Roster cuts feature some tough decisions

[MHS831]

The  Panthers will cut their roster to 53 players by 4 p.m. ET Saturday.

RB:  Bonnafon had over 90 yards in 10 catches this preseason.  Norv and the offense like to throw to the RB, as we all know.  CAP has averaged 4.2 yards per carry over his career here, but he turned 29 in June--RBs usually start a rather significant decline at that age.  If we have Scarlett, do we need CAP over a RB who can back up CMC with his pass catching abilities?  To me, the smart money is to cut CAP and go with the 23-year old RB out of Louisville.  While we could keep CAP and place Reggie on the PS, I am not sure he would stay there after his solid preseason.  I would cut CAP, keep Bonnafon, and put Holyfield on the PS.

WR:  Do we keep six?  Godwin would probably be safe on the PS.  Behind Moore, Samuel, Hogan, and Wright, how many opportunities are there.  Is Smith the fifth?  I would say so.  If Godwin is not returning punts, he should not have a jersey.  They could use a jersey to keep Obada or Cox Jr---and Godwin would be fine on the PS...

DL:  Here, there are three players with question marks above their heads.  I would suspect that Short, Poe, McCoy, and Love are locks.  Obada is not a good fit but has progressed well and he gives 100% on every down.  Cox Jr. is probably a better fit in this D than Obada, but his recent arrest could shade the decision--character matters (And your opinion about marijuana is not an issue here-doing smart things is).  Finally, there is the Vernon Butler matter---I think he has to make the roster and will actually be part of a rotation.  Assuming that Obada makes the team, you could find that Cox Jr., Godwin, and Bonnafon are actually the people fighting for the last jersey.

My final 50 (specialists excluded, red indicates player on bubble):

OFFENSE (24)

• QB:  Cam, Allen, Grier
• FB:  Armah
• RB: CMC, Scarlett, Bonnafon (Surprise! CAP is cut as my long shot prediction) 
• TE: Olsen, Thomas, Manhertz
• OL:  Turner, Van Roten, Paradis, Moton, Williams, Little, Daley, Hearn, Larsen
• WR: Moore, Samuel, Hogan, Wright, Smith (Godwin to PS)

DEFENSE (26)

• DB: Reid, Boston, Jones, Bradberry, Jackson, Elliot, Elder, Cockrell, Gaulden
• LB:  Luke, Thompson,  Irvin, Addison, Burns, Haynes, Miller, Carter, Smith, Williams (Norris gets cut)
• DL:  McCoy, Short, Poe, Love, Butler, Obada, Cox Jr

 

[rhyslloyd]

I'm anxious to see if Ron has the balls to cut CAP and Norris.  Also, Colin Jones....shoot me.

[GoPanthers123]

Gaulden is better than Jones.  Bonnafon is better than CAP.  Last year we had one of the oldest rosters so the plan was to get younger right ?  

[4Corners]

Need to cut butler 

[RenoCarolina]

I wonder how much NFL Marketing to Europe (having Obada on roster for London game) comes into play when the decisions are made.  In the past you could always count on the Panthers and JR to do whatever the league office decided "was in the best interest of the league" and get in line.  Is that the case now?  Not saying Obada hasn't won the job on merit, just an interesting twist.

 

 

[Jaxel]

Obada is gonna mwke the team.

[Eric4280]

25 minutes ago, RenoCarolina said:

I wonder how much NFL Marketing to Europe (having Obada on roster for London game) comes into play when the decisions are made.  In the past you could always count on the Panthers and JR to do whatever the league office decided "was in the best interest of the league" and get in line.  Is that the case now?  Not saying Obada hasn't won the job on merit, just an interesting twist.

 

 

I think having efe on the roster for that game alone, turns that road game into a home game honestly.

[Bronn]

Players in bold/underline are bubble players, and are the ones to look for tonight.

