David Newton: Tough cuts may be a coming at WR/RB

[top dawg]

The fact that cuts are coming at the position of WR is not exactly a newsflash. Some of us have seen this coming many weeks ago. Well, David Newton is joining the party with his latest mailbag. He also mentioned the position of RB, which should be obvious to anyone now, with the expected drafting of an RB to add some depth with the cutting of Deangelo Williams (also expected).

Well, the newsflash for some of you---hopefully a few of you----is that some of the guys that you believe are marked for the ax, will never see the chopping block...if you think along the lines of Newton, that is.

Jerricho Cotchery is needed now more than ever for his experience with your top two receivers a second-year player (Kelvin Benjamin) and rookie (Devin Funchess). Cotchery is still a solid rout runner and still viable as the third or fourth receiver, depending on the set. Remember, Cotchery caught 10 touchdown passes two years ago at Pittsburgh as the third or fourth receiver. He never was a fit as the No. 2 at Carolina last season.

Yes, some Huddlers are down on Cotch because of his "down year" last year, but when you put things into perspective, Cotchery didn't really have a down year per se, much like most of our wide receivers last season, Cotch was forced to play in a role that he should never have really been in. But, of course, some people aren't looking at that fact, so they are based their expectations on the position, and not really the receiver (if you understand what I am saying). In other words, Cotch who was an excellent WR3 was playing as a WR2, and people expected WR2 production. Cotchery arguably made a solid effort, posting near 600 yards in an offense that was bereft of talent and experience at the position, but the fact still remains that he has shown that he is an excellent WR3, so people need to put on the brakes on thinking that he has a target on his back. The same can really be said of Jarrett Boykin, who essentially put up near 700 yards as basically a WR2/3 as Randall Cobb was injured in 2013, but that's another thread (that has been essentially been taking place already over the weeks in other threads).

As for our running backs, David Newton didn't come out and say that Fozzy Whittaker would be cut, but he believes that Cameron Artis-Payne will be the RB2, and that another young rookie, Brandon Wegher, will be the RB3.

My money is on Wegher. He's younger and faster. He provides an energy and toughness that is contagious.

For some reason, Brandon Wegher is really not getting mentioned around the Huddle as a serious contender to make the team, but, I, like Newton, fully expect him to be not only the RB3, but push for the RB2 spot as well. Don't get me wrong, that RB2 spot is Cap's (Artis-Payne) job to lose, but the 4.40 forty and ability to burst through the hole and run hard---much like Cap---makes Wegher almost a surety. Whittaker will have to fight it out with Jordan Todman, who has proven to be an able fill-in for spot duty, as well as a capable kick returner.

Speaking of special teams, the ability to play might just be the determining factor as to whether a player makes the team for a lot of these guys, and not just whether the player can play, but play effectively. From threads in recent weeks, it appears to me that a good percentage of Huddlers just aren't giving the ability to play special teams the importance that it's due, particularly with how last year went, and how Dave Gettleman went about signing free agents who are capable back-ups at their respective positions, but also special teams "aces". This is not only true of the WR and RB positions, but other positions (e.g., the FB position). So, you might want to take the hint---take this into account---when you're pondering which player is gonna be ultimately cut during the last cuts. And, yes, it will be during the last cuts because it is going to be tough for "the Turk" to come calling for some of the team favorites...some of the fan favorites...some of the Huddle favorites...but the cuts are bound to happen. Mark my words.

The opinions of today aren't going to be what keeps a player on the team, but competition is going to rule the day. Gettleman didn't bring in all these very capable and possible upgrades to play tiddly winks. There is going to be real competition on the football field. Sure, there will be some tough cuts. But the good thing is, at least in my mind, the cuts will be based upon tough competition.

[MHS831]

Good thread, because I have been trying to figure out a way to keep everyone.  Can't do it.

[MHS831]

 

Speaking of special teams, the ability to play might just be the determining factor as to whether a player makes the team for a lot of these guys, and not just whether the player can play, but play effectively.  From threads in recent weeks, it appears to me that a good percentage of Huddlers just aren't giving the ability to play special teams the importance that it's due, particularly with how last year went, and how Dave Gettleman went about signing free agents who are capable back-ups at their respective positions, but also special teams "aces".  This is not only true of the WR and RB positions, but other positions (e.g., the FB position).  So, you might want to take the hint---take this into account---when you're pondering which player is gonna be ultimately cut during the last cuts. And, yes, it will be during the last cuts because it is going to be tough for "the Turk" to come calling for some of the team favorites...some of the fan favorites...some of the Huddle favorites...but the cuts are bound to happen.  Mark my words.

