around a cap figure north of $6.5 million, and his numbers last year were his worst in recent memory. Much of that had to do with baby-sitting a corps of young defensive backs, particularly free safety Colin Branch.
Minter can still play. The Panthers have to decide if they want him for four or five years, or whether it's time to part ways.
n How long can their defensive line play at the high level demanded by their philosophy?
Mike Rucker's play dipped last year, perhaps in part because of concerns about an irregular heartbeat. Either way, he wasn't the monster he was in the Pro Bowl year of 2003. While Brentson Buckner was the team's second-best lineman behind Peppers, the notion he'll play at his current level until 2007 seems farfetched.
n Should they rid themselves of one or both of their veteran backup quarterbacks?
The fact Rodney Peete turns 39 in less than a month matters little. If you don't put miles on a vintage car, is it really getting older? With Rod Rutherford showing enough spark to merit a return, the Panthers don't need Peete and Chris Weinke. Peete might get the nod because he's comfortable as a backup.
n At 31, can center Jeff Mitchell remain the rock of the offensive line, and can they afford to keep him?
Like a good baseball team, the Panthers believe in having strength up the middle. One of the most underrated linemen in the league, Mitchell has helped keep an ever-changing cast around him playing at an acceptable level. Like Minter, his cap number's grown too large ($6 million), and it's a tough call whether to invest four more years.
Can they keep quality depth while still developing young players?
The Panthers made honest efforts to keep veteran backups, although they all seemed to get hurt last year (Jessie Armstead, Kavika Pittman). It's a strategy they'll probably pursue again, even if the names change. They got what they needed out of low-cost players such as Rich Tylski, and will probably continue to look for cheap, established players to fill certain slots.