How safe is Tolbert?

[Guest]

I put Tolbert in the same bracket as Cotchery. An experienced veteran to keep around a generally young and inexperienced position grouping. 

At RB, aside from Stewart, the experience ranges from rookie to 2nd and 3rd string RBs with limited experienced. Keeping Tolbert around keeps a proven, experienced head to help the young players develop. Get rid and we'd be taking a risk on whether the young unproven players are ready to command a prominent role on the team.

Im not against moving on from either player in order to keep our young talent around. But teams do like experienced heads, and that might keep Tolbert on the roster for another year. Might not. But we'll see when the cuts start.

[KB_fan]

I think the team is better with him in there. Look at games last year with and without Tolbert. It could be his effect on how defenses play against us when he's in the backfield, or it could be a correlation and not causal, but we win games when he's in there.

We won 7 of the 10 games (incl postseason) in which Tolbert played.  We won 1 of 8 games in which he was absent.  It is a pretty striking difference and one which would be interesting to try and figure out exactly what he brought to the game.  It's not super obvious in terms of statistical production.  It must be something else.

[KSpan]

We won 7 of the 10 games (incl postseason) in which Tolbert played.  We won 1 of 8 games in which he was absent.  It is a pretty striking difference and one which would be interesting to try and figure out exactly what he brought to the game.  It's not super obvious in terms of statistical production.  It must be something else.

Not coincidentally, those games were also won with an OL that didn't suck, a defensive backfield playing lights out, Stew blowing up and Cam back near 100%.  Tolbert's role was minor, if at all.

[SCP]

At this point there are only a handful of players that are safe on the roster.  I like Tolbert as well.  He's a great locker room guy.  But if you can improve a position with young guys on cheap contracts you do it.  Loyalty to an aging vet can bite you in the ass in this league.

[tiger7_88]

I wonder if we could even get Wegher and Ward on the practice squad. They have to clear waivers first, right? Surely some other teams have taken notice, seen what we've been seeing. I think Ward may be safe, as fullback is not as in demand league wide, but Wegher has to be getting some eyeballs.

Ward?  Probably.  As has been said, FBs are not highly valued in the NFL.

Wegher?  Doubtful.  I think he'd be snapped up by multiple NFL teams.  Especially the New England Bellicheats.

So the question concerning Wegher is this:  Do you want to place him on your final 53?  Or do you want to lose him to another team?  Is Tolbert's value to the team greater than the loss of a young RB with fantastic potential?

[juliosantos]

hes safe, were not going to cut tolbert even though he havent looked dominate since 13 

[pantherclaw]

Tolbert is the 2nd best RB on the roster. 

 

I see a lot fans trying to tear Tolbert down, your going after the wrong back.

[TheRed]

This is a tough conversation. The guy is a really great dude.

With that being said, if he must go to make way for the new crop, that's just the business.

From my perspective though, I wouldn't write Tolbert off just yet.

[L-TownCat]

As safe as anybody.  Injuries are the only reason he wouldn't play for us this season.

I like him but he just doesn't seem to fit anymore.

[UNCrules2187]

I really like Tolbert and have loved watching him bowl over people before, but it's just not there any more. He looks slow and seems noticeably easier to bring down. He does add value as a pass catcher out of the backfield, but he's always been a terrible...and I mean TERRIBLE lead blocker.

Enter the new stable of backs in Artis-Payne, Wegher and Ward. None bring the versatility of Tolbert, but between them he's replaceable and all three can play ST. CAP and Wegher both look capable of picking up some of the short yardage yards and then you have Ward who has looked exceptional as a lead blocker. Don't forget Todman either

Cut Tolbert, cut Brockel and keep all four  of these young guys - thoughts? 

* I have no idea of what the cap ramifications would be.

I asked Voth if Brockel was a cut candidate last night, his response:

 

 

[MountainHeel66]

I asked Voth if Brockel was a cut candidate last night, his response:

 

 

The fact that they still consider brockel any sort of value at all is extremely disturbing to me. He has a wide range of skills he is half ass decent at but great at none. We could get much better production from any of these guys and yet......

 

what a waste of roster space.

[Castavar]

Then by that rationale, we should probably just do away with all fullbacks. Their stats are awful. The highest rushing total for a FB last year for the entire season was 85 yards (John Kuhne). While we're at it, let's get rid of all those Guards. I'm not even sure what they are doing out there? No yards at all. Get off your butts and catch a pass or something. 

You have no argument at all. We use Tolbert as a RB, I use his rushing stats. You go far away from the topic and start talking about Guards running the ball. Oh, and it's funny you bring up John Kuhn (a REAL FB). You are trying to be witty, but John Kuhn actually had a better YPC than Tolbert, more TD's than Tolbert, all while being first team all pro as a TRUE FB.

I stand by my claim. Tolbert is on the decline and it would be a shame that we pass up on young potential to keep a big RB past his prime that will continue to decline from here.

.

[cultclassiccat]

Trim the fat.  Tuggy boo boo bear isn't worth what we're paying him.  

[beastson]

Tolbert is the 2nd best RB on the roster. 

 

I see a lot fans trying to tear Tolbert down, your going after the wrong back.

Stew is our main guy and we're arguing over the number 2 RB role, a position the Panthers put more focus and attention into more than any other team in the league. He's aging, set to make 2 mil and he's not under contract next year. It's pretty clear what to do here