PITTSBURGH – If you're a guy who came into training camp on the outside looking in on a roster spot, finishing the preseason as the NFC's leader in receiving touchdowns is a timely argument.
But while Mose Frazier may have opened some eyes with his three scores the past four weeks, he's not all that impressed.
"It's not a big deal. It's preseason, so it counts but at the same time it doesn't count," Frazier said after hauling in a 6-yard score during the Panthers' preseason finale. "When the regular starts all that's going to be wiped away. I'd feel better if I was doing it in the regular season."
So Thursday night, instead of celebrating his touchdown total and 25th birthday, Frazier's focus turned to whether he'll get a chance to replicate his success in the regular year.
"I'm in a good mindset right now. All positive thoughts, nothing negative," Frazier said of Saturday's impending cuts. "I did what I had to do all preseason, and right now it's up to the coaches."
And not surprisingly, Frazier's head coach wouldn't show his cards.
"Mose played well," Ron Rivera said. "He did some good things, and we'll see how it all goes."
Despite his gaudy reception (4) to touchdown (3) ratio in the preseason, Frazier is still an underdog to make the final 53. If the Panthers decide to keep six wideouts, the final spot will likely go to Damiere Byrd, who brings extra value as a returner.
Should Frazier fall short, the Panthers would probably try to get him back on their practice squad, where he spent most of last season before he was promoted to the active roster in Week 17. But for now, he'll always have that time he led the league in touchdowns. Even if it was just the preseason.
Oh, and while Frazier had no plans to celebrate his birthday – "We get back pretty late, so I'm going to go get into bed" – his end zone celebrations added some entertainment to the exhibitions. So let's let him explain what those were all about.
No. 1 – at Buffalo
"I had to honor Randy Moss for getting his gold jacket."
No. 2 – vs New England
"I just took it back. Back in the day you spin the ball and act like your hands are hot."
No. 3 – at Pittsburgh
"I got caught up in the moment. I didn't really know what to do. So I just put it up to my ear and acted like I was talking to the ball."
