D. Newton thinks Byrd headed to PS, but I hope not...in a way.

[top dawg]

In his Panthers mailbag yesterday, David Newton was asked who had the best chance at making the roster among the UDFAs.  Well, as all of us could have easily guessed, Newton's answer was Damiere Byrd.

 I'll go with wide receiver Damiere Byrd out of South Carolina. The Panthers keep finding ways to get the speedster the ball, whether it's on a wide receiver screen, a reverse or as a kick returner. I still don't believe he'll make the 53-man roster with improved depth at receiver, but he's definitely a good candidate for the practice squad. You can't teach speed, and the Panthers learned the importance of that last year when they didn't have any early.

Sure it's still early, and perhaps I am reading too much into it because I want our receiving corps to improve prolificly, but reading the tea leaves tells me (like Newton) that Byrd is probably going to get lost in the numbers game even though I don't necessarily want to admit it.  I still believe that we could use all the speed we can get at the position, notwithstanding the return of Ted Ginn Jr.  I am going to hold out hope that our seeming tough little Byrd will make the 53. But, as always, may the best men practice and play themselves onto the squad. 

The potential problem with Byrd is that though my tea leaves say that he is practice squad bound, there is also a gut in my feeling that says if Byrd really does ball out on a relative basis during camp, and especially preseason games (maybe even just as a return man), then he will be acquired from our practice squad by the likes of a Belichick or some other sharp, eagle-eyed personnel guy.  

If you had to bet, do you think Byrd lasts the season on our practice squad before some other franchise nets him?

[2jakefansinva]

If he doesn't make the 53.............stash him on PS and cross your fingers.

and the other 31 teams need to be aware as well...........we have our own "eagle-eyed personal guy"

[TheRumGone]

He's one of the guys I'm gonna be watching closely in these preseason games.

 

super excited about seeing him play.

[bga71]

If he kills it in preseason and they try to stash him on the practice squad, I don't think he'll stay there long.

[bga71]

Dang it's been a long time since the Panthers had these kind of problems.

[Daddy_Uncle]

Not going to get my panties in a wad over him. He's not going to make or break us. Just be a bottom of the roster guy. Don't really care either way with him

[caatfan]

If he's a younger Ginn- speedy.dangerous, and reliable receiver/returner, we may not have to worry about losing him to another team. 

[2jakefansinva]

If he kills it in preseason and they try to stash him on the practice squad, I don't think he'll stay there long.

If he kills it in preseason...........he'll make the team.

[PhillyB]

long-term ginn replacement, potentially. it'd be worth it to keep him on the active roster imo

[nctarheel0619]

long-term ginn replacement, potentially. it'd be worth it to keep him on the active roster imo

are you high?  He's 5'9 and has speed.  Lol.  Practice Squad and that's it.  

[PhillyB]

are you high?  He's 5'9 and has speed.  Lol.  Practice Squad and that's it.  

why even practice squad him then? he's not gonna grow any taller

[Snake]

Im guessing people dont understand how the wavier works. Byrd will have to pass through every team before he can be put on the PS. Thats just not going to happen with his skills. 

[Hogmolliesmaht]

If everything else is pretty much equal, give me speed every time.

[Plewis]

are you high?  He's 5'9 and has speed.  Lol.  Practice Squad and that's it.  

You ever hear of this short fast dude they call Steve Smith? I hear he's pretty good.