Report Cards for Preseason Wk. 2... With Bubble Watch and NEW Practice Squad Predictor!

[Bronn]

Okay folks... Week two is now in the books and I've had a day to reflect a bit on our performance.

I can honestly say that I was rather impressed with the improvements I saw, just in a week's time, in all facets of our game.

This week's post will be rather short in comparison to the previous week's, because I honestly don't have a terrible amount of criticism for anyone, really.

QB:
Cam was cash money, as was expected. Nothing needs to be said here. Anderson played well, too, even though a throw here or there got away from him. Webb was perfect as well, even though his time was mostly spent in cleanup time, handing the ball off. I don't even know if I will have to grade these guys in the future, because we all know we have the league MVP and some solid guys behind him. A++

RB:
Stewie got a few carries and looked good hitting the hole. I still feel like those holes are few and far between, but he looked okay in his limited time. Fozzy is still Fozzy, and I've never really got why some people here have been down on him. I think he's our co #2 (with Tolbert) and will stick there for this season. CAP and Wegher both had improvements from the previous week, and I think the backup OL guys having a decent game in front of them helped. I also think Simmons is making a decent case for a spot on the practice squad. Still, I'd like to see more from the group as a whole moving forward. B+

WR:
Of all the different groups, I felt like WR was the one that was probably on par the most with the previous week. I saw Bersin didn't dress, and D. Byrd had some nice plays. This could turn into a Dickson/Sandland situation in which we have a guy that has been here a while that is nicked up and a young guy behind him comes in and shines. I'll keep an eye on that in the coming weeks. Norwood did okay this week, although I am still kind of unimpressed with him. Otherwise, not much change on the WR front to me. L. Byrd and some of the other guys got some PT, but nothing really amazing to comment on. I was a bit disappointed I didn't get to see Capers this week. Still an A for the unit.

TE:
Alright, this is a position I have been keeping an eye on this preseason. This week, Olsen was out. That meant time for Simonson with the ones, and Sandland got some early/often work too. I have to say, I was somewhat unimpressed with both this week for various reasons. Simonson didn't block the greatest when he was in there. Sandland had a few moments as well, like the one Jeremy pointed out, where he didn't control or was surprised by the guy in front of him. I will say, however, that Sandland did get more work in the backfield than the other guys, and his lead blocking on run plays was pretty good. His blocking at the line on run and pass plays, to me at least, looked better than Simonson's. We finally got to see Deaver make a play, and he had some other decent moments as well IIRC as a blocker. Lucas had some nice receiving work. Overall, I think this is still a group to watch if you are looking at the game from a bubble perspective, and to see who comes out on top as the lead backup. It could end up helping Dickson that there is so much competition for the backup spots, but if he isn't able to go, it could hurt him too. Other guys will continue to improve and elevate their game. Coaches will notice. B

OL:
This week's award for Most Improved Unit goes to these guys. Kalil was back with the ones, and they looked great. Gradkowski shifted to the twos and threes, and I think that helped us in the middle. The weather wasn't really something these guys like playing in, but they held their own alright this week in comparison to last week. Once we get our positioning and units figured out, I think we'll come away with a couple good backups to our backups. B

DL:
I'm still a little concerned with our lack of pressure, although we did improve here this week. Our starters and first rotation guys are pretty much set in stone at this point. We will probably still add a DE after cuts but, if we don't, we might be alright. I'd like to nominate Tom Lally as a candidate for you to keep your eyes on in the coming two games. When he was in there, he did a great job of handling the guy in front of him. He was getting pressure into the pocket, and closing gaps on run lanes. I was really impressed with his play this week. Delaire did a little better this week, and we did have him dropping back into coverage a bit (which is why I think it is seeming like he's not getting a lot of pressure,) so I will give him a pass one more week. Slight improvement here nets the group a B overall.

LB:
Much like QB, there isn't a lot to say about these guys. Luke, TD, and Shaq are the best three in the league as far as I am concerned. Klein and Mayo are doing exceptionally well in their roles as well. Blechen, Cash, and Norris are all looking great too. A+

DB:
I must say I noticed some good improvement in tackling technique this week among our rookies. Hit and wrap was the theme for the most part. I'm guessing this was addressed in practice this past week. Coverage was still pretty decent, although Tennessee did do a lot of routes to put their WRs between our zones (5-7 yards at a time) which our LBs will have to help with moving forward. Sanchez is taking great angles on the ball and making plays. Marcus Ball has had some decent moments the past couple games, but he's had some bad ones too. ETA: I forgot to originally praise Bene for his solid work this week. He covered well and was great in run support and blitzing. Overall, I am not concerned about our backfield at all. A-

ST:
Again, who cares? LOL

Gano is good. Even if we cut all the bubble guys and Ginn is our returner, we'll be good there. Scifres is probably going to get the job, but Redfern looked okay. No fumbles on returns nets us an improved B+.

