NFL fans are familiar with "statement games." In 2013, general manager Dave Gettleman had a statement draft. Selecting defensive tackles and with his first two picks was Gettleman's me sage and mi sion statement. The would become bigger and tougher under Gettleman. He said he desired "hog mollies," the kind of players that could push teams around, especially up front. The draft strategy is as . Lotulelei has proven to be a key run stuffer. Short is a star. A few years later, the are serving "Hog Molly" . Gettleman's fingerprints aren't only on the in-stadium dining. He's threaded the needle between cleaning up past mistakes, planning for the future, and attempting to win now since taking over for Marty Hurney as general manager in 2013. The have won the division title three straight times, in large part because of the cornerstones that Hurney acquired or hired: , , , , , and , not to mention coach Ron Rivera and offensive coordinator Mike Shula. Hurney deserves praise for acquiring so much top-shelf talent. And owner Jerry Richardson deserves the credit for in 2012 because of bloated contracts, poor salary cap management, and an inability to sustain succe s. Gettleman, who cut his teeth with the , has proven to be the right man to navigate out of cap trouble while picking up bargain role players in free agency along the way.While most teams spend huge money in the secondary, Gettleman has e sentially replaced the group every season with castoffs like , and mid-level draft picks. The defense hasn't suffered. Gettleman resisted the calls to sign a veteran stopgap at receiver when wide receiver , Gettleman's excellent 2014 first-round pick, tore his ACL in August. Gettleman believed the guys in place would suffice. The lead the league in scoring with , , and at wide receiver.Hurney's core pieces form the foundation of this 17-1 squad built around . But Gettleman has feverishly filled in the cracks with Rich Hill Jersey players from outside the organization. Only two teams in the NFL (Chicago, New York) have more players than Carolina's 27 players acquired from another team. This team is ahead of schedule. They weren't nece sarily supposed to make the Divisional Round in 2013 or 2014. Even after that succe s, most preseason prognostications had them as a below-average team following Benjamin's injury. (.) Gettleman saw value where others did not, and now he oversees a team in great salary cap shape, positioned to take full advantage of 's prime. This is . Here's a look at how the roster was built: Carolina's offensive line was expected to be a weakne s entering the season. Instead it has been one of the best groups in the league, especially when Newton drops back to pa s. Gettleman believes left tackle was the team's key offseason pickup in 2015, a move that was roundly criticized after Oher's struggles in Tenne see. Four of the ' offensive linemen have been picked up in the last two years, all for cheap, including guard in the third round of the 2014 draft. Gettleman isn't afraid to believe in players who were not well-loved elsewhere. went from a punchline in Philadelphia to a key contributor in Carolina. was a bust as a top-10 pick in Miami and didn't last in San Francisco, but he was one of the most effective players in the NFC Championship Game for Carolina. was out of the league until he was signed to play big playoff snaps following 's season-ending surgery. The roster's preference for size isn't limited to guys like Lotulelei and Short. and will form a ma sive pair of receivers for Newton to target next season. Mark Lowe Jersey The have five active players that have been with the team since 2009 or before. The don't have any. and have overcome an incredible amount of injuries to make it to this still with the organization. and also both went through a lot of lean years with the team to emerge out the other side. One of Hurney's best moves, the 2011 trade for tight end , was an incredible act of opportunism. The were trading Olsen because their offensive coordinator Mike Martz had no use for pa s-catching tight ends. Olsen only cost a third-round pick and was of interest because then- coordinator Rob Chudzinksi coached Olsen in college. Ron Rivera and have enjoyed the benefits years later. Make sure to watch Opening Night live Monday on NFL Network at 8 p.m. ET.