Roster Battles

[paulSM]

Looking at the roster there seems to be nine or so roster battles left. these are not a "who's going to start battles." These are who's going to make the 53. Here’s my take

RB: Vaughan vs Poole

With all the injuries RBs sustain we'll have to keep three. This comes down to Vaughan and Poole. By all accounts Poole is doing great while Vaughan is being his hard working self. That being said Vaughan has special teams experience and tenure. so it wouldn't surprise me if he won out.

- My prediction: Poole wins

WR: Murphy, Gettis, Edwards, Tutu

I've broken down the roster several ways and I just don't see us holding onto seven receivers. That leave these four battling it out for two spots (I think green will be headed to the practice squad). I know most people are handing Gettis a spot, but that doesn't seem to be the RR way. It's either put up or shut up, and for him to put up he has to get on the field. He doesn't add anything that the other healthy receivers can't give us. As for Edwards, I think he's about were he should be in his development, and I think he has a great upside. Unfortunately, upside doesn't get you a roster spot with this collection of players. Of the four I like Tutu the least, but I see him making it.

- My prediction: Murphy, tutu (I'm ok with any two out of these four. Murphy and Edwards would be my fav though)

TE: Hartsock vs Brockel

I think Barnidge will get the second receiving TE spot, and I see Rosario on the practice squad. That leave Hartsock vs Brockel for the blocking TE/backup FB spot. Brockel has more versatility but Hartsock is the better blocker.

- My prediction: Hartsock

G/C: Blackwell, Byers, Z Williams. Browning, Allan

we know the starters and I see Campbell, G Williams, Pollack as locks for backup spots. That leaves one backup G/C spot available in what I think will be a 9 man line. I really don't know much about this battle, and have heard positive from all of them. I think Byers and Z Williams are the most versatile.

- My prediction (for final roster purposes): Byers

UT: Neblett, Chandler

I see four DEs as definite right now. You know the first three. I'm adding Keiser because he outplayed everyone at the end of last year, seems to be a RR type player, and brings some pass rush we desperately need. I see three DTs as definite: Edwards, Fua, and McClain. After crunching the numbers I see us keeping 4 or 5 DT but probably just four. Since Edward and Fua are both NT. That means the fourth spot probably goes to an UT. Neblett and Chandler fit that bill. I see Chandler heading for the practice squad

- My prediction: Neblett

Safety: Pugh, Smith

Martin and Nakamura have been the best two safeties in camp, which leave the SS position more up in the air. I see Godfrey as keeping the starting gig. As for the backup battle, smith really hasn't doesn't anything of note so far. I don't see Nelson or Sullivan in the mix, and I think Campbell is heading for the practice squad. I had Pugh written off before training camp, but now....

- My prediction: Pugh

CB: Hogan, Stanford, Thomas, Ness

I'm calculating 5 Corner spots on the roster. I think it's possible that it ends up as low as four or as high and six, but I think five is the most likely. Gamble, Captain, and Norman seem to be locks at this point. I'm going to add butler to that mix. This leaves us with one spot for the four left. Ness's concussion is going to hurt his slim chances, but he was filling out as a RR type. I think Hogan has the best upside, but he has to get on the field. I'm almost at a loss on this one. I really hope Hogan comes through.

- My prediction: Hogan

K: Medlock vs Mare

I'm not sure who has the lead between Nortman and Harris, but I think it's Nortman. On top of that the draft pick will definitely win in case of a tie, so I'm penciling him in. Medlock and Mare has gotten really interesting however. So far it seems as if they are in a virtual tie. Sure, ever panther fan is hoping Medlock takes it, but I'm not sure who would win this one if it were tied. Will it be the veteran with a bad year, and a long track record as one of the best in the league, or the one who didn't shank a bunch of kicks for us last year? My brain is telling me Mare, but I really hope it isn't.

- My prediction: Medlock (I went back and changed this name about three times)

Final roster spot:

Assuming that we keep three QBs (we will), and that seven linebackers are being kept for certain roles (Anderson, Beason, Keek, Davis, Onatolu, Senn, Applewhite). That leaves one open position. I'm assuming that spot goes to a defensive player, but I guess it's POSSIBLE that it goes to a WR. That would leave us with the following battling it out for one spot: A. Edwards, Gettis, Norwood, Kearse, Phillips, Reggie smith, Thomas, Ness. I really have no idea where to go here. So I'm going to go with our biggest need. Pass rush. Kearse and Gettis are the last cuts.

- My prediction: Norwood (by the skin of his teeth. I didn’t think he had a chance in hell to make the roster a month ago)

That leaves my final roster as:

Offense:

QB: Newton, Anderson, Clausen

RB: Williams, Stewart, Poole

FB: Tolbert

WR: Smith, Lafell, Murphy, Tutu, Pilares, Adams

TE: Olsen, Barnidge, Hartsock

OT: Gross, Bell, Campbell, G Willaims

OG: Silatolu, Hangartner, Pollack,

C: Kalil, Byers

LS: Jansen

Defense

DE: Johnson, Hardy, Alexander, Keiser, Norwood

DT: Edwards, McClain, Fua, Neblett

LB: Beason, Keuchly, Anderson, Davis, Applewhite, Onatolu, Senn

FS: Martin, Nakamura

SS: Godfrey, Pugh

CB: Gamble, Norman, Munnerlyn, Butler, Hogan

P: Nortman

K: Medlock… I mean Mare… I mean Medlock

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[KillerKat]

Tutu over Gettis is not going to happen. Gettis will be the number 3 or 4 WR once healthy. When he does get healthy, it will be a boost to our WR group. I think the only way Tutu will make it is if Gettis is on the PUP when the season starts. Even then there's no guarantee Tutu will be that guy. Or if they even want to carry 6 WRs if that happens.

