I answer your questions and bring you some Friday morning thoughts on this week’s moves
Hello Panthers fans! Welcome to your Labor Day weekend edition of “Brian Answers”, part two of your Panthers fans mail bag for everyone!
We were a little bit light on the questions this week, which was understandable as the Panthers had to make their 53 man roster cutdown this week and ended up making a flurry of moves on the back end of their depth chart. So, on top of answering some questions, I’ll give you some of my own thoughts on their moves.
Didn’t love the Panthers moving on from Terrace Marshall at WR, but in hindsight, they telegraphed it when he was still running routes with the 3s and 4s. I’m not sure what caused him to fall out of favor with the coaching staff, but the 2021 2nd round pick’s time is over. Beyond that release, I wasn’t really surprised by anyone else being cut. The majority of releases that made Panthers fans upset returned to the Panthers via the practice squad or back to the main roster once the Panthers were able to process their injury related moves that would not subject those players to the waiver process (where other teams could snatch them up). Remember, if a player gets put on injured/reserve prior to the initial 53 man roster being submitted, they go through waivers first and can be sniped up by other teams.
As far as the waiver claims the Panthers made, they went heavy on cornerback depth, which wasn’t surprising but it did give us a clear picture as to what they value at the position; size. We’ll see how it all works out come week one, but this unit looks very different than it did just one week ago. Anyway, onto your questions!
demaxx1: Non football related question! Who drinks more Jeff Maxwell or Otis from Mayberry?
I’d say Otis, but if the Panthers offense is as atrocious as last season, I think Jeff AND myself will give Otis a run for his money.
egon petri: How many ex-Panthers QB will be looking for jobs this week?
Over/under is 4.5
Let’s take a look at the list:
Will Grier-Currently on the Eagles’ practice squad after not making their 53
PJ Walker-still looking for a job after being released by Seattle
Cam Newton-keeping his podcast game strong
Sam Darnold-somehow the Vikings starting QB
Baker Mayfield-Starter for the Bucs without Dave Canales as the offensive coordinator
Jake Luton-looking for a job after the Panthers cut him
Teddy Bridgewater-head coach at Miami Northwestern high school
DannyLimes: Nobody knows who Jayden Peevy is, can you give us 5 facts about this random panther?
- He played for Texas A&M
- He lost 17 lbs in one off-season in 2023 to get to 308 lbs as a Titan. He received an off-season team award for his efforts on and off the field.
- He was awarded Texas A&M’s “Mr. Dependable” award in 2021 in college.
- This is actually his second stint with the Panthers, as he joined up on the practice squad in 2023.
- He is now on their practice squad again.
MtdndancerSr: Future HoFer TMJ gets cut while Jalen Coker and Dave Moore are in (for now). Did you see a spot for Coker other than the PS and is Moore kept as Canales special assistant and confidante?
The initial “Brian Asks” post was put up on Tuesday morning, which is part of why I waited an additional day to see what else the Panthers might do. The 53 man roster cutdown is a fickle beast, as the first group that makes it often changes. As the Panthers made waiver claims and signings, Jalen Coker ended up being cut, but has returned to the practice squad. I was a bit surprised that David Moore made the final roster and remains there, but I think it makes sense to keep someone familiar with Canales and his scheme on the final roster. Coker is a developmental prospect who shined late in the preseason, and looks to be called up if any other Panthers WR suffers an injury.
Larmellj14: Do you think it’s likely that the panthers take a look at Julian Okwara to help solve their edge problem?
They did not end up doing this, but after this week’s comments from Canales about the edge position opposite Jadeveon Clowney still being “up in the air”, I wouldn’t rule out any young up and comer the fans might have their eyes on out there.
schrodingersblackcat: Considering what little we had to work with going into the off season, the Panthers did a pretty good job of building a serviceable offense around Bryce for 2024. Prior to waiver wire pickups, what do you see as the biggest weakness in our offensive roster? Who (if anyone) would you be tempted to pick up to bolster our offense to give Bryce the best shot at turning a corner?
I think our run-first offense needs a power back in the rotation. We have plenty of needs on the defensive side of the ball and a tiny amount of cap space, but is it a stretch to think we might look to hire a big short-yardage RB?
The Panthers didn’t do a whole lot on offense as far as waiver wire pickups, a side from shuffling some OL depth and moving veterans like TE Jordan Matthews and RB Mike Boone in and off the roster/practice squad. I think the biggest weakness is still the interior OL depth, and the WR depth. Many were miffed about the Panthers cutting Terrace Marshall, and I am a little concerned about the WRs outside of Diontae Johnson and Adam Thielen, but I do believe that Canales’s scheme will help those younger guys out. As far as OL depth, Brady Christensen is amazing depth, Yosh Nijman should be great depth if he is healthy now, but I am concerned slightly if anything happens to Austin Corbett.
The Panthers chose not to go after a power back, and elected to go heavily defensive with their waiver wire claims. We’ll see how the plan goes with short yardage.
Join us next week for your CSR Mailbag! Comment down below with your thoughts on the questions posed this week!