BY Cory Spiers
coryspiers@gmail.com
The Panthers 2017 53-man roster is set.
In a three-post saga last week, I took an educated guess as to how this roster would shake out, even before the preseason finale against Pittsburgh this past Thursday.
How did it go for me? Not terribly. But not great, either.
A few things happened I definitely didn't see coming and injuries to the offensive line and secondary that happened after I posted moved through my projections like a hurricane.
I'll wear my heart on my sleeve, though and break down where I went wrong and why that was. No shame here.
My original predictions are in italics below the Panthers actual final selections (in bold)
Offense
QB: Cam Newton, Derek Anderson, Brad Kaaya
Cam Newton, Derek Anderson, Joe Webb
My guess that Carolina would lean toward veteran Derek Anderson as its backup despite his disastrous preseason was right.
The 34-year-old Anderson will once again be behind Cam Newton this season. As I said in my projection, I imagine his familiarity with the schemes and his veteran status saved his spot for at least another season.
On that same tune, I didn't see Joe Webb being cut like he was over the weekend. I thought Webb's propensity as a special teamer/do-anything kind of guy combined with his ability to, you know, play quarterback, would save his job but I was wrong.
Instead, Carolina claimed rookie Brad Kaaya and I get it. Kaaya is a project player that interim general manager Marty Hurney is interested in developing.
I don't think the sky is falling because the third string quarterback was cut (though tell that to a lot of Panthers fans and you'll get booed right out of where you're standing). I think the loss of Webb affects the Panthers by exactly 0 wins and 0 losses.
If the Panthers got into a situation where Webb would have theoretically been called into duty, I'm not sure he'd even be a good fit for that spot. A veteran out of free agency would probably be safer, anyway. If the Panthers become that injury-plagued, the season is probably lost anyway.
On special teams, Carolina will be fine. Worth noting, Webb, who signed with Buffalo right after being cut, returns to Charlotte in Week 2. Given Buffalo's quarterback situation right now, would it be out of the realm of possibility to see him behind center?
That might be too bold, but at the very least, I imagine he'll say hello to teammates on special teams.
RB: Jonathon Stewart, Christian McCaffrey, Fozzy Whittaker, Cameron Artis-Payne
Jonathon Stewart, Christian McCaffrey, Fozzy Whittaker, Cameron Artis-Payne
The Panthers did keep all four running backs.
Jonathon Stewart is the guy, but he's injury prone. Behind him is the prized rookie Christian McCaffrey, who will get his share of touches.
Fozzy Whittaker had a good preseason and is a reliable kick returner (though I think putting receivers Curtis Samuel or Damiere Byrd back there is a better idea).
Cameron Artis-Payne had far too good of a preseason to be cut. He looked great. Now, the question becomes how will the team utilize all four of these men (provided they do indeed keep them all and don't opt to trade one).
FB: Vacant
Alex Armah
As it stands right now, the Panthers are poised to enter the season without a fullback for the first time in the Ron Rivera era.
My projection was initially right. I thought Carolina would keep a fullback and it would be rookie project player Alex Armah.
The Panthers did keep Armah over the veteran Darrell Young as I suspected but shortly after, they waived Armah. He cleared waivers and is on the practice squad.
I'm surprised the team opted to go without one. Especially given their identity as a hard-nosed, physical club.
Still, finding a way to keep Armah in the system is encouraging. He will likely benefit greatly from some more seasoning.
WR: Kelvin Benjamin, Devin Funchess, Curtis Samuel, Russell Shepard, Damiere Byrd
Kelvin Benjamin, Devin Funchess, Curtis Samuel, Russell Shepard, Damiere Byrd
I got this one right but it looked scary for a moment there.
The Panthers did keep five wideouts. Kelvin Bejmain and Devin Funchess should be the starters and the speedy slot option Curtis Samuel joins special teams ace Russell Shepard behind them.
South Carolina product Damiere Byrd had a solid preseason and reaps the rewards by earning the fifth and final receiver spot.
Carolina initially kept a sixth wide receiver in speedster Kaelin Clay but Clay was dealt to Buffalo along with a pick in exchange for cornerback Kevon Seymour.
TE: Greg Olsen, Ed Dickson, Chris Manhertz
Greg Olsen, Ed Dickson
I didn't think Carolina would keep three tight ends but that's the case.
