Panthers keepers, sleepers, weepers

[Laetitia]

(By Darin Gantt, [email protected]) p//p

The Carolina Panthers’ exhibition finale against Pittsburgh tonight is the final chance for players on the bubble to make their cases.

In a few cases, the decisions are already made, but there’s a bit of wiggle room left at the bottom of the roster. Here’s a position-by-position look at who they could keep as they pare the roster from the current 75 to the regular-season limit of 53 by Saturday afternoon’s deadline:

Quarterbacks

Keep: Matt Moore, Jimmy Clausen, Hunter Cantwell. Cut: Tony Pike.

While there’s a school of thought that says there’s no way to stash Pike on the practice squad without him getting claimed by another team, it’s hard to look at 32 other rosters and see which one needs him on their 53. Cantwell is simply closer to being able to play in the short term, while Pike’s going to take a few years to get caught up to the NFL game. With Moore on a one-year deal, you need to keep the other three around in some capacity.

The one wrinkle could be if they decide to keep just two quarterbacks, which is possible but risky, though it would allow them to keep an extra somewhere else (keep reading).

Running backs

Keep: DeAngelo Williams, Jonathan Stewart, Tyrell Sutton, Mike Goodson. Cut: Josh Vaughan and Dantrell Savage

Read more: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/09/01/1661817/panthers-keepers-sleepers-weepers.html#ixzz0yMiMSSOX

More...

[Snake]

Like always I disagree with a lot of what he said. Gnatt has been on the Jarrett train for way too long. Also cutting our Kickoff guy is just plain dumb...

[MHS831]

How is Nic Harris more valuable than Todd Carter? I don't see Gettis getting cut. Why would we keep 10 DBs when half are hybrids? With Edwards and possibly Lafell and Gettis needing time to be brought along slowly, we need 6 WRs more than 10 DBs. I am not a big CJ Wilson fan. We have and like McClain and Pugh, who could start at CB for us next season. Munnerlyn, Gamble, and Marshall will be on the field 90% of the time. Do we really need the 4.65 speed of CJ Wilson? I see 5 Safeties because Hudson plays the S/LB combo position and Francisco is a special team ace. We do not need 5 CBs, however, when Pugh can play it in a pinch.

[weyco2000]

Another stupid article, by a freakin' idiot!

[Baschski]

Not sure why he thinks we'd keep Cantwell over Pike on the basis that Cantwell is more ready to play if needed. If Moore goes down Clausen can step in and do fine. If, God forbid, we needed to go to our third quarterback then we sure as hell wouldn't give Cantwell the reigns. We'd probably pick up some old geezer (like Testaverde a few years back) to fill in. Pike is worth keeping around to see if he can develop a little bit. Cantwell has been a lot of hype but not impressive and doesn't look like he's going to get much better.

[Baschski]

Wow I should have waited to read the whole article to respond. Gantt is retarded.

CHARLY MARTIN? I have an extremely hard time to believing we keep him over Moore, Gettis or Guy. All three of those guys have been more impressive than him.

Also, I might be wrong but I'm pretty sure we always keep nine defensive lineman (5 at DE and 4 at DT or vice versa) so I doubt we only keep 8 with all the rotation we'll be doing. And I just don't see the need to keep 7 linebackers (8 if you count Davis).

[pantherclaw]

He is not a scout, coach, or gm.

And neither are we.lol

[woody]

Damn yall are hard on Gantt

[CAVSS]

Witherspoon had 2 interceptions and damn near took a punt return to the house. I know there is stiff competition there but I was pretty impressed. And the thought of Gettis playing for New England makes me want to cry.

[PhillyB]

i disagree with the charly martin and todd carter opinions, but they are just that - opinions. quit twisting gannt's balls off and go market your own football commentary to newspapers and start a better gig.

[DickolausJ]

I would say we keep Charlie Martin and Aaron Francisco if they had not have been hurt the whole season. Maybe Martin sticks around since its only a borken hand but I just think Francisco is gone.

I always thought it was going to be Marcus Hudson or Aaron Francisco; not both. Tod Carter is also probably going to make the team. Then again I could be way off there.

Seven linebackers seems like a ridiculous amount especially with the chance that Thomas Davis could be back at somepoint in the year, however unlikely. I mean why keep Senn and Norwood when they are all so similiar? Both are strong bodies who can't pass defend.

I see us keeping 6 Receivers. Everyone knows I'm pulling for Gettis like crazy but I could see us bringing in someone else instead and putting Gettis on the PS.

Also I could see Irvin or Moore sneaking on the team. Irvin more than Moore.

[Nu Guns]

Gettis over Jarret 4 sure !

[Jackofalltrades]

I'm with you guys, Carter is a lock, Gettis has earned a spot and 10 DB's is a bit excessive.

I like Gantt more times than not, but this is rough.

[MHS831]

Point A: If Pugh is also a good CB, why do we need 5 corners?

Point B: We keep Nic Harris and let Carter go? Who will help the team the most?

Point C: Gettis has practice squad written all over him? 6'3" 218 and runs a 4.4?

Point D: If Jarrett still needs to be directed to his place in formations, if he runs 3 yard routes on 3rd and 8, if he has done nothing in 3 years or all preseason, if he runs the wrong routes so often that it risks interceptions and the QBs don't trust him, if he can't get open with Kris Jenkins covering him, how is it again that he should be on the team?

Point E: Charly Martin comments are valid. If he makes the team under the present circumstances, that makes sense. He will be a valuable addition to our WR corps. Mark these (profound) words!