Carolina Panthers: The rise and fall of Marty Hurney

In order to understand, we only have to look back to ’08 when we went 12 and 4 and then

followed in ’09 with 8 and 8 against a tougher schedule. Marty’s answer was to let some of

our best players loose and try to replace them with draft picks. Those drafts brought us the likes

of Everett Brown and Corvey Irvin in ’09 and Jimmy Clausen and Armanti Edwards in ’10.

It seems like the wrong time for a move like this because it’s a week before the trade

deadline. But would we want Marty making the trades and then release him afterwards?

Besides, very seldom are there player-for-player trades made in season during the

NFL season. Looking at these big contracts, the most they might get for one of

them is a 4^th or 5^th rounder. So why the move? This move was needed and should

be followed with an overhaul of the scouting system. If we were drafting today

we would be in the top five spots and this draft is very deep at defensive

positions. We would not want Marty and the current scouting team leading

us, so we need new blood to be at work during this current college season, so

now is the right time draft-wise.

So it seems prudent to stand pat with the roster and clean house at the end of the season,

which will mean eating some base salaries. This also means refusing to panic and avoid making

unwise moves like those Marty has made in the past.

Realistically the Panthers should be a 3 and 3 team at this juncture. During the 1-15 and 2-14

years neither of those teams were as good as this one. If we panic and pull things apart, do we

want to end this season 2-14 or 3-13? WE DON’T.  If we can equal last year’s record, then

improve the coaching staff and roster during the off-season, and if we can drop the expensive

contracts even if we have to eat the cap space next year, and if we trade a player where the

other team is going to want you to eat a major part of the contract, this can all be turned

around and pushed in the right direction. Remember, at the start  of the 2010 season Marty

dumped around 8 of our veteran players ( Brad Hoover, Moose, etc.) causing us to go 2 and 14.

Please let’s not go there again.

The way out is a restructuring of the largest contracts and the release of some players with

high dollar contracts who are not producing. This would include Jimmy Clausen, Armanti Edwards,

Gary Barnidge, and Louis Murphy. It also includes backing off the destructive abuse directed towards

some of our better players such as Cam Newton, DeAngelo Williams, Jordan Gross, and Jon Beason.

If we get rid of any of these players it will be tough to replace them with someone who is equal to

their current playing abilities. We only have to look at Cam’s projected numbers based on his

current numbers. Average passing yards of 233 games computes to 3707 yards and 45 yards a

game rushing that adds up to 728 yards. Pro Bowl left tackles are hard to replace. Likewise a Pro

Bowl linebacker who is trying to come back from injuries and should be given time like we gave

Thomas Davis, and a running back who is being held back due to an offensive coordinator’s

game plan. The fans’ solution is to dump this group. Really!  So let’s all take a deep breath, let the

media chatter calm down, and give this thing till the end of the season.

Oct 21, 2012; Charlotte, NC, USA; Dallas Cowboys cornerback Brandon Carr (39) and Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith (89) react on the field. The Cowboys defeated the Panthers 19-14 at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-US PRESSWIRE