Whether or not the third preseason game should be considered "a dress rehearsal," there's no debate about the meaning of the fourth exhibition.
Insert here: "Yeah, it matters even less than the other three."
But in less cynical terms, jobs are on the line Thursday. According to Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera, about seven spots remain undecided heading into the preseason finale against Pittsburgh.
"To a degree, the value of the fourth game has kind of been diminished. But in this fourth game, it's important to us because we've got a group of young guys that are competing and there's a lot of young guys we really like," Rivera said.
"There's some really good battles."
In a preseason where punter has been the only spot with a starting vacancy, the biggest roster questions have dealt with depth. And with one game left, Rivera confirmed coaches are still looking for final answers at running back, receiver, linebacker and on both sides of the line.
Some scenarios most likely up for debate:
RB — Are Brandon Wegher's contributions on special teams enough to earn him a second season?
WR — Has Damiere Byrd flashed enough to push Kevin Norwood out of a possible 6th spot?
OL — Keep the versatile Chris Scott or second-year OT Donald Hawkins?
DT — Has Robert Thomas made Kyle Love expendable?
DE — Is there room for both Wes Horton and Ryan Delaire?
LB — Keep seven LBs or make a decision between Ben Jacobs and Jeremy Cash?
So as starters chat on the sideline while watching third-string quarterback Joe Webb play out the preseason Thursday night, others will be making final arguments. The winners will be invited to Saturday morning's team meeting. The others will get a visit from the Turk.
"You feel really good about those groups of guys and you really do wish you could keep everybody," Rivera said.
"We didn't bring anybody in that you just say, 'He's a camp body.' You (want to) bring guys in and say, 'These guys have a chance to make our team.' And that's why you feel good about these guys."
The Panthers are the objects of my affections.
This is one year out of the 22 years the Panthers will make cuts that is really hard to say who. Use t in years past you could pick the 15 easily who would get cut. Second round cuts you could get close.
Though since the arrival of GM Dave Gettleman I can not tell you anymore. I can’t you if we sign anyone in FA or the draft. I’ve hit n 2 Drat picks in 4 years with Gettleman. Then they brought in 2 UDFA players and they were cut.
I do feel Wegher is on the bubble and he could land on the PS. I think Bersin lands on the PS as well. I think the Battle is between Simonson and Lucas. I think Lucas makes the 53 man roster and Sandland hit’s the PS. IMO.
I think Jacobs get’s cut and Cash sticks to the 53 man roster.
I think Garrett sticks and someone else looses a spot. Rivera said he reminds him of Funchess a year ago. If true you can’t cut him with that kind of potential. So I think Norwood could be on the PS.
O-line Chris Scott is cut and Donald Hawkins is in. The second string O-line played great and since a target is on out back I’m willing to keep 10 o-lineman this season.
I think Blechen gets moved back to Safety from LB. Though Marlowe, Ball, Dixon, Jones, Robinson ? Dixon goes to PS
Well that’s all guessing.