Team Preview: Carolina Panthers

If you’re looking for the perfect model of under achievement, search no further than the Carolina Panthers. Since a heartbreaking 3-point loss to the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXVIII, the men wearing sky blue have failed to win a division crown, while posting only one winning record the previous four years despite being pre-season super bowl favorites for at least the first two years. Attention Carolina: consider your window officially closed. However, everything about the Panthers still resembles success – but only on paper.

The offense is led by solid, yet rapidly declining, QB Jake Delhomme, whose biggest challenge at this stage of his career may be staying healthy. Delhomme is quickly falling into the bottom third of starting quarterbacks in the league, and I don’t see a major comeback anytime soon. Luckily for him, however, he has constantly been supported by a two headed running attack…or not.

Once started by the duo of Stephen Davis and Deshaun Foster during the Panthers’ super bowl run, plans quickly shifted gears once Davis rediscovered his injury-prone days. In comes first-round pick DeAngelo Williams, the perfect scat-back compliment to Foster – except for the fact that Foster developed his own injury issues, and Williams has been denied the chance to demonstrate his true value. However, now that Foster is finally gone, it’s Williams’ turn to shine. At least, that would be the case had the Panthers not selected Oregon RB Jonathan Stewart in the first round of the most recent draft. How will this “combo” fare? That may be up to the rebuilding offensive line, led by second first-round pick Jeff Otah. Nevertheless, the Panthers have always had one dependable starter on the offensive side of the ball in WR Steve Smith. Smith has topped 1,000 yards in 4 of the last 5 seasons (he missed all but one game in 2004), and he should duplicate the feat this season barring another injury.

The defense once had (and to a degree still has) “dominance” written all over it. However, similar to the rest of the team, they have also been a major let down. Making matters worse (or better, according to some), gone now are once formiddable linemen Mike Rucker and Kris Jenkins, while star end Julius Peppers is coming off of his worst pro season. The Panthers are hoping young and talented second year player Charles Johnson, as well as rookie Nick Hayden, will team with Peppers and a rejuvenated Darwin Walker to present a strong front on defense once again.

Finally parting ways with first round disappointment Dan Morgan, the linebacking corps welcomes another Miami (FL) alum into its spotlight in Jon Beason. Beason leads the young group as the focal point of this enigmatic defense. For as solid as Chris Gamble has been at corner, he has failed to live up to first round expectations (an emerging trend with this team). However, Gamble, Ken Lucas, and safety Terrance Holt provide an above average starting squad. Beyond that, unfortunately, is a crap shoot with primarily bad options including players such as Ricardo Colclough.

Overall, the Panthers should be good. But in the end, the offense is too old and unstable at QB, while too young and inexperienced on the line. Meanwhile, not even the Panthers’ coaching staff knows what to expect from their defense as a unit from week-to-week. And, by the way, the special teams isn’t exactly what it suggests it should be (i.e., special). All in all, the Panthers could surprise everybody (especially in the NFC) now that expectations have cooled off to near freezing, but I don’t expect it. If they aren’t careful, Atlanta could send Carolina to the bottom of the division.

John’s 2008 Prediction: 6-10
Ian’s 2008 Prediction: 8-8