So says Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. That would be a drastic change from last year, when the Panthers weren’t spending money.
Still what have all those big contracts gotten the Panthers? Obviously time will tell, but I still see a very flawed team. Under Marty Hurney, the Panthers have at times been willing to apply the duct tape approach to team construction — claim a certain position isn’t a problem, don’t spend real money to sign quality free agents or use high draft picks to address the need, and hope that the players available can do an adequate job even though it’s readily apparent that there’s little reason to think that will be the case.
This year, that position is cornerback. Chris Gamble didn’t earn his paycheck last year, and the gamble of taking Brandon Hogan at the top of the fourth round after he torn an ACL in December isn’t likely to pay off as he may not even play this year. That leaves Captain Munnerlyn, all 5 five feet, 8 inches of him, and a collection of journeymen and seventh round and undrafted players. As the great philosopher Robot from Lost in Space put it: “Danger, Will Robinson!”
Aside from Charles Johnson, the D-line is unproven. The offensive line lacks depth and is inquiry prone. And having like 18 guys that could be offensive weapons if given the playing time to develop only gets you so as only five of them can be on the field at once.
