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2008 Team Report: Carolina Panthers

Quarterbacks

Starter: Jake Delhomme
Backup(s): Matt Moore

Starting QB: Jake Delhomme is recovering from "Tommy John" surgery on his throwing-arm elbow (the surgery was performed in mid-October '07), and commented in February of this year "It feels great. Honestly, I feel absolutely great. I have no pain whatsoever." Coach John Fox indicated in early April "I feel as good about our quarterback situation as I ever have in my tenure." - all indications are that Delhomme is on track to be back at the helm for the Panthers when the regular season begins in September. That's good news for Carolina, as the Panthers' backup QBs are not exactly household names at this point. Prior to his injury last season, Delhomme was on a tear with 55/86 for 617 yards, 8 TDs and only 1 interception passing over 3 games of action. Delhomme was the 3rd-best fantasy QB in points per game last season, averaging 21.53 points per game. At his best, Delhomme is a quality #1 fantasy QB (he's been in the top-10 among fantasy QBs twice, with a 7th place finish in 2004 and a 9th place finish in 2005).

Backup QB: Matt Moore started 3 games for the Panthers last year (he was one of 4 QBs to start a game for the Panthers in '07). During his appearances, Moore notched 63/111 for 730 yards, 3 TDs and 5 interceptions - not bad for an undrafted player seeing his first regular-season action at the NFL level. Moore is far from tried-and-true at this point - but at least he's not green as the spring grass anymore.

Running Backs

Starter: Jonathan Stewart
Backup(s): DeAngelo Williams, LaBrandon Toefield, Nick Goings
Fullback(s): Brad Hoover

Starting RB: Jonathan Stewart was considered by many draft pundits to be the most "complete" back in the 2008 draft pool, and the Panthers have essentially handed him the starting job by selecting him 13th overall on Saturday, April 26th. Stewart is the type of bruising, north-south runner that the team deployed in years past - he fits the profile of a tough "power back" that coach Fox loves to feature in his offense. The Panthers' team physician repaired Stewart's turf toe injury, and the team was comfortable enough with his progress that they believe he'll be ready for the start of training camp. Last year, Stewart established new Oregon records for rushing yards (1,722) and all-purpose yards (2,481) during a season. Stewart has played through nagging injuries during his college career, gaining a reputation for fighting through pain to play week in and week out.

Backup RBs: DeAngelo Williams waited for his turn to start in Carolina, but the coaching staff/front office had other ideas. Williams averaged 5.0 yards per carry last season, with 144/717/4 rushing and 23/177/1 receiving, and is probably headed for similar totals as the change-of-pace back/junior partner in a RBBC again during 2008. He did play a full slate of 16 games last year. LaBrandon Toefield comes over to the Panthers after several seasons buried on the depth chart in Jacksonville. He's entering his 6th NFL season, which means he's a seasoned veteran at this point, and there aren't too many miles on his tires (he touched the ball on offense 24 times during the last 2 regular seasons, and was inactive most of the time during 2007). During his career, Toefield has racked up 163/572/7 rushing (a 3.5 yards per carry average) and 46/277/2 receiving. Nick Goings is a career-long Panther who did a stint as the starting RB back in 2004 when the injury bug ravaged the Panthers' RB stable. Goings posted a respectable 217/821/6 rushing and 45/394/1 receiving while the starter, and has amassed 391/1460/6 rushing and 107/879/3 receiving during his 8-year career in the league. He is an excellent insurance policy for Carolina to keep on the roster.

Fullback: Brad Hoover is another career-long (9 years) Panther who is primarily a lead-blocker and occassional pass catcher at this stage of the game. Last year, Hoover posted 12/39/0 rushing and 10/58/0 receiving while playing a full slate of 16 games for the Panthers. He's missed one game out of the last 3 seasons.

