PANTHERS FANTASY NEWS

February 10, 2006 12:00 PM ET

For the second time in three seasons, Panthers head coach John Fox led his team to the NFC Championship game. Although they failed to advance to the Super Bowl this time around, the Panthers have established themselves as one of the NFC's most dominant teams.

Although Fox was known for a run-first mentality early in his career, he has shed that reputation by having two different players lead the league in receiving in each of the last two seasons. In 2004, it was Muhsin Muhammad who led the league with 1,405 yards. After Moose took the money and ran to the Windy City, Steve Smith stepped up to lead all receivers in 2005 with 1,563 yards.

Perhaps one of the reasons that Fox has changed his tune is that he can't seem to keep his running backs healthy. The Panthers appeared to be as deep as any club in the league at that running back prior to the season, but injuries to Stephen Davis and DeShaun Foster forced Fox to resort to using backup fullback Nick Goings as the starting tailback during the NFC Championship game. Unfortunately for general manager Marty Hurney, this is only one area of need the Panthers will be forced to address during the offseason.

Needs
Davis' career in Carolina appears to be over. No, really, we mean it this time. Last year, most football scribes assumed that Davis wouldn't be able to recover from the delicate microfracture surgery procedure that ended his 2004 campaign. He returned to score a dozen touchdowns before team officials placed him on injured reserve. Davis maintains that he was healthy enough to continue playing, but his 3.1 yards per carry average convinced the coaching staff that he wasn't the same back he was in 2003 when he carried the team to a Super Bowl appearance.

With Davis unlikely to return, the Panthers will make every effort to re-sign Foster, whose play late in the season convinced some team officials that he could take 20 carries per game. However, Carolina won't have a lot of cap space, so we don't expect them to get into a bidding war for a tailback who has suffered three major injuries over the last four seasons, including the broken fibula that sidelined him for the NFC Championship game.

Fox doesn't consider Nick Goings an every down rusher, nor is he crazy about 2004 second-round pick Eric Shelton. Although there are some media members in the Carolinas who believe Shelton could play a big role next season, there is also a chance he could be cut in training camp. After all, there were rumblings that the Panthers were going to do just that last summer, but the rookie broke his foot, earning himself a spot on injured reserve.

Believe it or not, the Panthers need help at wide receiver. Smith needs a legitimate wingman to attract some defensive attention. For that matter, they could also be in the hunt for a No. 3 receiver if the ancient Ricky Proehl opts for retirement, as he indicated he would do in 2004 before being talked into playing another season. Proehl is hinting at returning for another season, but nothing is official.

Fox still thinks highly of Colbert even though he struggled mightily during his sophomore season, so there's always a chance the Panthers will keep him in the No. 2 role and look for a pass-catching tight end instead. Hurney thought he had just the man for the job when he signed Freddie Jones last year, but the veteran unexpectedly retired during training camp. Interestingly enough, the Panthers had their eyes on Steelers tight end Heath Miller before he suffered a pre-draft injury that lowered his stock.

The Panthers would like to beef up their offensive line. They made an effort to begin the process last year when they signed free agent guard Mike Wahle. With him and tackle Jordan Gross, the Panthers have two top offensive linemen. Re-signing Jeff Mitchell or replacing him with a player of equal ability will be crucial to Jake Delhomme's protection and to the success of the running game.

Speaking of Delhomme, don't be surprised if the Panthers are forced to add a new backup. Team officials have made it clear that the would like to re-sign No. 2 signal caller Chris Weinke, but he intends to use the free agency period to search for a better opportunity to earn playing time or to go back home and play for the Vikings. Stefan LeFors should return as the No. 3 quarterback during his second season as a pro.

Defensively, the Panthers must start planning ahead at the tackle positions. Kris Jenkins has missed 27 games over the last two seasons. He'll start as long as he stays healthy, but there's no telling how long that will be. Meanwhile, fellow starter Brentson Buckner will be 35 this year. And without proven backups behind Jenkins and Buckner, we expect the Panthers to make this a priority position during the offseason.

It remains to be seen whether the Panthers will have enough cap space to re-sign unrestricted free agent linebacker Will Witherspoon. If Witherspoon bolts, Fox will consider moving safety Thomas Davis into the starting weakside role. Thus, Witherspoon's departure might create more of a need at safety than at linebacker.

Salary Cap Situation: The Panthers are roughly $6 million over the projected $92 million salary cap, according to the Charlotte Observer. Davis has a $3.8 million cap figure. Thus, we expect him to be released before March, when he is scheduled to receive a $1 million bonus. Meanwhile, Hurney is also scheduled to meet with the agent who represents defensive end Julius Peppers, who is scheduled to count nearly $15 million against the salary cap in 2006. All indications are that Peppers will be flexible, which will more cap space.

Unrestricted Free Agents
RB DeShaun Foster, QB Chris Weinke, WR Ricky Proehl, C Jeff Mitchell, G Tutan Reyes, T Todd Fordham, T Matt Hill, LB Will Witherspoon, S Colin Branch, CB Dante Wesley

Restricted Free Agents
TE Mike Seidman, S Colin Branch, DT Kindal Moorehead, CB Ricky Manning, LB Vinny Ciurciu

The Draft
The Panthers hold the No. 27 overall pick in the draft. Given the age and durability concerns with Buckner and Jenkins, it wouldn't surprise us to see the team make defensive tackle a top priority. If they chose to go this route, the top candidates would be Haloti Ngata (Oregon), Brodrick Bunkley (Florida State), and Gabe Watson (Michigan). Barring a trade up in the draft, Bunkley and Watson are more realistic picks.

If the Panthers fail to re-sign Foster and don't land a solid back via free agency, they could use the draft to fill the need. Barring a trade, Reggie Bush (USC), LenDale White (USC), and DeAngelo Williams (Memphis) will most likely be off the board before Carolina picks. However, there is a chance that Lawrence Maroney (Minnesota) could still be available when it's their turn in round one.

Injury Watch
Foster's broken fibula should heal before training camp opens. In the long run, DeShaun's latest injury could be the best thing that could have happened to the Panthers. His free agent stock was soaring before he suffered the divisional playoff game against the Bears, but the durability questions are resurfacing now that he's suffered three major injuries in just four seasons.

Davis wasn't actually injured when the team placed him on the injured reserve list. Team officials were simply frustrated with his lack of production, and blamed his surgically repaired right knee. He'll be available for the offseason workouts if the Panthers want him, but he shouldn't hold his breath while waiting for their phone call.

Jenkins tore the ACL in his right knee way back in week one. Thus, he should be ready to take part in the offseason workout program. Although his injuries have frustrated team officials, they value him as a run-stopper, so the starting job is his as long as he gets back to full strength.

More NFL Offseason News - More Teams...

Panthers 2006 Schedule...

More Bodog Football Articles...