David Newton: Wegher still longshot

[thefuzz]

Stew

Todman

CAP

Wegher

 

Tolbert

Ward to IR/PS

[t96]

Drafting David Mayo in the 5th confirmed Gettleman's BPA philosophy is crap, so I won't be surprised if Wegher is cut. Wegher has a ton of upside. 

 

How does that confirm anything? He doesn't go by the media's or fans' BPA. He goes by his own and the team's scouting. They believed Mayo was the BPA at that pick, so they picked him. Not even sure what his BPA philosophy has to do with Wegher. 

[MHS831]

There is some compelling reasoning behind David Newton's belief that Brandon Wegher won't make the roster,  but the main one is this:

"Despite his productivity, he hasn’t moved up the depth chart judging by the pecking order in practice. He’s still not a consistent blocker, essential in this offense."

http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/176287/panthers-preseason-star-brandon-wegher-still-a-long-shot

Out of all the reasons why I can see Wegher making the team,  the inability to block effectively will get a lot of RBs cut.  On the other hand,  knowing how to block has secured roster spots, as Newton is intimating about Fozzy Whitaker. 

At the end of the day,  Newton is making an educated guess.  I do believe that Newton may be miscalculating the ability of Ron Rivera's and Dave Gettleman's understanding that it takes time to develop into an effective blocker, and their willingness to give Wegher that time at someone else's expense. I mean,  it's all about value,  right? But,  then again,  that's what the practice squad is for.  If it is as Newton believes,  perhaps Wegher's probability of getting through waivers is a lot greater than we may think, because blocking is at a premium in this league. It's also a much valued skill on a Dave Gettleman team.

We'll see what Gettleman really thinks of Wegher and his prospects as the right fit for the Panthers fairly soon. In the meantime,  fans might want to pump the brakes a little bit.

Newton's points are valid, but he seems to lack inside info on this one, as you suggest.  Preseason is only half over, and I am willing to bet that his chances are solid.  I am sure he can learn to block.  The issue with Wegher is this: Do we try to develop him on the PS or do we give him the roster spot?  I am not so sure that it is about what Wegher brings to the table right now, but about what he might develop into on another roster.  Wegher has been killing it on special teams.  Newton is totally wrong on this one.  We give Wegher a hard look tonight and especially vs. Pittsburgh.  Special teams, running ability, fan favorite (reminds me of Fred Lane so much), potential to make you regret cutting him if he goes to another roster--he makes this team.

[MHS831]

How does that confirm anything? He doesn't go by the media's or fans' BPA. He goes by his own and the team's scouting. They believed Mayo was the BPA at that pick, so they picked him. Not even sure what his BPA philosophy has to do with Wegher. 

I agree.  In addition, Mayo was a tackling machine, and probably was never expected to do more than serve special teams--which seem to be the focus this offseason. We missed a ton of tackles on ST last year.  So, when you need tackling on special teams and you don't think the NCAA's second leading tackler is worthy of consideration with a fifth-round comp pick, you probably didn't even consider the need and reason we drafted him.

[thefuzz]

I'm not convinced that we have to have a rookie UDFA RB be able to block like Stew to keep him on the team.

Also, I'm not 100% convinced that Stew isn't a 3 down back.  We sure as hell are paying him like one.

[bLACKpANTHER]

Speaking of pecking order.... guess who is on the bottom of panthers coverage..... 

omg, i agree.. watching him recap a news story is like watching paint dry.. dude has no camera appeal at all

[*FreeFua*]

How does that confirm anything? He doesn't go by the media's or fans' BPA. He goes by his own and the team's scouting. They believed Mayo was the BPA at that pick, so they picked him. Not even sure what his BPA philosophy has to do with Wegher. 

We're talking Gettleman philosophies and you can't figure out why I mentioned his BPA philosophy after thebigcat mentioned his best 53 philosophy? 

[Kurb]

I wish David Newton staying around was a "Long Shot"

[rico6]

It'd be hilarious if we were to cut Wegher then he would go on to get signed by NO or ATL and dominate us 2x a year. 

[Mr Mojo Risin]

He'll more than likely make the PS with RB being such a devalued position I can't see many teams trying to steal him from us, other than the a**hole Patriots but that's about it.

[rayzor]

i'm still laughing at the idea of david newton having and "educated" guess in the OP.

[jdpanther5]

Not really a David Newton fan, but it's hard to disagree with Wegher being a longshot. He's looked great vs. third stringers, but are we really keeping 5 RBs? Stewart, Tolbert, and CAP seem like locks, then probably one of Todman or Fozzy in a change-of-pace/KR role. Then a lot of people also wanna keep Ward...just seems like they're running out of spots. 

Not saying it's impossible, but "Longshot" seems like the perfect descriptor for his situation. 

[CRA]

I'd argue a healthy 28 is a better short yardage option than Tolbert at the stage of his career.   Any small hole created will close by the time Tolbert finally gets to it.

I'm also tired of people calling Tolbert a FB.  Dude is a RB.   

Do do we call Brandon Williams a FB bc 5 times a year he lead blocks?

I do think Newton's prediction is right though.  

[Billy Love]

 

I'm also tired of people calling Tolbert a FB.  Dude is a RB.   

 

correction --- he's a fat and slow running back.