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David Newton: Wegher still longshot

top dawg

By top dawg,
in Carolina Panthers

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t96 Grand Master

t96

Posted
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Drafting David Mayo in the 5th confirmed Gettleman's BPA philosophy is crap, so I won't be surprised if Wegher is cut. Wegher has a ton of upside. 

 

How does that confirm anything? He doesn't go by the media's or fans' BPA. He goes by his own and the team's scouting. They believed Mayo was the BPA at that pick, so they picked him. Not even sure what his BPA philosophy has to do with Wegher. 

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MHS831 Grand Master

MHS831

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There is some compelling reasoning behind David Newton's belief that Brandon Wegher won't make the roster,  but the main one is this:

"Despite his productivity, he hasn’t moved up the depth chart judging by the pecking order in practice. He’s still not a consistent blocker, essential in this offense."

http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/176287/panthers-preseason-star-brandon-wegher-still-a-long-shot

Out of all the reasons why I can see Wegher making the team,  the inability to block effectively will get a lot of RBs cut.  On the other hand,  knowing how to block has secured roster spots, as Newton is intimating about Fozzy Whitaker. 

At the end of the day,  Newton is making an educated guess.  I do believe that Newton may be miscalculating the ability of Ron Rivera's and Dave Gettleman's understanding that it takes time to develop into an effective blocker, and their willingness to give Wegher that time at someone else's expense. I mean,  it's all about value,  right? But,  then again,  that's what the practice squad is for.  If it is as Newton believes,  perhaps Wegher's probability of getting through waivers is a lot greater than we may think, because blocking is at a premium in this league. It's also a much valued skill on a Dave Gettleman team.

We'll see what Gettleman really thinks of Wegher and his prospects as the right fit for the Panthers fairly soon. In the meantime,  fans might want to pump the brakes a little bit.

Newton's points are valid, but he seems to lack inside info on this one, as you suggest.  Preseason is only half over, and I am willing to bet that his chances are solid.  I am sure he can learn to block.  The issue with Wegher is this: Do we try to develop him on the PS or do we give him the roster spot?  I am not so sure that it is about what Wegher brings to the table right now, but about what he might develop into on another roster.  Wegher has been killing it on special teams.  Newton is totally wrong on this one.  We give Wegher a hard look tonight and especially vs. Pittsburgh.  Special teams, running ability, fan favorite (reminds me of Fred Lane so much), potential to make you regret cutting him if he goes to another roster--he makes this team.

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MHS831 Grand Master

MHS831

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How does that confirm anything? He doesn't go by the media's or fans' BPA. He goes by his own and the team's scouting. They believed Mayo was the BPA at that pick, so they picked him. Not even sure what his BPA philosophy has to do with Wegher. 

I agree.  In addition, Mayo was a tackling machine, and probably was never expected to do more than serve special teams--which seem to be the focus this offseason. We missed a ton of tackles on ST last year.  So, when you need tackling on special teams and you don't think the NCAA's second leading tackler is worthy of consideration with a fifth-round comp pick, you probably didn't even consider the need and reason we drafted him.

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*FreeFua* Grand Master

*FreeFua*

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How does that confirm anything? He doesn't go by the media's or fans' BPA. He goes by his own and the team's scouting. They believed Mayo was the BPA at that pick, so they picked him. Not even sure what his BPA philosophy has to do with Wegher. 

We're talking Gettleman philosophies and you can't figure out why I mentioned his BPA philosophy after thebigcat mentioned his best 53 philosophy? 

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jdpanther5 Newbie

jdpanther5

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Not really a David Newton fan, but it's hard to disagree with Wegher being a longshot. He's looked great vs. third stringers, but are we really keeping 5 RBs? Stewart, Tolbert, and CAP seem like locks, then probably one of Todman or Fozzy in a change-of-pace/KR role. Then a lot of people also wanna keep Ward...just seems like they're running out of spots. 

Not saying it's impossible, but "Longshot" seems like the perfect descriptor for his situation. 

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CRA Grand Master

CRA

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I'd argue a healthy 28 is a better short yardage option than Tolbert at the stage of his career.   Any small hole created will close by the time Tolbert finally gets to it.

I'm also tired of people calling Tolbert a FB.  Dude is a RB.   

Do do we call Brandon Williams a FB bc 5 times a year he lead blocks?

I do think Newton's prediction is right though.  

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