Last 2 Games: Let's See What We have on the Roster

[MHS831]

I realize that the coaches see the players on the roster and practice squad at practice, but there are several players I want to see play substantial minutes in a game situation.  I AM NOT SUGGESTING THAT WE START ALL THESE PLAYERS--I AM SUGGESTING THAT WE GIVE SOME MEANINGFUL PLAYING TIME TO A FEW FROM THIS LIST.  This article about 2022 draft pick (Bears) Velus Jones led to this thread:   https://oldnorthbanter.com/panthers-urged-to-give-former-draft-bust-a-chance-entering-season-s-final-games-01jfzg7bj02n

Velus Jones, WR/RB/KR:  Very fast and can be elusive. The article compares him to a Cordarrelle Patterson. Stood out at 2022 SR Bowl.  Drafted in the third round (I think) by Bears.  I did not know he was on the roster.  He is 27.

Caleb Farley (CB/S):  He has had his fair share of injuries and his play has been sub par, but maybe the former first rounder was in the wrong position.  Let him face the LOS and move him to Safety.  His injuries (back and knee) and size 6' 2" 200 lbs make it tough to play CB, but I think he might be able to handle Safety, based on my limited knowledge of the skill sets for both positions.  For now, let him play CB, but if he looks decent, consider S.

Demani Richardson (S):  Yes, he made a play last week.  Let him play more to see if it was a fluke or legit. Xavier Woods is set to become an UFA at age 30. 

Jaden Crumedy (DT):  I have a feeling there will be some house cleaning at DT/DE (3-4) this offseason.  Ray and Tuttle have been embarrassing this season, and Ray becomes an ERFA.  Tuttle can be cut post June 1 for a $6m savings.  A. Robinson has been average at best, but he is signed for 2 more seasons (he too can be cut post June 1 for a $6m savings).  We know we get Brown back and I am confident we draft a DT.  Can Crumedy work into the rotation?  What if we go 4-3?  We need some film on him playing from the 3 tech and the nose.

Jacoby Windmon  (ILB)  I realize that he is playing, but  we need to put him in different situations to see how he looks. At 6-2, 250, he has the size to play ILB in a 3-4 or 4-3, but he has also had some reps as a DE in college, if I am not mistaken.  I would like to see him in coverage and blitzing.   He led the team in tackles last week (8). 

Andrew Raym (C)   We may have something in Mays, but we need depth.  Can Raym play?  We'd have to bring him up from the PS, but he could step up and keep us from drafting a C late.

 

 

[CamWhoaaCam]

2 games is simply not enough to judge what we have with these guys.

 

I think it's clear the defense needs talent. Offense is actually in a pretty good position with our Oline and RB. Maybe we can upgrade the WR position other than that most of our issues are on defense. This should be a simple draft for us.

 

 

[kungfoodude]

This is an insane post.

[MHS831]

7 minutes ago, CamWhoaaCam said:

2 games is simply not enough to judge what we have with these guys.

 

I think it's clear the defense needs talent. Offense is actually in a pretty good position with our Oline and RB. Maybe we can upgrade the WR position other than that most of our issues are on defense. This should be a simple draft for us.

 

 

Says who?  Two games lets you know if you have something or not.  You see what they do when given a shot.  Heck, the preseason is only 3 games, and then you say, "Let's see how they do against the 1's"  It also gives you a chance to gauge their improvement from the last time they made film.  You give me 80 plays of football against the first teamers in a real NFL game, I can tell you enough about that player. 

[csx]

Demani Richardson has played nearly 25% of the defense snaps this season with several starts playing in 12 games.

 

[electro's horse]

The last thing I want from this roster is to see more of it 

[TD alt]

3 hours ago, electro's horse said:

The last thing I want from this roster is to see more of it 

[CarolinaLivin]

The only person on that list that makes sense to me is crumedy. He is only recently healthy and available to play. The others they have had time to see in practice and likely somewhat know who they are.

Maybe add velus to that list but only in return situations as we will need to figure out our kick/punt return situation in the offseason.

Richardson has already had plenty of playing time so i expect that to continue.

[NAS]

I think we’re evaluating them for depth. Pretty much every position on defense can use an upgrade 

[Aussie Tank]

I just want the season to finish this roster needs another offseason badly 

[Khyber53]

Give 'em all a shot, especially on defense. 

When a "good" defensive effort is keeping the other team around 30 points, you might find some kind of spark. If not, it's probably not going to get much worse. 

Of course some of the guys on that list might not have seen the field because of minor injuries that didn't have to be reported or something important like they are struggling with the playbook still at this point in the season. Some guys are just part of the background rabble in team meetings, but surely one of these is an overachiever waiting for a shot.

