Panthers Sign Jason Avant

Nearly the entire offseason, fans have been clamoring for general manager Dave Gettleman to make some sort of impact signing at the wide receiver position after losing Steve Smith, Brandon LaFell, Ted Ginn and Domenik Hixon.

Apparently signing Jerricho Cotchery and Tiquan Underwood wasn't enough.

However, on Tuesday, the Carolina Panthers made a pretty great move, probably their best this offseason: signing former Philadelphia Eagles WR Jason Avant to a one-year deal.

Avant, who will be 31 this month, brings in not only a solid, veteran receiver, but experience and leadership as well. He's spent his entire career with the Eagles and, although his numbers may be deceiving, he's a very sure-handed and reliable wideout.

Bringing in older receivers like Cotchery and Avant may be confusing to some, but it seems what Gettleman is trying to do is bring in guys who will help teach the younger receivers that the Panthers are bound to draft, along with Tavarres King and Marvin McNutt.

To be honest, the Panthers aren't all that bad at the wide receiver position. They ranked 29th in the league in passing yards last season, and their number one target, TE Greg Olsen, is still with the team. The loss of Steve Smith hurt, yes, but it's time to bring in a new era of receivers. Guys like Cotchery and Avant bring in experience, while guys like Underwood, King and McNutt can learn from these guys and from wide receiver coach Ricky Proehl, becoming effective weapons in the passing game.