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Panthers: Despite media projections, team deserves every bit of the hype

By Danny Jaillet

TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 29: Quarterback Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers huddles the offense during the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on October 29, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 29: Quarterback Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers huddles the offense during the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on October 29, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /
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The Carolina Panthers have the talent to make noise….

As soon as I saw this piece I had to write about it. Monday, Bleacher Report put out a piece naming the National Football League’s most overhyped teams. Unfortunately for the Carolina Panthers, they came in at No. 1.

I will say this outright. I 100% disagree with this sentiment. On the surface, calling them overrated is a bit bold in itself. Having them ranked as the most overrated team is even bolder.

"The Panthers are weak at wide receiver, weak in the secondary, old and thin at the pass-rush positions, expensive and ineffective on the offensive line, and coping with suspensions and injury concerns at linebacker. They have turned their offense over to a coordinator in Norv Turner who is likely to nerf their most dynamic players.The Panthers have the potential to be extraordinary but seem determined to be ordinary. It’s a formula that is more likely to bury them in a brutal division than recapture the glory of 2015."

For starters, they are stronger at wideout than they were last year. Adding veterans like Jarius Wright and Torrey Smith will help immensely. So too will a healthy Curtis Samuel. To call them weak at the position is not accurate at all. If anything, they have added more depth since last year.

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Calling the Carolina Panthers weak in the secondary is very shortsighted as well. They added Ross Cockrell in free agency and got stronger in the draft with the likes of Donte Jackson and Rashaan Gaulden. Adding in a player like James Bradberry, who just last year recorded 66 tackles only strengthens the secondary. To say they are weak in the secondary is incorrect. They have certainly improved at the position. Last year, the Carolina Panthers did not have a ton of depth. This year, they added more depth plus a rejuvenated Captain Munnerlyn and a determined Corn Elder. Again, to call them weak in the secondary is inaccurate.

The sentiment that the pass rush is old is a fair one. A player like Julius Peppers has certainly aged and he is a big part of it. However, players like Kawaan Short and linebacker Luke Kuechly make up for an aging but effective Peppers. Shaq Thompson may see an increased role this year as well.  Although they may not be the best pass rush in the league, they are still strong. To say they are thin is also inaccurate.

Saying that Norv Turner is going to deplete their offense and make them wore is a bold prediction. Norv Turner is going to make the offense wide-open and vertical and they should be able to have a good balance. If anything, I think the players will get stronger as the season goes on. He should be able to make the offense more dynamic than it has been in years. If there will be any wear and tear on the offense, it will probably be due to the longevity of the season.

Next: Hype surrounding Moore continues to grow

Bleacher Report got this one wrong. If anything the Carolina Panthers have the talent to compete with the best in the division.

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