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Here are my top 5 things I will be watching closely during the Panthers vs Bills preseason game. 1. Michael Oher Oher had a shaky start to training camp but has improved since. Tonight will be the best indicator on the progress he has made in the transition back to left tackle. Buffalo presents a real challenge as the team with the most sacks of 2014. If Michael Oher can perform adequately this evening, you will hear a collective exhale as Panthers fans across the nation relax a bit. 2. Special Teams Special teams is one aspect of a team that really cannot be assessed during training camp. There has not been a single live drill with actual contact from which to draw conclusions. Returns, kickoffs, field goals, punts... all simulated. Up until now, no one has had a single clue on how the Panthers special teams units will perform this season. Tomorrow at this time, we all will have a much better perspective. 3. That 6th Receiver One, maybe two, wide receiver positions are still up for grabs. Brenton Bersin, Mike Brown, Jarrett Boykin and rookie Damiere Byrd are all in the mix. This evening provides an opportunity for one of these receivers to pull away from the rest. Ron Rivera stated this week that he will also be watching this carefully this evening. Who will step up and seize the moment? 4. Rookie Backs On offense the Panthers have three intriguing prospects lining up behind the quarterback. Cameron Artis-Payne, Brandon Wegher, and fullback Lee Ward should all see plenty of action this evening. Wegher has had limited reps in practice just due to the numbers, but has shown promise. He is a tough kid that may excel once contact is allowed. Lee Ward is on the bubble and could possibly grab a roster spot if he can prove to the Panthers he improves the run game, pass protection, and special teams. It won't be enough for him to simply do well. He needs to make the Panthers coaching staff believe they are not nearly as good without him. 5. Offensive Intangibles This year in training camp the Panthers offense has been less than sharp. Play confusion, miscues, overthrows, wrong routes, slow play development all have been on show. Can the Panthers pull it together and execute in and out of the huddle? Can they minimize mental mistakes and show they are ready for the regular season? Lets hope so. View full article