Update: Panthers Keep Gross; Improve O-Line Through Free Agency or Draft?
 

I was listening to ESPN radio the other day and heard Joh Clayton mention that we need to shore up our offensive line (duh, no wonder he makes the big bucks) and one free agent he mentioned in particular is Jordan Gross. What do you guys think?

re: Update: Panthers Keep Gross; Improve O-Line Through Free Agency or Draft?
 

I think we definetly should, the problem though is that he'll be franchised, and giving up our first and third rounders is NOT worth it

re: Update: Panthers Keep Gross; Improve O-Line Through Free Agency or Draft?
 

If we could get him, I would take him, he is a big time OL and our line is getting older and older, I doubt we will though.....

re: Update: Panthers Keep Gross; Improve O-Line Through Free Agency or Draft?
 

[B]NO!! [/B]We need to fill holes through the Draft not FA. With this OT class so deep we can draft a young OT in the 1st rather than paying top dollar for a 29 yr old OT. Let Gross steal $ from another team.

re: Update: Panthers Keep Gross; Improve O-Line Through Free Agency or Draft?
 

He may get franchised by Carolina - it's between him and Peppers. He's the best free agent O-lineman for sure, and will get a huge pay day. I'd love to have him, don't get me wrong, but I think it may be smarter to sign someone less expensive (Vernon Carey perhaps) and draft a lineman as well.

re: Update: Panthers Keep Gross; Improve O-Line Through Free Agency or Draft?
 

If we can get him, sure why not, would have to be crazy not to want this guy on the O Line. Reality, just as said above they will place the tag on him and no way we play at that point.

re: Update: Panthers Keep Gross; Improve O-Line Through Free Agency or Draft?
 

Perhaps Clayton brought Gross's name up because Redskins organization is well known for big spending on FA? I hope it's because of that, I wouldn't want Redskins to sign O-line players when they re nearing to 30's..

re: Update: Panthers Keep Gross; Improve O-Line Through Free Agency or Draft?
 

I certainly wouldn't hate going after Gross. Even though he will be 29 when the season starts don't forget OL can often play into their mid 30s at a very high level. So you could easily get a good 5-6 seasons out of him no problem.

re: Update: Panthers Keep Gross; Improve O-Line Through Free Agency or Draft?
 

Although it would be very nice to have Gross. I think the cost/dollar amount required of getting a talent like Gross would outweigh the benefit (HUGE BUCKS WE DON'T HAVE), 2 or 3 years ago heck yea.

I believe this guy has some good years in front of him. I would just like to see us getting younger up front. And even John Clayton is smart enough to understand we need to shore up our O-line, amazing......

re: Update: Panthers Keep Gross; Improve O-Line Through Free Agency or Draft?
 

3 major issues with going after Gross:
1. He's going to want LT money which is more than we can afford to spend.
2. He's going to want to start at LT, where we have Samuels and where other teams can plug him in immediately.
3. He's going to be franchised by the Panthers and it'd be stupid to trade picks for him.

re: Update: Panthers Keep Gross; Improve O-Line Through Free Agency or Draft?
 

[quote=Mattyk72;527364]I certainly wouldn't hate going after Gross. Even though he will be 29 when the season starts don't forget OL can often play into their mid 30s at a very high level. So you could easily get a good 5-6 seasons out of him no problem.[/quote]
Just like how all of our lineman now are playing at a high level into their mid 30s? Some guys can do it, but not all of them. We really need some youth on our o-line.

re: Update: Panthers Keep Gross; Improve O-Line Through Free Agency or Draft?
 

LMAO. Today Clayton says Gross is the answer. We go through with it and two years from now Clayton will say our problem is we don't build through the draft and our guys are aging, which is what everyone else will say too btw. We pick at 13... sure i'm afraid all the top 4 OTs will be gone by then but nothing is for sure and we ought to build a franchise tackle out of this draft.

re: Update: Panthers Keep Gross; Improve O-Line Through Free Agency or Draft?
 

Clayton is nuts.

If Carolina doesn't franchise him then Gross expects to be highest paid LT in the game, Good luck!! Next!

re: Update: Panthers Keep Gross; Improve O-Line Through Free Agency or Draft?
 

