Veteran Panthers losing a roster spot

Some people get defensive about discussing roster spots before training camp even starts, but it's obvious to me this year, moreso than others, that a good amount of current veterans may not make it this year. I think because of such an active free agency and some solid picks in the draft, fringe players that have held down those last roster spots on the depth charts may be out of luck this year. Here are some of the vets that I think are on the bubble and may be cut before the regular season:

OL-Evan Mathis and Jeremy Bridges

-Mathis has never lived up to his potential and since our line has been so mediocre the past several years, he's managed to hold on.

-Bridges is a decent player, but his past legal troubles and our depth going into this season may make him expendable.

*IMO, Hangartner would have made this list if he wasn't the only solid option for reserve center.

RB- Nick Goings and Alex Haynes

- I think Nick needs to hang it up due to medical issues and Toefield, while not as well rounded as player, is probably the better pure back.

-Haynes makes this list because he's actually suited up and played on gameday, otherwise he'd been left off.

QB- Brett Bazanez

- The staff has gotten away from keeping three active QBs. I'm not sure if Brett is still eligable for the practice squad, but he'll not make the active roster.

WR- Ryne Robinson

-With the ability of Jason Carter and some of the lesser name wideouts, the staff just may elect to keep one of the lesser known players with huge upside over Robinson who doesn't have much of an upside. As for Jarrett, it's still too early to give up on him especially given his draft status, but if he doesn't imrove this year, his name may be on this list next year.

DL- Stanley McClover

-If a pass rush specialist becomes available after the June 1st cuts, I believe we'll have one last addition going into camp. If that happens, McClover becomes expendable, especially if he has just a hum-ho camp. The rest of the line are new acquisitons and we're also too thin for more casualties.

LB- Adam Seward, James Anderson, Tim Shaw

- All of these players are marginal and probably will not amount to much more than the reserves they currently are. With the addition of Connor in the draft and Johnson in FA, it's going to be hard for any of them to land a roster spot even over an aging Na'il Diggs. I'm thinking just one of the three will remain.

DB- Dante Wesley

-I know that Wesley wasn't a Panther last year, but he's been a Panther and came back to be a Panther, though I think his return stint is going to be a lot shorter than he anticipated. I believe Coclough (sp) will end up with the 4th CB spot. As far as safety, Quinton Teal is going to be upended, but he only played because of our EXTREME lack of depth there last season. Actually, this is going to be close, as he may just win the spot over Terrence Holt. The staff may choose youth and potential over the aging and known commodity in Holt.

ST- Jason Kyle

Let the annual witchhunt on special teams begin! Since Hankton is gone, the bullseye is squarely on the back of Kyle. But until we can bring someone in here who is as specialized as he is at LS, I think he reamins. As of now, I don't think any of our OL (or anyone else) is as polished of a LS as Jason.

*TE was left off as all three should make the roster. If anything, Barnidge will go to the practice squad.

 

Robinson has a huge upside as a Slot WR. Steve Smith obviously has taking him in. And even if they can't put him on special teams they will work him into the rotation. Jason Carter had one good catch in a practice drill.

 

I expect Robinson to make the roster. His returns were a lot better towards the end of last season and he showed a little something in the slot. I think he is safer than Jarett really.

 

I'm not saying it's a given, but as it stands now, if any of the top 5 on the WR depth chart is up-ended, Robinson would be the one. I just know that the staff is impressed with Carter more than just his one-handed catch. He's much bigger than Robinson and IF thier speeds are similar, then to me it's a wash. The only thing the staff would be leery of doing is cutting a draft pick in only his second season. Just put it like this, had Robinson been a rookie FA instead of a draft pick, I'd say his butt would be firmly in the hot seat.

 

We have 3 big WR. We need some small speedy ones..

 

Robinson isn't that speedy. That's the point...he's small and not all that fast. He's more qiuck than fast which made him a good PR in college at a mid-major school. That's, IMO, why he struggled so bad last season. Even the STs guys in the NFL are quick. They aren't some 4th string walk-on the coach sticks in the game to give that player field time.

 

I guess Travis Taylor can take his spot.

 

Robinson did a lot better on punt returns towards the end of last season. I bet he will still be our return man this coming year.

 

We cut Travis Taylor and pick up J. mathis.

 

hmmm....

I'll start here... I say it now. After last year there is absolutely ZERO chance the Panthers go into the season with just two QBs. While admittedly most years I have no problem taking two QBs into the season, and apparently neither does Fox, after last years injuries, and the uncertain status of how Delhomme's arm will hold up throughout the season with TommyJohn surgery it won't be a chance they're willing to take.

While I'm not saying its impossible that Robinson is the one cut, (1) too many people are jumping on the Carter bandwagon after minicamp, and (2) Jarrett may be in more trouble than Robinson.

Possible, but I think he's got another year in him.

Well this is kinda obvious isn't it?? I mean I don't think anyone expects the Panthers to take 8 linebackers into the year. Numbers just don't add up. Something not considered though, is if Diggs can't win the starting job, it may be possible he's allowed to walk (I know he just signed) but its possible they'd keep youth instead.

He's safe... may not be active, but he's safe.

once again its POSSIBLE this happens, but for one that's a HUGE disappointment in a draft pick, and two he'd be gone within a week. No way a guy with his potential stays untouched on the PS.