Don't assume we're set...

[Mr. Scot]

...for the season ahead with the current roster.

The rule that veteran salaries are guaranteed if they are on the opening day roster has led to early season rosters being more fluid than in decades past. Thus, in the days following week one, you can expect to see some teams pick up a veteran or two at positions where they need a little help (either due to lack of depth or an opening day injury).

Will the Panthers be one of those teams?

Hard to say. It's reasonable to expect, but given that the team is following a "youth must be served" strategy this season, it's far from a lock.

Of course, it's worth remembering that veteran signings by other teams will result in someone being sent packing, maybe even a young player that's worth a look for depth or a practice squad spot.

If the Panthers do go the veteran route, I know everyone will be thinking receiver. In my opinion though, offensive line is a more likely target, whether it be with a veteran or a young castoff. Chances of it being a vet likely go up if someone - especially someone important - is lost to injury on Sunday.

Bottom Line: The roster you see on Panthers.com right now may not be the roster you see this time next week.

[janosha]

You've got to pay the troll toll.

[MadHatter]

You've got to pay the troll toll.

Did you just call Mr. Scot a troll? He is by far the most informed and articulate member of this board.

[Zod]

Not sure this year honestly. In years past I would say it was a sure thing the Panthers would pick up a veteran or two. This season though I think the youth movement trumps everything else. They would rather get a young guy some playing time and lose this season while grooming a prospect than to win now and leave that player on the bench.

[jramsey4]

To be honest I don't think we will make any moves barring injuries. I just get the feeling that this FO wants to see if the guys we already have will step up.

[jarhead]

I am not 100% buying in to the youth movement.I agree we are young but it appears to be a positive spin on the saving money and the movement toward the cheap movement.

Unless we get someone at a rock bottom price I dont see us picking up proven talent.There was such a need at wr and plenty of players availible but we did nothing.I rest my case.

[Cyberjag]

We may not get a veteran, but some team will cut a promising young offensive guard to sign a veteran linebacker or something, and we'll swap out Duckworth for him. If we do anything, it will be like that.

[thennek]

I can see some o-line changes especially if they don't start performing better than in the preseason. The current 'backup' list is pretty thin.

[Khyber53]

Ugoh.

[Mr. Scot]

Young enough, but his injury might be too much. Rotoworld seemed to think he was out for the year.

The "youth movement" would still be served as long as the player signed isn't all that long in the tooth.

Yes, it's possible we see no changes, but I'm just not sure I see the current O-Line configuration as a lasting thing.

[SOJA]

Chuck Norris checks his closet every night before bed to make sure Mr. Scot isn't hiding in there..... just kidding and thanks for another great post

[Khyber53]

The O-line is going to be a tricky thing to judge until we play in New Jersey against the Gits. The weakness right now isn't RG but RT, but even that was inflated because of how we played in the pre-season.

In the pre-season, we seemed to pass much more often than our normal methodology would dictate. We had four QBs to test and observe, and let's face it, our running back situation was pretty well locked up.

In regular play, our running game allows our O-line to punish the opponent's defense. From the initial push to the pummeling that linebackers and safeties take trying to bring down DWill and JStew, each running play makes it easier to do pass protection. It's like body blows and clenches to a boxer, it wears down the opponent and reduces their ability to dictate the fight.

Bernadeau will do well, I think. But the drop-off between Otah and Schwartz is pretty big, especially in pass protection. It's not a knock on The Dude, but Otah is a monstrous mauler and most mortal men would be a drop off from him. Schwartz will have to hold on, though, and hopefully we can bring King in on more plays as a blocking TE to give him some help. He should also get more help from Fiametta during the game.

Or at least, let's hope.

[Mr. Scot]

Honestly, with Otah likely out and the RG spot in flux, the whole right side worries me right now.

When the run game was at its best, Williams and Stewart were powering out behind Otah and Keydrick Vincent. Mind you, I'm not saying we should have kept Vincent (don't think he's still that guy) but at least right now, we're missing that kind of presence.

Can it be Bernadeau, or perhaps Schwartz? Guess we'll see.

[The Saltman]

The O-line worries me more than the QB play and the Wr play.