Carolina Panthers

NFL Previews - Carolina Panthers

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Carolina Panthers 2007 Preview

(My Sportsbook) - If you're either a numerologist, a Dan Henning detractor, or both, you have to like the Carolina Panthers' chances heading into 2007.

Those who enjoy numerical patterns will note that during the John Fox era, the Panthers' big years were 2003 and 2005. In the former, Carolina came out of nowhere to make its first (and to date only) Super Bowl appearance, and in the latter, the Panthers reached the NFC Championship before falling to Seattle.

In the even-number years Carolina has struggled, including an 8-8 record compiled in 2006 when the Panthers were expected by many to make a Super Bowl return. Much of the downfall of the '06 team was attributed to an offense that never really seemed to click, which brings us to the Henning part of the equation.

After five years as offensive coordinator, Henning was axed in the offseason to make way for former Browns assistant Jeff Davidson. Davidson took over the Cleveland offense in mid-season 2006, after the Browns parted ways with Maurice Carthon, and received high marks for his innovation. Prior to his two years in Cleveland, Davidson served at the feet of one Bill Belichick in New England, and Carolina fans are hoping that some of the cerebral guru's principles have rubbed off on his former charge.

The new OC has already shaken things up in the running game, inserting a zone- blocking scheme that is seen by many as a better fit for the team's backs and offensive linemen.

For certain, Fox, Davidson and the entire staff will be under major scrutiny just one season removed from the most disappointing campaign of the head coach's five-year tenure.

If the Panthers fail to jell as they customarily have in those odd-numbered years, it could be Fox's days in Carolina that are numbered.

Below we take a capsule look at the 2007 edition of the Carolina Panthers, with a personnel evaluation and prognosis included therein:

2006 RECORD: 8-8 (2nd, NFC South)

LAST PLAYOFF APPEARANCE: 2005, lost to Seattle, 34-14, in NFC Championship

COACH (RECORD): John Fox (44-36 in five seasons with Panthers, 44-36 overall)

OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Jeff Davidson

DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Mike Trgovac

OFFENSIVE STAR: Steve Smith, WR (83 receptions, 1166 yards, 8 TD)

DEFENSIVE STAR: Julius Peppers, DE (57 tackles, 13 sacks)

OFFENSIVE TEAM RANKS: 24th rushing, 15th passing, 27th scoring

DEFENSIVE TEAM RANKS: 11th rushing, 4th passing, t8th scoring

FIVE KEY GAMES: at St. Louis (9/9), at Atlanta (9/23), New Orleans (11/25), San Francisco (12/2), Dallas (12/22)

KEY ADDITIONS: QB David Carr (from Texans), WR Dwayne Jarrett (2nd Round, USC), C Ryan Kalil (2nd Round, USC), DE Charles Johnson (3rd Round, Georgia), DE Dave Ball (from Jets), DT Steve Williams (from Chiefs), LB Jon Beason (1st Round, Miami-Florida), CB Curtis Deloatch (from Saints), S Deke Cooper (from 49ers), S Chris Harris (from Bears)

KEY DEPARTURES: QB Chris Weinke (released), WR Keyshawn Johnson (released/retired), WR Karl Hankton (released), TE Kris Mangum (retired), TE Mike Seidman (to Colts), DE Al Wallace (to Bills), DT Jordan Carstens (released), OLB Chris Draft (to Rams), LB Vinny Ciurciu (to Vikings), LB Terrence Melton (out for season/injured), CB Reggie Howard (not tendered), S Mike Minter (retired), S Shaun Williams (not tendered), S Colin Branch (to Raiders)

QB: Jake Delhomme (2805 passing yards, 17 TD, 11 INT) had a year to forget in 2006, missing three games due to injury, looking unsure of himself at times when he was healthy, and generally giving Carolina and its fans reason to question his credibility as a starter. The Panthers publicly stuck by Delhomme following a disappointing season, at the same time getting themselves a more suitable backup in former No. 1 overall pick David Carr (2767 passing yards, 11 TD, 12 INT). The 28-year-old Carr actually has more starting experience in the NFL than the 32-year-old Delhomme (75 starts to 69), and his passer rating in 2006 was similar to that of the incumbent (82.1 to 82.6). If Delhomme struggles out of the gate in 2007, look for there to be a significant call for Carr to play. Third-stringer Brett Basanez (56 passing yards, 1 INT) got into one game last season when Delhomme was hurt, and has probably shown enough to win a job holding the clipboard again.

RB: A running game that was supposed to be a team strength in 2006 instead sputtered, with DeShaun Foster (897 rushing yards, 3 TD, 32 receptions) and DeAngelo Williams (501 rushing yards, 33 receptions, 2 TD) both struggling to produce in Henning's offense. The duo combined for an underwhelming 1,398 rushing yards and four touchdowns on the year, and their struggles were part of the reason Henning was replaced with Davidson in the offseason. The schematic switch to a zone-blocking scheme should assist the backs in getting untracked this season. With third-down specialist Nick Goings (52 rushing yards, 10 receptions, 1 TD) and fullback Brad Hoover (73 rushing yards, 1 TD, 20 receptions) both virtual locks to make the roster, the Panthers must decide whether they are going to keep four or five running backs. Former second-round pick Eric Shelton is hoping the answer is five. Shelton's two-year NFL resume' consists of eight carries for 23 yards, but Davidson might see enough in the former Louisville star to keep him around.

