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2009 Team Report: Carolina Panthers

Quarterbacks

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

Starting QB: Jake Delhomme signed a $42.5 million deal with Carolina ($20 million guaranteed) during the offseason -- he's firmly in the driver's seat in Carolina. He came back from a 2007 Tommy John elbow surgery to toss 246/414 for 3,288 yards, 15 TDs and 12 interceptions last season. His numbers landed him at No. 19 among all fantasy QBs, in the middle of fantasy QB2 range. He threw for more than 250 yards in four of his 17 games last year (he was within six yards of the 300 mark on two of those occasions). Delhomme should easily post similar numbers during 2009, although he is no longer a top fantasy QB due to scheme. The Panthers love to grind out the game with their running backs, limiting Delhomme's ceiling as a passer -- he's had less than 450 passing attempts in each of his last four seasons.

Backup QB: Josh McCown last saw extensive action two years ago during a dreary stint in Oakland (2007) but had minimal stats in two appearances for Carolina last year. Matt Moore played in 10 games for Carolina two years ago but only managed 63/111 for 730 yards, three TDs and five interceptions. McCown and Moore will battle for the No. 2 QB position, but neither is a threat to Delhomme's position.

Running Backs

Starter: DeAngelo Williams
Backup(s): Jonathan Stewart, Mike Goodson [R]
Fullback(s): Brad Hoover, Tony Fiammetta [R]

Starting RB: DeAngelo Williams posted career-best numbers last season. He went over 100 yards rushing and receiving in eight of 17 games last season and cranked out a series of multiple-TD games in the second half of the year, lifting many fantasy owners to the playoffs and championships in their leagues. He was the No. 1 fantasy running back in the land last year, vastly outperforming his average draft position. Williams is firmly entrenched as the starter in Carolina, though he shares duties with Jonathan Stewart (who also scored double-digit TDs during 2008, with 184/836/10 rushing and 8/47/0 receiving). The Carolina offense is very run-oriented, with 504 rushing attempts last season vs. 414 passing attempts. With over 500 carries available, it is likely that Williams and Stewart could both be viable fantasy players during 2009. Williams is only 26 this year, which means he has many productive seasons ahead of him in the NFL. He had three games over 100 yards rushing in the last five contests - he still had plenty of gas in his tank then, which bodes well for his 2009 prospects.

Backup RBs: Jonathan Stewart is a great complement to feature-runner DeAngelo Williams -- Stewart cranked out 184/836/10 rushing and 8/47/0 receiving last year as a part-time runner. He was still the 24th best fantasy RB in the land playing second fiddle in Carolina. Given the run-first focus of the Panthers' offense, it seems likely that Stewart will be able to post similar numbers during 2009 as the Panthers rushed the ball 504 times last year. That's more than enough work to keep two running backs happy. Mike Goodson was added in the fourth round. He is a versatile back with good size and speed and nice hands, but he won't see much action barring injury to Williams or Stewart.

Fullback: Brad Hoover has played with the Panthers since 2000, at times carrying the ball 60+ times, but over the past four years he's carried the ball a maximum of 22 times in a season (with a maximum of 20 receptions). At this point in his career, he is more of a lead blocker than a change of pace back. Fiammetta was considered by most to be the top fullback in the 2009 Draft. He is an excellent blocker and is a very good receiver.

Wide Receivers

Starters: Steve Smith, Muhsin Muhammad
Backups: Dwayne Jarrett, Kenneth Moore, Ryne Robinson

Starting WRs: Steve Smith is a fantasy favorite, with an astonishing 18.2 yards-per-reception average last season. He went over 100 yards receiving during eight games last year, and just missed in two other weeks (96 yards and a TD in Week 5 and 96 yards receiving Week 6). He also carries the ball on occasion, with 5/40/0 rushing last year and 42/273/2 rushing during his career. Smith is a driven competitor who pushes all the players around him to excel, but unfortunately he hasn't been a model teammate (as ex-teammate Ken Lucas can attest). If he can keep his nose clean this year and play a full 16-game schedule, he might get back to the 100+ receptions we saw from him a few years back. He is an elite NFL receiver with a high motor and a huge desire to excel, all qualities that fantasy (and NFL) owners appreciate. Muhsin Muhammad proved critics wrong last year and re-joined the ranks of fantasy-worthy starters as he finished at No. 26 among all fantasy wide receivers. He caught at least one ball in every game last year and was usually in the 40- to 70-yard receiving range. This year, he will again be the complement to Steve Smith -- Muhammad isn't likely to repeat his dynamic 2004 campaign, but he'll be a solid No. 3 fantasy wide out if nothing goes wrong for him health wise. He's a guy who keeps himself in top condition and seems able to defy father time. Also, he took relatively few hits in his years while playing for the Bears, which seems to have added time to his career. The backups and tight ends in Carolina are nothing special, so Smith and Muhammad figure to command a majority of the balls that Delhomme throws.

