Panthers' offense in good shape as offseason begins
As a result of the aggressive moves they made last offseason to keep their own, the Panthers don't have much to worry about this offseason, at least in terms of their offense.
Backup quarterback Derek Anderson, right guard Geoff Hangartner and tight end Jeremy Shockey lead the list of unrestricted free agents, and while Shockey has name recognition, none of them are irreplaceable.
In fact, as much as Shockey added leadership and stability to the position (he was acquired before they traded for pass-catcher Greg Olsen), there's a strong feeling that he was a short-term investment.
The 31 year old played in 15 games, the most he had stayed healthy for since 2006. And while his 37-455-4 production was good, there's a sense they don't want to overspend to bring him back for a 11th NFL season.
He was bothered by a rib problem late in the season, and was noticeably less mobile. He caught just 10 passes over the final five weeks of the season, though three of his touchdowns came during that span as well.
The combination of age, injury record and a tight financial situation make it less than certain that he returns.
In fact, the Panthers quietly extended the contract of former fifth-round pick Gary Barnidge last December, and some view him as a player capable of matching Shockey's stat line.
Barnidge didn't play this year after breaking his ankle in the preseason, and his only stats came in 2009, when he caught 12 passes. But the organization has long thought he could become a downfield threat in the passing game, based on his work at Louisville.
Otherwise, Anderson's the closest thing to a need to keep. He has a solid knowledge of coordinator Rob Chudzinski's system, and was a good sounding board for rookie Cam Newton last season. Of course, his value's predicated on him never having to play, because the dynamic running element of the game plan would go away if he ever had to take the field. That's led some in the organization to think they need a backup more comparable to Newton's two-way athleticism, though that's a distinction that may have more of an impact on Jimmy Clausen's future than Anderson's.
Hangartner, who played his first four years in the league with the Panthers, was brought back last year as an injury replacement. But with restricted free agent Geoff Schwartz recovering from last year's hip problem, the longtime Panthers' swingman may again be viewed as expendable.
Wide receiver Legedu Naanee started 10 games and had respectable numbers (44-467-1), but with a fleet of young receivers pushing for more time -- especially Brandon LaFell and David Gettis -- there's no guarantee the Panthers would bring back another of Chudzinski's experienced place-holders.
Copyright (C) 2012 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.
