Post by Panther on Aug 7, 2012 16:28:50 GMT -5
Preseason week one. Game is at 7:00 PM EST on NFL Network.
Panthers players to watch
QB: Cam Newton. Let's see how Cam treats this pre-season game. Although it has no value in the long run, it will be intersting to see how ready and in shape he is.
RB: Taruen Poole and Mike Tolbert. I like Poole a lot, if we didn't have Double Trouble + Tolbert, I would really think he can be good in the future. I am intersted in how we use Tolbert, even in a pre-season game. Tolbert has been compared to a soda machine in camp.
WR: Louis Murphy, Rico Wallace, Jared Green, Armarti Edwards, Joe Adams, and Kealoha Pileras. I think Murphy, Adams, and Pileras will be intersting to watch considering I expect them to make the team, none of them caught a pass for the Panthers last season and I want to see how they gel with the team. Wallace, Green, and Edwards will fight for a roster spot, I expect Green and Wallace to make the Practice Squad, but not the team. Edwards will be lucky to make the team, he'll either have to be the seventh WR or beat out Clausen as the 3rd QB. I wouldn't mind him being the 3rd QB.
TE: Gary Barnidge. He has reportedly dropped muiltple passes in camp, and is on the verge of being cut. He'll have to step it up in the first two preseason games, or there may not be a third for him. I really like him and think he can be a very poor mans Aaron Hernandez on the Panthers, but the best man needs to make the roster.
OL: Amini Silatolu, Bruce Campbell, and Roger Allen. Silatolu and Campbell haven't played for the Panthers before, but they have been playing great in camp. Campbell is a good pass blocking LT reportedly, and Silatolu has been making huge holes for our RBs. Bell. I am intersted in seeing what they do. Allen has reportedly been playing great in camp and might have a shot at the roster.
DL: Frank Alexander, Greg Hardy, and Ron Edwards. We traded up for Alexander in the draft last season, I want to see if he was worth the trade up, even in a preseason game. Hardy is weighing 299lbs and only has 14% body fat, I want to see how he plays! Edwards has never played a down in Carolina, hopefully he'll be the missing link to our DL.
LB: Luke Kuechly, Jon Beason, Thomas Davis. Kuechly has been an interception machine, he has 6+ INTs in Training Camp so far! As a linebacker! Really excited for him. Beason and Davis are returning from injury, I want to see how heeled they are.
DB: Josh Norman, Brandon Hogan, Haruki Nakamura, and Sherrod Martin. Norman has been balling, shutting down Smitty and making him mad in camp. Hopefully he is Gamble's replacement in three or so years time. Hogan hasn't been making any noise in camp, and he was the favorite for the #2 job, now it's Norman. Nakamura has been playing very well in camp, as has Martin. Martin has been awful the last few seasons and has one last shot. Nakamura is new to the team and is a ST ace, now he might play some FS or SS with Godfrey next to him.
Special Teams: Brad Nortman, Justin Medlock, Olindo Mare, and Joe Adams. Nortman has been punting REALLY well in camp, 6+ sec hang time. Medlock is really pushing Mare for the #1 job, he (Medlock) was getting 1st string reps the other day. The ST games will most likely decide the winner of the job. Hopefully Medlock wins the job, cause Mare STINKS. Adams is a new rooke, will be intersting to see him return kicks.
Game Expecation:
Houston 24 - Carolina 20
Questions?