Carolina Panthers announce their first depth chart

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The Carolina Panthers released their first depth chart Sunday ahead of Thursday’s preseason opener at the Chicago Bears.

Throughout the first ten days of training camp, there had been speculation of the first depth chart. The team put all speculation to rest Sunday with the release of the “unofficial” chart. The biggest news to come out of this release was the confirmation of the new defense, the 3-4 defense.

THE DEFENSE

The Panthers will be playing with a 3-4 defense, and all starting three three-down linemen and four linebackers will be the teams’ veterans, with the exception of safety Tre Boston. At the outside linebacker positions, Bruce Irvin, Mario Addison, and Marquis Haynes are slated to start; rookies Brian Burns, Greg Little, and Christian Miller will back-up the more seasoned players. Boston and Eric Reid will now play at free and strong safety, and Ross Cockrell and Rashaan Goulden are listed in the number two positions.

Darryl Williams is penciled in at left tackle, and veteran Trai Turner at right guard.  Respectively, rookies Greg Little and Dennis Daley are the backup players listed on the depth chart. On the opposite ends, Taylor Moton has the number one spot at right tackle and Brandon Greene in the number two spot, followed by Dillon Gordon and Norman Price. At left guard, veteran Greg Van Roten is starting, while Taylor Hearn is in the second spot, with Richard Cook slated third.

Other notable positions listed on the depth chart found on the Panthers’ website are left defensive end Gerald McCoy in the starting position and Kawaan Short in the number one slot at right defensive end. James Bradberry is in the number one spot at right cornerback, and Donte Jackson holds that spot on the other side at left cornerback. It was reported Wednesday that middle linebacker Luke Kuechly would not play on Thursday; instead, second year linebacker, Jermaine Carter, is slated to start in Kuechly’s position.

THE OFFENSE

On the offensive side of the field, veteran Christian McCaffery is slated to start at running back, and behind him are rookie Elijah Holyfield in the fifth position, and veteran players Cameron Arits-Payne, Reggie Boonaroon, and Jordan Scarlet listed as backup players two through four. Tyler Larsen is listed at backup center with Matt Paradis ahead of him. Greg Olsen will start at tight end and Alex Armah at fullback.

As projected, Cam Newton is the starting quarterback, Kyle Allen listed second, and WVU rookie, Will Grier, in the third slot. However, in a press conference on Tuesday, head coach Ron Rivera announced all four quarterbacks (including Taylor Heinicke) would play in the first game. Yet, as the depth chart is always fluid, this lineup changed Wednesday, and it was announced Cam Newton will not have any playing timSecond-year veteran Kyle Allen will be the starting quarterback and Grier will be in the second slot. Coach Rivera stressed that everything is good with Newton (and Keuchly, as previously mentioned); this is more of a move for the future, and an adjustment that gives the younger players an opportunity to polish up their skills.

Of course, as always, the depth chart released Sunday was subject to change before the game on Thursday night. This proved to be true as the daily changes occurred leading up to the first preseason game. The practices at the training camp leading up to gameday were able to enable the coaching staff in making necessary changes to the first depth chart.

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