After the last post on the Panthers reportedly cutting fullback Brad Hoover, I quickly grabbed a Carolina roster and started looking at ages that didn’t have two as the first digit.
As expected, I didn’t find many. In fact, I found fewer than I expected. If you take Hoover off the roster -- and it looks like the Panthers soon will do that officially -- there are only three players remaining who are not in their 20s.
They are punter Jason Baker (31), kicker John Kasay (40) and Steve Smith (30). At a time when the Panthers seem to be whacking anyone over 30, I think those three are safe.
Baker’s only a little over 30, he still is playing well and he’s a punter. Kasay is the last of the original Panthers and the same rules don’t apply to him as everyone else. Owner Jerry Richardson would never cut Kasay. The kicker’s going to decide how long he wants to play.
Smith isn’t going anywhere. He hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down. Besides, if it ever came down to it, who would have the guts to tell Smith he’s cut?
As expected, I didn’t find many. In fact, I found fewer than I expected. If you take Hoover off the roster -- and it looks like the Panthers soon will do that officially -- there are only three players remaining who are not in their 20s.
They are punter Jason Baker (31), kicker John Kasay (40) and Steve Smith (30). At a time when the Panthers seem to be whacking anyone over 30, I think those three are safe.
Baker’s only a little over 30, he still is playing well and he’s a punter. Kasay is the last of the original Panthers and the same rules don’t apply to him as everyone else. Owner Jerry Richardson would never cut Kasay. The kicker’s going to decide how long he wants to play.
Smith isn’t going anywhere. He hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down. Besides, if it ever came down to it, who would have the guts to tell Smith he’s cut?
Pat Yasinskas | email
NFL- ESPN NFC South Blogger
- Joined ESPN in 2008
- Began his journalism career with The Tampa Tribune in 1990
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Pat Yasinskas
Yasinskas joined ESPN.com in January 2008 after covering the Carolina Panthers for The Charlotte Observer for nine seasons. He began his journalism career with The Tampa Tribune in 1990.
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