As the Panthers move towards training camp, the roster is beginning to take shape, both in terms of the starters and the surrounding depth, and while there is still a lot that can and likely will change between now and the end of training camp, it’s time to take a look at each part of the Panthers’ roster, position by position. While there is always the possibility of a dark horse surprise, there is also a lot than can be said with some degree of certainty. With that in mind, over the next couple of weeks we will explore both where each position group stands and where it might go. Check out our previous iterations below:
- Cornerback Clash!
- Wide Receiver Rumble!
- Running Back Ro Sham Beaux!
- Linebacker Battle!
- Quarterback Quandary!
Following on in our series of training camp positional previews are the tight ends, with the main change from last season being that Ed Dickson is now in Seattle and the group now includes fourth-round draft pick Ian Thomas. Additionally, Greg Olsen enters this season fully healthy having spent a large chunk of last season on IR, and clearly wasn’t fully fit even when he returned to the field – so what can the Panthers expect to see from the tight ends during training camp?
The Old and The Young
Over the past few seasons, Greg Olsen has been the most consistently excellent tight end in the NFL, producing three straight 1,000 yard seasons prior to last season’s injury. Not only has he been consistent on a season by season basis, but he has also produced consistently on a game-by-game level. For a player of Olsen’s experience, this preseason will be about getting to grips with the nuances of the new offense and staying healthy, as it is unlikely that his game is suddenly going to change. With that in mind, the thing for fans to watch for from Olsen this training camp will be how he is used in the new Norv Turner offense, and whether he and Cam immediately settle back into their seemingly telepathic understanding.
Behind Olsen, fourth round draft pick Ian Thomas enters his first training camp as very much an unknown. While there is a lot he need to work on in terms of route running and the nuances of his technique, the coaches have already talked about how they expect Thomas to be able to contribute from day one and, from previous seasons, it is clear that for him to see the field he will first have to prove that he can hold his own as a blocker. While fans will obviously want to see him making plays in the passing game, the better indicator of how much he’ll be seeing the field, especially early on, will be how effective he is able to be as a blocker in the running game. Apart from that, Thomas will also be asked to contribute on special teams, and while it would be foolish to say that his roster spot will be in danger if he isn’t able to carve out a role in this regard, this should be another thing fans should be looking for in almost all of the young players looking to make the final roster.
The Other Guys
Jason Vander Laan
The Panthers have historically carried three tight ends on the roster during the regular season, and while the presence of Alex Armah could potentially allow them to reduce this number down to two, it is most likely that they will carry three once again this season. As the third tight end from last season, Chris Manhertz is almost certainly the favorite to retain that role, but his performances last season were certainly not of a quality that makes his place secure and with him starting training camp on the PUP, there should at least be enough snaps for the players behind him to get a decent look in before he returns to the field. There is likely not that much that Manhertz can do to swing his fate either way at this point, as he has now been with the team long enough for him to be something of a known quantity. With that in mind, who ends up with the third tight end spot will likely come down to whether either of the other tight ends on the roster are able to perform at a higher level than that which Manhertz is known to be capable of.
Jason Vander Laan and Evan Baylis are both relative unknowns for Panthers fans, and training camp should be a good first look at both of these players. Because of this, it is extremely hard to known at what level they are likely to perform but, as with Thomas, it will be just as, if not more important for them to impress as blockers vs. as receivers. Norv Turner has traditionally used a number of multiple tight ends sets in the past, and so all of the tight ends are likely to see a decent number of snaps throughout training camp, if they want to hang around beyond then, however, they will need to do more than simply be adequate, as an unremarkable training camp from the tight ends will likely see Manhertz retain his spot as the #3 man.
There is, however, one more option, namely that the Panthers look to bring in another tight end with Manhertz out for the early portions of camp. This could either come in the form of one of the premium veteran tight ends who are currently unsigned, a move that would almost certainly signify a move away from Manhertz even once he does return from injury; or by simply adding a camp body to take over the reps in the short term. While it is all but impossible to predict which way the Panthers will choose to go, it is worth noting that names like Antonio Gates, Coby Fleener, Martellus Bennett and even Julius Thomas are still available should the Panthers want to go in that direction.
Way-Too-Early Roster Prediction
Starter: Greg Olsen
Secondary Tight End: Ian Thomas
On The Roster: Chris Manhertz
Roster Hopefuls: Jason Vander Laan and Evan Baylis
Potential Outside Inclusion: Julius Thomas
