Getty ImagesThe NFL and the NFLPA can’t agree on whether the franchise tag will be available to use later this month. If it is available, the Carolina Panthers can’t agree internally yet on who to tag.
They have plenty of options.
Steve Reed of the Gaston Gazette has a source that says it’s not a lock that the team will place the tag on running back DeAngelo Williams. While he’s the biggest name on the team headed for free agency, the Panthers have Jonathan Stewart and Mike Goodson behind him.
Center Ryan Kalil and defensive end Charles Johnson are other possible candidates to tag. Cornerback Richard Marshall would be longshots.
After two days of labor talk in Dallas, we get the feeling we’re spinning our wheels by talking about free agent moves since free agency could be months away. Like NFL teams, however, we have to be prepared for everything.
Letting Williams walk would be a huge mistake. If he leaves Carolina, it wouldn’t surprise me if Denver signs him.
Carolina has 4 solid running backs, but Williams is the best one of them. He needs to stay.
Why would they franchise a RB when you could use a 7th round pick to replace him?
They should franchise “He Hate Me.”
That guy would’ve been Twitter God.
I like D. Williams, but RB is probably the most interchangeable/easiest position in football to fill. I’d use the tag on a solid OL over an RB. Maybe that’s why I’m not an NFL GM…
Kalil is a crucial long-term re-hire. Williams is someone we’d love to have, but not the highest priority.
HUGE mistake if they don’t keep DeAngelo
DeAngelo will be BIG Fantasy attraction next year if he lands on the right team.
Kalil would be the most valuable on the open market. I can think of a few teams which would love to sign him today. DW is ok, but RB and free agency have not worked out so well for the teams or the players.
Runningbacks are like undersized power forwards and shooting guards in the NBA…dime a dozen. Unless they are just crazy talented like AP or CJ, they are just another guy on your football team. The NFL has made the rules such that the passing game is too tempting to pass up each down…
While I FULLY agree with a lot of people on the HB position dime a dozen thoery, and I personally wouldn’t draft one in the first round ever.
It’s really hard for me to understand how your going to get better next year if you let your best offensive player go.
patriotinvasion says:
Feb 5, 2011 9:58 AM
Runningbacks are like undersized power forwards and shooting guards in the NBA…dime a dozen. Unless they are just crazy talented like AP or CJ, they are just another guy on your football team. The NFL has made the rules such that the passing game is too tempting to pass up each down…
Unless of course you’re Denver, Arizona, or Seatle (I know Lynch had that 1 great run in playoffs, otherwise he was ineffective since he was traded for) then you scoop up D. Williams as quickly as possible
DeAngelo is a very good player and a great person from the little I know. He would be an asset to anyone’s roster. Since he is a RB this may be his last shot to get a big deal…not sure if Carolina wants to go down that road.
If they let him go it would be a mistake. Although we have needs like Kalil first, Williams needs to stay.