"Because fans make football more than a kids' game"
C3 Carolina Panthers newsfeed brings the latest Panthers news and opinions from the fan perspective.
Carolina's parting with Philly Brown reminded of the colder side of the NFL. Brown didn't take the news easily, immediately scrubbing his Twitter bio of any Panther forensics. Some have talked of an Instagram live video where Brown vented on the situation, and reportedly Brown was upset by coverage of his video by Bill Voth.
Read MorePer Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer, the Panthers intend to let wide receivers Philly Brown and Brenton Bersin test free agency and tender guard Andrew Norwell by Thursday's deadline.
Read MoreJerricho Cotchery is back to assist with new Panthers wide receivers coach Lance Taylor on Carolina's coaching staff as reported by Black and Blue Review.
“Here’s a guy very familiar with our guys, a guy that was the quiet leader in that group," said Rivera.
Nobody really took over that leadership role for the Panthers receivers in 2016, and it showed. Ginn was the veteran of the group, but has never really had that trait. Carolina's slot receiver position as a whole diminished without Cotchery in 2016 as well.
With Philly Brown and Brenton Bersin both set to be free agents this off season, Panthers brought in Victor Cruz for a visit last month. Carolina could opt to let both go if they can reach a deal with Cruz, or keep one and let the other go. It would likely be Bersin walking as Philly Brown accounted for 27 of the 30 receptions in the slot last season. Panthers also liked rookie Damiere Byrd and may choose to try and implement more of him.
It will be interesting to see how things develop with Cruz going forward. In a radio interview last month after the visit, Cruz said the visit "went well." Having two veterans such as Cotchery and Cruz would be great additions to the locker room and on the field for the younger corps of guys.
Follow @TrippMorgan6 and Cat_Chronicles for news and updates on the Carolina Panthers.
Article thumbnail photo Jesse Fraetis photography.
Written by Tripp Morgan
Carolina fans are familiar with Aqib Talib. There's a history going back to when he battled Steve Smith unsuccessfully when he was in New England. Talib struck again when he accrued two personal fouls in the Super Bowl. One was an intentionally dirty facemask that nearly twisted Panthers receiver Philly Brown's head off.
Read MoreWhen asked who would be getting the start at wide receiver this Sunday with a healthy Philly Brown back, Ron Rivera simply stated, "It's a surprise."
Read MorePanthers rookie and 2nd round draft pick Devin Funchess is slated to get his first career start Sunday. Philly Brown suffered a shoulder injury this week, and as bad as you hate to see any player injured, the timing couldn't be better for 'Fun Fun.'
Read MoreThe important thing about Sunday's Panthers @ Jags contest was that the Panthers left town with a win. Thomas Davis tweeted that he'd take an ugly win over a pretty loss any day, and I think we all concur on that. However, it doesn't mean the team doesn't have a long way to go in order to be a playoff-caliber squad.
Read MoreCarolina announced Philly “formerly known as Corey” Brown and Ted Ginn, Jr. as the starting wideouts for the opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Brown, who struggled throughout the preseason, has held onto a starting role, not because of his play, but because of what he offers to a team that has very little talent and depth at wideout. The loss of star receiver Kelvin Benjamin inflated Brown’s value to the team, despite his struggles this preseason.
Read MoreCorey Brown dropped his popular nickname "Philly" this off season, which so many had become accustomed to calling him. But after struggling with dropping some passes this preseason, he's decided to drop Corey and revert back to Philly along with his Ohio State college jersey number 10 leaving 16 behind
Philly made the announcement via Twitter, shortly after head coach Ron Rivera was quoted at his press conference saying, " I'm going to call him Philly, Philly makes catches. Corey Brown is a nice young man."
Read MoreA season like this is probably most important from an evaluating talent standpoint. If it wasn’t for the historically bad condition of the NFC South, that’s all the season would be good for at this point. Carolina is carefully looking at who they have, who we need to keep, and where they should be playing! Let me start by saying you will see some people missing from this list… I don't think I need to tell you what we have in Cam, KB, Star, Shorts or LUKE!! Carolina will be evaluating the young guys who are fighting hard to carve out space on what will likely be a very fluid Panthers roster.
Read MoreWant your opinion heard? Apply Now
CarolinaCatChronicles.com is a division of Fan First Productions, LLC. Neither are affiliated with the NFL, the Carolina Panthers, or any professional athletes.
