What is the most surprising season in Panthers’ history?
By Dean Jones
What is the most surprising season in the history of the Carolina Panthers?
There have been plenty of exciting seasons during the brief history of the Carolina Panthers. Although the franchise has yet to get their hands on an elusive Super Bowl, they have had two near misses and plenty of other good opportunities over the 25-year period since their inception.
A recent article on ESPN highlighted the best season against the spread for every NFL team. The Carolina Panthers’1996 campaign was selected by beat writer David Newton.
In just their second campaign in a competitive environment, the Panthers defied the odds on their way to an outstanding 12-4 record to reach their first-ever postseason.
They clinched the NFC West title ahead of the San Francisco 49ers with a type of smashmouth football that became the trademark of their rise to prominence. This also represented a significant rise from their debut campaign where they managed to achieve seven victories in 1995.
"“The key was the defense. First-time head coach Dom Capers was a disciple of the 3-4 zone blitz. He brought in a veteran-laden group, led by outside linebackers Kevin Greene (14.5 sacks) and Lamar Lathon (13.5 sacks), that caused opposing quarterbacks nightmares with a league-best 60 sacks. That group allowed only 13.6 points per game, the second-fewest in the NFL. It was old-school football at its best with a solid running game and shut-down defense that got this team of vagabonds to the NFC Championship Game in Green Bay. It was a true Cinderella story.”"
How did the 1996 Carolina Panthers achieve so much success?
It is pretty evident that when one looks back at the Carolina Panthers’ surprising 1996 campaign, things revolved around their ferocious pass-rush. Their defense had two first-team All-Pro selections in Greene and Sam Mills. Lathon and Eric Davis joined them in the Pro Bowl after performing exceptionally well throughout the campaign.
Their offense centered around fifth overall pick Kerry Collins, who showed why the Panthers put so much faith in him initially. It’s quite sad that things did not go according to plan for the player things did not go according to plan after. But it should not detract from just what a tremendous impact he made in 1996.
Although Collins was good if not spectacular, the performance of running back Anthony Johnson was the opposite. The powerful player finished the season with 300 rushes for 1,120 yards. This also included six touchdowns, 26 receptions, and 192 receiving yards.
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If further proof was needed about just what a monumental season of such surprise it was in Carolina, Mark Carrier was their best wide receiver with 58 catches for 808 yards and six touchdowns. Tight end Wesley Walls was another that contributed significantly with 61 receptions, 713 receiving yards, and ten touchdowns.
When one considers the most surprising season in franchise history, then the Super Bowl appearance of 2004 would also be high on the shortlist. That being said, the 1996 team of primary journeymen who came within touching distance of contesting for the Vince Lombardi Trophy was something that nobody expected in their wildest dreams.
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It captured the imagination of the NFL. And also made the local community sit up and take notice of what a prised asset they had on their doorstep.