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Black and Blue Review

Black and Blue Review

Carolina Panthers News and Coverage for the Digital Age

Why the Panthers Want to Sign Michael Oher and Ted Ginn Now

When free agency kicks off Tuesday afternoon, the Carolina Panthers will again watch high-priced items go to other teams. Before that, they’re hoping to get some bargain shopping done. The potential moves may not excite a fan base, but they are an important part of the team’s offseason strategy.The entire NFL knows the Panthers need at least one offensive tackle and a returner who can add speed to the passing game, so it’s no surprise they’ve talked with Michael Oher and Ted Ginn. Neither are elite options, which is why they’re available now, but both would help the Panthers avoid having to reach during free agency and the draft.Oher had a disappointing 2014 in Tennessee, and his game has rarely equaled his movie-fueled fame, but he could act as a stopgap if the Panthers draft a tackle. Plus, Oher has a history with Carolina’s offensive line coach John Matsko, who tutored Oher during his first two seasons in Baltimore.It’s more likely the Panthers will sign Oher than Ginn, who has a strong desire to play for his hometown Browns, and who’s gotten plenty of interest since he was cut last week. But if he is convinced to come back to Carolina, he’d help immediately fill the need for a returner and speedy receiver.The Panthers are acting with some urgency to make these moves, not just to fill a couple holes, but also because neither Oher nor Ginn would count as free agents who factor into possible compensatory picks.So yet again, don’t wait for any splashy signings come Tuesday afternoon, but it’s safe to expect some movement before the store opens.(UPDATE: Friday, Mar. 6, 2:00 p.m. – Panthers Add Oher)

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  • Donald Ussery

    We’re starting the dollar store early by picking up other people’s trash. Gettleman needs to step it up and get us difference makers or just wait on the draft. Because most of the times when players keep getting cut its because they’re probably garbage!! NO MORE TRASH GETTY!!

  • Donald Ussery

    We’re starting the dollar store early by picking up other people’s trash. Gettleman needs to step it up and get us difference makers or just wait on the draft. Because most of the times when players keep getting cut its because they’re probably garbage!! NO MORE TRASH GETTY!!

  • Panthers/Truth

    The use of the word stopgap to describe Oher is only half correct, he provides a gap for pass rushers, but he hasn’t stopped anyone in years.

  • Panthers/Truth

    The use of the word stopgap to describe Oher is only half correct, he provides a gap for pass rushers, but he hasn’t stopped anyone in years.

  • weightplate

    Completely agree on the “Dollar Store” comment. We have such a great team and year after year no “Key” players ever end up in Carolina because we don’t want to pay them. I guess the George Seifert debacle still haunts them? The back to back championships were great but face it, look at what the division was like! I’m sure Gettleman is doing what Richardson tells him to do.

  • weightplate

    Completely agree on the “Dollar Store” comment. We have such a great team and year after year no “Key” players ever end up in Carolina because we don’t want to pay them. I guess the George Seifert debacle still haunts them? The back to back championships were great but face it, look at what the division was like! I’m sure Gettleman is doing what Richardson tells him to do.

  • Weston

    Ginn isn’t exactly Devin Hester, but at least we don’t have to go into cardiac arrest watching Bersin field another punt. As for Oher…. I really hope we didn’t pay him much more than the veteran league minimum. Hopefully we draft someone that makes Big Mike an emergency option only. If he is the starter at LT we will see Byron Bell 2.0. For all of you that want us to go crazy and spend 10 million a year on Maclin or some other big name FA, just look at the teams that usually do that. Redskins and Dolphins.. No thanks. While Gettleman fixes that Marty Hurney salary cap chaos, he has to bargain shop in order to lock down guys like Cam and Luke. Once we clear all the bad contracts then we can spend. Dave has put together two awesome draft classes and found some awesome undrafted rookies. Pair that with Rivera’s willingness to give every person on the roster a chance and we should have first dibs on all undrafted rookies moving forward. We are two year from having Charles Johnson off the books and Steve smith/deangelo will be clear after this year as well. The future is bright in Carolina and Gettleman has us making moves more like the steelers/patriots and less like the bottom feeders of the NFL.

  • Weston

    Ginn isn’t exactly Devin Hester, but at least we don’t have to go into cardiac arrest watching Bersin field another punt. As for Oher…. I really hope we didn’t pay him much more than the veteran league minimum. Hopefully we draft someone that makes Big Mike an emergency option only. If he is the starter at LT we will see Byron Bell 2.0. For all of you that want us to go crazy and spend 10 million a year on Maclin or some other big name FA, just look at the teams that usually do that. Redskins and Dolphins.. No thanks. While Gettleman fixes that Marty Hurney salary cap chaos, he has to bargain shop in order to lock down guys like Cam and Luke. Once we clear all the bad contracts then we can spend. Dave has put together two awesome draft classes and found some awesome undrafted rookies. Pair that with Rivera’s willingness to give every person on the roster a chance and we should have first dibs on all undrafted rookies moving forward. We are two year from having Charles Johnson off the books and Steve smith/deangelo will be clear after this year as well. The future is bright in Carolina and Gettleman has us making moves more like the steelers/patriots and less like the bottom feeders of the NFL.