The Panthers have announced the cut down and here's a list of those cut:

The released veterans were: OG Milford Brown, CB Ricardo Colclough, OG Toniu Fonoti, S Terrence Holt, WR Samie Parker, WR Travis Taylor and RB LaBrandon Toefield.

Among those waived: QB Brett Basanez,

RB Decori Birmingham, RB, WR Will Buchanon, S Joe Fields, FB Troy Fleming, WR Chris Hannon, DT Nick Hayden, OL Evan Mathis, DE Stanley McClover, OL Rueben Riley, OL Geoff Schwartz, LB Tim Shaw, DB Darren Toney, TE Chad Upshaw, DT Steve Williams.

Lets start with the offense.

With OG;s Brown and Fonoti being cut it looks like 7th round pick Mackenzy Bernadeau made the team. That surprises me as I didn't think he played that well. Maybe he played as well as the other two but he comes at a cheaper price. Heck of job by him though to make the team. Another surprise was OT Frank Omiyale making the team rather than the rookie Schwartz and the vet Mathis.

I was surprised to see WR Travis Taylor get cut given how thin the Panthers are at the position. He obviously got beat out by Dominique Thompson who played very well against the Steelers.

The decision to cut both Decori Birmingham and LaBrandon Toefield was surprising. I find it hard to consider the Panthers carrying only three RB's, with Nick Goings being 3rd string. On the other hand I'm not surprised the Panthers kept three TE's with Gary Barnidge beating out chad Upshaw.

Defense:

I was surprised to see DT Nick Hayden get cut but not at all surprised Gary Gibson made the team. The 'high motor' guy deserves his spot. Another surpise on defense involves the LB's. Second year guy Tim Shaw got cut but special team ace Donte Curry stayed. Overall the Panthers are carrying 8 LB's, a bit surprising.

I was suprised to see Terrence Holt get cut but not surprised to see Nate Salley and Quinton Teal make it. Teal is once again the feel good story of the roster, the local kid makes it again. 

I wonder if CB Ricardo Colclough only got cut because of his DWI yesterday? Big mistake on his part.  Regardless I'm sure CJ Wilson is relieved. With his move back to CB I was skeptical he could still make the team but he did play well at times.

The biggest surprise cut on defense in my view has to be DE Stanley McClover. He looked good against the Steelers but I guess he got beat out by Hilee Taylor. Fox must be intrigued by the pass rush element he brings.

Special teams

No surpise at all is kickoff specialist Rhys Lloyd. He makea a huge difference in kick coverage and the overall field position battle. The Panthers had to keep this guy.

The big question remaining is who is going to return punts until Ryne Robinson is ready? They must be expecting him to be back by next week. Of course Steve Smith can do it once he returns from suspension but thats no help now. Chris Gamble used to do it so he may fill in short term.

I think it's pretty safe to say Jonathan Stewart is going to return kick offs. Nobody else on the roster did it during camp so with Colclough gone it has to be him.