The Carolina Panthers are wasting no time in addressing their needs this off season. The early deals that are expected to come down include signings of tackle Michael Oher, wide receiver Ted Ginn, and other Panthers that got re-signed. These moves answer some questions for the Panthers and give them more flexibility going into the NFL Draft.
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The first signing was Michael Oher. The former subject of the “The Blind Side” had recently been cut by the Tennessee Titans. Oher signed a two year deal with the team. Oher has been durable in five years in the League, but his level of play has regressed during that time. The Panthers can provide Oher with his original Ravens offensive line coach, John Matsko.
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Oher is a left tackle, and perhaps Cam Newton is someone he will want to protect. This should not be the end of Panthers reconstruction of the offensive line. They still need one more tackle, and the draft is still the other reliable place to find that. However Oher satisfies enough that general manager Dave Gettleman could surprise in the draft.
The second signing for the Panthers that directly addresses team needs is Ted Ginn. Ginn was cut after a year with the Arizona Cardinals. He returns to the Panthers on a two year deal to offer stability in the return game and some deep threat to the passing game. Apparently the Panthers have only one solution to the wide receiver speed position, former Ohio State players. Ginn should have little trouble adapting back into the roster.
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The Panthers also re-signed Joe Webb, Fozzy Whitaker, and a handful of other guys.
These opening moves liberate Gettleman from being stuck with taking the fourth or fifth best tackle in the NFL draft at the 25th pick. Instead he can take the best player available (not quarterback) in order to help the team. Such a strategy worked well for the Panthers when the Hurney administration took Luke Kuechly despite strength at the linebacker position. Given Gettleman’s history, the thing to look out for would be a defensive lineman.