Week 2 Recap
Joe Webb - 4th Season - QB - Stock Even
Make no mistake: Webb has played himself into discussion to remain on this roster, despite his pedestrian numbers in last week's game against the Chiefs. The game was well in hand by the time Webb hit the field during the 4th quarter, and the coaching staff decided to continue to feed the rock to another bubble guy in RB Fozzy Whittaker. I expect Webb will get quite a bit of work tomorrow night and next Thursday, as he will breeze through the 1st round of cuts.
Fozzy Whittaker - 3rd Season - RB - Stock Rising Sharply
It has been a hell of a week for Fozzy Bear. Last week I was reading his funeral rites, feeling sure he was a goner. A Darrin Reaves knee injury then led to him getting the bulk of carries during the Chiefs game, and he answered the call to the tune of 13 rushes for 71 yards and a TD, posting an average of 5.5 yards per carry. A couple days later it was announced that the Panthers had traded 2013 6th-round pick Kenjon Barner, and voila, Fozzy's meteoric rise has ended with him being a sure lock to make the 75-man roster.
Richie Brockel - 4th Season - FB/TE - Stock Even
I'm not going to lie: I feel virtually certain that Brockel will survive both rounds of cuts and make the final 53-man roster. Also not going to lie: I have a very hard time agreeing with the decision, should that be it. Yes, Brockel is a versatile, high motor "glue-guy", but in my opinion he is no better than our 4th-best TE and I can't see any way to justify a roster spot on a goalline FB/TE with some special teams value. We have far too many younger, higher-ceiling players fighting for roster spots to be playing it safe with a guy who, though he can do many things pretty well, can't do any 1 of those things better than every other player on the roster.
Tiquan Underwood - 6th Season - WR - Stock Falling
Say goodbye to the best hair in the NFL, Panther fans. After another week and another underwhelming performance, I can't see any way the Panthers can justify keeping around a guy that has been clearly outplayed by every other WR on the roster not named Marvin McNutt.
Charles Godfrey - 7th Season - CB - Stock Even
Godfrey will survive the 1st round of cuts, though it will be interesting to see if the team lets Bene Benwikere run with the 1st-team tomorrow night. I still think Godfrey could be the obligatory "surprise" veteran cut when the team announces the final 53-man roster, but he's safe until then.
Kenjon Barner - 2nd Season - RB
Well, he didn't make it. On behalf of all of us here at Cat Scratch Reader, we wish Kenjon all the best in Philadelphia. Hopefully the reunion with Chip Kelly will help him reach his fullest potential.
Every receiver not named Kelvin Benjamin, Jerricho Cotchery, or Jason Avant
Another week in the books and the WR depth-chart is no more settled. Brenton Bersin starred against the Chiefs making two tough catches, including the lone receiving TD on the night for the Panthers. King also nearly made a great catch on a play in which he came down awkwardly on his right leg, and I find it hard to believe the Panthers will be giving up on him this week. Brown returned a couple kicks for a 32.5 yard average, and with the team moving on from Barner, Philly looks to be the only viable return man on the roster.
Last week I predicted that the team would carry 6 WRs through to the final roster, and nothing has happened to make me consider backtracking on that prediction.
Stick a fork in them
Matt Blanchard - QB
Marvin McNutt - WR
Kevin Hughes - OT
Derek Dennis - G
Kevin Matthews - C
Alex Hall - DE
Micanor Regis - DT
Tom Nelson - S
Jordan Gay - P
I have seen little to nothing which would lead me to believe any of these guys will survive the 1st cuts. Sure, they may be marginally better than some of the younger guys on the roster right now, but I think the team will hold on to several rookies that we may have heard very little about this preseason (Carrington Byndom, Denicos Allen, Anthony Morales, etc.) in an effort to stash them on the practice squad next week.
These are my best guesses for this week, but maybe you feel differently! What say you, Panther Nation? Sound off in the comments below, and as always...