Carolina Panthers: Looking at former Panthers in Free Agency?
The Carolina Panthers will need to some shopping this off season, where would some former players fit?
Where do the Carolina Panthers look for solutions to their personnel needs? Why not fight the last war? That was the suggestion of ESPN writer David Newton who pointed out that two ex-Panthers were free agents. Those ex-Panthers are Captain Munnerlyn and Julius Peppers. While intriguing, it is more likely to see the former Gamecock back rather than the former Tar Heel.
Newton noted that Munnerlyn’s departure was not contentious so there would not be bad blood involved in trying to get him back (unlike Steve Smith, for example). The Panthers could not or would not match the offer that the Minnesota Vikings made several years ago. The cornerback has been a good nickel piece for the Vikings ever since.
The Vikings defense was good last year but the offense took a beating through the loss of quarterback, running back, and some offensive line members. With Teddy Bridgewater uncertain even for the upcoming season and Adrian Peterson possibly on the move, it would make some sense for Munnerlyn to look for better options. The Panthers are only a year removed the Super Bowl.
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Munnerlyn would also slot nicely into what the secondary needs. He would be a veteran hand. The nickel position would place against slot receivers who are closer matches to his size. His age means that he still has some his best years left.
Peppers on the other hand has a number of issues. First was the contentious way he left. That problem seemed to be sorted out by 2014 when he considered coming back. Second is how he would be used. In Green Bay, Peppers was an outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. While that occasionally put him in coverage, it also took some of the wear and tear off the veteran defender. He was not brawling every play like he would for the Panthers’ 4-3 system.
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If the Panthers brought Peppers and Charles Johnson back, the team would be in this weird vortex where it was 2007 again except both players are ten years further along. It would just be hard to figure what Peppers would have left. He could maximize his time better by staying with the Packers, who were a playoff team this year and still have Aaron Rodgers on the other side of the ball.
This is not to say that I wouldn’t greet the return of Peppers with open arms. I’m just not sure it is what is best for Julius.