Charles Towne Panther and I have both reported on the free agent pickup of Corner Back Drayton Florence, and I have reported on the signing of Defensive Tackle Colin Cole, but another move was made before the free agency period. The Panthers signed Wide Receiver James Shaw on Valentine’s Day. Shaw went through an entire season in the NFL as an undrafted free agent, after graduating from Jacksonville State in 2011. I do not expect anything from Shaw. It would be great if he stuck around after training camp and turned out to be a standout in the preseason, but I don’t really see him sticking around after training camp.

Dec 2, 2012; Kansas City, MO, USA; Carolina Panthers linebacker James Anderson (50) is helped off the field after an injury against the Kansas City Chiefs in the first half at Arrowhead Stadium. Kansas City won the game 27-21. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

The Panthers have also sustained two losses during the free agency period. The Panthers cut Linebacker James Anderson earlier in the month. I found this move extremely surprising. I expected them to cut a Linebacker during the offseason, but I did not expect this. I thought Jordan Senn, Jon Beason, or even Thomas Davis to be cut, but I did not foresee James Anderson being cut. However, it does make the Panthers agenda known. It seems to me that Panthers are putting a ton of faith into Jon Beason, who is affected the most by the move. Beason has also gone on record telling the official Carolina Panthers website that, “I was drafted as an outside linebacker. I can play the position. I am familiar with the position. Some people may think I’m built for the position, I want to do whatever it takes to help the Carolina Panthers.”

Also, in an article I wrote last week, the Panthers had ten players listed as unrestricted free agents, and one of them was picked up two days ago. Wide Receiver Louis Murphy signed to the New York Giants on Saturday. Murphy wasn’t exactly the greatest free agency pickup made last year, but he proved to be somewhat effective. Panther fans should remember Murphy as the player who caught a 50 yard pass from Cam Newton. The pass kept a drive alive during a game that proved crucial to the Panthers moral, the game against the Philadelphia Eagles. That is basically his biggest play he made as a Panther. I realize he probably made a few more plays that proved more valuable, but it’s the big plays that most people remember, and that was the biggest play I remember from him.

There has also been some news concerning some of the current Panthers contract renewals. Both Dwan Edwards and Greg Hardy have both asked for contract extensions and only Dwan Edwards has been approached with an offer. The details of the offer have come to light thanks to CatScratchReader.com, and from the looks of the offer, it seems feasible that Dwan Edwards will not be back with the Panthers next year. The Panthers offered Edwards a 1 year, 1.5 million dollar contract, the exact specifications of the contract he signed last year when he first joined the team. Without a pay raise in the works, I would not expect to “Big” Dwan in a Panthers uniform next season.

Dec 16, 2012; San Diego, CA, USA; Carolina Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy (76) on the sideline during the fourth quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Along with Dwan Edwards, Greg Hardy has also approached the Panthers for a contract extension. Hardy, who is in the last year of his rookie contract, had a breakout season last year. Hardy and his agent have picked a terrible time to ask for an extension. The Panthers are currently strapped when it comes to the salary cap, only being 3 million dollars under the 123 million dollar salary cap the league set for the 2013 season. Though the Panthers have until next year to reach a deal with Hardy, the fact that he asked for one now after his stellar season last year makes me wonder if it would be prudent for the Panthers to negotiate Hardy’s contract sooner than later.

So that was the less exciting news out of the Carolina Panthers franchise, but I feel like it needed to be told. Please leave your thoughts in the comments below, I would love to hear them.

Aug. 21, 2010; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers linebacker James Anderson (50) during player introductions before the game against the New York Jets at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-US PRESSWIRE

Jon Beason

Beason has been the cornerstone of the Panthers defense since Julius Peppers left for the Bears. Unfortunately, he re-tore his Achilles tendon in the season opener last season. HE’s on the right track to recovery and is apparently 100%. He’s played in all three spots for the LB’s but is normally a MLB. With the addition of Luke Kuechly, he has said that he is willing to play OLB and let Kuechly take the MLB spot.

Beason is a guaranteed starter this season and his addition to the defense will make the Panthers a viable defensive team. I see him switching to OLB in order for Luke to grow as a player, and eventually they may be interchangeable at either spot.

