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Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman prefaced his post-season press briefing Tuesday by saying he wasn't going to talk about contract matters or specific players.

But Gettleman had some interesting insights during the 30-minute presser, and did, in fact, address a few key players who might not be back next season.

A few quick takeaways:

--The Panthers are no longer cap-strapped, but that doesn't mean they're going to target a high-priced free agent such as San Diego offensive tackle King Dunlap.

"Last year we were shopping in the dollar store. I think this year we might be able to move up in class a little bit," Gettleman said.

But then he followed with this: "I said we're going to move up in class, I didn't say we're going to go out and spend big money on a player."

--He did not sound enamored with the play of left tackle Byron Bell this season. And in answering a question about Bell, Gettleman dove-tailed into a brief discussion about improving a team through free agency.

"Byron showed flashes. It's about consistency. I give him a little bit of the benefit of the doubt, it was his first year playing there," Gettleman said. "But I think we've shown if a player shows up that we think is going to make us better, we're going to go get him."

--Gettleman wants to sit down with DeAngelo Williams, before saying anything publicly about the status of the franchise's all-time rushing leader.

This is a departure from last offseason, when Gettleman was widely criticized for discussing the future of Steve Smith before talking to the Panthers' popular, all-time receiving leader.

"I need to talk to DeAngelo, I really do. He's a pro's pro, and he had a tough season," Gettleman said. "The obvious loss of his mom was very, very difficult. He only played six games this year, and it was tough for him. Before I say anything, just know he's a pro's pro. And the way he finished the season, he finished it like a man."

--Gettleman still believes Newton is the franchise quarterback and wants to lock him up with a long-term deal. But Gettleman refused to be pulled into a discussion on this one.

"I believe he’s a franchise quarterback," he said. "I just told you that."

--Gettleman wouldn't tip his hand on Greg Hardy's situation, saying until the domestic violence trial is adjudicated there's nothing to discuss.

But when he was asked whether a player's history of violence against women would keep the Panthers from signing him, Gettleman said: "It would be something that you’d have to really think about. How’s that?"
http://blogs.charlotte.com/panthers/201 ... eason.html

JDR720 wrote:

Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman prefaced his post-season press briefing Tuesday by saying he wasn't going to talk about contract matters or specific players.

But Gettleman had some interesting insights during the 30-minute presser, and did, in fact, address a few key players who might not be back next season.

A few quick takeaways:

--The Panthers are no longer cap-strapped, but that doesn't mean they're going to target a high-priced free agent such as San Diego offensive tackle King Dunlap.

"Last year we were shopping in the dollar store. I think this year we might be able to move up in class a little bit," Gettleman said.

But then he followed with this: "I said we're going to move up in class, I didn't say we're going to go out and spend big money on a player."

--He did not sound enamored with the play of left tackle Byron Bell this season. And in answering a question about Bell, Gettleman dove-tailed into a brief discussion about improving a team through free agency.

"Byron showed flashes. It's about consistency. I give him a little bit of the benefit of the doubt, it was his first year playing there," Gettleman said. "But I think we've shown if a player shows up that we think is going to make us better, we're going to go get him."

--Gettleman wants to sit down with DeAngelo Williams, before saying anything publicly about the status of the franchise's all-time rushing leader.

This is a departure from last offseason, when Gettleman was widely criticized for discussing the future of Steve Smith before talking to the Panthers' popular, all-time receiving leader.

"I need to talk to DeAngelo, I really do. He's a pro's pro, and he had a tough season," Gettleman said. "The obvious loss of his mom was very, very difficult. He only played six games this year, and it was tough for him. Before I say anything, just know he's a pro's pro. And the way he finished the season, he finished it like a man."

--Gettleman still believes Newton is the franchise quarterback and wants to lock him up with a long-term deal. But Gettleman refused to be pulled into a discussion on this one.

"I believe he’s a franchise quarterback," he said. "I just told you that."

--Gettleman wouldn't tip his hand on Greg Hardy's situation, saying until the domestic violence trial is adjudicated there's nothing to discuss.

But when he was asked whether a player's history of violence against women would keep the Panthers from signing him, Gettleman said: "It would be something that you’d have to really think about. How’s that?"
http://blogs.charlotte.com/panthers/201 ... eason.html