Backup WRs: Dwayne Jarrett has been essentially an untouchable in fantasy terms. He has scored 0 TDs over two NFL seasons and has accumulated just 192 yards receiving during that time. He will need an injury to Smith or Muhammad to sniff the starting lineup. Further, unless he improves this year, Jarrett could be pushed for his No. 3 spot by a pair of unproven reserves in Kenneth Moore or Ryne Robinson.

Tight Ends

Starters: Dante Rosario
Backups: Jeff King

Last season, Dante Rosario increased his number of receptions three-fold over his 2007 numbers and still ended up with only 18/209/1 receiving. He is simply not a viable fantasy football TE. He may top the depth chart in Carolina, but Dante Rosario is a marginal fantasy TE (at best). Jeff King regressed last season (after posting 46/406/2 in 2007). He may have lost the starter's role to Dante Rosario. He'll need to earn the top job back in Carolina. Based on his 2007 campaign, we know King can play well as a receiver, but he needs to develop more rapport with Jake Delhomme -- those 46 receptions came from other QBs.

Place Kicker

John Kasay, Rhys Lloyd : After a 2005 season in which John Kasay's field goal percentage dipped to 76.5 percent, he rebounded in 2006 with 88.9 percent and followed up in 2007 hitting 85.7 percent. Last year he posted a career high of 90.3 percent (28 of 31). Despite the improved accuracy, his scoring has been up and down, varying with the offense's success or lack thereof. The Panthers' annual kicker scoring going back the years has been 130, 99, 100, 121, 99, 125, 74, 91, and 122 points. Kasay used to have a tendency to miss one extra point in most years; however he has made them all the last three years. After a stretch of injury plagued years, Kasay has played in all 16 games the last four years. Carolina added Rhys Lloyd as a kickoff specialist last year, and that allowed Kasy to concentrate on scoring.

Kick and Punt Returners

Kick Returners: Kenneth Moore, Captain Munnerlyn, Mike Goodson, Jonathan Stewart, Jason Chery, Larry Beavers, Brad Hoover

Shortly after last year's draft, RB Jonathan Stewart was expected to get the first shot at the primary KR role. During his three years at Oregon he averaged 28.7 yards and scored twice. The Panthers backed off on that and used him only to spell (15 returns, 23.3 avg. last year) the return specialist. The team signed WR Mark Jones lst year, who would end up as the 7th ranked fantasy returner in 2008. Nonetheless, they did not re-sign him for 2009. That set the stage for a wide open return specialist competition with a lengthy list of candidates, as detailed in the punt returner section below. FB Brad Hoover typically fields a kickoff or two each year (one 12 yarder last year).

Punt Returners: Kenneth Moore, Captain Munnerlyn, Mike Goodson, Jason Chery, Larry Beavers, Sherrod Martin, Steve Smith

WR Kenneth Moore, a fifth round draft pick by Detroit last year, failed to seize their return specialist role and the Panthers eventually snatched him off the Lions' practice squad. During his senior year at Wake Forest he averaged only 17.2 yards on kickoff returns, but fared better on punt returns, averaging 10.4 yards and scoring once. Seventh round draft pick CB Captain Mummerlyn handled kickoff and punt returns at South Carolina, but didn't post flashy numbers like some of his competitors. Fourth round draft pick RB Mike Goodson had only one return (10 yards on a punt last year) during his entire career at Texas A&M, but he will be given a shot at the role by the Panthers. Undrafted rookie WR Jason Chery averaged 21.7 yards on kickoff returns and scored once at Louisiana-Lafayette last year. Undrafted rookie WR Larry Beavers may be the underdog, having gone to Division III Wesley College, but don't be surprised if he pulls off the upset. He holds the NCAA record with 13 career returns (10 on kickoffs, three on punts). Last year he averaged 39.5 yards on kickoff returns and 29.2 yards on punt returns. The Panthers will also take a look at second round draft pick CB Sherrod Martin out of Troy on punt returns. WR Steve Smith is not competing for the specialist role, and has not led the team in punt returns since 2005. He has handled limited punt returns the last several years, including on e for ten yards last year. After ranking at the bottom of the fantasy return rankings for four straight years (32nd, 32nd, 28th, and 32nd), the Panthers were 15th last year.

Offensive Line

Projected Starters: LT Jordan Gross, LG Travelle Wharton, C Ryan Kalil, RG Keydrick Vincent, RT Jeff Otah
Key Backups: G Jeremy Bridges, T Jonathon Palmer, G Mackenzy Bernadeau, T/G Duke Robinson [R], G Justin Geisinger

The Panthers offensive line had a wonderful 2008 season and returns intact for 2009. Jordan Gross is an elite left tackle. Travelle Wharton has thrived after his move inside to guard, and Jeff Otah had a great first season with the Panthers. Ryan Kalil has taken charge of the offensive line from his center position, and Keydrick Vincent played as well as he has in years. There is no reason to expect this unit's play to decline in 2009.