Greg Olsen and Ed Dickson are reliable and I thought all along that the team would try to find a way to retain the young Chris Manhertz.
Manhertz had a good preseason and has good size (6-6, 255). He had some good moments as a run blocker in the exhibition games and was up and down as a pass-catcher.
C: Ryan Kalil, Tyler Larsen, Greg Van Roten
Ryan Kalil, Tyler Larsen
Provided he can stay healthy, Ryan Kalil is the veteran mainstay at center.
Depth is important behind him, as is the case with the offensive line in general, and Tyler Larsen is a good option.
I loved what I saw from Larsen in Kalil's place last season. I expect to see him continue to make strides.
Greg Van Roten was a surprise to me. There's a great piece on him over at the Charlotte Observer written by Scott Fowler that is worth a read.
As it turns out, Van Roten can slide all around the line. After the versatile lineman Chris Scott was injured, that type of player became a need for Carolina and it seems Van Roten can play a similar role.
G: Andrew Norwell, Trai Turner
Andrew Norwell, Trai Turner, Amini Silatolu, Chris Scott
Andrew Norwell and Trai Turner will be the starting guards.
I had the Panthers keeping some depth behind them but with Van Roten's ability to slide over, I imagine they're not worried too much about it.
Silatolu was retained and is listed as a tackle (see below). The injured Scott would have been a nice piece to be able to pencil in.
T: Matt Kalil, Daryl Williams, Taylor Moton, Amini Silatolu
Matt Kalil, Daryl Williams, Taylor Moton
Matt Kalil and Daryl Williams should start.
Taylor Moton and Amini Silatolu both had tough times in the preseason finale against the Steelers.
Still, they provide valuable depth and I'm still excited for what Moton could be down the road. He's only 23, after all.
Defense
DT: Kawann Short, Star Lotulelei, Kyle Love, Vernon Butler
Kawann Short, Star Lotulelei, Kyle Love, Vernon Butler
I was worried Kyle Love and Vernon Butler wouldn't be healthy after sustaining preseason injuries but it looks like they're on track to be ready.
There are some questions as to whether Butler will be ready to go 100 percent in Week 1 but this is a solid group. I like Kyle Love as a backup and Butler has shown flashes of development but has had a tough time staying healthy in his first two seasons.
DE: Charles Johnson, Julius Peppers, Mario Addison, Wes Horton, Daeshon Hall
Charles Johnson, Julius Peppers, Mario Addison, Wes Horton, Bryan Cox
I'm somewhat surprised rookie Daeshon Hall made the team.
He sustained a preseason injury and hadn't shown much before that. I projected rookie Bryan Cox to make it instead. Cox did make the pracice squad.
I guess Hall has put his injury behind him and has impressed coaches outside of games. I imagine he'll find himself as a healthy scratch rather frequently, provided everyone in front of him stays healthy.
Either way, he'll be behind run-stopper Wes Horton and a veteran group headed by Julius Peppers, Charles Johnson and Mario Addison.
LB: Luke Kuechly, Thomas Davis, Shaq Thompson, Jeremy Cash, Ben Jacobs, Jared Norris
Luke Kuechly, Thomas Davis, Shaq Thompson, Jeremy Cash, Ben Jacobs
The Panthers kept one more linebacker than I projected.
I thought Ben Jacobs would make the team over Jared Norris. Instead, both players made the team.
Linebacker looks like Carolina's deepest position, as has been the case for a while.
CB: James Bradberry, Daryl Worley, Captain Munnerlyn, Kevon Seymour, Cole Luke
James Bradberry, Daryl Worley, Captain Munnerlyn, Cole Luke, Zack Sanchez, Teddy Williams
After depth corners Zack Sanchez and Teddy Williams were both injured in the game against Pittsburgh, Carolina's cornerback depth became scary.
Captain Munnerlyn will play the nickel and second-year pros James Bradberry and Daryl Worley will hold down the outside.
Newly-acquired Kevon Seymour suddenly becomes Carolina's next best option behind those two, followed by undrafted rookie Cole Luke.
Luke had a fine preseason but got burned badly on a long touchdown against Pittsburgh.
S: Kurt Coleman, Mike Adams, Colin Jones, Demetrious Cox
Kurt Coleman, Mike Adams, Colin Jones, LJ McCray, Damian Parms
Safety is another position where depth has been a question for the team this preseason.
Unlike corner, however, the question has lingered since the beginning of camp.
