FA signings

ohara · Post #1 » by **ohara** » Wed Jul 27, 2011 2:58 pm

Wanted to make a separate Thread for Panther signings of players who were NOT already Panthers. First one of significance today.

Signed Ron Edwards away from KC today. A big NT which we need. Will be a good run stopper for a year or so to act as a bridge for our young players to get up to speed. Very solid move by the FO.

ohara · Post #2 » by **ohara** » Wed Jul 27, 2011 7:08 pm

Signed TE Ben Hartsock and K Olindo Mare signed with Panthers. Solid moves.

Over at ESPN, Pat Yasinskis basically confirmed what I had thought once I heard about the Mare signing. Looks like John Kasay will be retiring. The last of the original Panthers. He is tight with JR, so I dont think he is getting pushed out the door and Yasinskis said the same thing. Guy is 41 years old and has made his money. Probably just ready to call it a career. He was dependable and won us a lot of games.

pistolpete0089 · Post #3 » by **pistolpete0089** » Thu Jul 28, 2011 12:17 am

Ron Edwards will be a good anchor for the middle of the defensive line and provide good veteran leadership to the two DT's drafted in the third round this year.

Happy to see the Mare signing too - sad as it likely spells the end for Kasay but happy to have his big powerful leg on the roster and likely means that the Panthers wont need to waste a roster spot this year on kick off specialist Rhys Lloyd.

Jaruff · Post #4 » by **Jaruff** » Thu Jul 28, 2011 9:39 pm

Good move on Edwards, we need experience on the defensive line.

Sort of curious about Hartsock; that's a pretty deep position for us. Remember, we signed Shockey before the lockout.

Not surprised Kasay is calling it quits. He probably would have played this year had there been no lockout. You can't blame the guy for not wanting to come in with it being August and everything. Mare is a good replacement.

TheKingofSting · Post #5 » by **TheKingofSting** » Thu Jul 28, 2011 10:24 pm

Less than 21 hours after emails announcing Greg Olsen’s availability in trade were leaked to the Tribune, the Chicago Bears have dealt the veteran tight end to Carolina.

According to an NFL source with knowledge of the situation, the Bears traded Olsen to thePanthers for a player and a draft pick (the player is not believed to be wide receiver Steve Smith).

The Bears gave Olsen’s agent Drew Rosenhaus permission to shop Olsen, and they are believed to have come to terms with the Panthers on a contract extension as the 2007 first-round draft pick was entering the final year of his rookie contract with the Bears.

So, the tight end position is getting a total overhaul as another league source told the Tribune veteran tight end Brandon Manumaleuna will be released one season after the Bears signed him to a $15 million, five-year contract that paid him $6 million. The Bears already have agreed to terms with unrestricted free agent Matt Spaeth on a contract, giving them a blocker to take the place of Manumaleuna.

Olsen caught 41 passes for 404 yards and five touchdowns last season, but Mike Martz offenses have rarely utilized the position to catch the ball downfield. Now, the Bears could be in the market for a wide receiver to add to the mix.

Check back soon for more details as this breaking story unfolds.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/fo ... 8734.story

Not a FA signing but a move so I just posted it here.

ohara · Post #6 » by **ohara** » Thu Jul 28, 2011 11:26 pm

^^^^HUGE Move. He and Shockey give us 2 very solid pass catching TD's. Now, we just need to get someone to play WR along with Smitty and we will be very solid on offense. I know we have some youth there, but I'd prefer a more reliable veteran. But they seem intent on giving Cam (or Jimmy) a lot of help on offense this year. Very happy!

Jaruff · Post #7 » by **Jaruff** » Fri Jul 29, 2011 12:36 am

Nice move but yet again with the TE's? I need to check and see if we lost any of ours.

Also, apparently these are UFA's that we've signed today:

Darvin Adams, WR, Auburn

Byron Bell, T, New Mexico

Nick Bellore, LB, Central Michigan

Kendric Burney, CB, North Carolina

Thomas Keiser, OLB, Stanford

Adi Kunalic, K, Nebraska

Ryan Pugh, Auburn

Read more: http://aol.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2 ... z1TRxgVm8b

I like Kendric Burney and Ryan Pugh; I think they have a legitimate chance of earning no worse than a practice squad spot.

pistolpete0089 · Post #8 » by **pistolpete0089** » Fri Jul 29, 2011 12:55 am

Good to see the Panthers finally being active in free agency period actually bringing talent in and keeping talent around rather than simply letting good players walk like usual

ohara · Post #9 » by **ohara** » Fri Jul 29, 2011 1:45 am

They got Olson for a 3rd round pick in 2012. He is well worth a 3rd round pick I think. Will be a pass catching TE for us for 10 years - assuming we resign him. I dont think you give a 3rd for him unless you plan to keep him. Very happy, considering he was a 1st round pick and has tons of talent. I think he will be a go to guy for Cam Newton for many years to come.

