Cat Crave
FanSided

Panthers: Torrey Smith should be safe for now

By Danny Jaillet

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 31: Wide receiver Torrey Smith #82 of the Philadelphia Eagles reacts after dropping the ball on a third-down against the Dallas Cowboys during the first quarter of the game at Lincoln Financial Field on December 31, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 31: Wide receiver Torrey Smith #82 of the Philadelphia Eagles reacts after dropping the ball on a third-down against the Dallas Cowboys during the first quarter of the game at Lincoln Financial Field on December 31, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Smith shouldn’t be on the bubble heading into Carolina Panthers training camp….

Monday, Old North Banter put together a slideshow projecting the Carolina Panthers players on the roster bubble heading into training camp.

Although I agree with the majority of the picks in the slideshow, one I do not agree with is wide receiver Torrey Smith. Before I make my case, here is the stance taken in the slideshow.

"If Samuel shows in camp he can be the starting wide receiver opposite Funchess, this would move Smith out of the starting lineup. It would be hard for the Panthers front office to justify paying a backup wide receiver $5 million. If Smith was released, he would give the Panthers the biggest savings of any player on this list because there is no dead money associated with that move."

I respect the author’s opinion. He makes a great case for the move, and it is certainly not out of the realm of possibility. However, I just can’t see it being done for a couple reasons.

More from Cat Crave

For starters, with the reason for cutting him, there is the assumption that Samuel will show up in camp. He very well could, but that is all dependent upon whether or not he is healthy. So far, all the signs have pointed to him being a go for camp (which is what we want to hear) but you never know. Having an insurance policy in Smith is crucial.

Secondly, they traded away Darryl Worley to get him. This was a great move in hindsight as legal problems were an issue for Worley in April. Even still, it was not as if he was a no-name draft pick thrown in the deal. He was a competent veteran who recorded 49 tackles in 2017. Especially with what we know Smith can bring in the passing game, the Carolina Panthers should have high hopes for him.

The fact that Smith can be a downfield threat would open up more opportunities for Cam Newton to throw the football. He may not be as fast as he used to be, but he still can make an impact. This is the type of wideout Newton has been missing for a long time.  We saw what he could do last season with the Philadelphia Eagles as his veteran presence played a role in their fantastic season.

Next: 3 things defense must do in 2018

I really cannot see Smith being cut at the very least right out of training camp. He still has a bit left in the tank to be a valuable contributor.

Home/Carolina Panthers News