 

 

Well said, Dawg.  How important are special teams in the eyes of Ron Rivera?  In 2010, the Chargers had the #1 rated offense in the NFL.  They also had the #1 rated defense in the NFL.

 

Record: 9-7

 

[CarolinaNCSU]

It's going to be interesting for sure.  Hopefully a guy like Wegher could be stashed on the practice squad if nothing else...waiting it out in case of injury or Stew being cut next year.  I always forget we even signed Todman. I like the Stanford FB but with Tolbert and even Brockel in a blocking role...I don't know if there's room.

 

WR will be a battle.  

 

KB, DF, Ginn, Philly, and Cotch are the 5 IMO. The 6th spot, if we even carry 6, is going to be interesting. Can a guy like Hill actually come through (I doubt it), does Bersin have a good camp and stick around, or does Boykin get a shot (I hope). 

[Toker Smurf]

I hope Cotchery doesn't make the team. Nothing against him but I d rather have a young guy with upside as our # 4 WR. Ricky and Teddy should be able to handle the mentoring. I want KB, Funchess, Ginn, Brown, Boykin and Hill.

[Carolina Cajun]

I disagree about Cotchery, and still don't believe he makes the team. If his position on the team prevents a younger guy with a higher ceiling from making the team (especially if his role is as a #3 or 4 who barely sees the field), they won't keep him. I know he provides a savy vet presence, but what can he show a guy that Ricky Proehl can't? Last year, it made more sense because we had no one who knew the system, this year he's on equal footing to KB, Brown, Ginn, Bersin, and even Hill as far as years in the system, so where's his benefit? If he wins the #2, or maaaaybe The #3 spot, he stays, if he's buried on the depth chart, then he's outta here.

[CPF4LIFE]

Are we still bringing up how Cotch caught 10 TD passes 2 years ago???.....smh

[hepcat]

I wouldn't rule out Boykin or Bersin making the roster but it seems unlikely.  Who knows what'll happen in camp...Ginn might have had his wheels fall off since last year.  Maybe Corey Brown takes a step back from his progression last year.  It won't be an easy decision but it's a good problem to have.

 

Gotta think they might stash Wegher onto the practice squad.  Cutting Fozzy would be a questionable move - he makes people miss and has enough speed to change the pace from a more bruising RB like Tolbert or Stewart.

[pantherclaw]

I've been preaching Cotchery to the blind forever, so I won't add anymore wr talk into this thread.

I will say that every spot behind Stew is wide open to the competition.

I don't believe the the rb2 position is any body's to lose. It'll be earned.

[pantherclaw]

I disagree about Cotchery, and still don't believe he makes the team. If his position on the team prevents a younger guy with a higher ceiling from making the team (especially if his role is as a #3 or 4 who barely sees the field), they won't keep him. I know he provides a savy vet presence, but what can he show a guy that Ricky Proehl can't? Last year, it made more sense because we had no one who knew the system, this year he's on equal footing to KB, Brown, Ginn, Bersin, and even Hill as far as years in the system, so where's his benefit? If he wins the #2, or maaaaybe The #3 spot, he stays, if he's buried on the depth chart, then he's outta here.

i looked at your profile before i quoted you.

I was originally going to go on a rant to bury you. Instead i saw that you are a self admitted, "short bus Allstar."

I no longer feel the need.

[Chief Keek]

I think the odd man out at WR is going to be Hill.

[tiger7_88]

 

For some reason, Brandon Wegher is really not getting mentioned around the Huddle as a serious contender to make the team, but, I, like Newton, fully expect him to be not only the RB3, but push for the RB2 spot as well.  Don't get me wrong, that RB2 spot is Cap's (Artis-Payne) job to lose, but the 4.40 forty and ability to burst through the hole and run hard---much like Cap---makes Wegher almost a surety. Whitaker will have to fight it out with Jordan Todman, who has proven to be an able fill-in for spot duty, as well as a capable kick returner. 

 

 

 

Hoping for the best outcome possible for Wegher.  A "dumb kid matures and becomes a diamond in the rough" story always has an attraction for me.

 

But I'll believe it when I see it.  He had *good* production as a freshman at Iowa.  His production at his most recent level of play means nothing to me, since the defenses were at a virtual high-school level.  At least, mostly, they kept him in playing shape.

 

I'll believe the production when I see it.

 

But might the writing be on the wall for Fozzy as you say?  As much as I like the kid, maybe.  Because if Wegher performs well in camp and in pre-season, other teams won't allow him to make it to the PS.

[IGSaint]

I think Hill will solidify  WR3 in camp. I think Cotchery has a good chance of being cut tbh. 

[Lemory]

Fozzy signed an extension and is our best pass catching RB. He's a great asset as a #3 RB so I can't see some UDFA taking his spot.