Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson is exhorting his fellow NFL owners to save money, stick together, and prepare to break the NFL Players union with a lockout. How do I know that?

Because such a statement by Richardson: A) Was not reported coming out of the closed-door NFL owners’ meeting B) Explains the lack of off-season spending by the Big Cat.

Look, there are a finite number of things NFL owners can say to each other about the collective bargaining agreement without running afoul of collusion and simmering anti-trust issues. But what speaks louder than words is action — specifically money related action. And what has Richardson done in the past few weeks?

Let an All-Pro DE walk with zero compensation in return, cut a guy his team thought was worth a $20m. extension last year, and otherwise dump salary and veterans. Without a 1st draft pick and no meaningful free agent signings, the Panthers will go into the season with a glaring hole at WR. Starting CB Richard Marshall may yet get signed away and has not attended off-season workouts. All of this while the Panthers raised ticket prices. As a result, the Big Cat’s message is loud and clear.

This is our chance to break the union. Don’t screw it up.