Every fan has players that they hope will make the roster, no matter how far down the depth chart – call it their preseason or training camp crush. Everyone sees a player make a flashy play in camp or in an early preseason game and hopes they’ll make the roster, no matter which veterans or highly touted rookie is ahead of them.
But the way the NFL works, there isn’t enough room for every player on every roster and the same holds true for a team like the Panthers, who will inevitably be letting go of quality talent when the team goes from 91 to 53 in the span of a single day on Saturday – the final chance for players on the roster bubble to impress will be tomorrow night against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The reality is that some of these players aren’t just auditioning for the Panthers, they might be wearing a different uniform at this time next week – and that other team might hold a more likely path to success for those players.
“This is a big game for a lot of these young men and I’ve been trying to stress that for these guys; hopefully they understand just how important the opportunity is to get out there and show and do their best,” said Ron Rivera this week. Most of the entrenched starters won’t play for the Panthers, allowing players that haven’t gotten much action even in the preseason a chance to put some of their skillsets on tape in an NFL uniform. “Whatever we do in terms of keeping who we think are the best guys, we’ve got to make the numbers work. Fullback, number of tight ends, running backs – all of those things add up. We have to make some interesting decisions.”
Some of those interesting decisions will inevitably mean a new home for players – but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Mario Addison was cut twice in the span of a month in 2012 before landing with the Panthers. Tyler Larsen and Greg Van Roten, two key pieces of the Panthers’ offensive line depth, have both spent months without a job before getting their chance with the Panthers – Van Roten is expected to start at left guard and Larsen just signed a two-year extension worth up to $5.3m.
“It’s crucial – this fourth preseason game is crucial because there’s 31 other flavors in the league,” said Kenjon Barner, who spent the last four seasons in Philadelphia before coming to the Panthers this offseason. Barner was traded to the Eagles midway through the 2014 preseason only to be waived/injured two weeks later and assigned to the practice squad. “The Panthers aren’t the only ones that make money – so you go out there and you put something on film that you hope catches someone’s eye.”
“It may not be here for a lot of guys, myself included – it may be somewhere else.”
Barner is averaging over eight yards per carry in limited action thus far this preseason.
Ron Rivera has referred to the strength at multiple positions throughout camp, be it running back, wide receiver, cornerback or linebacker – but with injuries along the offensive line dictating – at least in part – that the team must keep more depth up front, it might mean the end of the line for some talented players – the team also needs to debate who they’d like to have on their practice squad. Bryan Cox, Jr, Alex Armah, Blaine Clausell and Garrett Gilbert began last season on the practice squad – all are expected to push for the main roster this weekend. The team may want to keep more than 53, but there’s only one way to ensure your on the roster come Sunday.
“I think you’ve just got to make plays,” said Luke Kuechly, who hasn’t played a snap in a fourth preseason game. “You’ve got to know what you’re doing, you’ve got to be in the right spot and you’ve got to make plays – that’s what it’s coming down to; the coaches have a good idea of what they’re looking for with guys and which guys they like, but there’s obviously some guys that are on the bubble that can go one way or the other – and the best to make an impact is to go make plays.”
It won’t just be the Panthers watching – there are sometimes dozens of opposing scouts in attendance for preseason games and tomorrow in Pittsburgh will be no different.
“It’s very important not only for this organization, but for all the other 31 teams,” said Bug Howard, a wide receiver whose 6’4 frame will likely make him an attractive target for another team if he’s not able to crack a Panthers roster that already has five wideouts with NFL experience and a first-round pick ahead of him on the depth chart. “It’s very important for me to go out and put on my best performance – because it’s pretty much my last shot.”
“It’s like my Super Bowl.”
