With the first roster cuts of the 2008 season approaching, Carolina Panthers Head Coach John Fox and General Manager Marty Hurney have some decision making to do. Fox and Hurney will have the rest of the week, as well as this weekend’s game versus the Washington Redskins to evaluate guys trying to make the team. So, which players are on the bubble of being the first five cut?

After successful training camps and preseason games, there are a few players on the roster who have guaranteed themselves a spot on the roster after the first cut: WR Jason Carter, DT Gary Gibson, TE Chad Upshaw, and RB Decori Birmingham. All four of these guys needed to come into camp ready to compete for a spot on the final roster, and while it is still uncertain who will make the final cut, these four guys look liked they’ve managed to get past the first cuts. Though, if I had to choose two that would make the final roster I would say it would be Jason Carter and Gary Gibson.

There are a few positions on the roster where the Panthers have a lot of depth and a lot of players, and most likely Fox and Hurney are going to cut players in those areas.

Wide Receiver

The additions of Muhsin Muhammad and D. J. Hackett during the offseason, combined with the development of Dwayne Jarrett and the emergence of Jason Carter, has stirred up talk that the Panthers may end up having six wide receivers on the final 53 man roster. What this means is that wide receiver is going to be an area that John Fox and Marty Hurney are going to look at to make roster cuts. The two wideouts that are most likely going to go next Tuesday are William Buchanon or Chris Hannon. Neither have had very good camps, both combining for only three receptions in two preseason games. Looking at the two, I think Hannon may stay, simply because one of his receptions against the Colts went for 46 yards.

Defensive Line

Again, because the Panthers have a lot of players on the defensive line, and most of them aren’t very good, DT is going to be a cut position. Stephen Williams looks like he may go Tuesday. Williams is a big, 306 pound lineman, and because Carolina is looking to improve on their pass rush from last season, they’re going to want some smaller more athletic linemen since they already have a big run stuffer in Maake Kemoeatu.  With the release of Ian Scott however, there is a chance Williams says on.

Linebacker

Linebacker is most likely the deepest position on the roster for Carolina, with four proven starters as well as some very solid backups. Two linebackers could be cut next Tuesday, I’m looking at Donte’ Curry and Jason Kyle. Most likely it will be Curry, because even though Kyle is a lot older, he has experience, and has proven to be an invaluable special teamer over the past eight years.

Cornerback

This is another very deep position for the Panthers, and there will be an interesting battle for that fourth cornerback slot. As for right now I think most of the players at cornerback will make it through the first cut, but Darren Toney looks to be in danger.

Those are the four main position where we’ll see the most cuts, but there are two more players who are also on the bubble: S Joe Fields may be cut, as well as T Frank Omiyale.

Here I the five guys: William Buchanon, Donte’ Curry, Darren Toney, Joe Fields, Frank Omiyale.

It is tough to see these players go, because you know they’ve got some abilities, but John Fox was right when he said that you want to be cutting guys you think are good football players, because if you aren’t it means you’re not a very good football team.

Tags: carolina panthers, horizon, roster