CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Carolina Panthers must reduce their roster from 75 to 53 by 4 p.m. today.
Who’s going? Who’s staying?
Let’s get to my Saturday mailbag.
@DNewtonespn Care to list the players you see getting cut? Corey needs to go imo. RB seems to be a tough call... #PanthersMailbag
— Scotty Parker (@scottyparker25) September 4, 2015@DNewtonESPN: Good way to start the mailbag, although I’ve already run my projected 53-man roster. I have being cut: DT Chas Alecxih, S Marcus Ball, LB Brian Blechen, WR Damiere Byrd, WR Mike Brown, DE Rakim Cox, C Brian Folkerts, OT David Foucault, CB T.J. Heath, G Ricky Henry, LB Ben Jacobs, TE Marcus Lucas, S Dean Marlowe, G Jordan McCray, DE Arthur Miley, DT Terry Redden, TE Scott Simonson, LB Jason Trusnik, OT Martin Wallace, RB Brandon Wegher, TE Brandon Williams, CB Lou Young. My toughest call came down to Trusnik and David Mayo.
@DNewtonespn Who makes the cut at WR and LB? I think Norwood has potential. Will it be Mayo or Jacobs at LB? #PanthersMailbag
— B.J. Davis (@BJ_Davis23) September 4, 2015@DNewtonESPN: Agree, Kevin Norwood looks like a player with potential. That he was acquired in a trade five days ago tends to make me think he’ll stick. The Panthers traded for him because they didn’t think he would get to them in waivers. He likely wouldn’t survive to be put on the practice squad. Overall, wide receiver really isn’t a tough cut except for the Corey Brown factor. Do you keep a receiver who caught two passes out of 12 targets during the preseason versus one that was more productive? The tougher cuts will come at linebacker, where rookie David Mayo, A.J. Klein and Jason Trusnik are battling for a spot. Whoever is considered the most valuable on special teams will stay. I will say it’s unusual to see a draft pick get cut, so that may work to Mayo’s favor.
@DNewtonespn Todman or Fozzy? Todman fills same role as Fozzy but more burst/upside. Wegher may be an every down back. #PanthersMailbag
— Nash Morris (@NashMorris) September 4, 2015@DNewtonESPN: I’ve got Jordan Todman and Fozzy Whittaker making it. I kept both after hearing how much offensive coordinator Mike Shula liked what Whittaker has done. But you’re right, they’re about the same player. Todman gets the edge with his kick return ability. He looked pretty good as a back against Pittsburgh.
@DNewtonespn Most likely surprise on the final roster? Wegher, Lucas, maybe Marlowe? #PanthersMailbag
— Mr_Mitgo (@Mr_Mitgo) September 4, 2015@DNewtonESPN: I can’t see Brandon Wegher or Marcus Lucas surviving. Safety Dean Marlowe had a good preseason, but again it comes down to numbers. I really don’t expect a big surprise unless the Panthers cut bait with Brown, which I don’t anticipate.