Jeremy Igo

I thought it was, Marlowe lost his block on the right. Not sure if his man was the one that got to the ball. Then people on twitter corrected me saying it was Whitaker.

Was Whitaker responsible for the blocked punt last night? If so, that may play into the decision today.

The Carolina Panthers must get down to 53 players by Saturday at 4pm. There are a few large question marks still regarding the final roster. Ron Rivera has said 9 positions are up for grabs, more than any season in recent memory. I suspect we will see Brian Folkerts waived and then put on IR. I thought Mike Remmers did well at center and rookie Daryl Williams did well at RT, making Folkerts expendable. Also will be interesting to see how the running backs shake out. My fear is they keep Fozzy over Wegher, which is a mistake, imo. Fozzy would clear waivers and is still practice squad eligible. Wegher I feel would be snatched up by any number of teams looking for a young healthy back (Texans, Chiefs, Steelers, etc). Over at tight end, Simonson has looked sure handed in pass catching, but dismal in run blocking. Brandon Williams will probably get the final tight end roster spot with Marcus Lucas again a practice squad project. On the defensive side, has Rakim Cox done enough in preseason to get a jersey? Does David Gettleman cut his first draft pick in David Mayo? We will know soon enough. As a reminder, the Panthers roster on Sunday probably will not be the final 53. Typically roster moves are still made into week 1 of the NFL. Bubble players typically continue to get cut on Mondays and Tuesdays as free agents are signed. View full article

Cant put Wegher out on waivers.

I have been preaching Todman for a month now. Thats why. He is better than Fozzy.

Preseason Game 4 is here! Pass me a beer.

Could probably pick up a tennis raquet tomorrow and be ranked world wide within a month.

That is a direct mp3 file link. If you can't play it, it is your computer.

http://traffic.libsyn.com/carolinahuddle/shaq.mp3

Thanks all Yep, Shaq is a laid back dude. Very pleasant and thoughtful. One of those guys that doesn't have a mean bone in his body off the field, but on the field can turn it on. Exactly the type of player you want on a team.

This week on the Huddle Podcast, Sammi and Jeremy sit down in studio with Panthers linebacker Shaq Thompson. Topics include: - Life before the NFL - Current Panthers topics - Fellow linebackers - much much more. Big thanks to Shaq for taking time out to join us, he was a great guest. Hopefully after listening to this episode you know a little more about him. You can subscribe to the Huddle Podcast on iTunes here -> clicky clicky Or listen right here in your browser... View full article

Yesterday the Panthers traded a conditional draft pick to the Seahawks for receiver Kevin Norwood. Norwood is a second year player who was drafted in the 4th round and had a pedestrian college career at Alabama. Not quite the news most Panthers fans were hoping for. If the Panthers hope to compete for the playoffs again this year, they will continue to look for help as proven veteran receivers are released this week. The Carolina Panthers do not have a single wide receiver on the team that will demand more than single coverage. Without a premier player that must be covered by a safety and a corner for containment, opposing defenses will key in on the Panthers run game and neuter their attack from the start. If the Panthers cannot run the ball, they are looking at once again having one of the most lackluster offenses in the NFC. Cam Newton will be forced to be 80% of the Panthers offense with his improvisations, increasing his chance of injury. Not good. Currently on the Panthers roster, possibly making the final cuts... Ted Ginn - Probably the closest thing to a player that requires double coverage on the team. Has proven he can get behind corners which could cause concern for defenses on occasion. Corey Brown - Also has proven he can break free from a corner, but until he starts catching the ball he is a lot like most NBA centers outside the three point line. Sure, you could cover him... but what would be the point. Jerricho Cotchery, Brenton Bersin, Jarrett Boykin, Kevin Norwood - All possession guys that won't demand much extra attention from defensive coordinators. Reliable targets that should not be more than the third read on any given play. If any of these guys are asked to be the leading receiver on a team, something is very, very wrong. Devin Funchess - A rookie that can't seem to stay healthy. Has had 3 hamstring issues in as many months. Missed time in OTA's, training camp, and now preseason due to injury. Could he contribute in a real way this season? Sure. But for the Panthers to rely on that is lunacy. I would have more hope for the passing game if the Panthers had a high level offensive coordinator capable of changing and improving on the fly through creativity. Unfortunately, they do not. Yesterday, Ron Rivera made it clear that if the current group of men did not show improvement in this week's preseason game that changes would be made. Yesterday's trade was a good start, but it isn't enough, not by a long shot. View full article

Coaches take more than preseason into consideration.

