The ultimate goal of the NFL preseason is to cut the final roster down to 53 men. The four games are used to determine things like who will be starting quarterback, who has impact potential and who could the team do without.
After two preseason games, one against the Houston Texans and one at Tennessee, there are some prime candidates for whom the Panthers should part with.
If the Carolina Panthers made cuts today, here is who general manager, Marty Hurney, should cut first (in no particular order).
Three Potential Carolina Panthers Cuts: If They Made Cuts Today…
1. Derek Anderson (QB)
The 34-year-old quarterback is entering his twelfth season in the NFL, his seventh with Carolina. After coming off a five-touchdown season, it seemed like the obvious move was to sign him to a two-year extension through 2017. Since then, however, he has been less than successful as the backup.
Joe Webb does not have as much experience as Anderson, but has shown through the first two preseason games that he can make big plays; he hooked up on a few touchdowns with Damiere Byrd.
The Panthers have used Webb on special teams – which is why they want to keep Anderson behind Cam Newton – but letting him go would free up some salary cap room.
2. Graham Gano (K)
He has been consistent with his kicking, besides to missing some crucial extra points after touchdowns. Fans liken that to plenty of reason why he should be dismissed from the team.
He took the brunt of the blame for some of last year’s failures. Fans claimed that had he made his field goal against Tampa Bay, the team might have had a better season (not that injuries had anything to do with their misfortune or anything).
Perhaps the franchise is in need of another John Kasay-esque player. One they don’t have to hold their breath with every time he steps out on the field.
3. Fozzy Whittaker (RB)
The fifth-year veteran did not score one touchdown during the 2016 season and played in all 16 games. Not to mention, he has only scored twice in his 41 games with the Panthers.
Now that the franchise has solid runners like Jonathan Stewart, Cameron Artis-Payne, and Christian McCaffrey, Whittaker should consider finding space on a team that has use for him.
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