WR/TE: Steve Smith comes off yet another huge year, as the perennial Pro Bowler went over the 1,100-yard mark for the third time in four seasons. Whatever changes Davidson implements, he won't cease trying to get the ball into the explosive Smith's hands on a regular basis. After Keyshawn Johnson was released, Carolina must develop another receiver if it has any hope of seeing Smith open consistently. The heir apparent to Johnson is second- round draft pick Dwayne Jarrett, who is a possession receiver in a similar mold to Johnson but obviously won't be as polished initially. Last year's backups, Keary Colbert (5 receptions) and Drew Carter (28 receptions, 3 TD), didn't make much of an impact and need to re-invent themselves. Second-year- player Taye Biddle (3 receptions), who opened eyes with a two-touchdown performance in Carolina's first preseason game of 2007, could be in line for more time if either Colbert or Carter fails. Fourth-round draft choice Ryne Robinson will see most of his time in the return game. There is a changing of the guard at tight end, as former roster staples Kris Mangum and Mike Seidman are now wearing civilian clothes. The holdovers at the position are the inconsistent Michael Gaines (15 receptions) and 2006 fifth-round pick Jeff King (1 reception, 1 TD). Dante Rosario, a fifth-round selection out of Oregon, projects as the third tight end and backup fullback.

OL: The offensive line resembled a MASH unit from day one of '06, as two starters - left tackle Travelle Wharton and center Justin Hartwig - were down for the year before September ended. Both are back and penciled in as starters as 2007 approaches, but Hartwig faces a stiff challenge for his job from second-round draft choice and USC product Ryan Kalil. The remainder of the starters - right tackle Jordan Gross, left guard Mike Wahle, and right guard Evan Mathis - should play better in Davidson's zone-blocking system than they did in Henning's scheme. Last year's injuries meant that players who weren't necessarily viewed as starters - Jeremy Bridges, Geoff Hangartner, and Will Montgomery - were afforded valuable experience. All could stick as backups this season. In less certain straits is 2006 third-round draft pick Rashad Butler, though the team could seek to hide the Miami-Florida product on the practice squad.

DL: The Carolina d-line played well last year, but with names like end Julius Peppers and tackle Kris Jenkins (41 tackles, 3 sacks) adorning the unit, the expectation was that the unit would be dominant. The Panthers need more of a presence from those two players this season, and will require the other two starters - end Mike Rucker (39 tackles, 5 sacks) and tackle Maake Kemoeatu (34 tackles) - to complement them better than they did last year. If the 32-year- old Rucker fails to find his footing after sustaining a major knee injury last year, don't be surprised to see Fox and defensive coordinator Mike Trgovac try a young player like second-year man Stanley McClover or rookie Charles Johnson coming off the edge. Joining Jenkins and Kemoeatu in the tackle rotation will be holdovers Kindal Moorehead (13 tackles) and Damione Lewis (16 tackles, 4 sacks), along with perhaps Falcons castoff Chad Lavalais.

LB: The Panthers have a ticking timebomb slotted into their middle linebacker position, as Dan Morgan prepares to give it another go after suffering at least five concussions, including one that kept him out for the final 15 games of last season. Morgan is terrific when healthy, but can hardly be counted on given his past. If he can't answer the bell, look for 2007 first-round draft choice Jon Beason to get the first crack at the job. The club would like to start Beason out with an easier assignment on the weak side, but most assume he'll eventually move to the center in any event. Another former first-round pick, strong side linebacker Thomas Davis (88 tackles, 2 sack), hasn't made much of an impact in two years in the league and needs a breakout campaign. Backups should include holdovers James Anderson (21 tackles, 2 sacks), Na'il Diggs (61 tackles), and Adam Seward (25 tackles), all of whom started games a year ago. Diggs, who has experienced some injury problems, could see his roster spot taken by fifth-round draft choice and Penn State product Tim Shaw.

DB: The spot to watch on the defense is in the secondary, which struggled at times a year ago. Cornerbacks Chris Gamble (66 tackles, 3 INT, 1 sack) and Ken Lucas (45 tackles, 3 INT) each come off years in which they suffered notable lapses in coverage and/or tackling, and the steadiest member of the group, free safety Mike Minter, unexpectedly retired early in training camp. New acquisitions Deke Cooper and Chris Harris (54 tackles, 2 INT with Chicago) should both factor in the safety mix, as will second-year-man Nate Salley (4 tackles). Pushing Gamble and Lucas will be Richard Marshall (82 tackles, 3 INT, 1 sack), who played well as a rookie and represents the future at the position. Seventh-round draft choice C.J. Wilson and holdover safety Cam Newton both have a good chance to make the squad, but both will likely see their most significant action on special teams.

SPECIAL TEAMS: There are no changes in the kicking game, where John Kasay (24-27 FG) remains on placements and Jason Baker (45.7 avg.) begins his third season as the punter. Long snapper Jason Kyle's job is also safe. On returns, the team used a fourth-round draft pick on Ryne Robinson and will give him the first crack at both jobs. Failing that, Steve Smith (3.3 punt return avg.), Chris Gamble (5.1 punt return avg.), Richard Marshall (20.8 kickoff return avg.), and DeAngelo Williams (19.5 kickoff return avg.) all have experience in the return game.

PROGNOSIS: Much is riding on the ability of Davidson to turn around an offense that has some undeniable talent but looked out of sync for much of last year. If the new coordinator can light a fire under Delhomme and find ways to better utilize the likes of DeShaun Foster, DeAngelo Williams, and Steve Smith, this team should not have trouble scoring points. The biggest hurdles could come on defense, where the secondary isn't going to scare many opponents and injury- riddled former stars like Kris Jenkins and Dan Morgan are still being counted on for too great of a role. The defense should not be a disaster barring anything unforeseen, but its relative weakness still places Carolina a notch below New Orleans in the NFC South. Look for the Panthers to threaten for a playoff berth, but don't expect them to be a major player in the NFC in late January.

August 22, 2007, at 05:46 PM ET

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