The popular theory around the Carolinas is that the Panthers resigned Travelle Wharton, who played left tackle last season, with the intent of moving him inside to a guard position. Carolina would then spend a high draft pick - or a lot of money in free agency - on a left tackle.
To me, logic seems to dictate Wharton will remain at left tackle next year and in the future.
Think about it this way: Carolina just cut Mike Wahle, an effective yet injury-plagued guard, to save about $4 million toward its salary cap. Wharton signed a six-year deal with $36 million. I'm not sure if that contract is backloaded or carries incentive clauses (I assume it does), but it doesn't make much financial sense to give someone $6 million a year to play guard, especially when you just cut someone making $4 million.
Compare Wharton's contract to some of the best guards in the league: Steve Hutchinson, who signed a mammoth deal with Minnesota, has a cap figure of $6.7 million. Buffalo's Derrick Dockery has a cap figure of $6.8 million a year. Pittsburgh's Alan Faneca, one of the best offensive linemen in the league, will probably leave Pittsburgh because the Steelers - who currently pay him about $6 million a year - can't afford, or don't want, to resign him.
Wharton played left tackle last year, and struggled at times. But he underwent a major knee operation the year prior, and offensive linemen usually do much better the second year after a surgery. Especially with right tackle Jordan Gross unsigned, I don't think the Panthers have the luxury to pay a guard that much money.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
I read in the paper "The Moose is Loose" in Chicago. Could you please explain?
M. Ditka
The Moose is indeed loose. Muhsin Muhammed, who played very well for the Panthers for several years, was cut after three seasons in Chicago. The Bears cut him to save $3.1 million in cap room and use those resources to sign younger receivers.
I think bringing Muhammed back would be a great move for Carolina. He's a very good leader, great blocker and someone that could really teach Dwayne Jarrett and Drew Carter a few things about playing receiver.
He still has a house in Charlotte and several local charities, so I'm sure he would be interested in coming back.
Post a Comment