2008 CAROLINA PANTHERS PREVIEW

2008 CAROLINA PANTHERS PREVIEW
2007 Record: 7-9 (2nd NFC South)
Predicted 2008 Record: 9-7 (2nd NFC South)

Key Acquisitions: DL Tyler Brayton, OL Miford Brown, G Toniu Fonoti, WR DJ Hackett, S Terrence Holt, LB Landon Johnson, WR Mushin Muhammad, DT Ian Scott, RB LeBrandon Toefield, G Keydrick Vincent, DT Darwin Walker
Key Losses: QB David Carr, WR Drew Carter, WR Keary Colbert, RB DeShaun Foster, C Justin Hartwig, DT Kris Jenkins, S Marquand Manuel, DT Kindal Moorehead, LB Dan Morgan (retired), DE Mike Rucker (retired), QB Vinny Testaverde (retired), G Mike Wahle

The Panthers are not short on talent this year or even last year. Their biggest problems have been injuries, underachieving, and in some cases just bad attitudes. Oft-injured LB Dan Morgan finally called it quits after last season and perinial All Pro DE Mike Rucker did as well while 3 players who never met up to the expectations set for them left. Keary Kolbert, Drew Carter, & DeShaun Foster are all gone and have players that most believe are much better replacing them. All Pro DT Kris Jenkins had been unhappy for sometime and Carolina finally traded him, but they have noone capable of replacing him especially since their other best DT Kindal Moorehead left in free agency. The Panthers have several new, very good players coming in from free agency as well as the Draft that will once again make the Panthers a force in the South and contend for the NFC South Championship. All Pro's Steve Smith & Julius Peppers are coming off sub-par seasons (especially Peppers) and are expected to breakout once again. QB Jake Delhome is coming off of elbow surgery that he claims has made his arm stronger but that has ended some players careers. Like alot of teams in the NFL this year, the Panthers must answer several questions about their team, but if they can then expect for the Panthers to once again contend in the NFC South.

OFFENSE
Both the Panthers head coach, Jon Fox, and Delhomme himself claim that Delhomme is 100% healthy and in fact his arm is even stronger than ever before. That remains to be seen, but if its true than the Panthers' once explosive passing attack should be rejuvinated. Delhomme has never had the strongest arm or been the most atheltic QB, but his leadership is among the leauges best and he seems to just get the job done. If Delhomme does go down again the Panthers are in trouble, because their 2nd string QB Matt Moore's little experience in the NFL has not been very good. Smith had a subpar season, for him, last year primarily due to the QB woes, yet he was still able to catch over 80 passes and gain over 1,000 yards. Smith has an uncanny chemistry with Delhomme and that should mean they go back to their old ways. On the field, Smith will get the job done this year there is no question about that, but he must stay out of trouble if the Panthers are to succeed. He's already been suspended for the first two games of the year after a fight with teammate Ken Lucas in Training Camp. Mushin Muhammad is returning to the Panthers this year after a good career in Chicago (after spending 9 years in Carolina previously). Muhammad will be a perfect compliment to Steve Smith's big play ability with his great hands and route running. In the slot will be DJ Hackett, who one day could be a starter here, and his speed will make him a great 3rd option at receiver which the Panthers have never really had. Behind them, young Dwayne Jarrett is still trying to claw his way up the depth chart. Offensive Cooridantor Jeff Davidson and Fox are still waiting for Jarrett to grow up, but it hasnt happened yet. He has all the physically skills to succeed just not the maturity. If he can finally grow up this WR corps could be among the best in the National Football League. Jeff King is a great TE in the short passing game and a good blocker, but this year will most likely block more with the new WRs on the team. At FB Brad Hoover is one of the best, blocking and a good short yardage runner. DeShaun Foster is gone and the ball has been given to DeAngelo Williams finally. Williams' biggest strenghts are his vision and shiftiness as well as his speed. He isnt a brusing back though, so he will most likely split some carries with rookie Jonathan Stewart who does have a bruising style, yet can still turn the corner. Williams will most likely get the bulk of the carries, but Stewart will be a great change of pace back. Behind them Nick Going and LeBrandon Toefield are both great backups who if needed can carry the football effectively. All 5 positions on the Offensive Line this year have new bodies. All Star Jordan Gross is moving from the right side to LT this year and Travelle Wharton is moving from LT to LG. Gross is a very agile, yet big Tackle that should succeed as much on the left side as he did on the right. Wharton bulked up to 320 lbs. (up from 310) for his move inside and is expected to prosper there. At C 2nd year man Ryan Kalil will start the year as the starter, but played pretty badly last season in limited action. The Panthers still feel strongly that he can succeed, but if not veteran Geoff Hangartner will be there if needed. RG is an open competition between Keydrick Vincent, Milford Brown, & Toniu Fonoti, but Vincent is by far the best of the bunch. He's powerful at the point of attack and he slides his feet well in pass protection. By the first game he should've won the job easily. At RT rookie Jeff Otah is getting thrown into the fire right away. His potentioal is about as big as he is and should pick up on the offense quickly.
Grade: B

