SB Nation - Jonathan Palmer

Steelers vs. Panthers Preseason Game Preview

Jaxon — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 18:57:23 -0000

This Thursday night schedule has me all out of whack as all of us, contributors to the site that is, have been busy this week making a detailed preview difficult. The truth is we all know the starters will play very little tonight and so it will be battle of the bubble players for probably 3rd quarters. That puts a damper on some of the drama unless you like seeing sloppy play and guys getting all amped up for making a simple tackle.Regardless I'm going to take a schwag at what to expect tonight in this final preseason game match-up.

Panthers Offense vs. Steelers Defense

The Steelers bring one of the best defenses to Charlotte yet we don't really know how many starters will actually take the field. I realize this is cheating a bit but I jumped over to SBN Steeler site Behind the Steel Curtain to see what the Steelers might be focusing on. It seems former GT alum LB Kenyaron Fox (woot!) will start for Lawrence Timmons:

Mr. Fox: Keyaron Fox got to join the highlight reel of Steelers linebackers making audibly violent hits against Buffalo, when he crushed return man Leodis McKelvin. He continued to thump his way toward recognition, and with the ankle injury to Lawrence Timmons, he'll start at the mack linebacker spot against Carolina. It's up in the air whether Timmons will be able to play in the season-opener.

Fox is one of the best LB's to come out GT so don't think he represents a let down. Also, count the Steeler fans among those that have taken notice of RB Mike Goodson:

In a game that typically only has the allure of watching the 51-55 ranked players on teams fight for special teams spots, it'll be interesting to see how Goodson can handle facing the starting units of two of the best defenses in the game. He's been impressive so far, let's see if he can continue it.

At WR we are still waiting for the explosion from Dwayne Jarrett. Something tells me we might still be waiting come Friday. WR Kenny Moore on the other hand has made a case for the #3 wideout slot. I don't see any other WR making the team except for maybe speedy UDFA Larry Beavers. Beavers at this point has to show enough simply to earn a spot on the practice squad.

The back-up positions along the offensive line appear to be lining up. The release of Gerald Cadogan earlier in the week suggests Geoff Schwartz has earned the back-up RT position. I would assume C/G MacKenzie Bernadeau and rookie G Duke Robinson will lock up two more. That leaves G/T Jonathan Palmer, C/G Justin Geisinger and LT Garry Williams battling for the last spot. My guess is Williams wins the ninth and final spot.

Panther Defense vs. Steeler Offense

I think the Panther 1st team defense might play the entire first half simply to get in more work and evaluate some tough choices. Has high-string B Jeremy Leman done enough on special teams to earn a spot? Now that S Nate Salley has been put on IR does that automatically give Joe Fields a roster spot or could Quinton Teal play SS it in a pinch?

Does the trade for DT Louis Leonard mean UDFA Marlon Favorite is practice squad bound? The biggest focus for me is the performance of the DT against the Steeler running game. RB Rashard Mendenhall is making noise and will look to put up big runs against the Panthers. The Panther secondary will also look to rebound from a dismal performance against the Ravens.

Special Teams:

I've already mentioned the Panthers coverage teams have been suspect so I'm sure Steeler PR Stefan Logan is looking to burn them:

His lack of ability to make the squad solely as an offensive player aside, he's turned enough heads as the first explosive return man the Steelers have had since Antwaan Randle-El. Len Pasquarelli of ESPN writes that the Steelers have had 16 kick returners and 10 punt returners since Randle-El.

Logan, the diminutive pinball from small Division II University of South Dakota, has done enough with returns alone to merit a roster spot.

He sounds like our version of Larry Beavers yet Beavers has yet to do anything notable in live action, except for muffing a catch that is. Let's see if the Panthers can contain Logan or if they give up another lengthy return. On our side I want to see more of Captain Munnerlyn returning punts. He seems to have a nose for the open hole and isn;t scared to take a hit.

Let me hear from you!

Carolina Panthers Depth Chart Review: Offensive Tackle

Jaxon — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 02:16:21 -0000

This next installation of our depth chart reviews covers the offensive tackle position. The Panthers are very well set with starters Jordan Gross and Jeff Otah. Both will anchor the line for years to come. The real question with this position is who will back them up. The Panthers lost both of their back-up tackles from last season when Frank Omiyale signed with the Bears and Jeremy Bridges was released. That leaves a number of inexperienced players to vie for the two stated back-up positions. The Panthers value players with the flexibility to play multiple positions. Using last season as a gauge I would expect the Panthers to keep three reserve linemen, two of which that can back-up at least two positions.

Let's start with a brief review of the starters.

Left Tackle - Jordan Gross 6'4" 305 lbs - Starter

Gross is a former first round pick from the 2003 draft that was moved to the left side in 2008 and responded with his first Pro Bowl selection. Gross isn't the biggest, strongest or meanest tackle to play the game but he uses very good technique, quick feet and leverage to keep his match-up at bay. The Panthers rewarded his nice season with a lucrative long term contract that will allow him to protect the QB's blind side for many years to come.

