The Writing on the Wall

[MHS831]

Based on the game and RR's most informative press conference,  it seems there is some faint indication of cuts and roster spot acquisitions.  (Thought I would start a thread to start shaping the roster)

1.   Vernon Butler not making the trip is curious.  Yes, an injury--I get it, but we all suspect there is more to it than that.  VB is probably gone.

2.  Rashaun Gaulden may have fallen from a potential starter to a cut.  A non-injury related scratch before preseason game #3 is probably a bad sign.

3.  Cockrell and Elliot are likely to be the nickels.  CBs:  Jackson, Bradberry, Cockrell, Elliot, Elder and maybe Seymour?

4. They sure played Obada a lot last night and he performed well.  I am guessing he gets a roster spot.  Does that mean Cox Jr. does not?

5. If the play calling in the second half is any indication  of the confidence Norv has in Allen/Grier's passing, we have no real backup and a starter in a boot.  Allen's dropoff is the most critical.  They could cut him, develop Grier (3rd rounder), and sign a veteran free agent cut.

6. Williams played very well, as did Carter.  Could that mean Norris is a casualty? Inside LBs--Luke, Thompson, Williams, Carter.  What about Smith? PS?

7.  If players are seeking roster spots by their ability to play special teams, then we have no players on last night's punt team who will be earning a jersey that way.

8. With Bonnefon's versatility (making him capable of backing up CMC in the playbook)  and Scarlett's hard style, could CAP be done here?  I think it is possible.  Holyfield to PS.  BOLD Prediction:  RB: CMC, Scarlett, Bonnefon.  Smart money keeps CAP on the roster-he knows the system, but who knows?

9.  Godwin looked over-matched last night--beyond the fumble, he seemed cautious or intimidated.  Not a good vibe.  May have lost a jersey, but I still say he gets one.

10. Manhertz is supposed to be the blocking TE.  Thomas (who has been injured, so I am nice to him) needs to step up.

11.  I was worried that the 3-4 would look good on paper, but not on grass.  Still worried.

WRITING ON THE WALL? 

Trending downward:  Gaulden, Butler, Cox Jr,  Norris,  Artis-Payne, Godwin, Allen, Manhertz.

Trending upward:  LB Williams, Carter, Bonnefon, Scarlett, Elliot, Cockrell, Obada.

 

 

 

[mc52beast]

5) Hurney fugged up the qb room and could lose his job based on this.

8) Love me some Cinnabon(Reggie) . Have been pulling for him all PS. Hope he gets a spot and CAP moves on

[Daddy_Uncle]

18 minutes ago, mc52beast said:

5) Hurney fugged up the qb room and could lose his job based on this.

8) Love me some Cinnabon(Reggie) . Have been pulling for him all PS. Hope he gets a spot and CAP moves on

Dumb. Will be interesting to see if we pick up a veteran QB once cuts are made by other teams though

 

[Snake]

People forget about Taylor Heinicke but he's better than Both Allen and Greir(although Greir did show flashes last night). I really would be surprised if Heinicke is cut. 

[hepcat]

1 minute ago, Snake said:

People forget about Taylor Heinicke but he's better than Both Allen and Greir(although Greir did show flashes last night). I really would be surprised if Heinicke is cut. 

I don't think they pushed Heinicke down the depth chart because of his abilities, I think they did it because he's injury prone. Didn't make it through one NFL game. Albeit that was on the Panthers who expect their QB to take a few concussions per game.

[Tepper's Chest Hair]

I like how optimistic people are that we are going to find a quality QB from the cast offs of other teams.

[Seltzer]

Butler was injured... still think he gets a roster spot b/c we need someone else who can play NT and interior DT

The Gaulden thing is weird... All I can speculate is the Gaulden is not happy b/c Boston was brought in and Rivera is sending a message... Doubt we give up on a 3rd round pick this early but that is concerning

Obada has definitely earned a roster spot... he comes to play every snap, which is not something you can say about all these guys

I agree with you that the RB depth chart is almost certainly going to be CMC, Scarlett, and CAP.  I am impressed with Bonnafon though and hope we can keep him on practice squad.  It's not out of the realm of possibility though that he gets a roster spot.

Manhertz and Godwin both were disappointing last night... I like Godwin, but his biggest contribution this year is going to be as PR... he's got to field them clean

I think the 3-4 is going to drastically improve our pass rush (and adding Irvin, Burns, and Haynes improving goes a long way), but I am concerned about the run defense.  There is going to be more pressure on our secondary guys to make tackles.  Also need ILB's to be sound in their gaps.

Finally, as it relates to the QB's, I do think the point has come where they need to consider adding an outside guy.  I don't think Allen or Grier can't be decent in the future, but there is a lot riding on this year, and they don't seem ready to come in and provide a legitimate option, even in the short term

[Harbingers]

41 minutes ago, MHS831 said:

1. Vernon Butler not making the trip is curious.  Yes, an injury--I get it, but we all suspect there is more to it than that.  VB is probably gone.