Wide Receivers

Starters: Steve Smith
Backups: Muhsin Muhammad, D.J. Hackett, Dwayne Jarrett

Starting WRs: Entering the summer months, Steve Smith is the clear-cut #1 wide receiver on the Panthers. He suffered from the chaos at the QB position after Jake Delhomme went down to an elbow injury last year (but still posted a 1000+ yard receiving season, with 87/1002/7 to his credit). Smith had only 1 TD and 1 100+ yards receiving game after week 6 during 2007, a 9/137/1 effort during week 16 vs. Dallas. The ongoing positive news about Delhomme's recovery from Tommy John surgery is good news for Smith and his 2008 prospects. When the Panthers' offense is firing on all cylinders, Smith is a fantasy force to be reckoned with - prior to last years' #16 finish, he was the #8 (2006) and #1 (2005) fantasy wide receiver in the land. Smith should be back in the top 10 at his position again this year.

Backup WRs: Muhsin Muhammad returns to the franchise where he started his NFL career, after a lack-luster 3-year sojourn in Chicago. Muhammad's best season in Chicago came during 2006, when he managed 60/863/5 receiving out of 117 opportunities. While with the Panthers, he ranged widely in fantasy production, from his #1 performance in 2004 (93/1405/16) to #91 in the league (27/317/0, way back in 1997). Muhammad is entering his 13th NFL season this year - he's got a lot of mileage on his tires. Free agent import D.J. Hackett arrives to compete with Muhammad for the #2 job in Carolina, having signed a 2-year deal with the Panthers after an injury-marred 2007 campaign (32/384/3 receiving during 6 games of regular season action, plus a nice 6/101/1 showing vs. Washington in the playoffs). The Panthers hope that he can stay healthy and claim the #2 WR role across from Smith. Youngster Dwayne Jarrett (a 2nd round selection out of USC last year) managed 6/73/0 in 6 appearances during his rookie campaign. He has run into trouble with the law this year, getting slapped with a DWI charge in the Charlotte area. He has pled not guilty to the charges as of mid-April - there has been no word about league or club sanctions as of yet while the case winds its way through the legal system.

Tight Ends

Starters: Jeff King
Backups: Dante Rosario, Gary Barnidge

Jeff King did a credible job for the Panthers last season, turning 79 targets into 46/406/2 receiving - entering his 3rd year in the league he's established himself as the #1 TE with Carolina. If there is more stability at the QB position this season, his numbers could go up now that he's been around the block a few times. Rookie Dante Rosario did well in his 7 chances to catch the football, converting 6/108/2 (an 18.0 yards per reception average). Rosario figures to be a complement to King this year, and could see more balls coming his way if he keeps up the strong performances. 5th-round pick Gary Barnidge will have a chance to learn the intricacies of the pro game this year - he was a noted pass catcher while in college, but needs to bulk up and become more proficient as a blocker (especially true given the run-oriented Carolina scheme).

Place Kicker

John Kasay, Rhys Lloyd : After a 2005 season in which Kasay's field goal percentage dipped to 76.5% due to a high number of long misses, he rebounded in 2006 with a career high 88.9% and followed up in 2007 hitting 85.7% (24 of 28). Despite the improved accuracy, his scoring has been down the last two years (99 and 100), as the Panthers ranked only 27th in attempted kicking points each year. The Panthers' kicker scoring in preceding years was 121, 99, 125, and 74 points. Kasay has a tendency to miss one extra point in most years, although he made them all the last two years. After a stretch of injury plagued years, he has played in all 16 games the last three years. Rhys Lloyd could possibly be retained as a kickoff specialist.

Kick and Punt Returners

Kick Returners:

Punt Returners:

Offensive Line

Projected Starters:
Key Backups:

Team Defense

Defensive Line

Starters: LDE Tyler Brayton, LDT Maake Kemoeatu, RDT Damione Lewis, RDE Julius Peppers
Backups: DE Stanley McClover, DE Charles Johnson, DT Darwin Walker, DT Ian Scott, DT Nick Hayden

Starting DL: Peppers comes off his worst season as a pro, totaling only three sacks in 14 games before an MCL injury ended his year. Peppers still has the potential to be a disruptive force and the Panthers are counting on his returning to form. By moving him from the strong side to the weak side defensive end position, the team hopes that he'll face fewer double teams and chip blocks. In somewhat of a surprise, free agent signee Tyler Brayton began the team's post draft full squad minicamp at the strong side end. He'll replace the recently retired Mike Rucker. Brayton will have competition from Charles Johnson and Stanley McClover. Kemoeatu returns at one defensive tackle position and will be again asked to clog up the middle with his massive frame. Lewis moves into the starting slot vacated by Kris Jenkins, whom the Panthers dealt to the Jets earlier in the offseason. He is an end-tackle tweener, capable of being a penetrating run defender and bringing pass rush in nickel situations.

