Panthers: Latest roster moves fall in line with blueprint
The Carolina Panthers are ready to build for the future.
The Carolina Panthers cleaned house Monday. They cut several players including the likes of Kurt Coleman and Charles Johnson, in what appeared to be moves to start fresh. Although the moves themselves may have surprised some people, they followed the Panthers’ blueprint heading into the offseason.
Monday, general manager Marty Hurney spoke to the media. While doing so, he laid out a blueprint for future success. If anything, the releases matched up with the blueprint very well.
“Obviously, we want to increase our team speed overall. We want to add speed and athleticism to the skill positions,” Hurney said.
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Aside from just player moves, other personnel moves have fallen in line with this vision. In terms of speed and athleticism, new defensive coordinator and former linebackers coach Eric Washington should be able to accentuate speed and athleticism within the defense. Over the past couple of years, the Panther defense (particularly the front seven) has prided themselves on getting in the backfield and getting to the quarterback. One of the easiest ways to do that is to get younger on the defensive side of the football.
I could certainly see the Carolina Panthers beginning to draft more defensive-minded over the next couple of years. Having only one first-round pick in this year’s draft handicaps them. The fact that they received no compensatory picks for this year’s draft was also a damper as well.
The concept of a youth movement for the Panthers is aided by the fact that Thomas Davis is retiring as well. Quite frankly, the Panthers have no choice but to adapt and get younger. That would help the team speed significantly. I realize that speed is important on the offensive side of the ball as well, but having an aging defense can really put a team in a bind.
Although the Carolina Panthers latest moves may have been a tough pill to swallow, they were necessary moves. The tam has a blueprint going forward and Hurney sounds confident in it. Now, if they are really invested in it, they must stick to it.