Carolina Panthers: Thursday is crucial for quarterback Kyle Allen

The Carolina Panthers undrafted rookie needs to put on a show…

Some say that the preseason is meaningless. Some argue that the fourth game of that preseason has no value, especially when the stars are resting, saving their energy for the games that actually matter. While that may be true to some extent, this fourth preseason game is not a walk in the park for everyone. For Carolina Panthers fourth-string quarterback Kyle Allen, Thursday is very important.

With already slim hopes to make the roster, the former Texas A&M Aggie and Houston Cougar may have to add another place to his itinerary once preseason cuts conclude. It is not as though he lack talent. Rather, Allen has lacked stability throughout the course of his career. Once a decorated high school star, Allen left Texas A&M for Houston. While with the Cougars, he was benched in favor of quarterback Kyle Postma, after he struggled with consistency.

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All that will be forgotten in favor of Thursday night, where only a half will matter. Per a tweet from Jourdan Rodrigue of the Charlotte Observer, Allen will play the entire second half of Thursday’s game. This will give him enough of a chance to show the coaching staff what he’s got. Chances are, he will have to put on a fairly good show in order to stay with the Carolina Panthers.

For one, the team already has three quarterbacks in the fold. Both Garret Gilbert and Taylor Heinicke have shown they are capable of manning the backup position. There simply is not enough room for a third- signal-caller when other positions may be of need.

Secondly, the fact that Allen does not have a body of work to show in the National Football League makes it relatively easy to release him as opposed to leaving a proven veteran off the roster to keep him. They did not draft him: Allen was signed as an undrafted free agent. They did not give up hardly anything to get him. That would make cutting ties with him a bit easier.

Lastly, he could be viewed as a project. While the Carolina Panthers should not be afraid to take on a project, Allen is at a position where a project player is not necessary. Especially after seeing the preseason where Gilbert and Heinicke (who gets the start on Thursday) are playing well, they are set there. I think Allen was signed with the idea that the team did not know how the backups would perform once the preseason began. The backups have answered the call very well.

While with the Aggies, Allen threw for 3,532 yards, 33 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. There is no doubt he has talent. I just don’t see him making the roster unless he has a good performance on Thursday for the Carolina Panthers.

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For that reason, the third and fourth quarters are crucial as he battles for a roster spot and stability.

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