[quote=Mattyk72;527364]....[B]don't forget OL can often play into their mid 30s at a very high level[/B]......[/quote]
That's what we WERE banking on......:)

I pass on Gross, Carey for less $$$ and build through the draft this year.

re: Update: Panthers Keep Gross; Improve O-Line Through Free Agency or Draft?
 

[quote=Slingin Sammy 33;527379]That's what we WERE banking on......:)

[B]I pass on Gross, Carey for less $$$ and build through the draft this year[/B].[/quote]

Same thoughts.

re: Update: Panthers Keep Gross; Improve O-Line Through Free Agency or Draft?
 

I think the Panthers may have a deal in place with Gross within the next few days, or so I'm told.

re: Update: Panthers Keep Gross; Improve O-Line Through Free Agency or Draft?
 

I agree we do need to adress the o-line via free agency, and the draft. But we need to do this in a resonable fashion. Gross is just too expensive, but we do need someone. Either Vernon Carey or Andrews for sure. They would be cheaper, and they're both used to playing on the right side.

Our line stinks except for Samuels and Kendell, so the 1st thing I would do is resign Kendell for at least 2 more years, then sign Carey(who is a lot younger then Gross, and he came out of The U), then focus on the draft, to maybe use our 3rd round pick on another o-line man.

The way I look at it is that at pick 13, the big 4 will all be gone. We can't count on our 1st pick to be one of those 4. There is a strong need for o-line by every team before us. We need to adress our o-line immediatly, so we could go into the draft with ease, knowing that we can take the best player available, like Raji, or Curry, or Orakpo, or even Laurinitas(who I would love to have). Or just rade down and get more picks.

re: Update: Panthers Keep Gross; Improve O-Line Through Free Agency or Draft?
 

[quote=mauiRedskinbarn;527384]I agree we do need to adress the o-line via free agency, and the draft. But we need to do this in a resonable fashion. Gross is just too expensive, but we do need someone. Either Vernon Carey or Andrews for sure. They would be cheaper, and they're both used to playing on the right side.

Our line stinks except for Samuels and Kendell, so the 1st thing I would do is resign Kendell for at least 2 more years, then sign Carey(who is a lot younger then Gross, and he came out of The U), then focus on the draft, to maybe use our 3rd round pick on another o-line man.

The way I look at it is that at pick 13, the big 4 will all be gone. We can't count on our 1st pick to be one of those 4. There is a strong need for o-line by every team before us. We need to adress our o-line immediatly, so we could go into the draft with ease, knowing that we can take the best player available, like Raji, or Curry, or Orakpo, or even Laurinitas(who I would love to have). Or just rade down and get more picks.[/quote]

First off I would say that overall samuels is our best olineman everyone else should be worried if they're jobless come next year which I know one or two of them will be... And I would definetly PASS on laurinatis, every time I watched him play in college he looked slow, and looks like he waits for the ball carier to come to him... He is not even on the same level as maualuga or curry...3rd round sure since he's so hyped... Now back to the gross thread

re: Update: Panthers Keep Gross; Improve O-Line Through Free Agency or Draft?
 

[quote=Counter-Tre;527354]I was listening to ESPN radio the other day and heard Joh Clayton mention that we need to shore up our offensive line (duh, no wonder he makes the big bucks) and one free agent he mentioned in particular is Jordan Gross. What do you guys think?[/quote]

John Clayton gets a little crap for his looks, but the man has a massive football IQ, if he says to go after Gross, I'm on board!

re: Update: Panthers Keep Gross; Improve O-Line Through Free Agency or Draft?
 

I'm obviously in the minority here, but I would go after Gross if he's not franchised. I'd love to see a starting OL of (from left to right) Gross, Kendall, Rabach, Jansen, Samuels with Thomas, Heyer and Rhineholt as backups with a mid round draft choice to be named in April. I know this would put Jansen and Samuels in new positions but I think they would be better in the new positions and we would have a really great OL.

re: Update: Panthers Keep Gross; Improve O-Line Through Free Agency or Draft?
 

[quote=SmootSmack;527383]I think the Panthers may have a deal in place with Gross within the next few days, or so I'm told.[/quote]
Looks like it.
[url=http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2009/02/16/panthers-close-on-jordan-gross-contract/]Panthers Close on Jordan Gross Contract - NFL FanHouse[/url]

re: Update: Panthers Keep Gross; Improve O-Line Through Free Agency or Draft?
 

Old and expensive. No thanks.

re: Update: Panthers Keep Gross; Improve O-Line Through Free Agency or Draft?
 

