Some Negative Comments

Most Carolina fans think of the horrendous playoff game Delhomme last played more often than the season opener he won for Carolina in San Diego. Some call Delhomme’s extension a blessing in disguise, for salary cap room, if nothing else. In time we will sort it out and see if a contract extension for Delhomme was right or wrong. Some worry about Julius Peppers. He will have a solid season in 2009 if he wants to move elsewhere that bad in 2010.

Some Positive Comments

Carolina has become a force as a team, and is one of the best run organizations in football. Even in a bad season Carolina is more dangerous than most teams. John Fox is a fixture in the NFL, and Carolina is always a possible contender. With defenders such as Jon Beason, Thomas Davis, Chris Harris and Julius Peppers on the roster, and playmakers like Steve Smith, DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart on the offensive side of the ball, Carolina is never a team that can be taken lightly.

Key Losses: Ken Lucas, Nick Goings, D.J. Hackett, Geoff Hangartner, Frank Omiyale, Jeremy Bridges.

Key Additions: Rookies Drafted: DE Everette Brown, CB Sherrod Martin, DT Corvey Irvin, RB Mike Goodson, FB Tony Fiammetta, OG Duke Robinson, and CB Captain Munnerlyn. Undrafted Rookie Free Agents who have already signed contracts: OT Gerald Cadogan, DT Marlon Favorite, RB Jamall Lee.

Returning from Injuries: LB Dan Connor, WR/RS Ryne Robinson, and WR/RS Jason Carter…All three of these players will likely compete to start at their respective positions as well as to acquire a role on Special Teams.

Depth Issues

Offensive Line: Carolina may have the best starting offensive line in football…The backups appear to be a question mark, but I think all is fine unless they get an injury bug. Gerald Cadogan and Duke Robinson are rookies that can step in as back-ups to get the job done if called upon.

The Backfield: Double Trouble should again be the most formidable RB duo in the NFL and FB Tony Fiammetta will be ready to step in for Brad Hoover if needed. Jake Delhomme is a solid starter at QB; however, Carolina’s back-up quarterbacks are questionable. Carolina did nothing in the off-season to stabilize the back-up QB position or provide Delhomme with legitimate competition at the starting position. The drop-off in the quarterback ability behind Jake Delhomme is disconcerting.

Wide Receivers: Behind Steve Smith, Mushin Muhammad, and Dwayne Jarrett as the number 3 receiver (by default), Jason Carter and Ryne Robinson will return from injuries in 2009. Add rookies Mike Goodson and Larry Beavers into the mix, and Carolina is pretty deep at WR for a team that typically has only three on the 53 man roster each Sunday.

The Defensive Line: Carolina’s Defensive line is solid, however it still lacks the run-stuffing ability Carolina hasn’t had since trading Kris Jenkins to the Jets. They have acquired some back-ups at DT with Corvey Irvin and Marlon Favorite, and have a nice rotation of young speed rushers in Charles Johnson, Hilee Taylor and Everette Brown.

Line Backers: The Panthers are solid at linebacker and it is likely one of Carolina’s deepest positions. Dan Connor should compete with 9-year veteran Na’il Diggs for a starter position.

The Secondary: Going into the off-season, this was one of Carolina’s most glaring weaknesses. With the addition of two draft picks, Carolina’s secondary went from thin to abundant rather quickly. If the starting order moves in linear fashion, then Richard Marshall will be the number two Corner opposite Chris Gamble, C.J. Wilson will be the Nickel, and Sherrod Martin and Captain Munnerlyn will be their back-ups. The Safety position could have benefited with a Patrick Chung kind of guy out of the draft, but Chris Harris is a beast and Charles Godfrey is reliable.

Possible Fallers in 2009: Dwayne Jarrett, Na’il Diggs, Brad Hoover

Potential Risers in 2009: Jason Carter, Mike Goodson, Dan Connor, Tony Fiammetta,

The biggest Wild Card for Carolina for 2009: Special Teams. Carolina will be able to stay close in many of their games in 2009. The difference maker for the Panthers will be Special Teams play. If one of Carolina’s Return Specialists breaks out as a game-changer the way Steve Smith emerged, points scored on Special Teams could turn a potential 6 and 10 season into a 10 and 6 season.

2009 Season Record Prediction: 9 and 7.

Essentially, an average record for Carolina in 2009 probably will not be a disappointment or a shock to any Carolina fan. But don’t for a minute misunderstand my sentiment. I am not at all suggesting Carolina is going to plunge into the muck of mediocrity. In fact, I think 8 and 8 will be pretty good, 9 and 7 would be very good, and 10 and 6 might be close to awesome, considering the schedule.

Here is the Schedule if you’ve forgotten….

Last year the San Diego Chargers made it to the playoffs with an 8 and 8 record (the first time a team made it to the playoffs with such a record since 1985). Then they went on to beat the Colts, which is something I don’t think many people saw coming. If Carolina can make it to the playoffs, even with having a not-so-spectacular record, they have a chance at going all the way. I think they will lose some games, but keep in mind, they can win more games than the rest of the teams in the NFC South who have similar schedules. By the end of the regular season, they will have played enough of the perennial powerhouse teams to be battle-tested. And say Carolina loses to teams like the Eagles, the Giants, and the Patriots in the regular season. If Carolina meets one of those teams in the post-season, then Carolina will have the upper hand, as it is very difficult for any team in the NFL to sweep another team in the same season.

I don’t expect Carolina to have another 12 and 4 season in 2009, but I think it is safe to assume that if Carolina makes it into the postseason, then they will be a surprise team and possibly that team that no one wants to play. Carolina is getting no respect this year, so, look for them to claw it back in 2009….

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