Colin Jones is solid and knows the team. Newly-acquired rookie Demetrious Cox is an interesting prospect. He might get thrown into the fire sooner than he anticipated if anyone gets banged up.
K: Graham Gano/Harrison Butker
Graham Gano
I had no idea Carolina would keep two kickers.
That's where we are as of Tuesday afternoon, however. Both the veteran Graham Gano and rookie seventh round pick Harrison Butker are on the roster.
There's talk the team may try to stow one of them on the practice squad but for now, it's certainly unusual and, in my opinion, wildly ineffective, to keep two.
For what it's worth, Rivera said if both kickers are still on the roster as of Sunday's opener at San Francisco, he'd lean toward the more experienced Gano-- something I mentioned would be the difference maker between the two in a head-to-head battle.
P: Michael Palardy
Michael Palardy
Micheal Palardy won the job over veteran Andy Lee with a solid preseason booting the ball.
Worth noting, Lee quickly inked a deal with Arizona and will kick in the desert. The Panthers reportedly tried to trade Lee to the Cardinals before making the cut.
I think this is a fine idea. The left-footed Palardy was solid in the preseason and performed well in Lee's place when he was injured last season.
Practice squad: Blaine Clausell, Alex Armah, Garrett Gilbert, Bryan Cox, Eric Crume, Mose Frazier, Keyarris Garrett, Zach Moore, Efe Obada, Damian Parms, Dezmen Southward
Efe Obada, Daeshon Hall, Austin Duke, Corn Elder, Jalen Simons, Arthur Miley, Jeff Richards, Bryce Williams, Eric Crume, Blaine Clausell, Ben Boulware
We don't need to dive into too much detail here.
I like that Carolina found a way to retain Bryan Cox and defensive tackle Eric Crume.
I thought both men could make the final 53 but Bryan Cox was edged by Hall and Crume got a tough break with Love and Butler suddenly getting healthy just in time.
Mose Frazier and Keyarris Garrett were OK wide receivers who are kind of in limbo. They'll likely get another shot next preseason but the window is closing.
I liked what I saw from safeties Damian Parms and Dezmen Southward. I thought one would make the final 53 but the addition of Demetrious Cox spelled their doom.
coryspiers@gmail.com
The Panthers 2017 53-man roster is set.
In a three-post saga last week, I took an educated guess as to how this roster would shake out, even before the preseason finale against Pittsburgh this past Thursday.
How did it go for me? Not terribly. But not great, either.
A few things happened I definitely didn't see coming and injuries to the offensive line and secondary that happened after I posted moved through my projections like a hurricane.
I'll wear my heart on my sleeve, though and break down where I went wrong and why that was. No shame here.
My original predictions are in italics below the Panthers actual final selections (in bold)
Offense
QB: Cam Newton, Derek Anderson, Brad Kaaya
Cam Newton, Derek Anderson, Joe Webb
My guess that Carolina would lean toward veteran Derek Anderson as its backup despite his disastrous preseason was right.
The 34-year-old Anderson will once again be behind Cam Newton this season. As I said in my projection, I imagine his familiarity with the schemes and his veteran status saved his spot for at least another season.
On that same tune, I didn't see Joe Webb being cut like he was over the weekend. I thought Webb's propensity as a special teamer/do-anything kind of guy combined with his ability to, you know, play quarterback, would save his job but I was wrong.
Instead, Carolina claimed rookie Brad Kaaya and I get it. Kaaya is a project player that interim general manager Marty Hurney is interested in developing.
I don't think the sky is falling because the third string quarterback was cut (though tell that to a lot of Panthers fans and you'll get booed right out of where you're standing). I think the loss of Webb affects the Panthers by exactly 0 wins and 0 losses.
If the Panthers got into a situation where Webb would have theoretically been called into duty, I'm not sure he'd even be a good fit for that spot. A veteran out of free agency would probably be safer, anyway. If the Panthers become that injury-plagued, the season is probably lost anyway.
On special teams, Carolina will be fine. Worth noting, Webb, who signed with Buffalo right after being cut, returns to Charlotte in Week 2. Given Buffalo's quarterback situation right now, would it be out of the realm of possibility to see him behind center?
That might be too bold, but at the very least, I imagine he'll say hello to teammates on special teams.
