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(In)complete Roster
The Panthers’ 53-man roster you see on Saturday night may look different by the beginning of the week. Teams have until noon on Sunday to claim players who were victims of final cuts and Carolina has some shopping to do.
The Panthers had been planning to sift through cuts since they lost Kelvin Benjamin and it’s hard to imagine they’ll go into the regular with a receiving roster of Ted Ginn, Jerricho Cotchery, Devin Funchess, Corey Brown and Kevin Norwood. But like Norwood, hopes for an immediate impact should be tempered for a guy who has to learn a new playbook after being dumped by another team.
While a potential receiver will get much of the attention, the Panthers could also be in the market for a cornerback. Starters Charles Tillman and Josh Norman are in the concussion protocol, backup Teddy Williams tweaked his groin two days ago, and it sounded like S/CB Colin Jones had a significant groin injury until he made a surprising return last week. That leaves Bené Benwikere as the only healthy cornerback on the roster eight days before the opener.
You can find a list of notable cuts here, but as is Dave Gettleman’s wont, don’t be surprised if he adds guys with less familiar names.
Improved O-line
Because Mike Remmers and Chris Scott just started getting snaps at center this summer, the Panthers probably aren’t completely comfortable either could replace Ryan Kalil except in a pinch. So add a backup center to the shopping list.
With that said, Saturday’s ‘final’ roster is a reminder of how far the offensive line has come in a year. Last season, Nate Chandler was the starting right tackle while Amini Silatolu was at left guard. Now they’re both backups, even if they had shaky, injury-plagued preseasons.
One Had to Go
Jordan Todman’s release was arguably Saturday’s biggest surprise, but the Panthers didn’t have room for both him and Fozzy Whittaker. They’re both third-down backs who can return kicks while Whittaker is a better blocker.
Also, Brandon Wegher appears to be this year’s David Foucault. Wegher is better seasoned, but like the big Canadian in 2014, the Panthers didn’t want to risk putting Wegher on waivers.
Ben Was Better
When the Panthers signed Jason Trusnik and drafted David Mayo, it looked like Ben Jacobs would be on his way out. So credit to him for quietly going through the spring and summer to beat out Trusnik and Adarius Glanton.[line][vc_raw_html]
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Now that we know who all is available, any guesses at who Gettleman might try to target?
I’ve heard Duron Carter is high on the list.
You have Dave Gettleman on speed dial or something?
No but based on Carolina’s high interest in him during free agency it would stand that a talented receiver who needs some coaching would be high on their list
No, but I do read from more than one source…
Guess he’s not as hight as I heard. He has gone unclaimed. looks like a practice squad player in Indy. I didn’t see his preseason play but something must have been off for no one to pursue him.
Carter signed on to the Colts Practice Squad.
I could see the G-Man looking at Jean-Baptiste. We need some depth at CB right now.
He’s got great size (6’2 5/8″, 218), was a workout warrior, and a 2014 2nd round draft pick (#58), but hardly saw the field as a rookie.
Tim Jennings, DeMarcus Van Dyke (6’1″ and he ran an “official” Combine 4.28-40 in 2011), Tommy Campbell (6’2 7/8″ and he ran a 2011 Pro Day 4.31-40), Jaylen Watkins (5’11 1/2″ and a 2014 “official” Combine 4.41-40), and Gregory Ducre (5’10 1/4″ and a 2014 Pro Day 4.32-40), are still available, but Jennings is the only one to perform well in the NFL.
Now that we know who all is available, any guesses at who Gettleman might try to target?
I’ve heard Duron Carter is high on the list.
You have Dave Gettleman on speed dial or something?
No but based on Carolina’s high interest in him during free agency it would stand that a talented receiver who needs some coaching would be high on their list
No, but I do read from more than one source…
Guess he’s not as hight as I heard. He has gone unclaimed. looks like a practice squad player in Indy. I didn’t see his preseason play but something must have been off for no one to pursue him.
Carter signed on to the Colts Practice Squad.
I could see the G-Man looking at Jean-Baptiste. We need some depth at CB right now.
That Foucault comparison is a stretch. Foucault was kept around because there wasnt an option behind Byron “Eeyore” Bell, whi sucked anyway. Frechie mademail the team b/c position was so week losing a practice guy could be devastating obviously. We saw this as Frechie started at one point. Wegher straight made this team.
The comparison is that Foucault was added to the roster because the team wasn’t sure he would clear waivers and make it to the practice squad. They would of preferred to keep him there instead of on the roster but they didn’t want to risk it because he’s raw but he’s also big and athletic. However the talent level of the OL went up this year so they no longer had time to keep trying to develope him. Wegher is talented and certainly earned his spot with really strong play. But he still isn’t a good blocker and Carolina already has three backs ahead of him on the depth chart so he really belongs on the practice squad. But he played well enough to garner another teams attention and possibly have him end up being signed
Thanks, Chase. Didn’t think it had to be explained, but alas.
That Foucault comparison is a stretch. Foucault was kept around because there wasnt an option behind Byron “Eeyore” Bell, whi sucked anyway. Frechie mademail the team b/c position was so week losing a practice guy could be devastating obviously. We saw this as Frechie started at one point. Wegher straight made this team.
The comparison is that Foucault was added to the roster because the team wasn’t sure he would clear waivers and make it to the practice squad. They would of preferred to keep him there instead of on the roster but they didn’t want to risk it because he’s raw but he’s also big and athletic. However the talent level of the OL went up this year so they no longer had time to keep trying to develope him. Wegher is talented and certainly earned his spot with really strong play. But he still isn’t a good blocker and Carolina already has three backs ahead of him on the depth chart so he really belongs on the practice squad. But he played well enough to garner another teams attention and possibly have him end up being signed
Thanks, Chase. Didn’t think it had to be explained, but alas.
I’ll go ahead and say Duron Carter will be on the top of their list. Big talented receiver. Needs to work on his routes but Ricky can help. If he gets picked up I doubt he’ll see significant time this season but with his speed he could be a strong third option behind Benjamin and Funchess. James jones is another option. Veteran with speed could easily play as the third receiver behind Funchess and Ginn as the bring along Norwood
Little WR talent is available, unless the want the over-the-hill Reggie Wayne.
Little WR talent is available, unless the want the over-the-hill Reggie Wayne.