Here is my final 2015 Carolina Panthers roster projection. Offense - 26 Quarterback - 3 Cam Newton Derek Anderson Joe Webb Note: Remember, Webb can also play that large possession receiver spot if needed. This allows the Panthers to keep only 5 receivers. Running Back - 4 Jonathan Stewart Fozzy Whitaker Cameron Artis-Payne Jordan Todman Note: With Jonathan Stewart entering what is probably his last season in Carolina, Panthers keep an extra back for continuity into 2016. Fullback - 1 Mike Tolbert Tight End - 4 Greg Olsen Ed Dickson Scott Simonson Richie Brockel Note: Simonson has come on strong as of late and is kept as injury insurance. If Olsen or Dickson get injured, the Panthers offense would suffer greatly without a backup pass catching tight end. Brockel is kept for special teams and short yardage. Brandon Williams to IR possible. He has missed all of camp and preseason. Panthers could still keep him instead of Simonson though. Tough call. Wide Receiver - 5 Devin Funchess Corey Brown Ted Ginn Brenton Bersin Jerricho Cotchery Note: I like Boykin and this is a very tough call. But keeping both Bersin and Boykin is fairly pointless as they are the same player. Boykin has a little more athletic ability but Bersin is more reliable. In a Ron Rivera locker room, reliability wins the spot. Personally, I would be very tempted to go with Boykin, but I don't think Rivera will. Offensive Line - 9 Michael Oher Andrew Norwell Ryan Kalil Trai Turner Mike Remmers Daryl Williams Chris Scott Amini Silatolu Nate Chandler Note: Panthers could opt to waive Brian Folkerts and use Mike Remmers as the backup center. This frees up roster space and makes room for the day that Daryl Williams is starting (it will happen this season). Defense: 24 Defensive Line - 9 Charles Johnson Star Lotulelei Kawaan Short Kony Ealy Colin Cole Dwan Edwards Mario Addison Kyle Love Wes Horton Note: Really strong group here. Linebacker - 5 Thomas Davis Luke Kuechly Shaq Thompson AJ Klein Adarius Glanton Note: I have taken Mayo off the roster here. I just cannot see why you would keep him when he would so obviously clear waivers and land on the practice squad. Cutting Trusnik and keeping Glanton instead helps the Panthers 2016 compensatory draft pick odds. Safety - 4 Roman Harper Tre Boston Kurt Coleman Colin Jones Note: Pretty much a lock here. Jones can move up into that buffalo nickel spot the Panthers love so much. Corners - 6 Josh Norman Bene Benwikere Charles Tillman Teddy Williams Melvin White TJ Heath Note: Teddy Williams has done enough to make this team in preseason. Special teams cause is helped by his addition. Special Teams - 3 Kicker - Graham Gano Punter - Brad Nortman Long Snapper - JJ Jansen Practice Squad - 9 Carrington Byndom Damiere Byrd Brandon Wegher (crossing fingers) David Foucault Marcus Lucas Dean Marlowe Martin Wallace David Mayo Rakim Cox Terry Redden. View full article

Browning cut. You were saying?

Many fans were disappointed on Friday night when the Panthers chose to put preseason MVP Brandon Wegher in for only 7 offensive plays. It seemed as if the Panthers had forgotten about this undrafted rookie and a visit to the waiver wire is all but a certainty. Not so fast, another undrafted kid last season, Corey Brown, had even less snaps in the third preseason game (6). Brown went on to not only make the team, but contribute at crucial times late in the season. Of course, it didn't hurt that Brown was the designated punt returner at the time. However, Wegher has proven to be no slouch when it comes to punt and kickoff return teams. There is still hope, Wegher fans. View full article

This week's edition of Along the Sidelines is now available for your viewing pleasure. Each week during the regular season and post season (God willing), I will be bringing you the things I saw from along the NFL sidelines all in high definition. I hope you enjoy. Along the Sidelines - Patriots at Panthers View full article

It is true, ever since the Superbowl loss. You won't hear about it publicly, but it is there and deep.

Last I heard CJ was in and KK was questionable

In what will be the best dress rehearsal for the regular season we are ever going to see, here is what I will be paying extra close attention to in tonight's Panthers - Patriots match up. Run Game Dominance With Jonathan Stewart in the lineup and a much improved offensive line, the Panthers need to impose their will on the Patriots first string defense. Last week this group looked pedestrian at best. The Panthers have enough talent on offense this season to grind out at least a few yards on every attempt, even if it is ugly and right up the gut of the Patriots defense. Line up our biggest guys against their biggest guys and lets see who gets moved. Cam Newton Read and React Cam Newton has never looked good in preseason, so I am not overly concerned here. But many of Cam's throws have been just a tad late or behind the receiver. Take last week's intercepted pass to Greg Olsen for example. The ball was out late and behind Olsen, even though Cam had more than adequate protection. The result was a pick 6. I would like to see an interception free game from Newton this evening with quicker more decisive reads. More Shaq! Really excited about what we saw from Shaq Thompson last week. Thompson provides a physical skill set that will prove to be a huge headache for opposing offensive coordinators this year. Thompson has the speed and strength to cover nearly anyone on the field and the natural instincts to snuff out the run at the line of scrimmage. More Shaq, please. Catch the Ball, Corey Corey Brown has a dismal showing last week with his multiple drops including one in the end zone. While I am excited that Jarrett Boykin is really coming on strong, the Panthers need Brown as an additional deep threat. If Corey can put together a solid game tonight, catch everything thrown his way, and possibly tack on a touchdown... last week will be all but forgotten. Get Aggressive, Stay Aggressive The Panthers and Patriots do not like each other, and that is putting it mildly. Even though it is preseason, the Panthers do not want to be embarrassed by the Patriots on a national stage. I know some fans will play the "just no injuries" card, which is always a boring platitude. Of course no injuries. It is a given. But you know how you avoid injuries best? By staying aggressive and on the offensive. Players most frequently get injured when they are not in control of the action. Take Cam's rib injury from last year's Patriots game for example. Offensive line break down, Cam running for his life amidst a butt whooping. Result? Injury. Be in control. Stay aggressive. That is the best way to stay healthy. View full article

Theae two teams do not lile each other one bit.

Thats just P55 setting up his Shula defense for next week. Not sure why, maybe the Panthers offense does well. He should have more faith in the guy he is the biggest supporter on the huddle for.

no Rivera clearly stated last year they game planned for the Patriots. Im starting to think you just reply to topics to muddy the conversation.

Third preseason game for the patriots as well. They are game planning.