I would go with Brockel as the 3rd TE and backup FB. Hartsock offers nothing at TE. And if Tolbert gets hurt, who will be our FB?

I also think Kearse makes it with Norwood being cut. Norwood has shown no reason why he should stick around.

Pugh will be cut and will not make the roster....

Btw, Harris has been outperforming Nortman in camp. I wouldn't be surprised if he makes it instead of Nortman.

I agree Medlock will win it since he's been killing it in camp and has been better than Mare.

Anyway, here's what I think it will look like atm:

OFFENSE:

WR1: Steve Smith - David Gettis - *Joe Adams*

LT: Jordan Gross - #Bruce Campbell#

LG: *Amini Silatolua* - Zack Williams

C: Ryan Kalil - #Mike Pollak#

RG: Geoff Hangartner

RT: Byron Bell - Garry Williams

TE: Greg Olsen - Gary Barnidge - Richie Brockel

WR2: Brandon LaFell - #Louis Murphy# - Kealoha Pilares

QB: Cam Newton - Derek Anderson

FB: #Mike Tolbert#

RB: DeAngelo Williams - Jonathan Stewart - (Tauren Poole)

DEFENSE:

LE: Greg Hardy - *Frank Alexander* - Thomas Keiser

DLT: Terrell McClain - Frank Kearse

DRT: Ron Edwards - Andre Neblett - Sione Fua

RE: Charles Johnson - Antwan Applewhite

SLB: James Anderson - #Kenny Onatolu#

MLB: Jon Beason - Jason Phillips

WLB: *Luke Kuechly* - Thomas Davis - Jordan Senn

LCB: Chris Gamble - Captain Munnerlyn

RCB: *Josh Norman* - Brandon Hogan - Darius Butler

SS: Charles Godfrey - #Reggie Smith#

FS: #Haruki Nakamura# - Sherrod Martin

SPECIAL TEAMS:

K/KO: #Justin Medlock#

P/H: #Nick Harris#

KR: Kealoha Pilares - *Joe Adams* - David Gettis

PR: *Joe Adams* - Captain Munnerlyn - Brandon Hogan

LS: J.J. Jansen - James Anderson - Ryan Kalil

# = Free Agent

* = Draft Pick

() = Undrafted Free Agent

[Rubi]

Medlock won't make this team if he kicks it to the 10 yd line on kickoffs....(a la mr. Holliday in the preseason opener)

No excuse not to kick it into the end zone from the 35.

[KillerKat]

Medlock won't make this team if he kicks it to the 10 yd line on kickoffs....(a la mr. Holliday in the preseason opener)

No excuse not to kick it into the end zone from the 35.

No excuse for the kickoff team not to tackle

[jtnc]

Medlock won't make this team if he kicks it to the 10 yd line on kickoffs....(a la mr. Holliday in the preseason opener)

No excuse not to kick it into the end zone from the 35.

Like 'Killerkat' said no excuse for our special teams not to tackle. They got swallowed up in blocks, Mare cannot hit from outside of 35 consistently at all. Whatever it might be, he just can't.

[Leeroy Jenkins PhD]

I don't see Norwood or Neblett making this team. (Only because Neblett misses 4 games)

I do see us bringing in a DT and possibly secondary help after teams trim to final rosters.

[panthers90]

Like 'Killerkat' said no excuse for our special teams not to tackle. They got swallowed up in blocks, Mare cannot hit from outside of 35 consistently at all. Whatever it might be, he just can't.

Exactly, if anyone watched MNF yesterday, a lot of the kicks were short, but Dallas and Oakland STs had no problem stopping them.

And unfortunately I see someone like Stanford making it over Hogan- hasn't showed anything.

[HeatCheck]

You have Tutu making over Gettis? What have you see out of him that gives you reason to cut Gettis?

Medlock won't make this team if he kicks it to the 10 yd line on kickoffs....(a la mr. Holliday in the preseason opener)

No excuse not to kick it into the end zone from the 35.

I don't think he will. He has a strong leg and that appears to be a fluke kick. I'd rather give up the occasional short kick if it's for more points on the board, if it came to that.

[d-run]

Seems like that was just a random mis-kick from from Medlock. He has just as much leg as Mare.

I think Poole is better than Vaughn, but he got a concussion today. There is a good chance he won't play on Friday and it is hard enough for an UDFA to make the 53 without missing a preseason game.

[KillerKat]

I don't see Norwood or Neblett making this team. (Only because Neblett misses 4 games)

I do see us bringing in a DT and possibly secondary help after teams trim to final rosters.

I hope so. Another solid CB wouldn't hurt either.

[Leeroy Jenkins PhD]

From what I hear, Panthers have had scouts at numerous preseason games and camps. I don't know if this happens every season or what. Do not be surprised if we bring in a new DT or even CB/FS/SS.

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

I actually pin that return on Tolbert.

Holliday ran right past him and Tolbert wasn't able to get off his block.

No excuse for a guy of Tolberts' stature to not be able to get off his block.

Any who, we will learn and only get better.

[KillerKat]

We have our starting FB on kickoffs?

[SCP]

Kearse over Norwood.