Archives for August 2021

Tuesday is the faithful day where some good athletes get walking papers. But, conversely, roster long shots that caught the coaching staff’s attention will get no news, which is good news.

The players have submitted all the work. The ball is now in the court of Scott Fitterer and ultimately Matt Rhule, who has the final say in roster moves in Carolina.

Here’s a look at some of the highest risers in this final preseason week.

Offensive Preseason MVP:

• Terrace Marshall Jr., WR

Defensive Preseason MVPs:

• Sean Chandler, S

• Frankie Luvu, LB

Lowest Fallers:

The interior OL had a rough outing in the third preseason game against the steelers. Paradis missed assignments and just had reps where the defender flat-out beat him. The issue is that he wasn’t facing the steelers’ best interior DL.

It takes the OL a little longer to get on the same page. It will be interesting to see if the Panthers will tweak the lineup. Paradis will make the team but will be a free agent in 2022.

 

The second OL unit did not fare much better than the first. Tecklenburg had some struggles as well.

He got beat on some pass-rushing reps. He didn’t look the best in space either. Tecklenburg is the only other listed center on the depth chart. The interior line still feels fluid apart from the starting center and right guard spots.

 

Thomas hasn’t played extensively in the preseason games. The coaches could be limiting his reps for the regular season. Even if that is the case, it doesn’t help that all the other backup TEs have been playing relatively well.

Thomas hasn’t shown that he is better than the backups at any singular skill. It might be best for both parties to part ways. Carolina would save 2 million against the cap, and the talented Thomas gets a fresh start.

 

Highest Risers:

Darnold saw his first action as the starter for the Panthers, and he showed promise.

Even with consistent pressure from the rush, Darnold showed poise and did not turn the ball over. He was decisive and did not pass on easy throws for harder ones. His feet looked much more disciplined as well.

He laid any QB 1 debate to rest. The Panthers are rolling with Darnold for 2021.

 

Miller was lauded last season as the type of player that Rhule wants on the team. So it came as no surprise that the team would bring him back in free agency.

On a night where the interior was roughed up, Miller was the best OL on the team. He did his job on stunts and nullified rushers in a 1v1 situation. As a result, he’s likely going to retain his starting spot at right guard.

 

Tremble has done a bit of everything at the TE spot all camp. However, the most important thing he has done all camp was proving his worth as a receiver.

Tremble showed excellent concentration, reeling in a seam shot that was ricocheted around. He has also consistently turned a check-down into a first-down when targeted in the flat. The rookie should be battling for the TE 2 spot if he hasn’t secured it already.

 

The Panthers traded a conditional 7th round pick to the Giants for Santoso just one day before the final preseason game. However, the coaches believed he showed enough to win the kicking competition.

Santoso made FGs of 52 and 27 yards and made all three of his extra-point attempts. It will remain to be seen if the release of Joey Slye was a rushed decision. For now, though, Santoso is the only kicker on the roster.

 

Hartsfield is the highest riser this week.

The box score will show one tackle and one pass deflection, but it won’t show that his reps came with the first and second-team defense. This is a huge change from his 4th string spot on the depth chart.

He has the ability to play safety and nickel corner. He could be in the discussion to occupy the Nickelback role until AJ Bouye returns from suspension.

The Panthers have endured two joint practices in as many weeks, with an unimpressive preseason loss against the Baltimore Ravens.

For many players, snaps have become more valuable. With training camp officially over, the battle for roster spots is over halfway complete. For some players, it’s already too late to prove their value. For others, the opportunity to climb the depth chart is still within grasp.

The second round of roster cuts will be due this Tuesday, as teams will be required to trim the roster to 80 players.

There is one more preseason game, the dress rehearsal for the first and second teams.

With less than ten days to go until the final cut day, here are the most recent lowest fallers and highest risers:

Honorable mention (risers):

• Christian Miller, LB/DE
• Chuba Hubbard, RB
• Clay Johnston, LB
• Derrick Brown, DT
• Joseph Charlton, P
• Julian Stanford, LB
• Shi Smith, WR

Lowest Fallers:

When the Panthers signed Elflein, they intended that he would become a starter at left guard. However, on Saturday night, the left side of the offensive line had a rough outing.

Elflein appeared ineffective in goal-line run blocking, as the Panthers failed on back-to-back plays for a turnover on downs. He may still be a starter for now, but he needs better outings to help steady this OL.

 

Before the season started, many looked at Daley as a starter with plenty of upside. Unfortunately, he did not do well on the left side either, as he appeared to have missed some assignments.

When he has been healthy, Daley has been solid in the past. However, he hasn’t shown enough to compete for a starting role, and nothing suggests he is taking many of the starter’s reps.

 

Julius has played a lot of snaps in these past two preseason games. But, unfortunately, he hasn’t been able to separate himself from the competition.

On Saturday, Julius played both nickel and outside corner. He showed some timidness in coverage. He also missed a tackle that led to a chunk play for the Ravens. Now that Myles Hartsfield’s snap count is increasing, Julius may see his opportunities dwindle as well.

 

Walker appeared to come back down to earth after his solid outing against the Colts.

Instead of helping elevate the 3rd unit’s play, he seemed to play down to their level. As a result, he looked unable to establish a rhythm or extend a drive.

The door has slammed shut on Walker challenging Sam Darnold now. Instead, whoever wins the backup QB battle will probably get the extra reps on Friday night.

 

Thompson played four snaps against the Ravens, where he looked like his 2020 self.

He avoided blockers and attacked the wrong gaps again, which hurt the run defense.

Some of the younger LBs have become tone setters. Thompson’s role as the Mike LB appears to have changed. The Panthers may be looking into more of a rotation at LB, which would eat into Thompson’s snaps.

 

Highest Risers:

Christensen did not take reps with the starters on Saturday, but he was able to show improvement overall.

He played at both RT and guard and did well in run and pass blocking. He did not allow many rushers to get him on his heels this game, which was a key contrast from the Colts game. If there is anything the Panthers need on their OL, it’s a steady hand. Christensen appears to prove his worth in that regard.

 

Franklin was a vocal tone-setter in the final week of camp, which carried right into the game.

He had another solid outing, making key tackles, including a 3rd down stop. His snap count has increased from the first game, playing in just under 50% of defensive snaps. Franklin is the second-string SS, and he has shown the versatility to play both spots.

 

After it seemed as if the colts picked on him, Taylor bounced back with a solid performance.

He showed enough long speed to cover the deep ball, and he had excellent coverage underneath. Cornerback is one of the most demanding positions to play in the NFL. Being in position in different situations can be a game-changer. He appeared injured at one point but got back up under his own power.

 

Coach Rhule mentioned that he wanted to see more of Grier, so he played with the second-team offense. He did not disappoint.

Grier established a good rhythm and made some beautiful throws on all three levels of the field. He did miss a TD opportunity, but this was easily the best outing of his career. The backup QB spot is still very much fair game.

 

Kevin Greene’s mentee Frankie Luvu is the highest riser this week.

He was everywhere on the field and seemingly was in on every play, forcing a fumble, making key tackles, and rushing the passer. He brought energy to the defense after the first unit sat down and had a key pass deflection.

Luvu may have proved this camp that he is more than just a special teamer.