Something tells me, though, with Canales uplifting, character building style of coaching, if you can be on that field, you've been given a chance already. And that's a bit worrisome. It could mean that our dregs are the dregs leftover by the rest of the league. A sobering, but potentially true, possibility.

[hepcat]

I can’t say there’s any players who will be starting in defense this Sunday, except for Jaycee Horn, who should even be in CONSIDERATION to start next season. All of the players they have are either aging veterans who would be better served as depth/spot duty players, or practice squad/fringe level players who are only starting due to injuries and lack of talent on the roster.

The defense has been historically terrible this year because there has been a concerted lack of investment in defense over the last 5 years since the 2020 all-defense draft. Evero has gotten two third round linebackers as his highest prospect each of the last two seasons he’s been DC. Honestly the team would be best served doing another almost all defense draft at this point. 
 

On offense, who are they evaluating at this point? Can’t think of anyone on the offense who could possibly start who would be a “let’s see what he’s got” kind of player. 

[MHS831]

28 minutes ago, hepcat said:

I can’t say there’s any players who will be starting in defense this Sunday, except for Jaycee Horn, who should even be in CONSIDERATION to start next season. All of the players they have are either aging veterans who would be better served as depth/spot duty players, or practice squad/fringe level players who are only starting due to injuries and lack of talent on the roster.

The defense has been historically terrible this year because there has been a concerted lack of investment in defense over the last 5 years since the 2020 all-defense draft. Evero has gotten two third round linebackers as his highest prospect each of the last two seasons he’s been DC. Honestly the team would be best served doing another almost all defense draft at this point. 
 

On offense, who are they evaluating at this point? Can’t think of anyone on the offense who could possibly start who would be a “let’s see what he’s got” kind of player. 

They are on an NFL roster now, and you build the roster from the bottom up.  Who are you going to keep (most are projects of some sort) and who are you going to move away from?  Another point--some players develop and mature at different rates--some players are "gamers" and not good practice players.  You could try Farley at S, for example.  You could see if Velus Jones can make a play or two from various spots (RB, WR, KR).  What is the reason you wouldn't? 

[TheSpecialJuan]

20 hours ago, MHS831 said:

I realize that the coaches see the players on the roster and practice squad at practice, but there are several players I want to see play substantial minutes in a game situation.  I AM NOT SUGGESTING THAT WE START ALL THESE PLAYERS--I AM SUGGESTING THAT WE GIVE SOME MEANINGFUL PLAYING TIME TO A FEW FROM THIS LIST.  This article about 2022 draft pick (Bears) Velus Jones led to this thread:   https://oldnorthbanter.com/panthers-urged-to-give-former-draft-bust-a-chance-entering-season-s-final-games-01jfzg7bj02n

Velus Jones, WR/RB/KR:  Very fast and can be elusive. The article compares him to a Cordarrelle Patterson. Stood out at 2022 SR Bowl.  Drafted in the third round (I think) by Bears.  I did not know he was on the roster.  He is 27.

Caleb Farley (CB/S):  He has had his fair share of injuries and his play has been sub par, but maybe the former first rounder was in the wrong position.  Let him face the LOS and move him to Safety.  His injuries (back and knee) and size 6' 2" 200 lbs make it tough to play CB, but I think he might be able to handle Safety, based on my limited knowledge of the skill sets for both positions.  For now, let him play CB, but if he looks decent, consider S.

Demani Richardson (S):  Yes, he made a play last week.  Let him play more to see if it was a fluke or legit. Xavier Woods is set to become an UFA at age 30. 

Jaden Crumedy (DT):  I have a feeling there will be some house cleaning at DT/DE (3-4) this offseason.  Ray and Tuttle have been embarrassing this season, and Ray becomes an ERFA.  Tuttle can be cut post June 1 for a $6m savings.  A. Robinson has been average at best, but he is signed for 2 more seasons (he too can be cut post June 1 for a $6m savings).  We know we get Brown back and I am confident we draft a DT.  Can Crumedy work into the rotation?  What if we go 4-3?  We need some film on him playing from the 3 tech and the nose.

Jacoby Windmon  (ILB)  I realize that he is playing, but  we need to put him in different situations to see how he looks. At 6-2, 250, he has the size to play ILB in a 3-4 or 4-3, but he has also had some reps as a DE in college, if I am not mistaken.  I would like to see him in coverage and blitzing.   He led the team in tackles last week (8). 

Andrew Raym (C)   We may have something in Mays, but we need depth.  Can Raym play?  We'd have to bring him up from the PS, but he could step up and keep us from drafting a C late.

 

 

Demani Richardson is the only SAF we have under contract for next season.

Xavier Woods, Nick Scott, Lonnie Johnson, Jordan Fuller are thankfully all UFA's