QB: Cam, Allen, Grier
RB: CMC, Scarlett, Holyfield
FB: Armah
WR: Moore, Samuel, Wright, Hogan, Smith, Godwin
TE: Olsen, Thomas, Manhertz
T: Moton, Williams, Little, Daley
G: Turner, Van Roten, Greene
C: Paradis, Larsen

DT: Poe, Love
DL3T: Short, McCoy
DL5T: Cox, Obada
EDGE: Addison, Irvin, Burns, Haynes, Miller
LB: Luke, Shaq, Carter, Smith, Williams/Norris
CB: Bradberry, Jackson, Cockrell, Elliot, Elder/Doss
S: Reid, Boston, Blanding, Jones/Gaulden

ST: Slye, Palardy, Jansen

Practice Squad:
RB: Bonnafon
WR: Leverone, White
TE: Hemmingway
OL: Hearn, Cook
LB: Kunaszyk
CB: Thornton
S: Ballard, Luke


I'm not sure the injury status of Brandon Greene. If he can't go, then it'll be someone else's cut or Hearn.

I favor Antwione Williams over Jared Norris at this point, but I'm not sure the coaching staff does.

I think Elder has a slight edge over Doss at this point for the last CB spot, but it is a tossup.

I don't know what is going to happen with the 4th safety spot. I think it comes down to Jones or Gaulden. I prefer Gaulden, but I'm not so sure the coaching staff does.

Other than that, I think everything is already pretty much set. Pending another team cutting someone that can take a job on our roster, of course.

Also of note, Holyfield gets the nod over Bonnafon because Holyfield has a better shot at getting poached from the PS.

[bababoey]

53 minutes ago, MHS831 said:

The  Panthers will cut their roster to 53 players by 4 p.m. ET Saturday.

RB:  Bonnafon had over 90 yards in 10 catches this preseason.  Norv and the offense like to throw to the RB, as we all know.  CAP has averaged 4.2 yards per carry over his career here, but he turned 29 in June--RBs usually start a rather significant decline at that age.  If we have Scarlett, do we need CAP over a RB who can back up CMC with his pass catching abilities?  To me, the smart money is to cut CAP and go with the 23-year old RB out of Louisville.  While we could keep CAP and place Reggie on the PS, I am not sure he would stay there after his solid preseason.  I would cut CAP, keep Bonnafon, and put Holyfield on the PS.

 

Not to harp on one thing but when people say after 29 or 30 or whatever age, RB start to decline is kind of not right.  It's all about the wear and tear on their body at that age.  CAP did not start playing college football until he was 21 or 22 and did not get into the NFL until he was 25.  He does not have the same kind of wear on his body as a normal 29 year old back.  Fred Jackson averaged 4.3 ypc and had 900 yards rushing when he was 32 for an awful Buffalo team. He did not start playing in the NFL until he was 26.  So age is not as big as the wear he has on his body and CAP has very little.  I could easily see him playing another 3 years.

[Jeremy Igo]

Will be very interesting.

 

If they only keep 2 QBs it pretty much says they will be picking up a free agent or trading for a backup.

[Bronn]

1 minute ago, bull123 said:

not gonna cut CAP...he has been good in preseason

How many snaps did he get last game on offense?

[Proudiddy]

CAP and Butler should be cut...  no questions or hesitation.

[Daddy_Uncle]

3 minutes ago, Jeremy Igo said:

Will be very interesting.

 

If they only keep 2 QBs it pretty much says they will be picking up a free agent or trading for a backup.

That's what I'm betting on happening

[Bronn]

4 minutes ago, Jeremy Igo said:

Will be very interesting.

 

If they only keep 2 QBs it pretty much says they will be picking up a free agent or trading for a backup.

I think we'll roll with three we know until a need arises for us to get another one.

That said, MAYBE someone cuts a good enough player for us to axe Allen for, or we find someone available via trade. But, I'm not counting on it right now. We're all-in with Grier at this point, and have shown surprising confidence in Allen until this past week.

If we make any major noise at the position, it'll mean Cam's hurt, or it will be in the offseason. Just my opinion.