Right Tackle - Jeff Otah 6'6" 330 - Starter

Though Otah struggled with injuries in the first half of the season he showed enough to validate the big price the Panthers paid to draft him. I'll never forget when I reviewed the game film from the Bears game and on his very first play he drove PB DT Tommy Harris seven yards across the field! You can read my review of Otah's performance here. Considering how good he was as a rookie I can't help but get excited at what he will do with a season under his belt.

From here it is a guessing game but I know the Panthers are looking for at least one pure tackle and then maybe one G/T combo.

Geoff Schwartz 6'6" 331 - 70% chance of making the roster

Schwartz is a second year player who spent his first season on the Panthers practice squad working on his strength and conditioning. Based on Jordan Gross's recent evaluation of him after working out together in the off-season it would appear Schwartz is going to make a solid run at earning a roster spot this year. He has played exclusively on the right side and given his size that appears the natural spot for him. Though he is inexperienced so is all of his competition for the spot so I would be very surprised if he doesn't make the roster.

Gerald Cadogan 6'5" 310 Lbs - 30% Chance of making roster; 90% chance of making PS

Cadogan is a rookie who expected to be drafted but surprisingly never heard his name called. The Panthers quickly jumped on the former All Big Ten and Academic All American and he is now a fan favorite to make the team. He will definitely have the opportunity in Carolina as the Panthers search for a serviceable back-up to Jordan Gross. Cadogan played LT in college and appears to have the size, strength, smarts and long arms to make the transition. Here's his pre-draft scouting report:

Gerald Cadogan may have moved himself into mid-to-late round consideration; he ran a 5.12, benched 26 reps and his arms measured 35 inches - the third-longest of all the offensive tackles at the 2009 NFL Combine.

Though it turned out to not be enough Cadogan could easily be the UDFA gem of this class. If by chance he should not make the roster he is a top candidate for the PS.

Jonathan Palmer 6'4" 336 lbs - 20% chance of making the roster

Palmer came out of Auburn in 2007 as a UDFA signing with the Eagles. He later played in one game for Oakland that same season. Since then he spent time with the Giants and Browns before signing to the Panthers PS in September of last season. It would appear he is vying for the back-up LT spot behind Jordan Gross. No word if Palmer can also play guard which would then increase his chances. As it remains Palmer has an outside chance at best of sticking but his prior experience might give him an edge over the younger players.

Garry Williams 6'3" 300 lbs - 1% chance of making roster; 20% chance of making practice squad

Williams is a product of Kentucky who has an outside chance of making the team. Here's his 2008 season preview comments and then his Walter Football draft profile:

Senior Garry Williams needs to work on his footwork to prevent the excessive sacks (38), but his all-SEC nod gives promise that he will lock his side down eventually.

1/6/09: Once again qualified for the All-SEC Second Team.

5/24/08: A two-year starter and a member of the All-SEC Second Team, Garry Williams was part of a front that helped the Wildcats average more than 33 points per game in 2007.

Giving up a lot of sacks in college doesn't forebode good things and he doesn't appear to be overly quick. Though he did play against top notch competition in the SEC he doesn't appear poised to make the jump this year.

Patrick Brown 6'5" 303 lbs - 0% chance of making the roster; 10% chance of making the PS

Since Brown didn't even make the Walter Football prospect list his chances are slim to none of sticking beyond this TC. In other words, just call him meat. TC meat that is!

No Question Panthers Will Draft Offensive Line Depth

Jaxon — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 22:27:53 -0000

I don't even pretend to think I have a clue as to exactly what the Panthers will do on draft day. The Panthers propensity for making trades on draft day the last two drafts laid waste to my meticulous plans. So I'm going to make my first prediction a little more broad.

The Panthers will draft an offensive lineman, maybe even two. Yes, you heard it hear first (maybe) and I realize I'm going out on limb by saying it but yes, a big ugly for the front line. Wait, I'm channeling my inner Mayock...not only will they take a lineman but they will pick one that can play center. Only cutting edge stuff here folks. Okay, maybe it's just a little obvious.

I find it real strange that the Panthers five offensive line starting positions are already set. Yet the competition for the three back-up spots on the roster is wide open. If you use the three back-ups from last season as a template then the players would be a tackle (Frank Omiyale), a guard-tackle (Jeremy Bridges) and a guard-center (Geoff Hangartner).

The Panthers currently have two back-up tackles in 2^nd year player Geoff Schwartz and free agent pick-up Jonathan Palmer. Schwartz is a pure tackle but Palmer actually has experience playing all three line spots. Though he's probably too big to play center (6-4", 336 lbs) he seems nicely slotted to compete for the guard-tackle spot. Palmer has been on the Panthers practice squad in September so he has had time to learn the playbook.

The remaining reserve lineman is guard Mackenzy Bernadeau, another 2^nd year player that essentially earned the final roster spot last season. That fact suggests that the Panthers think too highly of the kid to leave him exposed on the practice squad so he should have an inside track to retaining one of the key back-up spots. Bernadeau can play guard and tackle though he is slated at guard.

