2012 free agency thread

I think there are a lot of things that can happen before the #8/#9 spot, and having some foresight and perhaps laying some groundwork for some of these contingencies might be a good idea. (Also keep in mind that the coin flip between us and Miami is a little more important now that they are switching to a 4-3) . Consider:

players that fit a big need that likely wont be there: Claiborne
players that dont fit a big need that likely wont be there: 2 QB's, Kalil, Reiff/Martin,

players that fit a big need that might be there: Coples, Ingram, Upshaw, ???
players that dont fit a big need that might be there: Blackmon, Richardson, Martin/Reiff, Kuechley

players that fit a big need that likely will be there: Brockers, Devon Still, Nick Perry, Kirkpatrick, Jenkins, etc..
players that dont fit a big need that likely will be there: DeCastro, Barron, Mike Adams, Wright, etc...

Which players would be no brainers for the Panthers to select at #8/9? Obviously Claiborne because he fits a need, but is Kalil good enough that we would take him were he to fall in our laps? Is anytbody worthy of going BPA outside of Claiborne? Richardson?

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Also, what's the plan for Jonathon Stewart? Are we gonna extend him next year? Franchise him? There are some people who would argue you dont take a RB top 10 & you never pay one the kinda money we paid DeAngelo. If we end up letting Stewart walk next year for nothing, I'll be pissed enough go evangelical with the 'Fire Hurney' crowd.

But consider this, the Bengals arent bringing Benson back and dont think Bernard Scott is starter material, so they're looking for a RB and have 2 first rounders at #17 & #21. We could send them Stewart and perhaps get Richardson (were he to fall like a lot RB's tend to do that high in the first) at the rookie rate and end up better than before. Another idea would be Philly, who tried to plug in Ronnie Brown in that big back role last year, and it failed miserably. Maybe they want to take him for a year and see how it works out, in exchange for Samuel perhaps, but he'd have to agree to a new deals since he's owed $9.1 this year and $10+ in 2013. Free agency should give us some info as to where the draft is headed. Were Antonio Garay to reunite with Rivera, for instance, I think we could rule out Brockers. They'll need to move some money at some point to put themselves in position to at least offer some mid range guys.

 

• Don't be surprised if Packers CB Jarrett Bush, who provides a great deal of extra value with his stellar special-teams ability, commands a surprising amount of interest in the free-agent market.


http://www.profootballweekly.com/2012/02/18/seahawks-determined-to-re-sign-bryant

 

we gave him away once already.

 

Yep. Even though he was clearly winning the camp battle. Never understood that.

 

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/02/22/packers-finley-work-out-two-year-contract/

 

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/02/26/report-manningham-expected-to-land-with-bucs/

 

I hope they do blow their cap space on him, because WR isn't their issue.

 

Last sentence...

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/02/26/former-nfl-tight-end-helps-save-people-from-van/

 

I was just about to post on that. You beat me to it. Could that be a typo?

 

nt