Lots of people seem to think the Carolina Panthers are killing it in the free agent market. Says Don Banks:
In guard Mike Wahle and cornerback Ken Lucas, the Panthers have added two young players who weren’t just among the best players available at their position in free agency, they’re among the best period. The versatile Wahle helps solidify a Panthers offensive line that had a revolving-door quality to it last season, and Lucas has developed into one of the league’s most complete cornerbacks. Given the choice between Lucas or Washington’s more highly regarded Fred Smoot, I’d have taken Lucas and not looked back.
The offensive line upgrade was clearly necessary. Hopefully, it will do just as much to improve Carolina’s running game as a healthy DeShaun Foster or Stephen Davis. Personally, I think Foster will win the starting job for next season, but I’m not ready to dismiss Davis after Jerome Bettis made me look foolish for declaring him done. Plus, if Foster gets hurt again next season, his fragility may force the Panthers to make a move at running back.
Or they could just give the ball to Nick Goings again. That seemed to work pretty well late last season…