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That the Panthers were able to win a division title and a playoff game this season was impressive for many reasons.

Not the least of those would be that 2014 was designed to be a step-back year.

Panthers General Manager Dave Gettleman said at his year-end press conference today that economics drove most of the team’s free agent decisions a year ago, and that they’re finally in a spot where they might be able to add instead of subtract.

“Last year we were shopping at the dollar store,” Gettleman said, via Bill Voth of Black and Blue Review. “This year, we’re able to move up in class.”

Of all those purchases a year ago, only veteran safety Roman Harper made an impact, and his was more of the locker room than on-field variety. Otherwise, they got what they paid for, which was not much.

Of course, part of that economic hardship was self-inflicted, since it cost Gettleman more to cut wide receiver Steve Smith than it would have to keep him. But after slogging through some of the largesse of the previous administration, the Panthers might actually be able to add some needed parts this offseason.

Gettleman was short on specifics, but the Panthers needs are obvious. They need to find a pair of starting offensive tackles, a pass-rusher to replace franchised-now-unwated defensive end Greg Hardy, and some speed at the receiver position (perhaps a Steve Smith-type player).

They reiterated that Cam Newton was their franchise quarterback, though Gettleman wouldn’t talk about contract talks, since Newton’s entering the option year of his rookie contract.

It seems the first order of business might be finding him some help, instead of clipping coupons and buying scratch-and-dents.