APJust about every list of potential veterans who could be released this offseason included Panthers cornerback Chris Gamble and that conventional wisdom has been rewarded.
The Panthers announced that they have released Gamble on Friday, a day before they’re free to start negotiating with free agents from other teams. Gamble was set to make $7.9 million in salary in 2013 while counting $10.95 million against the cap, numbers that couldn’t be on the books for the Panthers to reach the cap stability that new General Manager Dave Gettleman hopes to put in place.
Gamble only played four games last season before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury. He’s been a good enough corner when healthy to generate some interest in free agency, although he’s not likely to land a contract anywhere close to the one he had in Carolina. He also won’t get to enjoy any time on the free agent market by himself, something the other veterans cut around the league have had in the last few weeks.
Carolina’s going to have to use some of the money they’ve recouped to find help on the corners with Gamble gone. They needed help when Gamble was healthy, too, so things have only gotten more acute on the corner for the Panthers.
Channel Finder
And another CB to the free agency pool….
Teams are going to start playing hardball with players. They will send the general message that most players are replaceable. Only QBs are going to command top dollar in the future.
raiders
In a brief statement to the press, Chris blamed his release on “conventional wisdom”.
Eagles after they cut Nmandi
I smell ” collusion” between the owners and the NFL!!
Cutting many “vets” in order to increase their bottom line!!
It’s pretty obvious which side “won” the lockout.
We couldn’t afford to keep him at the price he was getting paid. This was best for both sides.
Big Gamble fan. Good luck wherever he lands.
No one in Charlotte is surprised…we were more or less just waiting to see WHEN it happened
With his injuries, anyone that is willing to sign him will be taking a Gamble. I’ll just show myself out
benroethlisberger7 says:
Mar 8, 2013 12:08 PM
Teams are going to start playing hardball with players. They will send the general message that most players are replaceable. Only QBs are going to command top dollar in the future.
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Incorrect, but on the right track. If you have a qb worth top dollar, then you have a need for a top dollar tackle for his blind side. Perhaps even two.
two tackles, that is. as in one for the left and one for the right. not one to back up the other.
How could his cap hit be more than what he was going to earn?
I think the cap savings was $7.9 million.
Incorrect, but on the right track. If you have a qb worth top dollar, then you have a need for a top dollar tackle for his blind side. Perhaps even two.
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Roethlisberger and Rodgers didn’t have all-pro tackles when they earned their rings. Heck, even Fat boy McKinnie was starting LT for a SB run. You don’t need a top LT, it would definitely be nice, but it’s not required. How many SBs has Joe Thomas won?
If the Lions drop the ball on this DB market then they deserve to be in last place. Mr. Stafford, you can whip the ball all around the field all you want, but without a D you are screwed. I understand you want a fair deal, but how far apart are these negotiations? And really…what other team has a Calvin Johnson to throw to?
As a Packers fan, I’m still upset about Mike Sherman passing on Gamble and drafting the 5’8″ Ahmad Carroll instead.
I can see him is SF, very easily. He would look like a much better play here, much like Carlos Rogers after leaving the Skins.
The CB market is too deep – trading for Revis would be stupid.
UWSPtke
Carroll was so bad… did he ever not get flagged for PI on a deep throw?
I love me some Gamble, so 6 years ago I bought his jersey.
The first Sunday I wore his jersey just happened to be the last time as well.
That was the last time a John Fox team ever tried a fake punt return, which saw Gamble attempt to throw the returned punt backwards to a teammate on the other side of the field.
That didn’t work too well.
Yup…Raiders!
jmac34 says:
Mar 8, 2013 12:32 PM
With his injuries, anyone that is willing to sign him will be taking a Gamble. I’ll just show myself out”
LOL! I just got the joke. His last name is Gamble and how he has had recent injuries, if you were to sign him it definitely will be taking a gamble. It’s a nice play on words.
Somewhere, Daunte Culpepper is clapping.
The CB market is too deep – trading for Revis would be stupid.
exactly, why pay 14 million a year for a CB, thats crazy, if u have a good front 7 that puts pressure on the QB, any mediocre cheap CB can make plays in the secondary if yr D makes the QB make mistakes, Revis is good, but no CB is 14 mill a year good, im lookin at u loud mouth richard sherman in seahawks land
Gamble to Miami with a bargain contract i like that!
I hear the jets need a corner
The jets need just about everything tho