Update: Panthers Keep Gross; Improve O-Line Through Free Agency or Draft?

[SmootSmack]

I think the Panthers may have a deal in place with Gross within the next few days, or so I'm told.

[mauiRedskinbarn]

I agree we do need to adress the o-line via free agency, and the draft. But we need to do this in a resonable fashion. Gross is just too expensive, but we do need someone. Either Vernon Carey or Andrews for sure. They would be cheaper, and they're both used to playing on the right side.

Our line stinks except for Samuels and Kendell, so the 1st thing I would do is resign Kendell for at least 2 more years, then sign Carey(who is a lot younger then Gross, and he came out of The U), then focus on the draft, to maybe use our 3rd round pick on another o-line man.

The way I look at it is that at pick 13, the big 4 will all be gone. We can't count on our 1st pick to be one of those 4. There is a strong need for o-line by every team before us. We need to adress our o-line immediatly, so we could go into the draft with ease, knowing that we can take the best player available, like Raji, or Curry, or Orakpo, or even Laurinitas(who I would love to have). Or just rade down and get more picks.

[Nflnick11]

Originally Posted by mauiRedskinbarn

I agree we do need to adress the o-line via free agency, and the draft. But we need to do this in a resonable fashion. Gross is just too expensive, but we do need someone. Either Vernon Carey or Andrews for sure. They would be cheaper, and they're both used to playing on the right side.

Our line stinks except for Samuels and Kendell, so the 1st thing I would do is resign Kendell for at least 2 more years, then sign Carey(who is a lot younger then Gross, and he came out of The U), then focus on the draft, to maybe use our 3rd round pick on another o-line man.

The way I look at it is that at pick 13, the big 4 will all be gone. We can't count on our 1st pick to be one of those 4. There is a strong need for o-line by every team before us. We need to adress our o-line immediatly, so we could go into the draft with ease, knowing that we can take the best player available, like Raji, or Curry, or Orakpo, or even Laurinitas(who I would love to have). Or just rade down and get more picks.

First off I would say that overall samuels is our best olineman everyone else should be worried if they're jobless come next year which I know one or two of them will be... And I would definetly PASS on laurinatis, every time I watched him play in college he looked slow, and looks like he waits for the ball carier to come to him... He is not even on the same level as maualuga or curry...3rd round sure since he's so hyped... Now back to the gross thread

[jsarno]

Originally Posted by Counter-Tre

I was listening to ESPN radio the other day and heard Joh Clayton mention that we need to shore up our offensive line (duh, no wonder he makes the big bucks) and one free agent he mentioned in particular is Jordan Gross. What do you guys think?

John Clayton gets a little crap for his looks, but the man has a massive football IQ, if he says to go after Gross, I'm on board!

[rypper11]

I'm obviously in the minority here, but I would go after Gross if he's not franchised. I'd love to see a starting OL of (from left to right) Gross, Kendall, Rabach, Jansen, Samuels with Thomas, Heyer and Rhineholt as backups with a mid round draft choice to be named in April. I know this would put Jansen and Samuels in new positions but I think they would be better in the new positions and we would have a really great OL.

[rypper11]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

I think the Panthers may have a deal in place with Gross within the next few days, or so I'm told.

Looks like it.
Panthers Close on Jordan Gross Contract - NFL FanHouse

[Daseal]

Old and expensive. No thanks.

[skinsfan_nn]

As this is appearing Gross is a Panther and if I was to bet will remain in NC! We can't afford this guy nor do I think we should try if was available to begin with, stop dreaming folks......

PANTHERS TRYING TO GET GROSS SIGNED
Posted by Mike Florio on February 16, 2009, 8:03 p.m.

With the deadline for using the franchise tag less than 72 hours away, the Carolina Panthers are making a final push toward signing one of their two big-name free agents, so that the tag can be used on the other one.

According to Adam Schefter of NFL Network, the Panthers are hoping to work out a deal with tackle Jordan Gross.

Citing unnamed sources, Schefter reports that the team and the player have made “significant progress,” prompting some to expect that a deal will be finalized this week.

It’s believed that Gross will be paid at a rate of $9 million per year.

Getting a deal done with Gross will allow the Panthers to apply the franchise tag to defensive end Julius Peppers. Based on his 2008 cap number of $13,902,500, the franchise tag for Peppers will require a one-year salary of$16,683,000 — 120 percent of his pay from last year.

Peppers has vowed that he’ll demand a trade if the team uses the franchise tag. Though the Panthers might be willing to comply, it’ll be interesting to see whether a new team will give Peppers a long-term deal premised on a first-year payout of $16,683,000.

[Skinny Tee]

With what money are we going to try to sign him? Didn't we restructure two contracts of Randle El and Carter to get to a million or two over the cap?

Unless we let someone significant go I don't see us having the space to be able to compete for him.


Also I'd rather grow than buy my hogs.

[Daseal]

SKinny -- we'd have the room to sign him. Many high priced vets will be gone. Springs et al.

[GMScud]

We may have room to sign him after cutting some vets, but Carolina is already working out a deal. I really don't see us getting in a bidding war when there are younger, cheaper FA alternatives and a deep draft at the tackle position.

[Ruhskins]

Originally Posted by Daseal

Old and expensive. No thanks.

Since when is 29 old?

Gross will get tagged or re-signed. With so many o-lineman, we can pick someone up through the draft.

[dmek25]

Originally Posted by Daseal

Old and expensive. No thanks.

i agree. don't we already have enough old guys on the line? or are we so old, that 29 looks young?

[SOUL-SKINS]

Originally Posted by dmek25

i agree. don't we already have enough old guys on the line? or are we so old, that 29 looks young?

I honestly think we are so old 29 does look young. It's sad, isn't it.
I think we should try to pick up Haynesworth (if possible) or Peppers and dedicate this entire years draft to the oline.

[BigHairedAristocrat]

Originally Posted by Paintrain

3 major issues with going after Gross:
1. He's going to want LT money which is more than we can afford to spend.
2. He's going to want to start at LT, where we have Samuels and where other teams can plug him in immediately.
3. He's going to be franchised by the Panthers and it'd be stupid to trade picks for him.

1. Right - hes expected to get an average of 9M/year.... no thanks.
2. If we signed him, he would be our LT right away and Samuels would move to RT.
3. PFT reported yesterday that the Panthers are close to signing Gross to an extension, so fortunately, we wont have to worry about it.

Gross is too old and will want too much money. we need to use FA to fill our other needs and fill our need at OT with our first pick in the draft.