Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
(If the media player above doesn’t appear, click HERE.)
Steve Reed, the Associated Press Sports Writer for Charlotte, was on ESPN730 and he doesn’t seem to think Armanti will make it past the roster cuts this year. Skip to 3:02 to hear the conversation.
“Armanti, I just, to me right now he’s very much on the bubble, and in my opinion on the outside looking in. And why I say that is cause you got Brandon LaFell you got Steve Smith as your starters. I think they’re going to keep David Gettis…He’s 3, And then Kealoha Pilares & Joe Adams they’re your kickoff and punt returners right now. If you keep both of them they’re 4 and 5. And Louis Murphy is another guy battling for that #3 spot you know, so maybe that’s 6.
I don’t know that I’ve seen too many NFL teams carry more than 6. I just think if you just start counting up numbers it’s going to be awful hard for Armanti to stay in that mix. I think, you know, it’s not going to surprise me if he’s not here at the end of this 2nd cut.”
The big dates Armanti has to watch out for are:
August 27 – Roster cut down to 75 players
August 31 – Roster cut down to 53 players
Although I’m a Carolina Panthers fan, I’m an even bigger Armanti Edwards fan and part of me hopes he DOES get cut. Frankly, I’m not sure he’s getting a fair shake with the Panthers, and that’s unfortunate. They’re playing him with the 3rd team. Asking him to put up big numbers with just a few plays and Jimmy Clausen at the helm with no time to throw is ridiculous.
I mean just look at these statistics:
2006 App State: 2,251 yds passing, 1,153 yds rushing (National Freshman of the Year) (Won FCS National Championship)
2007 App State: 1,948 yds passing, 1,588 yds rushing (National Star of the Year) (2nd FCS National Championship)
2008 App State: 2,902 yds passing, 941 yds rushing (Walter Payton Award Winner)
2009 App State: 3,291 yds passing, 679 yds rushing (2nd Walter Payton Award)
_________
2010 Panthers (3 games): 0yds catching, 7yds rushing
2011 Panthers (16 games): 11yds catching, 5yds rushing, 5.5yd punt return avg
Ok obviously he’s playing a different position and at a different level. But still something isn’t right. I’m not a football coach but it’s pretty obvious they have a star player and they aren’t utilizing him whatsoever. Although he played 16 games in 2011 it was almost all on special teams and the blocking was so bad they should have just sent him out there by himself.
I hope Armanti ultimately gets what he wants. But watching the Panthers utilize Armanti is like watching your grandma drive a Ferrari. It’s a waste.
I have never replied to a post anywhere before but that article is the best I have ever read that sums up how ridiculous the Panthers have been in their use of Armantie. The kid has done nothing except bust his butt for them, Worked to learn 2 different positions. Fielded a season of punts, and, while I know he never broke anything, I don’t think he ever fumbled a sigle punt during the second regular season. I am not saying he walks on water or anthing but give the guy a chance to do something on the field! Of course he will not have the success at the NFL level the he did at App…we all know that. But I am telling you, been a football hound for most of my 46 years, give the kid the ball and good things are going to happen. It is just that simple. Just kills me that my hometown NFL squad has never really given him a chance. And those that say he played 1-AA and the talent isnt the same..please. I dont want to hear it. incredible talent exists at that level too. With what they gave up to get him it makes it even more foolish that they wouldn’t invlove him. Have i missed something that he can’t catch or has a bad attitude or doesn’t care about team??? Let him go and I hope he get an opportunity to come back and show them how badly they missed out.