Cat Crave
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Panthers Hurney patient with safety position

By Thor Draper Jr

CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 11: Kurt Coleman #20 of the Carolina Panthers defends a pass to Kenneth Farrow #27 of the San Diego Chargers in the 2nd quarter during the game at Bank of America Stadium on December 11, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 11: Kurt Coleman #20 of the Carolina Panthers defends a pass to Kenneth Farrow #27 of the San Diego Chargers in the 2nd quarter during the game at Bank of America Stadium on December 11, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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Carolina Panthers general manager Marty Hurney is patiently rebuilding the roster this offseason…

Marty Hurney has shown excellent patience putting the Carolina Panthers roster back together this offseason. On February 26, Hurney cut ties with veteran safety and captain, Kurt Coleman, in an effort to free up cap space for more spending. Five days later, Coleman signed with the rival New Orleans Saints for $16.35 million and $6.2 million in guarantees.

Another position catastrophe situation seemed imminent for the Panthers. Outside of Mike Adams, there were only two remaining safeties on the Panthers roster that played in 2017, as Colin Jones and Demetrius Cox together combined for 251 snaps.

Hurney had a first term as general manager riddled with cap crippling extensions and future mortgaging trades but, at least initially, it appears he has learned from past mistakes. When the free agent market opened with Tre Boston and later Mike Mitchell, it would have been all to familiar for either of them to sign large contracts due to familiarity in the defensive scheme. Earl Thomas’ trade availability would have made him a target in the past and even Tyrann Mathieu’s surprising cut could have led to an overpriced contract on a player recovering from an injury.

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Patiently, Hurney has been putting together an incredible offseason as every day the market drops lower for unsigned safeties. In all likelihood, the market could stay stagnant until following the NFL Draft late next month.

Notable free agents remain on the market including: Kenny Vaccaro, Eric Reid, Tre Boston, Tyvon Branch, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Steven Terrell, Quintin Demps, Ron Parker and Mike Mitchell.

Drafting Ronnie Harrison or Justin Reid with pick No. 24  in the first-round would also be a good step toward bringing in youth at the position.

Da’Norris Searcy’s signing was a good step in the right direction although it is a far cry from what needs to be done to fix the safety position. Hurney 2.0 still has plenty of options left open to him and is poised to execute his plan in the upcoming weeks.

Next: Offseason Roster Review - Offense

Maybe it’s time to get over “Gettlemagic” and time to appreciate a more patient Marty Hurney.

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