RB: Jonathon Stewart, Christian McCaffrey, Fozzy Whittaker, Cameron Artis-Payne
Jonathon Stewart, Christian McCaffrey, Fozzy Whittaker, Cameron Artis-Payne
The Panthers did keep all four running backs.
Jonathon Stewart is the guy, but he's injury prone. Behind him is the prized rookie Christian McCaffrey, who will get his share of touches.
Fozzy Whittaker had a good preseason and is a reliable kick returner (though I think putting receivers Curtis Samuel or Damiere Byrd back there is a better idea).
Cameron Artis-Payne had far too good of a preseason to be cut. He looked great. Now, the question becomes how will the team utilize all four of these men (provided they do indeed keep them all and don't opt to trade one).
FB: Vacant
Alex Armah
As it stands right now, the Panthers are poised to enter the season without a fullback for the first time in the Ron Rivera era.
My projection was initially right. I thought Carolina would keep a fullback and it would be rookie project player Alex Armah.
The Panthers did keep Armah over the veteran Darrell Young as I suspected but shortly after, they waived Armah. He cleared waivers and is on the practice squad.
I'm surprised the team opted to go without one. Especially given their identity as a hard-nosed, physical club.
Still, finding a way to keep Armah in the system is encouraging. He will likely benefit greatly from some more seasoning.
WR: Kelvin Benjamin, Devin Funchess, Curtis Samuel, Russell Shepard, Damiere Byrd
Kelvin Benjamin, Devin Funchess, Curtis Samuel, Russell Shepard, Damiere Byrd
I got this one right but it looked scary for a moment there.
The Panthers did keep five wideouts. Kelvin Bejmain and Devin Funchess should be the starters and the speedy slot option Curtis Samuel joins special teams ace Russell Shepard behind them.
South Carolina product Damiere Byrd had a solid preseason and reaps the rewards by earning the fifth and final receiver spot.
Carolina initially kept a sixth wide receiver in speedster Kaelin Clay but Clay was dealt to Buffalo along with a pick in exchange for cornerback Kevon Seymour.
TE: Greg Olsen, Ed Dickson, Chris Manhertz
Greg Olsen, Ed Dickson
I didn't think Carolina would keep three tight ends but that's the case.
Greg Olsen and Ed Dickson are reliable and I thought all along that the team would try to find a way to retain the young Chris Manhertz.
Manhertz had a good preseason and has good size (6-6, 255). He had some good moments as a run blocker in the exhibition games and was up and down as a pass-catcher.
C: Ryan Kalil, Tyler Larsen, Greg Van Roten
Ryan Kalil, Tyler Larsen
Provided he can stay healthy, Ryan Kalil is the veteran mainstay at center.
Depth is important behind him, as is the case with the offensive line in general, and Tyler Larsen is a good option.
I loved what I saw from Larsen in Kalil's place last season. I expect to see him continue to make strides.
Greg Van Roten was a surprise to me. There's a great piece on him over at the Charlotte Observer written by Scott Fowler that is worth a read.
As it turns out, Van Roten can slide all around the line. After the versatile lineman Chris Scott was injured, that type of player became a need for Carolina and it seems Van Roten can play a similar role.
G: Andrew Norwell, Trai Turner
Andrew Norwell, Trai Turner, Amini Silatolu, Chris Scott
Andrew Norwell and Trai Turner will be the starting guards.
I had the Panthers keeping some depth behind them but with Van Roten's ability to slide over, I imagine they're not worried too much about it.
Silatolu was retained and is listed as a tackle (see below). The injured Scott would have been a nice piece to be able to pencil in.
T: Matt Kalil, Daryl Williams, Taylor Moton, Amini Silatolu
Matt Kalil, Daryl Williams, Taylor Moton
Matt Kalil and Daryl Williams should start.
Taylor Moton and Amini Silatolu both had tough times in the preseason finale against the Steelers.
Still, they provide valuable depth and I'm still excited for what Moton could be down the road. He's only 23, after all.
Defense
DT: Kawann Short, Star Lotulelei, Kyle Love, Vernon Butler
Kawann Short, Star Lotulelei, Kyle Love, Vernon Butler
I was worried Kyle Love and Vernon Butler wouldn't be healthy after sustaining preseason injuries but it looks like they're on track to be ready.
There are some questions as to whether Butler will be ready to go 100 percent in Week 1 but this is a solid group. I like Kyle Love as a backup and Butler has shown flashes of development but has had a tough time staying healthy in his first two seasons.
