Well, it's not exactly a big leap for mankind, this signing of DE Charles Johnson, but it is certainly a giant step for the Panthers.
Carolina has made a big splash on the first day of free agency by agreeing to terms with Johnson (and the terms are gargantuan -- $32 million guaranteed, which is the main number that matters, over the life of the contract). The Panthers have now released the news as well, following reports of the agreement, although they didn't release the monetary terms as is their policy.
This is one Carolina had to have, because Johnson is the team's only consistent pass rushing threat at the moment. He had 11.5 sacks in 2010 and would likely have been a Pro Bowler had the Panthers not gone 2-14 (that number tied for seventh in the NFL).
When I wrote about the five things the Panthers needed to do quickly once the lockout ended in Tuesday's newspaper, it was no coincidence that signing Johnson was No.1 -- he was hugely important. The Panthers have now risked a whole lot of money on him, but it was a risk worth taking.
Now it's onto DeAngelo Williams and the rest of the machinations for the Panthers -- there are many more to come. But this was a big one, and perhaps a nice foreshadowing of a season that surely won't be as cringe-worthy as the 2-14 embarrassment we all saw in 2010.
We're moving!
9 years ago
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21 comments:
Hey Scott! I hope you write a book about this Panther Season. Even if the Panthers don't go to Ind-whatever-apolis in Feb, I bet it's going to be quite interesting.
Love your work.
~RWZ
I don't know if its a sign things have improved over last year, since this is just resigning a player we already had... but in spirit it might be.
A new coaching staff with a new QB (or at least better QB play) could very quickly turn things around.
Charles Johnson was a One Year Wonder - wait and see ...
He wouldnt have been starting if Pepp was here and Brayton was hurt
What a waste of money
I can only hope you first two are just as eager to run Newton out of town after he falls on his face this year
Didnt these union members just get a big raise of billions extortion union heist off America since we know the tv cable pays all their salaries with ad revenues so everything goes up in price. So why do they get double loot?
Robin "robbing hood" Hood ... in reverse?
Steal from the middle class to give to the filthy swine rich so called athletes?
And remember boys and girls that if you cheat real hard in school lie steal and plagerize you can be rewarded with millions after you drop out and become protected by the union and their media lapdogs to be big stars.
Just do everything backwards since being a crook pays off bigtime today.
I have a queasy feeling in my gizzard that we WAY over-paid for this guy. I think Marty was so scared he was going to go to Atlanta that he made Johnson a ridiculous offer. From reading the ESPN story on the signing, you get the feeling that Johnson was expecting an offer half this size. Reminds me too much of that insane contract Larry Johnson got with the Hornets after that first playoff run in '93. I remember Bonnell writing about it years later, and him quoting Johnson as saying, "Big fella, better sign this before they change their minds."
Yeah, it could be a great move, but I can't shake the feeling that it is Larry Johnson all over again.
Not that I'm jaded or anything...
What? No mention of Newton's jersey number in this article? You're slipping Scott.
OVERPAID -- Hurney KNOWS panthers CANNOT draw any big name talent here and MUST spend the $$$
Put their $$$ where their mouth is and sign namdi
Anon 7:58, Huh? Was that English?
Bobcat fans are also wondering when tightest of all wads owner Michael Jordan will start paying ... So far he has been paying a big fat ZIPPO ...
Uh yeah it was. Jus because I clearly bin in Charlotte for alot longer then you and had seen the damise of the Hornets, I'll let you off on this one. Clearly you know nuthing about proffesional sports and clearly not in Charlotte.
I made a very well point about how Mr. Jerry is doing the same path that Shinn did. If you want to sit around and just make fun of my grammer and say its not english then you can be enjoying another 2-14 team.
The whole organisation is flawwed and you will all see this year when they loose all they're games and your sitting in your fat cat seats spending lot's of money on your pricy beers and foam fingers.
Man - the Panthers cant win with you guys... its either they are too cheap (which theyve never been) or they arent going after Nhamdi (a 30 year old man to man corner who has never played zone coverage - and this coming from a Raiders fan)Is the $$ too much, probably, but not by a huge amount.. would have thought it would have been closer to the 10 mill instead of 12 mill a year.. but I think Johnson is worth it.. now go get JJ from Cincy and let D-will walk.. great player but with J-stew and Goods rb should not a top priority..
8:43am...
You callin me a retard? How you know I dont actually have a brother or a cousin that is retarded? How you think that make me feel? Shame on you...
It's the same bullhockey with the whole team, whole organisation, and whole Charlotte as a whole. Alls you fatcats sit up in your sweet seats at panthers stadium and bobcats stadium sipping on your import beer and keeping people like me and my people out of you're little speciel club.
Shame on all of you.
This is a sad fan base...I understand being cynical - I hate the management and they've bred the type of contempt y'all are venting, but...just leave 'em be, for pete's sake. Same attitudes every year "We're gonna suck because..."
Part of what makes a team great is having a great fanbase. Maybe if WE learned how to be supportive & optimistic and expressed our 'concerns' &/or fears in a more positive light the city would get a better reputation for being a better sports city and attract more athletes. Some of them actually read this crap to get "a feel" for the fan base.
Sports are supposed to be "fun", not always leading to a dreaded bitch session that makes everyone feel miserable one day after the season is "restarted".
Good luck Cam Newton! A lot of us are counting on you to make this an exciting season! Matt Ryan, Drew Brees, CAM NEWTON - make the NFC South the most FEARED division in the NFL!!! You're among the greats - Live it out.
Spending (over spending) money to resign C. Johnson was a big step in the right direction for the Panthers.
Not because of Johnson's talent, but, for reasons of PR.
The Panthers have made a huge statement about its organization by signing Johnson long term with a big guarantee.
Had we not made this splash then the ripple effect could have sunk the Panthers in signing other free agents. The signing of Johnson tells the rest of the league that the Panthers are committed to being competitive.
Now, if we could wrestle away Carson Palmer from the Bengals along with Steve Smith's old buddy Ocho Cinco we could make an even bigger splash.
And the Panthers continue to show the rest of the world how NOT to run a team. This ownership/management team are a complete embaresment,. We ARE the Bucs of the mid 70's. That is, without a doubt the worst team in the NFL, and second place is FAR away.
A great deal of useful information for me!
From reading the ESPN story on the signing, you get the feeling that Johnson was expecting an offer half this size.
Read more: http://scottfowlerobs.blogspot.com/2011/07/thats-one-giant-step-for-carolina.html#ixzz1cZZ6eZCe
Just do everything backwards since being a crook pays off bigtime today.
When I was young I lived near of the stadium of the Panthers, it is my favorite NFL team
This is a sad fan base...I understand being cynical - I hate the management and they've bred the type of contempt y'all are venting
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