 

Bubble Watch

Wegher/CAP - It's too close to call, folks. Both did some nice things the past couple weeks. It could very well end up being that we carry 4 this year again. Keep an eye on these two the next couple weeks.

Edge: neither

Bersin vs. all - Not being able to play definitely hurt Bersin this week. Byrd still looked pretty danged good at WR and in the return game. Norwood made some plays. Will anyone really push Bersin out of the #5 spot or lock up their own #6 spot? Tune in next week!

Edge: Bersin by 100 yards

Dickson vs. Simonson/Sandland vs. the other TEs - Simonson and Sandland got the elevated PT, but neither did anything incredible to help their cause. We're still not running a lot of routes with the TEs, so there's that. I still feel like Sandland is blocking better, and I think he's naturally the better receiver. So, until someone else does anything to change my mind, Sandland is still leading the race. But, it is a close race, and will get even closer if Dickson comes back out there.

Edge: Sandland by .7 seconds

Next week's Bubble Watch may feature some of the guys battling for depth on the OL and the DL. I just haven't seen much of a difference in the 3s,4s, and 5s at this point to pick a couple out that have a slight chance to make the final 53.

Practice Squad Predictor!

This is a new list I will start including in these Report Card posts or in the 53 roster thread I made. It is my best guesstimation on where guys are lining up to fill out our practice squad this year.

Right now, I think our PS looks like:

B. Deaver TE
J. Norris LB
B. Blechen LB
D Byrd WR
A. Capers WR
D. Foucault T
A. Miley DE
L. Young CB
D. Yankey G
J. Cash LB

Now, a couple of these guys could find their way onto the 53 man roster, but I think there are guys ahead of them at their positions that will edge them out. Some, if put on the PS could very well be signed off from another team. What a luxury we have, to be so good that we have good players we can't keep!

There are also a few guys that could be on the bubble of making the practice squad. I think, right now, Jalen Simmons is one of those guys. He could very easily knock off one of the guys I listed. Tom Lally is another one of those guys.

Hope you all enjoyed this week's installment!

[Panther53521]

Cash and Byrd will make the 53. I think if either are put on the PS they will be snatched up

[Jeremy Igo]

Good writeup, Thanks for contributing. 

[Bronn]

1 minute ago, Panther53521 said:

Cash and Byrd will make the 53. I think if either are put on the PS they will be snatched up

This always seems to be a fear every year, but I can't think of many cases where we have stashed someone away on the PS and they got snatched up.

I agree, both are making strong cases to make the team, but do you cut a guy like Brandon Wegher or sacrifice OL, DL, or DB depth to keep a #6 or a #6/#7 LB? I don't know...

I'd say we could be a little shell shocked from last year, and might want to keep an extra WR. But, then again, we did just fine without our #1.

I think we'll put two WRs on the PS, and roll with 5 on the 53.

[Panther53521]

with Byrd's improvement over this offseason and Ginn is 31 and a FA next year, You cant let a returner walk out the door for nothing in case Ginn doesnt resign.

Cash can just replace Jacobs as ST ace. I think you may have more speed with Cash over Jacobs

[TheSpecialJuan]

Nice job. Damiere Byrd has definitely earned a roster spot.

[ShutDwn]

2 minutes ago, stbugs said:

Yes, we'd rather lose Wegher IMHO. Next year's draft is chock full of Stewart replacements that are better than Wegher even with the hype. Cash and Byrd are guys I'd rather keep.

Tyler Gaffney and Cobi Hamilton have both put up stats for NE and Pittsburgh this preseason so yes other teams are 100% scouting out releases just like we and others scouted the Jax game. It's naive to think that someone who PFF rated as the top rookie OLB, so there is no chance he would make it to our PS.

Also, I do believe Byrd will be the primary returner and make the roster. Ginn just did punt returns and I think they'd probably rather not risk him there and Byrd is just as explosive and much more explosive than our kick returners.

Foucault better not be on the PS. I'd much rather use the spot on any OT released by another team that we scouted and thought had potential. At this point, he's not going to get it.


Sent from my iPhone using CarolinaHuddle

If Byrd makes it I would bet he's inactive most of the year if everyone is healthy. We're not giving a guy a jersey just to return kicks

[L-TownCat]

Good work B.

