This isn't really far fetched at all. I actually think there's a strong possibility we make a hard run at him when he hits the market. The Panthers level of concern with UFA contracts won't be too high for 2016 with the exception of Norman, however they will be looking ahead to 2017. Several players will but up for big money contracts in 2017 that they will want to address 2016 or at very least be very cap continuous of it in the 2016 offseason. I anticipate Norman to command an asking price in the $12-14m/year range, and unless Carolina has some unexpected personnel cuts in 2016 I don't see them being able to afford him. On the other hand the Jets have several players looking at the ax after this season is over. Chief among them being the under performing cash cow at LT in Ferguson counting $14,107,000 towards the cap in 2016. I assume he will either get a new deal or the ax with UFA's such as Russel Okung, Jake Long, Khalif Barnes, etc coming available in 2016. Cromartie will be cut ($8m cap hit), I don't expect us to retain Big Mo ($6.9m cap hit). The two contracts of note we have to account for in the 2016 offseason however is for Snacks Harrison and Fitzmagic. Outside of these two there will be many cap casualties that will free up a significant amount room for us to go after FA's. This move for Norman makes sense for the Defensive scheme that Bowles implements. Not to mention Norman being well worth the $12m/year* price tag compared to the $8m/year Cromarie will make in 2016, who is currently being out played by Marcus Williams ($0.5m). I think the major question will be how much of our cap space will we allot towards the OL with the right side being the dumpster fire that it is. Giacomini is due $5.1m in 2016. While in comparison James Carpenter counted $2.3m to the cap this year and $5.5m next year, proving quality guys can be found on the cheap in the offseason.
If we're gonna make a hard run at one of the top defensive UFA's this offseason I hope it's Von Miller
Personally I would rather go after Aldon Smith, Bruce Irvin or Tamba Hali on the cheap. This would mean sticking with the same OL in order to get both Norman and one of these guys however.
I would like to think that Magic Mike will do both. At least one midling vet FA at RG or RT unless we can get Colon back on the vet min
They should be able to retain Norman, a lot of those players up for contracts in 2016 aren't that good to begin with and don't deserve big contracts
I would love to add Norman, but can't imagine Carolina letting him go, even with all the other players they're gonna want to re-sign. Aside from Cam and Kuechly, he's their best player. I think they keep the core of those 3 players for certain. Allen will probably be history as will Addison. Charles Johnson could be gone as well. If push comes to shove, they might even let Khalil go rather than Norman. The other young players you mention aren't that expensive and will be re-signed, unless their cap's in a lot worse shape than I thought. Still, it's a nice thought of having Norman in our secondary with Revis for a year or two.
"..getting roasted in coverage and being charged with seven touchdowns allowed by Pro Football Focus. Quarterbacks are averaging 9.75 YPA throwing at Cromartie with a 120.7 passer rating" He's looked atrocious this season for a guy making far less, let alone the $7m he's cashed in on this year. I'd be interested to know where PFF has him ranked and compare that to the relative salaries around his ranking.
....about 525 more snaps played than Marcus Williams. The only time Williams has played a full game was against Oakland (Terrible) and Buffalo (bad)
I disagree here, 4 out of 5 of the top UFA's listed for Carolina will be resigned and Kawann will be on the "Short" list for the next to get inked. I imagine we will let Ivory walk and address this in the RB heavy draft in 2016.
For sake of argument lets say you're spot on, Willams is still making $0.5m/year compared to Cro who is the 5th highest paid player on the team ($8m/year) and sure as hell isn't playing any worse. You may have noticed the main subject topic of the post being his replacement
If anything our cap at CB will be lower than what it is this year (by cutting Cro). There is no way we are signing this guy. We should absolutely look at finding a pass rusher like Miller (no chance he sees FA) or Irvin who we were going to draft over Coples (at least we were reported to) and upgrade the offensive line. With a 100% chance we draft D-line or CB in the first round (sarcasm) we should put all focus in FA towards OL and OLB (not sarcasm).
Charles Johnson - will walk Jared Allen - Pay-cut or will walk Those are the 2 big name players on the Panthers and both will clear a lot of cap. Ryan Khalil, won't gander a huge contract either if he resigns. To think, they will talk to Norman about a contract extension prior to resigning any of those players. Panthers have hella depth - Norman ain't going nowhere
They are in fairly bad shape if they intend to keep that OL and D intact. 2017 contract cap hits: Kuechly $12m, Olsen $10m, Cam $20m, Stewart $8.2m, Davis $8.2m This is all prior to even resigning any of their 2017 FA's. They are going to be strapped even though I expect J. Stew to get the boot. Kelvin Benjamin will also be a UFA in 2018 They have 2 choices 1: retain a great CB and in 2017 have a team that is merely a shadow of what it is now or 2: let Norman walk, fill the spot the best they can while resigning multiple key players
Cool thought... but i'm good. Norman isn't a man corner. He doesn't fit what we do from what i see... and that's too much money to be just hoping he can... That's how Nnamdi's happen. We must sign Wilkerson, Ivory, Powell, & now Fitzpatrick. We aren't in store for a free agent frenzy again .. Lets lock up our guys and see what we have left after dropping Cro and tweaking Bricks contract if we even do so. I'd assume not enough to sign anybody noteable.