James Anderson

Anderson normally starts at weakside LB, but when Thomas Davis went down, he switched to strong-side and looked poised for perfection in that position. In 2011, he set a franchise record 174 tackles, breaking Beason’s record of 169. He could possibly stay seated at strong-side if Beason stays at MLB and Kuechly goes to OLB.

He’s another guaranteed starter for 2012 and was the only true bright spot in 2011′s terrible defense.

Battle for the Final Starter Spot

Luke Kuechly vs Thomas Davis

Kuechly is said to have been the only for sure pick in the first round of this years Draft. He’s led college football in tackles for a few years, and is an amazing athlete. I personally see a ton of Dan Morgan in this kid, hopefully not the injury aspect, and could see him taking the 3rd starting spot.

Davis is coming off his 3rd ACL surgery and is out to prove he is still a dominant LB in the NFL. If he can come out and prove his worth he might be able to beat Kuechly for the weak-side position.

As of right now, the spot is Kuechly’s to lose. The Panthers didn’t spend a #9 pick on a kid to not have him start from day one.

Kuechly might get the MLB position, but as of right now he’s practicing at OLB.

Unfortunately for Davis, this means he will most likely be a back-up for all three spots. He’s been a versatile LB when he played and could possible go in to give the 3 bigs rest when they need it.

That’s it for today. Obviously the Panthers are stacked at LB this year and if Beason can stay healthy, they LB core could be one of the best in the league. They need to provide the defense that was so lacking last season, in order for the team to hold onto the 2nd half leads they lost last season.

January 1, 2012; New Orleans, LA, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) against the New Orleans Saints during the first quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-US PRESSWIRE

Here’s how I would like to see our depth chart look at the beginning of the season:

Carolina Panthers 2012 Depth Chart

QB- Cam Newton, Derek Anderson, Jimmy Clausen
RB- DeAngelo Williams, Jonathan Stewart, Princeton McCarty
FB- Mike Tolbert, Gary Barnidge
WR- Steve Smith, Brandon LaFell, Keolah Pilares
WR- David Gettis, Joe Adams, Darvin Adams
TE- Greg Olsen, Gary Barnidge, Ben Hartsock
LT- Jordan Gross, Bruce Campbell,
LG- Amini Sliatolu, Mike Pollack
C- Ryan Kalil, Geoff Hangartner,
RG- Geoff Hangartner, Lee Zimba
RT- Jeff Otah, Garry Williams, Byron Bell
DE- Charles Johnson, Frank Alexander
DE- Greg Hardy, Thomas Keiser, Antwan Applewhite
DT- Ron Edwards, Sione Fua, Jason Shirley
DT- Terrel McClain, Frank Kearse
WLB- Luke Kuechly, Thomas Davis,
MLB- Jon Beason, Luke Kuechly, Jordan Senn
SLB- James Anderson, Jason Williams
CB- Chris Gamble, Josh Norman, Darius Butler
CB- Brandon Hogan, Captain Munnerlyn
SS- Charles Godfrey, Jordan Pugh
FS- Reggie Smith, Haruki Nakamura
K- Olindo Mare
P- Brad Nortman,
KR- Joe Adams, Keolah Pilares
PR- Joe Adams, Keolah Pilares

* Princeton McCarty is an undrafted free agent we signed. Since Tolbert has officially been labeled by Hurney and Rivera as a fullback that means that there is going to be a pretty fierce competition for the 3rd running back spot. McCarty is a smaller back, but has blazing speed and could replace Goodson as the “scat-back”.

I think Gettis has loads of potential and will be able to put up big numbers if he’s given a full year as a starter. I think he’ll beat out LaFell for starting spot in camp. But even if he does LaFell is a solid player and will still see a bunch of playing time.

Outside of Chris Gamble the corner position is kind of up for grabs, however, i just dont think Munnerlyn has the talent to cover the better receivers in this league and its time we went in another direction. I like Hogan and if he’s healthy and given an opportunity I think he’ll shine. And I also believe Norman could compete for a starting spot as well.

Sherrod Martin should not be a starting safety in this league and its time we cut ties with him. Reggie Smith started games for San Francisco and played well so he should do until we can draft a more permanent guy, but he’s definitely an upgrade from Martin.

Feel free to comment and give your suggestions about what you agree with or disagree with.