Jaruff · Post #10 » by **Jaruff** » Fri Jul 29, 2011 2:10 am

ohara wrote:They got Olson for a 3rd round pick in 2012. He is well worth a 3rd round pick I think. Will be a pass catching TE for us for 10 years - assuming we resign him. I dont think you give a 3rd for him unless you plan to keep him. Very happy, considering he was a 1st round pick and has tons of talent. I think he will be a go to guy for Cam Newton for many years to come.

Not bad at all. The report mentioned a player being sent in the deal too, know who that was?

Edit: No player, just the 3rd rounder. Even better.

TheKingofSting · Post #11 » by **TheKingofSting** » Fri Jul 29, 2011 2:13 am

I read somewhere we may have extended Olsen, I hope.

ohara · Post #12 » by **ohara** » Fri Jul 29, 2011 2:30 am

Kemba2Hendo wrote:I read somewhere we may have extended Olsen, I hope.

http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcsouth/post/_ ... draft-pick

Yes. He apparently did sign a long term deal with us. Guess we know who Cam will be throwing to for the next 10 years! :-)

Jaruff · Post #13 » by **Jaruff** » Fri Jul 29, 2011 3:34 am

ohara wrote:
Kemba2Hendo wrote:I read somewhere we may have extended Olsen, I hope.

http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcsouth/post/_ ... draft-pick

Yes. He apparently did sign a long term deal with us. Guess we know who Cam will be throwing to for the next 10 years!

Not surprised. I was reading and apparently we have to spend a lot of money this year to just get to the salary cap minimum.

I know Charles Johnson is getting a great deal of his money this year which will help out in the future.

Olsen probably got a five year deal.

I'm still expecting us to grab a veteran QB.

TheKingofSting · Post #14 » by **TheKingofSting** » Fri Jul 29, 2011 4:00 am

At this point Drew Rosenhaus might as well be added to the Carolina Panthers' inner circle. Between negotiating Charles Johnsons' extension, representing Greg Olsen in his trade and extension and now helping the Panthers extend Jon Beason we should all probably shower him in kisses right now, but I'm sure he'd rather his commission on these deals.

The Carolina Panthers and Beason agreed today to a 5 year, $50 million extension with $25 million guaranteed. Beason is the heart and soul of the team, and right now I have a smile so wide across my face that my meager bone structure can't contain it.

I'll be one to say it... it was worth it; the purge, the sacrifice... for this week, it was worth it. The core is intact, there is more talent on the roster now than I can remember and we still have the new coaches to look forward to as they bring exciting football to the Carolinas. Cloud nine can take a hike, because I'm floating higher.

http://www.fanfeedr.com/nfl/2011/07/29/ ... h-panthers

TheKingofSting · Post #15 » by **TheKingofSting** » Fri Jul 29, 2011 9:06 pm

I can't find a link yet but it seems we may be signing Omar Gaither who last played with the Eagles.

ohara · Post #16 » by **ohara** » Fri Jul 29, 2011 11:17 pm

Cam Newton signed. 4 yr $22 mil. Very nice to start seeing how he does now. Very excited.

Looks like the lone draft pick not signed is Terrell McClain, the DT we drafted. Not sure what the problem is, but there is an issue

ohara · Post #17 » by **ohara** » Fri Jul 29, 2011 11:22 pm

Kemba2Hendo wrote:I can't find a link yet but it seems we may be signing Omar Gaither who last played with the Eagles.

Yes, we did sign him. It is in the Charlotte Observer.com Sports section

Jaruff · Post #18 » by **Jaruff** » Sat Jul 30, 2011 12:57 am

ohara wrote:
Kemba2Hendo wrote:I can't find a link yet but it seems we may be signing Omar Gaither who last played with the Eagles.

Yes, we did sign him. It is in the Charlotte Observer.com Sports section

He's a Charlotte local so I'm not surprised he picked us. Good linebacker, will give us depth at the position.

Jaruff · Post #19 » by **Jaruff** » Sat Jul 30, 2011 2:12 am

We also signed Sean Considine (DB) from Jacksonville.

pistolpete0089 · Post #20 » by **pistolpete0089** » Sun Jul 31, 2011 7:06 am

Cant wait to see Greg Olsen in Black and Teal - I remember in 2007 watching the draft and being upset when the Panthers drafted Beason instead of Greg Olsen who many predicted would be coming to Carolina. Well proves how wrong I was with how good Beason has been but good to finally have Olsen.