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2008 Team Report: Carolina Panthers

Quarterbacks

Starter: Jake Delhomme
Backup(s): Josh McCown, Matt Moore

Starting QB: Jake Delhomme is recovering well from Tommy John surgery last October. 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 hitting 55 of 86 passes for 617 yards, eight TDs and only one interception over three games. Delhomme was the third-best fantasy QB in points per game last season, averaging 21.5 points per game. At his best, Delhomme is a quality No. 1 QB; he's been in the top 10 twice with a seventh place finish in 2004 and a ninth place finish in 2005.

Backup QB: Matt Moore started three games for the Panthers last year making him one of four QBs to start a game for the Panthers in 2007. During his appearances, Moore notched 730 yards, three TDs and five interceptions -- not bad for an undrafted player seeing his first action at the NFL level. Unfortunately, the Panthers wanted more experience at the backup position and traded for Josh McCown late in the preseason. McCown has starting experience in Arizona and Oakland and was the favorite to start in Miami before the acquisition of Chad Pennington. McCown has great size and mobility, but lacks accuracy particularly under pressure.

Running Backs

Starter: DeAngelo Williams, Jonathan Stewart [R]
Backup(s): Nick Goings
Fullback(s): Brad Hoover

Starting RB: DeAngelo Williams waited for his turn to start in Carolina, but management had other ideas. Williams averaged 5.0 YPC last season, with 144/717/4 rushing and 23/177/1 receiving. After DeShaun Foster left, it appeared that Williams would finally slide into the starter's role. Well, he will likely begin the season as the starter, but with the addition of first-round rookie selection Jonathan Stewart, Williams will have to perform at a very high level to stick. 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 in the April draft. 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 a full workload this year. 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: Nick Goings is a career-long Panther who did a stint as the starting RB back in 2004 when the injury bug ravaged the team's 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 eight-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 Panther who is primarily a lead blocker and occasional 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 three seasons.

Wide Receivers

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

Starting WRs: Steve Smith is the clear-cut No. 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 1,000-yard season with 87/1,002/7 to his credit. Smith had only one TD and one 100-yard game after Week 6, a 9/137/1 effort during Week 16 versus 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 year's No. 16 finish, he was the No. 8 (2006) and No. 1 (2005) fantasy wide receiver in the land. Smith should be back in the top 10 at his position again this year, as soon as he returns from a team imposed 2-game suspension for punching teammate Ken Lucas. Free agent import D.J. Hackett arrives to from Seattle ready to prove himself as the No. 2 option, having signed a two-year deal with the Panthers after an injury-marred 2007 campaign (32/384/3 receiving during six games of regular season action, plus a nice 6/101/1 showing versus Washington in the playoffs). The Panthers hope that he can stay healthy and use his size and strength to provide a red zone threat while keeping defenses from overplaying Smith.

Backup WRs: Muhsin Muhammad returns to the franchise where he started his NFL career after a lackluster three-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, his fantasy production ranged widely from his No. 1 performance in 2004 (93/1,405/16) to his No. 91 ranking way back in 1997. Muhammad is entering his 13th NFL season this year and has got a lot of mileage on his tires, but he will keep defenses honest and ease the pressure on Smith and Hackett. Youngster Dwayne Jarrett, a second-round selection out of USC last year, managed 6/73/0 in six appearances during his rookie campaign. He has run into trouble with the law this year getting slapped with a DUI charge in the Charlotte area.

Tight Ends

Starters: Jeff King
Backups: Gary Barnidge [R], Dante Rosario

Jeff King did a credible job for the Panthers last season turning 79 targets into 46/406/2 receiving. Entering his third year in the league, he's established himself as the No. 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 seven chances to catch the football converting 6/108/2 for 18.0 YPR. 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. Fifth-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: Jonathan Stewart; Ryne Robinson; Nick Goings; DeAngelo Williams; Richard Marshall; Brad Hoover

First round draft pick RB Jonathan Stewart will get the first shot at the primary KR role. During his three years at Oregon he averaged 28.7 yards and scored twice. As a rookie last year, WR Ryne Robinson got off to a slow start, but ended the year averaging 23.0 yards on 26 returns. RB Nick Goings (9 returns, 19.3 avg. last year) is the sure-handed conservative option that gets the call when things aren't going well with the others. He spent the second half of last year on injured reserve. RB DeAngelo Williams looked great in preseason during his rookie year; however he hasn't been quite as impressive during the regular season (19.5 avg. in 2006 and 17.8 avg. last year). Potential backups include CB Richard Marshall (one return for no gain)and FB Brad Hoover (3 returns, 12.3 avg. in 2006).

Punt Returners: Ryne Robinson; Steve Smith; Chris Gamble; Richard Marshall

Ryne Robinson's success on punt returns during his college career included 1,677 yards (second all-time in NCAA 1-A) and seven TDs. He left room for improvement after his first year in the NFL (30 returns, 8.7 avg., 19 fair catches). WR Steve Smith led the team in punt returns three years ago (27 returns, 10.6 avg.), but struggled in limited appearances the last two years (3.3 avg. in 2006 and 3.5 avg. in 2007). CB Chris Gamble was the team's leading punt returner in 2006 (36 returns, 5.1 avg.), but had no returns last year. Richard Marshall failed to impress in 2006 (2 returns, -0.5 avg.). The Panthers once again ranked at the bottom of the fantasy return rankings (32nd in 2007, 32nd in 2006, 28th in 2005, and 32nd in 2004).

Offensive Line

Projected Starters: LT Jordan Gross, LG Travelle Wharton, C Ryan Kalil , RG Keydrick Vincent, RT Jeff Otah [R]
Key Backups: Frank Omiyale, Jeremy Bridges , Geoff Hangartner

Commentary coming soon.

Team Defense

The Panthers defense severely disappointed its fantasy owners last season. A consensus top-12 defense heading in, Carolina finished in the middle half of the league in points and total yards while adding only mediocre big-play numbers. A formerly impressive pass rush led by Julius Peppers put up the second fewest sacks in the league, while a solid trio of cornerbacks managed only 14 interceptions. The Panthers will need better production from many of their veteran players to improve their fantasy standing in 2008, but the talent is there to regain their status as a quality starting unit. Peppers moves to the weak side defensive end position this year, which could free him up to get back to his formerly disruptive pass-rushing. LB Jon Beason showed his big-play potential last season and should anchor the linebacker corps again this year. CB Richard Marshall has the ball skills to challenge for the league-lead in interceptions and a take-it-to-the-house attitude with the ball. If you prefer to slough defenses until late in your draft, you could do worse than grabbing Carolina if their 2007 performance causes them to slip to the later rounds.

Defensive Line

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

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. 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: 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.

Linebackers

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

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.

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 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. Nate Salley was the default starter last season before being lost to injury. He was the presumed starter earlier this offseason, but the acquisition of Godfrey has threatened his role. Teal and Wilson could also push for playing time as swing players and special teams performers.

Last modified: 2008-08-30 20:55:33