Carolina Panthers Predictions
June 23, 2008
The Panthers have suffered two straight years of underachieving. Coach John Fox and GM Marty Hurney have to be feeling the heat. If they are to miss the playoffs for a third straight season, Fox and Hurney will not be around to see 2009. The Panthers beefed up the team in the NFL Draft by getting a bruising running back in Jonathan Stewart and strong tackle Jeff Otah. Both will be a significant part of this team as the Panthers try and return to their run-first philosophy that got them to the Super Bowl just a few years back. Info Plays gives you our 2008 Carolina Panthers predictions as well as a team preview below.
Offense:
The biggest question for this offense is quarterback Jake Delhomme. It’s yet to see if Delhomme can recover from Tommy John surgery and return to his old self. If he does, the Panthers will be much better off this season. If he can’t go, expect Matt Moore to get the call. Moore went 2-1 as a starter in his rookie season last year and exhibited good pocket presence.
John Fox gave running back DeShaun Foster every chance to carry this team. Finally, Fox realized he can’t get it done released Foster in the offseason. The Panthers have spent two first-round draft picks on running backs in the last 3 seasons. DeAngelo Williams and now Jonathan Stewart will have to carry this team despite their youth. With two years in Carolina’s system, Williams will likely earn the start early. Williams had 717 rushing yards and averaged a solid 5.0 yards per carry in 2007.
Steve Smith is clearly an elite receiver in this league, but he needs help. D.J. Hackett comes over from Seattle. Hackett is in the prime of his career despite many injury problems recently. Muhsin Muhammad is back in his second stint with this team and will get the nod if Hackett can’t stay healthy. The longshot to earn the No. 2 receiver spot is 2007 rookie Dwayne Jarrett. Tight end Jeff King had 46 catches last year but will be pushed by Dante Rosario or fifth-round pick Gary Barnidge.
The Panthers’ offensive line had to go through a major shuffle in the offseason after a terrible 2007 showing. Tackle Jordan Gross has moved back to the left side to protect Delhomme’s blind side. This is a great move considering Gross is by far their best lineman. Travelle Wharton moves back to his natural position at left guard. Center Ryan Kalil is undersize, but good technically. Rookie Jeff Otah immediately steps in as the starting right tackle. Right guard will be a weak spot no matter who the Panthers go with.
Defense:
The defensive line used to be the heart and sole of this defense, but it was an embarrassment in 2007 for the Panthers. Star end Julius Peppers had just 2.5 sacks. That’s about as many as he used to have in a single game at his best. Right end will be one of the most competitive positions in training camp to be on the other side of Peppers. Tyler Brayton comes over from Oakland to compete with Stanley McClover and Charles Johnson. One of these three will replace the retired Mike Rucker. Damione Lewis can play both the run and pass at tackle. Maake Kemoeatu is strictly a run-stopper. Veteran Darwin Walker was picked up in the offseason to add depth at tackle.
Linebacker is clearly the Panthers’ strongest position on defense. Middle linebacker Jon Beason played superb as a rookie. Thomas Davis still doesn’t make enough big plays on the strong side, but he’s fast and a decent blitzer. Weak-side linebacker will have competition between Na’il Diggs, new free agent pickup Landon Johnson and rookie Dan Connor, their third-round pick out of Penn State.
Charles Godfrey comes in as a rookie to try and lead the Panthers at fee safety. Godfrey played corner and safety at Iowa, so he’ll be very versatile. Strong safety Chris Harris lacks coverage skills, but he’s a dangerous hitter. Harris forced an eye-opening eight fumbles last season. Carolina has three players that can start at corner. Chris Gamble is the best athlete and will surely start on one side. Ken Lucas and Richard Marshall will likely compete for the other side.
Info Plays 2008 Carolina Panthers Predictions
It appears that Carolina is relying way too heavily on their 2008 draft class to produce right away. Usually, this is too tall of a task to ask. Questions behind Delhomme’s injury situation cannot go ignored. This is a very scary Panthers’ team if they can stay healthy. In fact, it wouldn’t surprise us one bit if the Panthers ended up winning the NFC South Division. But with too much youth, players underachieving and health issues across the board, there’s no way in hell we’d bet the Panthers to win this division. Carolina finishes 2nd in the NFC South Division behind New Orleans.