DE: Charles Johnson, Julius Peppers, Mario Addison, Wes Horton, Daeshon Hall
Charles Johnson, Julius Peppers, Mario Addison, Wes Horton, Bryan Cox
I'm somewhat surprised rookie Daeshon Hall made the team.
He sustained a preseason injury and hadn't shown much before that. I projected rookie Bryan Cox to make it instead. Cox did make the pracice squad.
I guess Hall has put his injury behind him and has impressed coaches outside of games. I imagine he'll find himself as a healthy scratch rather frequently, provided everyone in front of him stays healthy.
Either way, he'll be behind run-stopper Wes Horton and a veteran group headed by Julius Peppers, Charles Johnson and Mario Addison.
LB: Luke Kuechly, Thomas Davis, Shaq Thompson, Jeremy Cash, Ben Jacobs, Jared Norris
Luke Kuechly, Thomas Davis, Shaq Thompson, Jeremy Cash, Ben Jacobs
The Panthers kept one more linebacker than I projected.
I thought Ben Jacobs would make the team over Jared Norris. Instead, both players made the team.
Linebacker looks like Carolina's deepest position, as has been the case for a while.
CB: James Bradberry, Daryl Worley, Captain Munnerlyn, Kevon Seymour, Cole Luke
James Bradberry, Daryl Worley, Captain Munnerlyn, Cole Luke, Zack Sanchez, Teddy Williams
After depth corners Zack Sanchez and Teddy Williams were both injured in the game against Pittsburgh, Carolina's cornerback depth became scary.
Captain Munnerlyn will play the nickel and second-year pros James Bradberry and Daryl Worley will hold down the outside.
Newly-acquired Kevon Seymour suddenly becomes Carolina's next best option behind those two, followed by undrafted rookie Cole Luke.
Luke had a fine preseason but got burned badly on a long touchdown against Pittsburgh.
S: Kurt Coleman, Mike Adams, Colin Jones, Demetrious Cox
Kurt Coleman, Mike Adams, Colin Jones, LJ McCray, Damian Parms
Safety is another position where depth has been a question for the team this preseason.
Unlike corner, however, the question has lingered since the beginning of camp.
Colin Jones is solid and knows the team. Newly-acquired rookie Demetrious Cox is an interesting prospect. He might get thrown into the fire sooner than he anticipated if anyone gets banged up.
K: Graham Gano/Harrison Butker
Graham Gano
I had no idea Carolina would keep two kickers.
That's where we are as of Tuesday afternoon, however. Both the veteran Graham Gano and rookie seventh round pick Harrison Butker are on the roster.
There's talk the team may try to stow one of them on the practice squad but for now, it's certainly unusual and, in my opinion, wildly ineffective, to keep two.
For what it's worth, Rivera said if both kickers are still on the roster as of Sunday's opener at San Francisco, he'd lean toward the more experienced Gano-- something I mentioned would be the difference maker between the two in a head-to-head battle.
P: Michael Palardy
Michael Palardy
Micheal Palardy won the job over veteran Andy Lee with a solid preseason booting the ball.
Worth noting, Lee quickly inked a deal with Arizona and will kick in the desert. The Panthers reportedly tried to trade Lee to the Cardinals before making the cut.
I think this is a fine idea. The left-footed Palardy was solid in the preseason and performed well in Lee's place when he was injured last season.
Practice squad: Blaine Clausell, Alex Armah, Garrett Gilbert, Bryan Cox, Eric Crume, Mose Frazier, Keyarris Garrett, Zach Moore, Efe Obada, Damian Parms, Dezmen Southward
Efe Obada, Daeshon Hall, Austin Duke, Corn Elder, Jalen Simons, Arthur Miley, Jeff Richards, Bryce Williams, Eric Crume, Blaine Clausell, Ben Boulware
We don't need to dive into too much detail here.
I like that Carolina found a way to retain Bryan Cox and defensive tackle Eric Crume.
I thought both men could make the final 53 but Bryan Cox was edged by Hall and Crume got a tough break with Love and Butler suddenly getting healthy just in time.
Mose Frazier and Keyarris Garrett were OK wide receivers who are kind of in limbo. They'll likely get another shot next preseason but the window is closing.
I liked what I saw from safeties Damian Parms and Dezmen Southward. I thought one would make the final 53 but the addition of Demetrious Cox spelled their doom.
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