As this is appearing Gross is a Panther and if I was to bet will remain in NC! We can't afford this guy nor do I think we should try if was available to begin with, stop dreaming folks......

PANTHERS TRYING TO GET GROSS SIGNED
Posted by Mike Florio on February 16, 2009, 8:03 p.m.

With the deadline for using the franchise tag less than 72 hours away, the Carolina Panthers are making a final push toward signing one of their two big-name free agents, so that the tag can be used on the other one.

According to Adam Schefter of NFL Network, the Panthers are hoping to work out a deal with tackle Jordan Gross.

Citing unnamed sources, Schefter reports that the team and the player have made “significant progress,” prompting some to expect that a deal will be finalized this week.

It’s believed that Gross will be paid at a rate of $9 million per year.

Getting a deal done with Gross will allow the Panthers to apply the franchise tag to defensive end Julius Peppers. Based on his 2008 cap number of $13,902,500, the franchise tag for Peppers will require a one-year salary of$16,683,000 — 120 percent of his pay from last year.

Peppers has vowed that he’ll demand a trade if the team uses the franchise tag. Though the Panthers might be willing to comply, it’ll be interesting to see whether a new team will give Peppers a long-term deal premised on a first-year payout of $16,683,000.

re: Update: Panthers Keep Gross; Improve O-Line Through Free Agency or Draft?
 

With what money are we going to try to sign him? Didn't we restructure two contracts of Randle El and Carter to get to a million or two over the cap?

Unless we let someone significant go I don't see us having the space to be able to compete for him.


Also I'd rather grow than buy my hogs.

re: Update: Panthers Keep Gross; Improve O-Line Through Free Agency or Draft?
 

SKinny -- we'd have the room to sign him. Many high priced vets will be gone. Springs et al.

re: Update: Panthers Keep Gross; Improve O-Line Through Free Agency or Draft?
 

We may have room to sign him after cutting some vets, but Carolina is already working out a deal. I really don't see us getting in a bidding war when there are younger, cheaper FA alternatives and a deep draft at the tackle position.

re: Update: Panthers Keep Gross; Improve O-Line Through Free Agency or Draft?
 

[quote=Daseal;527391]Old and expensive. No thanks.[/quote]

Since when is 29 old?

Gross will get tagged or re-signed. With so many o-lineman, we can pick someone up through the draft.

re: Update: Panthers Keep Gross; Improve O-Line Through Free Agency or Draft?
 

[quote=Daseal;527391]Old and expensive. No thanks.[/quote]
i agree. don't we already have enough old guys on the line? or are we so old, that 29 looks young?

re: Update: Panthers Keep Gross; Improve O-Line Through Free Agency or Draft?
 

[quote=dmek25;527404]i agree. don't we already have enough old guys on the line? or are we so old, that 29 looks young?[/quote]

I honestly think we are so old 29 does look young. It's sad, isn't it.
I think we should try to pick up Haynesworth (if possible) or Peppers and dedicate this entire years draft to the oline.

re: Update: Panthers Keep Gross; Improve O-Line Through Free Agency or Draft?
 

[quote=Paintrain;527372]3 major issues with going after Gross:
1. He's going to want LT money which is more than we can afford to spend.
2. He's going to want to start at LT, where we have Samuels and where other teams can plug him in immediately.
3. He's going to be franchised by the Panthers and it'd be stupid to trade picks for him.[/quote]

1. Right - hes expected to get an average of 9M/year.... no thanks.
2. If we signed him, he would be our LT right away and Samuels would move to RT.
3. PFT reported yesterday that the Panthers are close to signing Gross to an extension, so fortunately, we wont have to worry about it.

Gross is too old and will want too much money. we need to use FA to fill our other needs and fill our need at OT with our first pick in the draft.

re: Update: Panthers Keep Gross; Improve O-Line Through Free Agency or Draft?
 

I would pass on Gross due to $$$$$$ not skill!
I would trade down in first round and get Mack the center as I watched NFL replay of the Skins -vs- Cowgirls and Rahbach sucks... just out matched! Skills have declined very rapidly. Then with extra pick and third round pick get DE and OLB
youth and at a low price... maybe get Jason taylor moving around from DE to OLB!!!! Worked in Mia years ago. and in Free agency get a lower price Offensive tackle for added depth. But what do I know!

re: Update: Panthers Keep Gross; Improve O-Line Through Free Agency or Draft?
 

