Matt Moore

Moore left Thursday’s game against Pittsburgh with what looked to be a serious leg injury.  Tests on Moore’s leg came back negative Friday, and the Panther’s backup quarterback will be day-to-day.

The Panthers did go out and trade for veteran quarterback Josh McCown for an undisclosed draft choice, getting some veteran depth behind Jake Delhomme.

Colclough Arrested

Carolina Panthers Defensvie back Ricardo Colclough became the second Panther arrested for DWI since last March, when Dwayne Jarrett was arrested.

Colclough was arrested late Friday night, only hours before the Panthers were to make their final roster cuts of the season.  With Colclough getting arrested, there is a possibility that the Panthers will cut the newly signed free agent, though I doubt it.  Colclough doesn’t have any other arrests, so I don’t think the Panthers will cut him.  There is competition for the final cornerback spot on the roster, and even though Colclough has played well this preseason you can’t take anything for granted.

Game Recap: Steelers 19, Panthers 16

With the Panthers starters getting the day off Saturday, the backups had their chance to show Head Coach John Fox and General Manager Marty Hurney why they should make the final roster.

Matt Moore looked pretty decent in three quarters of play, until he went down with a scary leg injury in the third quarter. Moore had an MRI and x-ray Friday, and thankfully everything came back negative, Moore is listed as day-to-day.  Whether or not it was Moore’s injury, or the fact that the Panthers just want four quarterbacks on the roster, the Panthers picked up Miami quarterback Josh McCown for an undisclosed draft choice.  Don’t think I like this trade though, because Moore appears to be healthy , but I guess Fox really wants to avoid what happened last season, and if things don’t work out this season, most likely it won’t be Fox who’s without another draft choice next April.

As for some of the backups that looked good, Decori Birminghamm looked good, gaining more yards than LaBrandon Toefield, but the majority of Toefield’s carries were against the Pittsburgh first string defense.  Dwayne Jarrett showed he is ready to start next week against San Diego, picking up 56 yards on six receptions, and if you need a starting fantasy receiver for week one, I would seriously consider Jarrett, who looks in line for a big game if he starts.  Daunte Rosario also had a good looking 21 yard catch from Matt Moore as well, and should see some action next week with the Panther’s deep threat, Steve Smith, out for the first two games.  Fullback Troy Flemming looked good as well, with two catches for 21 yards.

Today is the day for the backups, most will end up being cut, a few will be signed to the practice squad, and one or two may end up making the final roster.  No matter who it is, the Panthers are going to head out to San Diego next week, ready to take on the Chargers, and get back to the playoffs.

Game Preview: Panthers vs Steelers

The Carolina Panthers will rap up the 2008 preseason tomorrow against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz field.  The team will go through a rehearsal game plan as they would for a regular season game, but the starters are only expected to go a few series, maybe not even play.

So far this season the Panthers starters have gone 58-3 against first team opponents, their best preseason performance in years.  But the preseason can be deceiving, just because the Panthers are manhandling their opponents in the preseason doesn’t mean the same success with translate to the regular season, but it does show that Jake Delhomme and the Panthers are ready to contend in the NFC again.

This final preseason game is going go to be the most important to the guys on the roster trying to make the cut.  Decori Birmingham, Troy Flemming, Chad Upshaw, Ricardo Colclough, and a few other need to have good games if they want a spot on the final roster.  The release of quarterback Lester Ricard should also give these guys an opportunity because it means there’s one more slot available.  Keep an eye on Samie Parker, a wide receiver picked up Carolina on Tuesday.

Really there’s not much to be decided on position battles as most of them are already set.  Keydrick Vincent took over the starting right tackle job on the third day of camp and didn’t give it up.  Charles Godfrey has shown that he can start at free safety.  The two areas that are still up for graps are that number three receiving spot as well as the starting running back, but I don’t think those are going to be determined in this game.

Basically there really isn’t much to look at game wise.  This is going to be the backups oppertunity to shine, and it will be interesting to see who comes out on top.

Wide Receiving Depth in Question

With Jason Carter injuring his knee in Saturday’s game against the Washington Redskins, Ryne Robsinon and D. J. Hackett still out with injuries, and Steve Smith suspended for the first two games, concern is sprouting about how weak the Panthers look at wide receiver for the first to games. I’m here to tell you there’s nothing to worry about.

Yes, the loss of Carter has drained the Panther’s wide receiving corps, but we’re talking about a guy who could have not even made the final roster. Although Ryne Robinson doesn’t look like he’ll be ready to go by opening day, I expect D. J. Hackett to be back. Yeah, he was supposed to return Monday, and it seems he’s never been healthy in his life, but two more weeks should give Hackett enough of a chance to heal that toe up, and even if he’s not 100% he will still be a valuable asset without Smith.

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