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A Question brought up from IGO's latest podcast?

WOW!!

By WOW!!,
in Carolina Panthers

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WOW!! Grand Master

WOW!!

Posted
Posted

Assuming we draft a WR this year..

J-Jones and IGo brought up a great point. . A few guys from last year WR corp aren't making the team..

Facts are..

Lc

We only carry 5 to 6 at the most..

KB , Ginn and the draft picks are locks to make it.. Which only leaves 2 to 3 open spots on the roster. .

Cotchery is the only vet on the roster and they love his leadership in the WR film room.. So even thoe he sucks on the field he might be a lock.. Being Ricky likes his presence with the younger players. .

Hill right now has the most upside than any of the other guys not name Benji.

Boykin has had more success in the league and adds value as a special teams gunner. .

And then there is the 2 under dogs Bersin and Philly who got playing time last year and the coaching staff really likes them..

Finally you have the Lucaus and Browns on practice squad last year looking to compete..

Point being some fan favorites aren't making this team this year.. The numbers game isn't working in their favour..

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LinvilleGorge Grand Master

LinvilleGorge

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It's gonna be a dog fight at the bottom of the WR roster and special teams ability will almost certainly be a big consideration in that last roster spot.  That's a good thing.  I don't see us drafting a WR to compete in that mess.  If we're taking a WR, I think we're taking him to compete to be #2 or #3 on the depth chart.

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WOW!! Grand Master

WOW!!

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It's gonna be a dog fight at the bottom of the WR roster and special teams ability will almost certainly be a big consideration in that last roster spot. That's a good thing. I don't see us drafting a WR to compete in that mess. If we're taking a WR, I think we're taking him to compete to be #2 or #3 on the depth chart.

That's why I said KB, Ginn and The rookie are locks..

Leaving 2-3 spots for Bersin? Cotchery, Philly, Hill, Boykin and the other practices squad players. .

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Bartin Collaborator

Bartin

Posted
Posted

Benjamin

Cotchery

Draft Pick

Ginn

Boykin/Brown/Hill

 

That would be my 5 to make it right now. I think Cotchery is a lock unless we sign Jennings which appears unlikely. The veteran presence is a big deal to them I think. Ginn makes it on return ability alone. Assuming we draft a WR somewhat early then Boykin, Philly and Hill are battling for the last roster spot. Hill is a wild card and if he gets it together he will likely make the team but I feel there's not a great chance of that. It will probably come down to Philly vs Boykin and I have to give a slight edge to Boykin because he is a significant contributor on special teams which has been a point of emphasis this offseason and ultimately I think Ginn makes Philly redundant. There's really not much room for 2 small speedsters who primarily serve as a deep threat on the same team I don't think and Ginn is faster, has much more added value as a returner and is a more complete WR overall. I think we try and sneak Philly onto the practice squad to be called up later if needed.

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Carolina Cajun Mentor

Carolina Cajun

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I've said just this same thing. As much as we want to sign players, you gotta have room on the roster for them. For instance, if we sign Jennings, it's only under the understanding that cotchery is gone. Boykin is not a lock, think of him like we thought about underwood last season. He does well, good, if not, no loss. We also need room for 9 draft picks, exactly why I think we're gonna move up in a round, not worth having extra picks if you're gonna have to cut a few of them.

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LinvilleGorge Grand Master

LinvilleGorge

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That's why I said KB, Ginn and The rookie are locks..

Leaving 2-3 spots for Bersin? Cotchery, Philly, Hill, Boykin and the other practices squad players. .

 

IMO, Bersin is out and Cotchery is hanging on by a thread.  Hill is a total wild card.  Has he developed?  If so, maybe WR isn't as big of a need as we think.  If not, he's out too.  If Boykin makes this roster it'll probably be as the 5th or 6th WR.  He'd primarily be there for his ST abilities.  I think Philly is gonna be there.  

 

If we can find a legit #2 WR, I actually like our WR roster.  I feel comfortable with Ginn and Philly battling it out for #3/4.    It's that #2 spot that is the glaring hole.  The reality is that we really only play four WRs with three getting the vast majority of the run.  Olsen is gonna be in the game on any passing down.  We're not a team that goes four or five wide with no TE.  Olsen is our most consistent pass catcher.  He's always going to be out there.

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Carolina Cajun Mentor

Carolina Cajun

Posted
Posted

Benjamin

Cotchery

Draft Pick

Ginn

Boykin/Brown/Hill

That would be my 5 to make it right now. I think Cotchery is a lock unless we sign Jennings which appears unlikely. The veteran presence is a big deal to them I think. Ginn makes it on return ability alone. Assuming we draft a WR somewhat early then Boykin, Philly and Hill are battling for the last roster spot. Hill is a wild card and if he gets it together he will likely make the team but I feel there's not a great chance of that. It will probably come down to Philly vs Boykin and I have to give a slight edge to Boykin because he is a significant contributor on special teams which has been a point of emphasis this offseason and ultimately I think Ginn makes Philly redundant. There's really not much room for 2 small speedsters who primarily serve as a deep threat on the same team I don't think and Ginn is faster, has much more added value as a returner and is a more complete WR overall. I think we try and sneak Philly onto the practice squad to be called up later if needed.

I wouldn't pencil cotchery over brown off the bat. Cotchery is a good guy and nice locker room presence, but if he can't produce, he doesn't need a spot, and they are super high on Corey brown. Ginn will provide their vet presence if necessary, but with KB having a full year, I'm no longer worried about having the vet there like I was last year. I personally think cotchery will be a final roster cut this year.

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Bartin Collaborator

Bartin

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I wouldn't pencil cotchery over brown off the bat. Cotchery is a good guy and nice locker room presence, but if he can't produce, he doesn't need a spot, and they are super high on Corey brown. Ginn will provide their vet presence if necessary, but with KB having a full year, I'm no longer worried about having the vet there like I was last year. I personally think cotchery will be a final roster cut this year.

 

Fair point on the Ginn being veteran presence thing. I definitely overlooked that for some reason. I still think Philly is fighting an uphill battle though just due to his size with Ginn already being a lock. Philly really needs to develop as a route runner and show he can do more than catch screens and run deep routes to make the team because everything he did last year is exactly what Ginn does but Ginn is better at it.

 

There's also a fair chance you can add a 5th or 6th rounder to the last WR spot competition.

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