The objective is to get younger I thought

re: Update: Panthers Keep Gross; Improve O-Line Through Free Agency or Draft?
 

From [URL="http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/features/rumors"]ESPN Rumors[/URL] (you need insider access):

[quote][B]A Gross extension could yield a Peppers franchise[/B]
Jordan Gross | Panthers
Another reason for the Carolina Panthers furious effort to sign offensive tackle Jordan Gross to a new contract this week has been revealed by NFL.com's Adam Schefter: with Gross locked into a new contract, the team can use the franchise tag on Julius Peppers, thus ensuring themselves of getting some compensation back in a trade.[/quote]

And...

[quote][B]Tag, you're it, Karlos[/B]
Karlos Dansby | Cardinals
Adam Schefter of NFL.com reports that the Arizona Cardinals are expected to use their franchise tag on linebacker Karlos Dansby, and the announcement might come as early as Wednesday. [/quote]

Well, three possible big free agents are going to be most likely off the market. So don't waste your breath talking about them.

re: Update: Panthers Keep Gross; Improve O-Line Through Free Agency or Draft?
 

What I don't get is everyone saying forget FA and lets use the draft to obtain our players. I'm not talking about JG but about FA in general. Our problem in the past is not that we went after FA its how we got them. We traded away to many picks, paid too much, extended contract before we needed , etc... If the front office can just use more common sense when picking up FA is a great way to make us better right away. Then keep our picks for depth and to aquire younger players that will become starters in a year or two.

re: Update: Panthers Keep Gross; Improve O-Line Through Free Agency or Draft?
 

Lets not spill all the marbles on one player. We need multiple players here. I think we should go after a RT who is use to playing RT. (Carey) would be my first choice. I think that RT and Center should be the main focus on the Line.

re: Update: Panthers Keep Gross; Improve O-Line Through Free Agency or Draft?
 

[quote=firstdown;527485]What I don't get is everyone saying forget FA and lets use the draft to obtain our players. I'm not talking about JG but about FA in general. Our problem in the past is not that we went after FA its how we got them. We traded away to many picks, paid too much, extended contract before we needed , etc...[B] If the front office can just use more common sense when picking up FA is a great way to make us better right away. Then keep our picks for depth and to aquire younger players that will become starters in a year or two[/B].[/quote]

I agree. If the front offense uses common sense this is the way to go. There is nothing wrong with taking advantage of both pools of talent, just do it responsibly.

re: Update: Panthers Keep Gross; Improve O-Line Through Free Agency or Draft?
 

[quote=53Fan;527512]I agree. If the front offense uses common sense this is the way to go. There is nothing wrong with taking advantage of both pools of talent, just do it responsibly.[/quote]

Unfortunately, people keep getting stuck in the past (man, I sound like McGwire) and refuse to acknowledge that...

- The Redskins toned down in free agency and trading picks last offseason, and only did it out of necessity.
- Last season, the team did what the fans have been asking a lot, "build through the draft"
- Went they went after a FA last year (Hackett), the team negotiated carefully and in the end decided not to go after him because of the cost.

Once again, if you keep thinking that the team is going to do the Lloyd/Archuleta/Deion Sanders/Bruce Smith/Name-your-Redskins-FO-disaster well then you need to calm down, stop being so paranoid, and wait until the team actually does something (Gross/Haynesworth/Peppers/etc., etc. are speculations by fans and a few sports pundits, not facts or solid team plans)

re: Update: Panthers Keep Gross; Improve O-Line Through Free Agency or Draft?
 

Build thru the Draft, I wouldn't want to add a bargain price o-lineman either , If we are going to sign one(through Free agency) , then sign one that will definatley make an impact right away

re: Update: Panthers Keep Gross; Improve O-Line Through Free Agency or Draft?
 

Gross would look lovely in Burgundy, but there's no way the skins should break the bank open for him. I'm still thinking that the skins should trade down as much as possible. I'd like to think that we could trade down once or twice, even out of the first round. The big folks the redskins need to draft (the four OTs and DT Raji) will be probably be gone by 13.

I see a few mocks where Oher is still around by this pick though.

re: Update: Panthers Keep Gross; Improve O-Line Through Free Agency or Draft?
 

we are not getting Gross, lets stick to the draft for our needs!!!