Team Defense

The Panthers ranked in the middle of every important statistical category last season. Not surprisingly, they weren't an inspiring fantasy option either. The pivotal question here will be whether DE Julius Peppers signs his franchise tender and stays or succeeds in forcing a trade. The team's pass rush would suffer without him and the ripple effect would be felt throughout the defense. With the second round selection of Everett Brown the Panthers have done what they could to prepare for that possibility. On paper this unit appears capable of holding opponents yardage and scoring in check while generating plenty of big plays. MLB Jon Beason and WLB Thomas Davis both flourished in their respective roles last season. Richard Marshall and Chris Gamble are ball hawking corners with a nose for the end zone and safeties Chris Harris (eight forced fumbles in 2007) and Charles Godfrey, are capable of generating big plays. Though this team has disappointed in the year end rankings for two consecutive seasons, they should still be considered as a late DST2 pick in all league formats. If they go undrafted, don't hesitate to pick them up should they get off to a hot start.

Defensive Line

Starters: RDE Julius Peppers, DT Damione Lewis, DT Ma'ake Kemoeatu, LDE Tyler Brayton
Backups: DE Charles Johnson, DE Everette Brown [R], DT Nick Hayden, DT Corvey Irvin [R]

Starting DL: Though yet to sign a contract after the Panthers franchised him, all signs currently point to Julius Peppers entering the OTA and camp season as the starting right defensive end. Peppers flourished on the weak side last year, finishing the season with a career high 14.5 sacks. He has disappeared at times, however, and could have another fine year playing with a chip on his shoulder or struggle after an offseason full of contract distractions -- regardless of where he plays this year. On the other side, veteran Tyler Brayton had a solid season, peaking in the second half with three sacks in the final four regular season games. He'll rotate with up-and-coming all-around end Charles Johnson. At tackle, Ma'ake Kemoeatu will play the nose and work to occupy blockers and keep the linebackers clean. Damione Lewis is recovering as expected from offseason shoulder surgery and should again ably fill the penetrating tackle role. Lewis is also a capable pass rusher, tallying 11.5 sacks in his three years in Carolina.

Backup DL: Charles Johnson is ready to assume an every-down role, but, unless the Panthers move Julius Peppers, will remain a rotational player behind Tyler Brayton. The team also traded a 2010 first round pick to move up in the second round and grab Everette Brown, who projects as a situational rusher for now and a strong hedge if the team elects to move on without Peppers. Nick Hayden will likely see more time in rotation this season, with mid round pick Corvey Irvin working in a developmental role.

Linebackers

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

Starting LBs: Jon Beason built on a very impressive rookie season and is the unquestioned anchor of the Panther defense at middle linebacker. Beason had a second consecutive year with more than 100 solo tackles and added three interceptions. He and weak side linebacker Thomas Davis have grown into one of the better linebacker tandems in the league. Davis may have had the more impressive season, thriving in his new role on the weak side with over 110 total tackles and 3.5 sacks. Na'il Diggs will again man the strong side in the base defense.

Backup LBs: Landon Johnson was tentatively penciled in at an OLB spot after signing last offseason, but rarely saw playing time outside of special teams. He'll provide depth at all three positions. James Anderson has been unable to crack the lineup either and will also be a valuable special teams contributor. Dan Connor was lost for the season in Week 3 with an ACL injury. Any chance he had of forcing a shuffle in the Panther linebacker corps is probably long gone now, but the team could groom him to take over an OLB position in time.

Defensive Backs

Starters: CB Chris Gamble, SS Chris Harris, FS Charles Godfrey, CB Richard Marshall
Backups: CB Dante Wesley, CB C.J. Wilson, CB Sherrod Martin [R], S Nate Salley, S Quinton Teal

Starting DBs: Chris Gamble parlayed his solid season into a long term contract last November and the team will be expecting the consistent all-around play of 2008 rather than the inconsistencies Gamble had fought earlier in his career. Richard Marshall will finally move into the starting lineup with Ken Lucas expected to sign elsewhere. Marshall is a dynamic, all-around talent with a knack for making big plays all over the field. If he can avoid the coverage lapses that plagued him at times as a nickel corner, he could become one of the league's elite corners. Chris Harris wasn't as active in the box scores last season as he was in 2007, but he remains a solid run supporting strong safety and is capable in coverage. Charles Godfrey successfully made the transition from college cornerback to pro safety and could increase his big play production with another offseason in the system.

Backup DBs: Dante Wesley has the early edge on the nickel corner job after Richard Marshall's promotion to the starting unit. C.J. Wilson will see time in dime packages, while draftee Sherrod Martin works on special teams and develops. Nate Salley and Quinton Teal will provide depth and special teams help, but are unlikely to see any time in the base defense without an injury.

Last modified: 2009-08-31 14:06:30