LaFell Odd Man Out?

[PntherPryd]

interesting;

4 minutes ago - by Steve Reed - Panthers practice three-receiver sets

WRs Steve Smith, David Gettis and Legedu Naanee working in three-receiver sets with Brandon LaFell the odd man out. Panthers RapidReports

..................

Naanee also got the attention of Smith in practice yesterday as a playmaker.

[The Saltman]

odd man out of the rotation? Yes

Off the team? no way

[Mr. Scot]

Agreed.

He could conceivably have some trade value though if the team decided Clowney wasn't just a preseason star.

Rivera's not necessarily going to be as attached to him as he might otherwise be.

[The Saltman]

for a 5th rounder? possibly? I dont think its worth it tho to trade him for a practice squader

[Jackofalltrades]

Plus, it's still early in camp- everyone is going to be the odd man out at some point with 100 guys on the field and only 22 positions.

[OneBadassCat]

hello no

[Mr. Scot]

Depends on just how down Rivera might be on his performance.

If, say, he were down enough to cut him, then a fifth rounder is better than nothing.

That's farfetched, mind you, but not impossible.

[HeatCheck]

That would solve the #11 problem.

But really I like LaFell. Although he had some drops last year he also showed some promise. He's young and I expect him to make the team.

[The Saltman]

a 3rd round receiver being cut in his second year when he had decent numbers with clausen last year? aint happening.

[OneBadassCat]

At least wait until we see some preseason games before you start ousting the guy. He's been one of our most promising WR's in the past 6 years. He deserves better than that imo.

[jtnc]

Rotation.

[Mr. Scot]

a 3rd round receiver being cut in his second year when he had decent numbers with clausen last year? aint happening.

I wouldn't expect it, but stranger things have happened.

If your top three are set as Smith, Gettis and Naanee, and if the team thinks Edwards can be what he was drafted to be on special teams, then he'd be the number four guy. That'd likely put LaFell inactive on gameday because if they did activate a fifth receiver it'd likely be someone who's more valuable on special teams like Charley Martin or Wallace Wright. And again, what about Clowney?

Unless LaFell has more value on special teams than I think he does, it's at least conceivable.

Prior to Naanee being acquired I wouldn't have given it a second thought. Now though?

[PntherPryd]

Gettis got plenty of downfield looks as fourth man in the rotation last year and this could just be their way to get Naanee up to speed.

Lafell isn't going anywhere.

[tarheelpride]

I know under the old regime Lafell's run blocking got him into the game a lot (I think he was #2 then, not sure). Now I know this is a new regime, but I would think they would want to keep him and find a way to put him in the line-up to utilize that ability, along with being a big red zone target to go along with Olsen, our TE's and Gettis.