2.  Rashaun Gaulden may have fallen from a potential starter to a cut.  A non-injury related scratch before preseason game #3 is probably a bad sign.

I wouldn’t count Butler our yet. 

Has there been any word on why Gaulden didn’t make the trip? Did he do a bad that I haven’t read yet?

[Eazy-E]

Defense gave up 10 points to the defending champs. They’re literally last on the list of things I’m worried about.

Tom Brady was visibly annoyed by the first team defense. He was bitching the entire first quarter. That’s a win for the starting D.

[Black&BlueBubba]

Gualden left practice early on Tuesday.  RR at that point said he didn’t know why he left.  

I would not read too much into him being left at home.   May have tweaked something.  

[Tepper's Chest Hair]

6 minutes ago, Harbingers said:

Has there been any word on why Gaulden didn’t make the trip? Did he do a bad that I haven’t read yet?

 

Just now, Black&BlueBubba said:

Gualden left practice early on Tuesday.  RR at that point said he didn’t know why he left.  

I would not read too much into him being left at home.   May have tweaked something.  

From what I can tell when asked after the game, RR stated it was a coaching decision to not bring Gaulden, and that it was not performance related.

Did some googling

https://www.patriots.com/news/carolina-panthers-postgame-quotes-8-22

 

 

Quote

 

Q: Was Rashaan Gaulden in on the strip-sack?

RR: No, he wasn’t.

Q: What’s going on with him?

RR: Just a coaching decision.

Q: Was it performance-related?

RR: No, not performance-related.

 

 

[micnificent28]

Gualden and butler cut.. wow.. that's some mighty fine detective work there..

[Snake]

15 minutes ago, hepcat said:

I don't think they pushed Heinicke down the depth chart because of his abilities, I think they did it because he's injury prone. Didn't make it through one NFL game. Albeit that was on the Panthers who expect their QB to take a few concussions per game.

Cam can't even survive the lines we have and we think a vet QB could? 

[Bronn]

43 minutes ago, MHS831 said:

Based on the game and RR's most informative press conference,  it seems there is some faint indication of cuts and roster spot acquisitions.  (Thought I would start a thread to start shaping the roster)

1.   Vernon Butler not making the trip is curious.  Yes, an injury--I get it, but we all suspect there is more to it than that.  VB is probably gone.

He's gone. I've been saying this for a long time.

2.  Rashaun Gaulden may have fallen from a potential starter to a cut.  A non-injury related scratch before preseason game #3 is probably a bad sign.

He'll stay. But he's on a shorter leash than most would think. This MAY change depending on other teams' cuts.

3.  Cockrell and Elliot are likely to be the nickels.  CBs:  Jackson, Bradberry, Cockrell, Elliot, Elder and maybe Seymour?

There's still some shuffling to be done at the back of the depth chart, but this looks mostly correct. Doss and Thornton are battling Seymour for the last spot, and I think Doss is currently leading.

4. They sure played Obada a lot last night and he performed well.  I am guessing he gets a roster spot.  Does that mean Cox Jr. does not?

Obada does make the team. Cox does too.

5. If the play calling in the second half is any indication  of the confidence Norv has in Allen/Grier's passing, we have no real backup and a starter in a boot.  Allen's dropoff is the most critical.  They could cut him, develop Grier (3rd rounder), and sign a veteran free agent cut.

It's the freakin' preseason. Play calling is only indicative of such. That said, nobody behind Cam except Grier is guaranteed a spot.

6. Williams played very well, as did Carter.  Could that mean Norris is a casualty? Inside LBs--Luke, Thompson, Williams, Carter.  What about Smith? PS?

Luke, Shaq, Carter, Smith are locks. Williams and Norris is a tossup, but based on last night Williams should be in the lead. Knowing the Panthers the way I do, however, this means Norris gets the spot.

7.  If players are seeking roster spots by their ability to play special teams, then we have no players on last night's punt team who will be earning a jersey that way.

It's the freakin' preseason. Nobody cares about Special Teams.

8. With Bonnefon's versatility (making him capable of backing up CMC in the playbook)  and Scarlett's hard style, could CAP be done here?  I think it is possible.  Holyfield to PS.  BOLD Prediction:  RB: CMC, Scarlett, Bonnefon.  Smart money keeps CAP on the roster-he knows the system, but who knows?

I've been calling for CAP to be done in favor of Scarlett and Holyfield. Bonnafon is your PS guy.

9.  Godwin looked over-matched last night--beyond the fumble, he seemed cautious or intimidated.  Not a good vibe.  May have lost a jersey, but I still say he gets one.

Godwin is our WR6 and returner. No danger there.

10. Manhertz is supposed to be the blocking TE.  Thomas (who has been injured, so I am nice to him) needs to step up.

It's the freakin' preseason. Nobody cares what your firmly entrenched backup TEs are doing or when they blow a play or two. If we cared, we could have signed a better FA this offseason.

11.  I was worried that the 3-4 would look good on paper, but not on grass.  Still worried.

Stop worrying. the 3-4 will be fine, and we have great personnel in it.