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Home•The Latest•Panthers’ Training Camp Preview: Running Backs

Panthers’ Training Camp Preview: Running Backs

Posted on Author Tim DurrCategories NewsTags , , , , , , , , , ,
Jonathan Stewart, Cameron Artis-Payne, Fozzy Whittaker, Mike Tolbert and Brandon Wegher

Running backs kick off our look at the Panthers’ roster heading into training camp. This series will go position-by-position to see who’s a lock, who will be in a battle and who’s a long shot.

With DeAngelo Williams now in Pittsburgh, Jonathan Stewart will show up to Spartanburg as a starter for the first time in his career. Who backs him up is this group’s biggest question. But cuts will be interesting, too. Of these eight names, two or three will have to go.

Name Year Games/Starts Age Height Weight
Cameron Artis-Payne R 0 23 5-10 220
Darrin Reaves 2 6/1 22 5-10 215
Jonathan Stewart 8 90/28 28 5-10 235
Jordan Todman 4 33/3 25 5-10 200
Mike Tolbert 8 99/39 29 5-9 250
Lee Ward R 0 23 5-11 250
Brandon Wegher R 0 24 5-10 215
Fozzy Whittaker 3 24/3 26 5-10 205

Locked In

Stewart, Mike Tolbert, Fozzy Whittaker, Cameron Artis-PayneAfter The Tyler Gaffney Incident, you have to think Panthers’ general manager Dave Gettleman won’t put a draft pick on waivers so soon again. That means Artis-Payne is safe. What role he’ll play is up in the air.

Facing a Fight

Jordan Todman, Darrin Reaves, Brandon WegherThe Panthers added Todman mostly for his kickoff return abilities, but a strong showing in camp could earn him a role in the backfield and on the roster. Reaves needs to repeat his strong preseason performance from last season, and even that may not be enough. Wegher could be this year’s undrafted back who manages to make the roster.

Long Shot

Lee WardThe fullback is one-dimensional, but a bruising blocker could be intriguing on a run-first offense.

Coming Saturday: Tight ends

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  • Beau

    Lee Ward is an intriguing prospect at FB considering Tolbert’s contract/cap number.

  • William A Jackson M.D.

    Lee Ward looks 1 dimensional. I read an article about him where it sounds like it was the program at Stanford just did not utilize to the fullest. He bought both of the only two passes where he was targeted, one for a TD. The few carries he had, he had a very respectable YPC. The clips of him on special teams he was good. In high school I think he had 2600 yards or so. His blocking is crazy good. I think he may replace Richie Brockel.

    • Panthers/Truth

      Your certainly right about Lee Ward being “1 dimensional”, he’s a super slow (4.97-40, 1.69-10), blocking only FB, who can’t do anything else, a wasted roster spot. Tolbert can still run a little, and catch short dump off passes (if Cam will just throw them), while Ward can’t do anything but block.

  • Kepickle

    I this IF Lee Ward has a good showing he’ll replace Brockel this yr & Tolbert Next yr

    • koda57

      I would never count Brockel out. He’s still in his prime and Rivera loves his versatility. If he heals completely I think he’ll be our #4 TE and backup FB but he could beat Tolbert out if Tolbert don’t show any better than he did last year. Brockel is one tough dude who blocks well and catches well out of the backfield, plus he knows the system. I’d be extremely surprised if Ward surpassed Brockel.

  • koda57

    After the way Tolbert played last year I don’t understand him being a Lock. Even before his injury he looked out of shape, clumsy and performed poorly. Don’t get me wrong, I always thought a lot of Tolbert but if he doesn’t come back to form I can’t see him making the roster, however Rivera is bad to go with experience over talent.

  • Panthers/Truth

    Has CAP really gained 8 pounds since the Combine? If they wanted a bigger RB they should have drafted one. This could kill CAP’s NFL chances, he had just average speed at 212 pounds (4.53-40, 1.61-10, 7.13-3 cone, and a 4.25-20 yard shuttle), but at 220 pounds he’ll be even slower. CAP already had short 29 5/8″ arms, and slightly small 8 7/8″ hands working against him. I now smell draft bust.

    Brandon Wegher’s chances look better now. He’s around the same size as CAP was, at 5’10 3/8″, 213 pounds, with better straight-line speed (a Pro Day 4.50-40, 1.55-10), but poor change of direction speed (a Pro Day 7.18-3 cone and a 4.43-20 yard shuttle). If they wanted a bigger RB they could have just waited and signed UDFA West Virginia RB Dreamius Smith (5’10 5/8″, 223), who ran faster at his Pro Day (4.48-40, 1.59-10, 6.87-3 cone, and 4.05-20 yard shuttle).

    Fozzy had his only good NFL season last year with the Panthers, but his 4.5 YPC came on only 32 carries, and he only had 5 catches. Todman had a far better season last year, averaging 5.8 YPC, on the same 32 carries, with 25 catches, and 38 kickoff returns, for the 8th best average (Fozzy only had 11 returns for around a 21 yard average). I still wish the Panthers had signed UDFA RB Corey Grant (5’8 7/8″, 201, at least 5 pounds more than CJ2K weighted), who ran Pro Day 40 times from a 4.16 to a 4.31, to add some standout speed.

    Tolbert is locked in at FB, and the rest are just camp bodies. So it still looks like it will be J-Stew, CAP, and either Todman or Fozzy, with Tolbert as the FB.