[ShutDwn]

1 minute ago, stbugs said:

I disagree. If we keep 6 WRs, Bersin (or Norwood?) will be inactive not Byrd. 7 guys will be inactive. Those ones are RB3, WR5, TE3, DE or DT5, CB5, S4 LB6 or maybe OL9. I could see Byrd active instead of Bersin so that Byrd returns kicks.

He'd be the return man and the "emergency" WR. Like Fozzie where he plays special teams and is active, but if Brown got hurt maybe Bersin is active too like Stewart where CAP is active that week and plays more than Fozzie. When Stewart was healthy CAP was inactive.


Sent from my iPhone using CarolinaHuddle

Fozzy actually plays on offense though. I wouldn't mind it, but the way these coaches are I think they go with the vet barring injury

[top dawg]

@Bronn, I believe in showing fellow Huddlers appreciation for their work, even if I don't always agree with them. I largely agree with your thoughts, though I think that you're being somewhat safe with Byrd and Cash (and Bersin).

I think that once it comes down to the get down, the coaches are going to pick Byrd over Bersin if we only keep five. Byrd is simply the more dynamic, explosive and versatile receiver. I don't see us gambling with him. We've put Bersin on the practice squad before without anyone claiming him, I think that the staff will do so again, especially since that's their M.O.

As for Cash, his upside is just better than Jacobs'. Sure, Jacobs is somewhat of an institution on ST, but at some point overall talent and practical versatility eclipses good play only. Cash has "all of the above," including good play.

Lastly, Norwood did have a couple of "nice" catches, but he was still "unimpressive" to you? Perhaps fair, but I think that when you take into account that he's had some good practices, perhaps he is the real one that is pushing Bersin for his roster spot. Just food for thought.

[Bronn]

6 minutes ago, top dawg said:

@Bronn, I believe in showing fellow Huddlers appreciation for their work, even if I don't always agree with them. I largely agree with your thoughts, though I think that you're being somewhat safe with Byrd and Cash (and Bersin).

I think that once it comes down to the get down, the coaches are going to pick Byrd over Bersin if we only keep five. Byrd is simply the more dynamic, explosive and versatile receiver. I don't see us gambling with him. We've put Bersin on the practice squad before without anyone claiming him, I think that the staff will do so again, especially since that's their M.O.

As for Cash, his upside is just better than Jacobs'. Sure, Jacobs is somewhat of an institution on ST, but at some point overall talent and practical versatility eclipses good play only. Cash has "all of the above," including good play.

Lastly, Norwood did have a couple of "nice" catches, but he was still "unimpressive" to you? Perhaps fair, but I think that when you take into account that he's had some good practices, perhaps he is the real one that is pushing Bersin for his roster spot. Just food for thought.

I think if Norwood were pushing anyone, he'd be getting the reps that Byrd and Philly Brown got this week. At this point, I think he's below Byrd and Philly's still #4.

Is Bersin even PS eligible? I thought he was active too many games last year to qualify? I could be wrong though, as I am only going off memory for both the PS rules and Bersin's PT.

I really think that I just feel we are so set at WR, especially 1-4, that #5 is just going to be the safe pick/go-to-guy who knows the system, has a locker room presence, and is liked by the players, and that is Bersin.

We could keep 6, but that shorts us elsewhere where we don't have as strong of a core group...

I'm starting to agree on the Cash upside. Jacobs is a guy like Jansen and Colin Jones, in that I feel like you keep those guys around because they have very specific roles that don't involve one of your starting 22 offense or defensive positions. Nobody here will argue that Jansen has 1/53 locked up because he's our long snapper and one of the first guys in coverage down the field. Joe Webb makes the team as a 3rd QB because he's good at that position but mostly because he's a beast on kick coverage.

Until Cash, or anyone else for that matter, can prove to be as valuable as Jacobs is on ST, then I think Jacobs has a comfortable seat. That said, though, it could very well be getting very uncomfortable for him. Especially when Cash and other guys are playing very well in the LB spots...

[juliosantos]

i think both bersin and byrd will some how make this roster . also think cash makes it as well . sandland and simonson will both get cut ,imo they aren't better than dickson.

[AppHeel]

When Kevin Norwood makes this roster the entire Huddle is going to have a coronary.

[KB_fan]

58 minutes ago, Bronn said:

Is Bersin even PS eligible? I thought he was active too many games last year to qualify?

I keep wondering this too.  Sometime during OTAs Panthers.com wrote an article that explicitly stated Bersin is eligible, but I have trouble figuring out how when I look at his history of time on the roster.