Panthers Add to Roster

On Tuesday, the Panthers made a move in free agency. A small move, and an interesting one at that.

Carolina Growl’s Steve Reed  reported that the Panthers may have found departed kickoff specialist Rhys Lloyd’s replacement in Todd Carter of Grand Valley State.

Lloyd, now with the Minnesota Vikings, led the league in touchbacks for the last two seasons. The problem with retaining Lloyd of course, is a matter of money. A beefy $1.1 million at that. An amount hardly worth paying a kickoff specialist. Especially considering his replacement has similar leg strength.

Carter will only cost the Panthers $320,000 in 2010.

My thought on the whole idea of carrying two kickers is simple: wasted roster spot.

I understand the emotional ties fans have to current placekicker John Kasay. I know I have a great appreciation for the guy. But this isn’t a matter of who I like as much as it is to do with adding depth to an area of greater need. Carolina really needs to consider a placekicker who can handle both kickoffs and point-after-tries.

In the meantime, it’s Carter’s job to lose. If he doesn’t make the team, punter Jason Baker will assume the role of kickoff specialist in addition to the punter role.

Keep it here for further updates!

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