why preaseason matters

[Kyle82]

I've always griped about preseason tickets being the same price as regular season tickets but this year I think we'll get our moneys worth.....alot of good competition!!

[eViL jEsTeR]

they won't have to wait for the 4th quarter of game 4. we're so young, they will battle for positions throughout preseason, especially for starting WR 2, 3 and 4 so these battles will be with the first team.

heck, 4th quarter game 4 will be played by cut players.

[eViL jEsTeR]

pre season does not matter. you only get to see who the better backup is. also, alot of players dont play hard during preseason, skewing the perception of how good the opposing teams players are.

preseason is very important, if you know what to look for. if you don't, then i can see how you might think it isn't.

[PantherDude]

pre season does not matter.

Sorry, but you're incorrect: it does matter. How are we going to know who look good or bad before the regular season start? Not to mention some of our starters have to work out on their rust from not playing almost a year ago. There is a reason why many sports have preseason: we have to know who is improving, who look better, etc.

[monstercat]

Hell, the pre season always matters. The final scores don't matter, but for individual players, especially rookies and even some veteran players fighting for a job, these games might as well be the Superbowl.

[ncbobcat]

Preseason usually mirrors our team. If we suck in preaseason it usually means a subpar seson. If we go 2-2 or better ususally means a good to great season.

[eViL jEsTeR]

Preseason usually mirrors our team. If we suck in preaseason it usually means a subpar seson. If we go 2-2 or better ususally means a good to great season.

i don't think the record actually matters. how we play as a starting and second unit does. often, the 3rd and 4th teams can blow a game at the end. i think indy went 0-4 the year they won the superbowl and other teams have gone 4-0 and had losing seasons so record doesn't mean anything at all. you can't check the box score in the paper the next day and think you have a grasp on how the season will go. you have to actually watch the games and see how the first unit does. how do the backup players play? if they are capable of moving the ball and scoring, or playing tough D and forcing punts or turnovers... then we look good. if our players who will eventually be cut blows the game later, it doesn't matter.

don't ever look a score or record as they don't matter at all. period.

[rippadonn]

I want to see The Claw. He is teh awesome!

[DaveThePanther2008]

The preseason matters but not the overall record. I usually see what the 1/2 time score is. If we are leading at half I am content we will do well during the season. If we bomb in the 1/2 half we better pray they get it together in a hurry.

The battles this year are going to be fun.

WR, DE, DT, SLB, and Special teams.

We brought alot of talent in that are special teams specialist. We can't keep them all so I imagine ST players will be a good one to watch as well.

Go Panthers

[KatsAzz]

With the drafting of 3 WR's, and the signing of WR-William Wallace, some of last seasons WR's won't make this years roster. Kenny Moore and Charly Martin (signed during the season to help the special teams coverage), are likely gone.

At DE Brayton, Charles Johnson, Brown and Hardy seem like locks to make the roster, the question might be the fate of Hilee Taylor. SLB-Eric Norwood can also be the 5th DE, so does that mean Taylor is gone, or is he so much like Norwood that they might view him as a valuable backup for Norwood, as a DE/OLB?

Three DT's, Tyler, Leonard, and Irvin, seem certain of roster spots (the Panthers will carry 4, and likely 5 DT's on their roster). The current front runners for the final 2 DT roster spots seem to be Ed Johnson, followed (in order) by Landri, Hayden, and Neblett. These last 2 DT roster spots could also likely go to a free agent signing, or Dt's cut by other teams. Some likely player cuts to keep an eye on are Dre Moore (6-4, 305, 4.84-40, 1.62-10) of the Bucs, and Clinton McDonald (6-2, 290, 4.83-40) of the Bengals, who could both also play DE, and any big NT.

While James Anderson is currently listed as the starter at SLB, if his play should slip, or others have an outstanding training camp, then things might change. Dan Connor or Jamar Williams could wind up starting at SLB, and while Eric Norwood might start out 3rd on the depth chart, he will probably move up to #2 before the season ends.

The battle for special teams jobs may be the toughest of all. The Panthers added WR-Charly Martin and LB-Jordan Senn during last season, to boost their coverage teams, but both may not make this seasons roster. The Panthers added several good veteran special teams players during the offseason, WR-William Wallace, CB-Marcus Walker, CB/FS-Marcus Hudson, SS-Aaron Francisco, and return man CB-Brian Witherspoon, though all of them probably won't make the roster.

While K-John Kasey's job may be safe for another year, the Panthers could decide to cut cost at that position as well. Rookie free agent K-Aaron Pettrey was ranked by most as 1 of the top 3 kickers in this draft class, and has a strong leg, with FG's of 50+ yards each year, but oddly only had 2 touchbacks on kickoffs last season.