So even though the Panthers lost all of their depth due to free agency they are not without options on the current roster. The only hole is at center. As far as I can tell the Panthers do not have anyone who can play center besides starter Ryan Kalil. They don't even have a long-snapper at the moment as Jason Kyle is an UFA though he has yet to sign with another team. So I'm thinking a center and at least one other pick that could be a guard or tackle.

I'm thinking the Panthers use their early picks on defense but use the later picks for the o-line, the 5^th and 6^th rounders. So some centers the Panthers might target are Cecil Newton (6-2, 300) from Tennessee St, John Cooper (6-2, 291) from Oklahoma or Dallas Reynolds (6-5, 328) from BYU. Reynolds has experience playing multiple positions, the key characteristic we've discussed.

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Updated Walter Football Mock Draft:

The latest Walter mock update seems to validate my assertion that the Panthers will wait until the late round to draft offensive linemen as their 4 round mock has the Panthers going straight defense:

2^nd round - Carolina Panthers: Alphonso Smith, CB, Wake Forest

3^rd Round - Carolina Panthers: Alex Magee, DT, Purdue

4^th round - Carolina Panthers: Vance Walker, DE/DT, Georgia Tech

The 4^th round selection is a change from an earlier prediction of a WR being picked. A CB and two DT's followed up with 2 offensive linemen sounds about like what the Panthers would target. I really can't argue with it outside of wanting a kick returner. The only wildcard is the Panthers strange propensity to draft TE's every year. Any one else have some thoughts on this?

Poll

When should the Panthers draft their first offensive lineman?

2nd round

24 votes

3rd round

52 votes

4th round

53 votes

5th round

29 votes

6th round

6 votes

164 votes | Poll has closed

Cleveland Browns Final Cuts Announced - Travis Wilson Among Them

Chris Pokorny — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 15:42:41 -0000

It's one of the more exciting days as a fan to find out who will be available on gameday during the regular season, but for those who have been cut, it has to feel like a downer. Overall, my projections were pretty good, but there was a shocker -- the removal of wide receiver Travis Wilson. You have to wonder if that one dropped catch against the Bears cost him everything.

FINAL TRANSACTIONS (TO GET ROSTER DOWN TO 53)

Players Waived

WR Travis Wilson - I wouldn't be surprised if he still gets brought back at some point though, if we run into another injury.
WR Steve Sanders
WR Efrem Hill
WR Lance Leggett
TE Brad Cieslak - Good luck to wherever he goes next.
TE Kolomona Kapanui
OL James Lee - I hope to see him on the practice squad.
OL Jonathan Palmer
DL Melila Purcell
LB David McMillan - A shame he never caught on.
LB Chase Ortiz
DB A.J. Davis
DB Jereme Perry
DB Travis Key - Big-time playmaker in little time with the Browns; hope to see him on the practice squad.
DB Brandon Mitchell
K Jason Reda - If Dawson gets hurt, I think he did enough to get the first phone call.

Waived-Injured

RB Travis Thomas
OL Derrick Morse
OL Marvin Philip
DL Chase Pittman

Terminated-Vested Veteran

LB Shantee Orr

Injured Reserve

OL Lennie Friedman

Here are some of players who were on the bubble and made the final 53-man roster:

POSSIBLE SURPRISES (THEY MADE THE FINAL ROSTER)

WR Syndric Steptoe - His strong preseason effort paid off, and I'm sure his progress on kick returns helped him in case Joshua Cribbs gets banged up again.
WR Paul Hubbard - This is probably a fairness issue -- they gave Travis Wilson several years to develop before cutting ties with him, so why not give Hubbard at least a year to progress?
OL Nate Bennett - With Lennie Friedman being placed on the injured reserve (speaking of which, when did he get banged up?), Bennett takes his roster spot. I don't think anyone could've projected this one unless they had inside information on Friedman.
OL Isaac Sowells - My reasons hold true. Take that, doubters! ;)
DL Louis Leonard - He adds some versatility, because he can play nose tackle or defensive end.
DL Ahtyba Rubin - Showed more progress in his first camp than Babatunde Oshinowo seemed to.
DB Gerard Lawson - He had some trouble tackling in the final preseason game, but I thought his awareness level was a little higher than the rest of the guys trying to make the team. He's also taken a few reps at kick and punt return -- if Cribbs is out Week 1, the Browns could put Steptoe at kick returner and Lawson at punt returner (or Lawson could do both if Steptoe is out for a week too).

Leave your thoughts on the cuts here. I correctly projected 49/53 roster spots, which is 92.4% accuracy. Grade me with an "A" ;). I will be updating this post shortly with a little note next to some of the players.

Poll

Which roster decision are you most surprised about?

Paul Hubbard over Travis Wilson & Steve Sanders

104 votes

Shantee Orr getting the boot

71 votes

Isaac Sowells making the final roster

24 votes

199 votes | Poll has closed