Jeremy Cash ate his way into the Panther’s 53-man roster. Interviewed after Thursday Night’s Preseason finale, reporters wanted to know how he had gained sixteen pounds since being signed by the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent. His answer probably disappointed a few NFL Sportsbook betting enthusiasts who expected something more complicated.

Jeremy Cash’s answer might have sounded oversimplified but it was also frank. Thomas Davis was 230 pounds when he entered the NFL, and, before the draft, the Panthers hyped Cash as another Thomas Davis (when he was drafted out of Georgia in 2005).

Of course, the fact that Cash was 205 pounds before the draft caused concern, which is why Cash made food his mission, spending several hours of his waking time eating. Cash emphasized protein over all else in order to enhance growth, this along with increasing his calorie intake.

The fact that he was working out in the sort of hot temperatures that tend to drain weight probably didn’t help his objective. And it would be a mistake to simplify Cash’s approach.

Anyone else could have packed on bad weight by eating burgers and the like. For Cash to look as large as he seems and to still move so fast, he needed to take a more strategic approach.

Along with his nose for football, the Panthers were hard-pressed to cut him when they announced their 53-man roster this past weekend. The Panthers might have to choose between Cash and Ben Jacobs (Who has specialized as a special-teams player for the last few seasons).

Cash’s potential is difficult to ignore, and he could become the athlete to watch in the years to come, especially seeing as he was in for more special-teams plays when compared to other Panthers players in the Pittsburgh game.

A lot of fans probably remember Cash for all the tackles he made, one particular jaw breaking shot forcing a fumble. Cash knows what the Panthers expect from him and he endeavored to meet these expectations during the Pittsburgh game.

Even precluding Cash, the Carolina Panthers have a lot of difficult decisions to make in a number of positions, especially at the wide receiver and defensive tackle. There have been arguments made that Cash’s situation is nowhere near as precarious as has been suggested.

The fact that he can play the linebacker position like Thomas Davis makes him extremely valuable, so much so that the Panthers would have been foolish to place him on the Practice Squad, not when other teams could so easily steal him away.

Cash knows his worth, what with 20 teams having tried to sign him after the draft. He knows that he has demonstrated the sort of versatility that many coaches desire. The fact that Cash understands his weaknesses also helps his case.

He has been heard admitting to the difficulties he faced transitioning from the safety position to linebacker. But he was able to put on the weight and he now understands the tempo of his new position with the team.

Cash also understand his own limitations. He knows that he couldn’t possibly contribute to the team as an every-down linebacker at the present. But the Panthers can help him grow into the superstar he can be.