Deal Saver - brought to you by the Charlotte Observer

Carolina Panthers

comments
  • Print
  • Order Reprints
  • Share Share

Carolina Panthers under salary cap, need more to attack free agency

  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2013/03/09/17/52/v1r7B.Em.138.jpeg|448
    David T. Foster III - dtfoster@charlotteobserver.com
    The Carolina Panthers could be interested in the New York Giants’ Ramses Barden (13), who the Panthers could sign to push for the No. 2 wideout spot. (Staff file photo, David T. Foster III-dtfoster@charlotteobserver.com)
  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2013/03/09/17/52/1czWD7.Em.138.jpeg|418
    Rob Carr - Getty
    The Carolina Panthers also could be interested in New York Giants wide receiver Domenik Hixon (87). (Rob Carr/Getty Images)
  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2013/03/09/17/52/6JgxU.Em.138.jpeg|320
    Eric Gay - AP
    New York Giants veteran defensive tackle Chris Canty, who played at Charlotte Latin, told a Charlotte radio station he'd consider playing in his hometown if the Panthers were interested. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Carolina Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman said last month the biggest offseason goal was getting under the salary cap by March 12.

He beat the deadline by four days. Carolina cut Chris Gamble on Friday to get under the $123 million cap, and now the Panthers have two days to negotiate with unrestricted free agents before free agency begins in earnest around the league Tuesday.

Almost $4 million under the cap, the Panthers still need to find another $6 million to $8 million in cap space to get far enough below the cap to re-sign their own players, pick up free agents and sign draft picks.

Carolina needs help from its veterans to shave that money. Pro Bowl center Ryan Kalil and tight end Greg Olsen have helped the team with restructured deals in the past month, and veteran left tackle Jordan Gross has been asked to do the same.

Gettleman has said he doesn’t want player cuts and restructured contracts to be quick fixes for the upcoming season. He plans to think two or three years down the road.

“You can’t just think about 2013,” he said last month in Indianapolis. “You’ve got to get beyond that. We’ve got to be thoughtful about this. With it being as flat as its been the last couple of years and people are talking it’s going to be that way for a couple more years, you’ve got to try to climb out of the hole. The only way you’re gonna do that is if you’re thoughtful.”

Carolina has 14 free agents on the roster, but special teams captain and backup linebacker Jordan Senn has already agreed to a one-year deal with the Panthers.

Cornerback Captain Munnerlyn and defensive tackle Dwan Edwards are two of the top targets for the Panthers to re-sign. Munnerlyn grew more comfortable in his nickel role, and Edwards had six sacks in his first year with the Panthers.

Not as sure to re-sign with the team are backup quarterback Derek Anderson and receiver Louis Murphy. With former offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski’s departure to the Browns, Anderson expressed a desire to return to the Browns. Murphy’s speed and likability in the locker room work in his favor, but there may be better options.

Here’s a look at some free agents the Panthers may go after in the coming weeks:

D.J. Moore, CB, Chicago

With the release of Gamble, the Panthers are thin at corner. Moore, a fourth-year player from Spartanburg, has 10 interceptions and two touchdowns in his career. He was told earlier this week he was not in Chicago’s future plans.

David Garrard, QB, Miami

The free-agent pool for quarterbacks is filled with backups, and Garrard, though he hasn’t played since the 2010 season, has a history with Panthers offensive coordinator Mike Shula. If Anderson decides to go to Cleveland, Garrard, a former East Carolina standout, can be a cheap pick-up for Carolina.

Adrian Wilson, S, Arizona

The five-time Pro Bowler is a 12-year veteran and doesn’t have many seasons left in him. But the Panthers had a patchwork secondary for the second half of the season, and Wilson, a High Point native and former N.C. State player, will be coveted by several teams.

Ramses Barden and Domenik Hixon, WRs, N.Y. Giants

The two receivers are very familiar with Gettleman, who was the Giants director of pro personnel for 13 years. Barden torched the Panthers in Week 3 for 138 receiving yards, and either one of the players could push No. 2 WR Brandon LaFell harder than Murphy did this past season.

Chris Canty, DT, N.Y. Giants

The hometown discount may be overplayed, but Canty told a Charlotte radio station he’d consider it if the Panthers come calling. Another player familiar with Gettleman, Canty could help middle linebacker Luke Kuechly roam.

Louis Vasquez, G, San Diego

Vasquez is a free agent after four years in San Diego. Finding more protection for quarterback Cam Newton is a top priority for Carolina, and getting Vasquez could push left guard Amini Silatolu.

Staff writer Joseph Person contributed


Hide Comments

This affects comments on all stories.

Cancel OK

The Charlotte Observer welcomes your comments on news of the day. The more voices engaged in conversation, the better for us all, but do keep it civil. Please refrain from profanity, obscenity, spam, name-calling or attacking others for their views.

Have a news tip? You can send it to a local news editor; email local@charlotteobserver.com to send us your tip - or - consider joining the Public Insight Network and become a source for The Charlotte Observer.

  Read more


Quick Job Search
Salary Databases