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[jofos]

So where to begin? I would think figuring out the salary cap would be the first place. After that: who do you keep? who do you let go? who do you draft? There has to be improvement on both sides of the ball but what is the biggest need? If Cam is the franchise, what pieces do the Panthers need to get into place to make him successful?

[boondock]

First we figure out the salary cap as that will probably dictate in what ways we draft. For instance, if we cut Gamble we might look at CB earlier than we imagined in the draft or if we cut Gross, we might look to make a move to get an OT via draft.

Cuts will dictate our draft, which will dictate what we do in free agency. Always draft well then supplement via free agency.
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[ericr0319]

cutting gross and gamble makes no sense to me. If we cut those two players those immediately become our biggest holes.

then we likely got OT 1st and CB 2nd.
this leaves us where? right back to where we are with holes at DT, S, WR (and yes we still need OL help).

Gamble has NO HELP. He hasnt had a consistant CB at his side, and he basically has to play lockdown coverage and if he does get burned (which it does happen in the NFL with the WR talent) his safeties are trash and never provide help. Cornerbacks do get credit from their safeties. Outside Ed Reed, you rarely here about the S position. Keeping gamble is key, and letting Captain walk. I believe in Norman too.

Also Gross yes he makes a good amount of money, but dont all LT? He is getting older, but hes not old. He is only 32, he still has 4+ good years, and a player being a panther his whole career i can see negotiating his contract to benefit the team.

Getting salary cap under control is going to be a huge concern. These two guys i think gotta stay. We are close to being a playoff team, and getting rid of these veterans and replacing them with youth we are taking a step back. Every step we take needs to be forward.

[iknowcool]

Gamble has to be let go though unless he restructures. We need the room.

And Gross has been on a steep decline for awhile now. I love the guy but unless he restructures (which I'm sure he'd be willing to do), we might have to let him go.
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[fretgod99]

We need to grab oline help anyway. Depending on how things shake out, I'm not going to complain if they draft an OT in the first, even if we keep Gross on the roster (which we should, particularly if he restructures).
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[OneBadCat]

Gross has to restructure and im confident that he will. He's a Panther guy.

I completely agree with you OP on Gamble. I think he's exceptional. Hopefully he can restructure but the positive here is that at least we have Norman and Josh Thomas in the CB stable. I think those guys will be key guys in the future.

Beason also needs to restructure.

As it stands we need to work miracles to get any FA's. We'll need to draft very well.

[Toughguy77]

[tbrown2699]

[UKpantherfan]

I think it has to be DT in R1 and OL in R2 with help at other spots such as WR or Safety in the lower rounds.

In terms of a CB, I don't think we desperately need one. The secondary didn't do too badly down the stretch with the excpetion of some dodgy safety play at times.

Maybe get a little compeition at safety through FA or through lower rounds and maybe look to work with the existing safeties in the offseason to coach them up a little.
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Still the only UK-based Panthers fan I know...hang on a minute...I might be the only one IN the UK!

[tbrown2699]

Also, with the prospects of the Saints moving to a 3-4 base D, Sedrick Ellis is most likely out as he fits a 4-3 scheme. I was very high on him coming out of USC but really haven't paid much attention to him since. If he becomes available, would you all consider him as a Panther?

[Toughguy77]

[Moody]