PANTHERS TRIM ROSTER TO INITIAL 53, LIST OF CUTS AND KEEPS HERE

007 ,, I didn’t see CB  Lamar Jackson’s name.. might be an oversight on my part .

Was an early cut.

---

Interesting...

This first iteration represents a starting point. As such, it makes little sense to dive into it too quickly or too deeply. There is still work to be done and a Practice Squad to be built. I expect it to change, possibly dramatically, over the next few days. The 53 roster will continue to change through the first couple of weeks of the season as well.

Having said that, there are three things here that strike me as interesting..

#1 --- The general makeup of the position groups seems a little strange, based on the stated direction the team 'wants' to take this year. Saying nothing about the players involved, the numbers allotted to each group seem 'strange'.

#2 & #3 --- Two players REALLY surprise me. There are some others who make me go "Hmm..??", but as stated, there is still time to make changes. The two players who "surprised" me are: RB Mike Boone, and TE Jordan Matthews.  Our RB room is now standing at three (3) with one of them a return specialist and 'spot' player (Blackshear..). That leaves us with two RBs for now. Yes, we have Jonathon Brooks, sometime, maybe later, at LEAST four weeks into the season, but probably longer. For a "run-first", and basically "smash-mouth" Offense, I confess to being confused. !!! 

And, the Ian Thomas choice over Jordan Matthews defies logical understanding.  I know we (fans) can't see everything. But does anyone remember Ian Thomas being exceptional (even "very good"..??) at anything ??  This one makes no sense to me.  But, what do I know...??  

So now, we sit and watch for FA and Waiver pick-ups, and corresponding releases.  There is work to be done here.....

Matthews and Boone have bounced around (Matthews trying for a comeback).  I think if they do not get an offer they will be on the PS.  Plummer too if he does not get picked up.

They must really like Coker's potential for the future...he was looking like a PS guy with the deep room but they must not have wanted to take a chance on losing him.

By the way, I saw a tweet hat in his interview this afternoon, Bryce said losing TMJ hurt....was "his guy." Prolly an emotional day for everyone.