Carolina Panthers WR Picture Clearing Up
The Carolina Panthers have gone ahead and cut ten players ahead of the August 26 deadline for the roster to be done to 75 players. The group of players cut includes a number from one particular position, wide receiver. This means the Panthers are getting closer to a core group of receivers that they like.
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The wide receivers cut yesterday include Tiquan Underwood, Kealoha Pilares, Toney Clemons, and Marvin McNutt. Underwood and Pilares were thought to be pieces that could bring something to special teams, but the Panthers coaches were not impressed. Clemons was a non-factor in three preseason games. The only play I remember from McNutt was an end-around that went for no yards.
It is well accepted that Kelvin Benjamin, Jerricho Cotchery, and Jason Avant are the top three receivers on the team right now. The question is whether the Panthers will carry 5 or 6 receivers. Brenton Bersin has impressed coaches and Jonathan Jones of the Charlotte Observer projected him to the fourth receiver spot. That really leaves only Tavarres King and Philly Brown on the bubble.
Aug 17, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tavarres King (12) before the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
Brown will try to show that he can a return guy to help his chances. Both he and King are not just competing with each other, but also with the last guys at other position groups. Tight end is a position where the Panthers could carry more guys than a normal complement of three. Ed Dickson and Greg Olsen can also line up in the slot on certain plays, making the fifth or sixth wide receiver superfluous.
For King and Brown there is still one more game, and traditionally the final preseason game is a showcase for guys like them. There will be some question of who is throwing them the ball, since Newton is out and Anderson is expecting a child to be born in the coming days. Their hopes may rest on the arm of Fightin’ Joe Webb.
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