Antoine Cason Waived by Panthers: Latest Details, Analysis and Reaction

The Carolina Panthers already-thin secondary is undergoing changes late in the season. Specifically, the team is reportedly parting ways with cornerback Antoine Cason. The team announced the decision on Tuesday:

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk first reported the move:

A seven-year veteran, Cason has played with the Panthers, Chargers and Cardinals. He has 58 tackles, two interceptions and four forced fumbles this season, but his overall play, especially in coverage, has been poor. 

Cason seemed to be on thin ice following Carolina's 28-10 loss against New Orleans in Week 9. After the game, head coach Ron Rivera was critical of the way Cason defended wide receiver Robert Meacham, focusing on the player instead of the ball and drawing a pass interference penalty that set up a touchdown before halftime, via Jonathan Jones of The Charlotte Observer:

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He could have made a play on the ball. He was in position; he was right underneath the guy where he needed to be, and what you’d like to see is him get his head around and play the ball. I think just the sensation of feeling like he was out of position, he didn’t go through his technique like he should have.

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According to Pat Thorman of Pro Football Focus, Cason entered last week's game against Minnesota as the 111th-best cover corner in the NFL this year:

Cason agreed to a one-year, $795,000 deal with the Panthers in the offseason, so the Panthers aren't taking much of a financial hit by moving on. He's one piece of a puzzle that's gone horribly awry in 2014 for Rivera. 

Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer reported on who will replace Cason in the lineup:

After winning 12 games in 2013, the Panthers are 3-8-1 and rank 29th in points allowed per game (27.6) after allowing 15.1 points per game last year, per ESPN.com. Cason's performance has been one part of the decline, though he's not alone in being a disappointment for Carolina. 

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