Backup DL: McClover was drafted as a seventh round project in 2006 in the hopes that he would grow into a consistent edge rushing threat alongside Peppers. McClover looked like he was on target to fulfill that promise during the 2007 preseason, but struggled during the regular season and had only one sack. Johnson got a long look as an every down player at season's end while Peppers sat with a knee injury. With Tyler Brayton atop the depth chart for now, it appears that the team feels he isn't yet ready. Scott and Walker were signed to add to the interior line depth after the team didn't address the tackle position early in the draft. The team's lone defensive line draftee, Nick Hayden, came in the sixth round and will compete to provide depth.

Linebackers

Starters: SLB Thomas Davis, MLB Jon Beason, WLB Landon Johnson
Backups: LB Dan Connor, LB Na'il Diggs, LB James Anderson, LB Adam Seward, LB Tim Shaw

Starting LBs: Beason, last year's first round draft pick, moved into the MLB role after Dan Morgan was lost yet again to injury and quickly established himself as a defensive leader. He proved to be an all-around talent and should again anchor the defense in 2008. Davis finally played to his potential on the strong side, playing well in coverage and providing a boost in pass rush. Johnson, a former Bengal signed in free agency, is expected to take over at WLB for Na'il Diggs. Slightly undersized, Johnson is an underrated all-around backer that should contribute in all phases of the game.

Backup LBs: Connor fell to the Panthers in the mid-third round. He'll start out as the backup MLB, but could play well enough to shake up the linebacker unit by opening weekend by moving Beason outside. Diggs moves into a reserve role with the signing of Landon Johnson. He'll provide valuable depth at both OLB spots. Anderson and Seward have yet to make a consistent impact in their time as Panthers and both are in danger of losing roster spots if they don't show signs of improved play. Shaw saw time in 14 games last season as a rookie, with the bulk of his snaps coming on special teams.

Defensive Backs

Starters: LCB Chris Gamble, SS Chris Harris, FS Charles Godfrey, RCB Ken Lucas
Backups: CB Richard Marshall, CB Dante Wesley, S Nate Salley, S Terrence Holt, S Quinton Teal, DB C.J. Wilson

Starting DBs: The Panthers have three corners capable of starting for most NFL teams. Richard Marshall may be the best all-around talent of the three but has been relegated to nickel duty for the majority of his first two seasons in the league. Lucas is probably assured of a starting spot. His play in Carolina has been inconsistent, mostly due to nagging injury, but Lucas is a solid veteran cover corner. Gamble was playing with the first team during Carolina's post draft full squad minicamp. He hasn't become the all-around corner the team had hoped, and may have trouble holding Marshall off all season long. Harris was a late free agent signing in 2007, but proved his worth as a physical presence in the middle of the secondary. He'll again provide solid stong safety play. Godfrey, the team's third round draft pick, played corner in college but was immediately inserted into the starting FS role in mini-camp.

Backup DBs: Marshall was listed as the third corner on the team's post-draft mini-camp, which puts him back in the nickel role in 2008. Wesley returns as the fourth corner. Godfrey, the team's third round pick this year, played both corner and safety in college and projects to free safety here. The team signed Holt, an average player who has bounced around the league in recent years, to compete for time at free safety. Holt showed some ball skills while with the Lions, but struggled to have an impact in Arizona last year. Nate Salley was the default starter last season before being lost to injury. He was the presumed starter earlier this offseason, but the acquisitions of Holt and Godfrey have threatened his roster spot. Teal and Wilson could also push for playing time as swing players and special teams performers.

Last modified: 2008-05-11 08:33:34