DEFENSE
Lets be honest, Julius Peppers had an awful year in 2007. The once 'sack machine' garned only 2.5 sacks last season and only 38 tackles. 2008 is a contract year for Peppers and that along with the fact that the Panthers have moved Peppers from the left side back to the side he played in college, the right side, are reason to believe that Peppers may have his best season yet in '08. Peppers is hungry and ready to prove that he is still an elite pass rusher in the NFL. Opposite of Peppers, Mike Rucker has retired, and replacing him with either be Tyler Brayton (who only had 6 sacks in his 5 years with the Raiders) or 2nd year man Charles Johnson. Neither are overly impressive and LE will most likely be a glarring weakness in the Panthers 'D'. All Pro Kris Jenkins was traded before the draft and there is noone on the Panthers (and maybe the league) that can replace a player like Jenkins. With that said Damione Lewis will attempt to fill his shoes at one DT while 345 lb. Ma'ake Kemoeatu mans the other side. Lewis is a great pass rusher and with a 345 lb. man beside him he wont have to face many double teams. Behind them Darwin Walker should also see alot of playing time as well. In the middle of one of the better LB corps in the NFL, Jon Beason, leads the defense and is already one of the best in the game. He has all the attributes of a Pro Bowler-speed, strength, insticts, everything-and will garner the eye of all experts this season. Strongside LB Thomas Davis is scary at times, he closes in on tackles quicker than most LBs, and is a big hitter. The former Safety, also does very will in open spaces. Versatile Landon Johnson will man the Weakside LB spot and is a borderline star hisself but will most likely be overshadowed by Davis & Beason. Carolinas great LB dont stop at the starting their, they have tremendous depth as well. Veteran Na'il Diggs and rookie Dan Connor (Penn State) are both great players and should see their name called alot this year. Connor is a future star as well. James Anderson, Adam Seward, & Tim Shaw are also quality players at LB but because of all the depth, barring an injury, they will mostly see action on special teams. The CB position in Carolina, like the LBs, is very stable. Chris Gamble, Ken Lucas, & Rashard Marshall are all great players. Gamble is unquestionably the best of the bunch and is a definate starter and Ken Lucas is the other starter at the moment, but many believe that Marshall is far too talented to come off the bench. In the end Marshall may whind up starting with Lucas playing the nickel spot. Either way they have 3 very capable Corners. Safety is another question. SS Chris Harris' job is safe at this point, his coverage ability leaves much to be desired but his physicality is unbelievable and is an amazing hitter (forcing 8 fumbles last year). At FS Terrence Holt was initially the man pegged as the starter but in mini camp rookie CB Charles Godfrey (Ioway) was converted to FS and picked up the schemes and his new position very quickly. His performance has actually knocked Holt back to 2nd string at this point and if his play continues into the season then he should be a stalwart at FS. If not Holt will come in and take over the position.
Grade: B+

SPECIAL TEAMS
John Kasay is a very reliable kicker and though he was 2 for 2 beyond 50 yards last season, kickoff man Rhys Lloyd may handle long Field Goals this season. P Jason Baker is among the leagues elite Punters. Speedy Ryne Robinson will handle the KOR & PR duties while its possible that DeAngelo Williams may return a few Kickoffs and Steve Smith may handle some punts during the year.
Special Teams: A

2007 LEADERS
PASSING
Vinny Testaverde: 94-172, 952 yards, 5 TD, 6 INT
Matt Moore: 63-111, 730 yards, 3 TD, 5 INT
David Carr: 73-136, 635 yards, 3 TD, 5 INT
Jake Delhomme: 55-86, 624, 8 TD, 1 INT
RUSHING
DeShaun Foster: 247 carries, 876 yards, 3 TD; 25 catches, 182 yards, 1 TD
DeAngelo Williams: 144 carries, 717 yards, 4 TD; 23 catches, 175 yards, 1 TD
RECEIVING
Steve Smith: 87 catches, 1,002 yards, 7 TD
Drew Carter: 38 catches, 517 yards, 4 TD
Jeff King: 46 catches, 406 yards, 2 TD
Keary Colbert: 32 catches, 332 yards
DEFENSE
Jon Beason, LB: 140 tackles (106 solo), 1 INT, 6 PBU
Richard Marshall, CB: 88 tackles (79 solo), 1.0 sack, 3 INTs (107 yards, 1 TD), 11 PBU
Chris Harris, SS: 97 tackles (77 solo), 1 INT (30 yards), 5 PBU
Thomas Davis, LB: 87 tackles (71 solo), 3.0 sacks, 1 INT, 5 PBU
Ken Lucas, CB: 62 tackles, 2 INTs (1 yard), 12 PBU
Chris Gamble, CB: 47 tackles, 1 INT (2 yards), 6 PBU
SPECIAL TEAMS
John Kasay: 24-28 FGS, 27-27 XPs
Jason Baker: 44.2 YPP
Ryne Robinson: 26 KOR, 598 yards; 30 PR, 262 yards
DeAngelo Williams: 13 KOR, 231 yards