Franchise Tag

The first question that came to mind when the Carolina Panthers started discussing the use of a franchise tag on Ryan Kalil, DeAngelo Williams, or Charles Johnson, was do we really need to?

The franchise tag is normally something that is used when a player is wanting an 'out', wanting to leave the team. This can usually prevent them from doing so or at least gives the team a chance at getting good compensation for their departure. But when it comes to these three paticular players, all of which we would like to see in Carolina blue again next year, is there a desire to leave Charlotte? Is there a hidden animosity that the fans are unaware of?

Let's face the facts...

Ryan Kalil is a great center. He earned his second pro-bowl spot this last season and has a proven track record with the team, showing great ability in helping our rush game. By using the franchise tag on Ryan Kalil, it locks him up for an additional year for $10.5 million.

DeAngleo Williams has been with the Panthers since 2006 and has become the teams leading rusher as well as breaking an NFL record in the 2009 season along with second running back Jonathan Stewart as being the first duo to both rush over 1,000 yards in a single season. By putting the franchise tag on DeAngelo, it would have committed $10 million and could have possibly saved him from walking cleanly away from the team. On the other side, DeAngleo is now 28 years old and has been injured off an on for the last couple seasons. Is this enough to let him go? Will Jonathan Stewart (also injured off and on in the last couple seasons) be able to maintain the rushing abilities that the Panthers are known for?

Charles Johnson has become a household name in Carolina and pretty soon around the league. This year, in his first full 16 game start, he had 11.5 sacks (7th in the league) 51 solo tackles and 1 forced fumble. [just an FYI, Julius Peppers was ranked 29th overall with only 8 sacks and 54 tackles, Johnson was also only 3 sacks away from out performing Peppers in his best year of 2008] I am assuming by not using the franchise tag on Johnson, means that a large long term contract is to follow. If the Panthers do end up drafting Nick Fairley, this combo will soon become one of the top in the NFL and you know what they say, "Defense wins Championships".

Overall, I think placing the franchise tag on Kahlil was not a good move nor was it a bad one. I think Carolina will sign each of these guys to long term contract once the CBA is reached, which hopefully will be sooner rather than later.

My biggest prediction for possible off-season moves, the Carolina Panthers trade DeAngelo Williams or Jonathan Stewart and sign a veteran quarterback to a 1-2 year deal, such as Vince Young, Carson Palmer, or Donovan McNabb. This would allow Carolina to possibly add some additional draft picks in this years draft (since we currently have 0 picks in the second round) while also maintaining a strong running game with the emergence of Mike Goodson and T.Sutt. And this allows Jimmy Clausen to sit on the sidelines and develop into the quarterback that we need him to be in the future. And let's not forget Jerry's message to the fans this year, that once the CBA has been reached, we will see the team start spending money again on bringing talent and a championship to Carolina. Time will tell!

Until then, everyone keep your fingers crossed that the CBA gets reached in a timely fashion, that we have football in 2011 with a good free agency market, and remember to start saving your money for a Charles Johnson and Nick Fairley jersey because they are going to be tearing it up whenever football returns.

As always, GO PANTHERS!