Johnson brings another dimension to Carolina offense

By Connor Byrne  |   Thursday, August 31, 2006  |  Comments( 0 )

Carolina Panthers
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Key additions: C Justin Hartwig (free agency); WR Keyshawn Johnson (free agency); RB DeAngelo Williams (draft, first round); TE Jeff King (fifth round).

Key losses: RB Stephen Davis (released).

Biggest strength: The starting receivers. Defending NFL receptions leader Steve Smith returns, but he has a new partner in crime this year. Veteran Keyshawn Johnson, who has 744 career catches, signed with the Panthers in the offseason, hoping to bring his usual production to the Panthers' offense.

Last year, Johnson was on the receiving end of 71 Drew Bledsoe passes in Dallas, demonstrating that he can still be a big-time threat on offense. With Johnson and Smith teaming up out wide, there are very few cornerback duos in the league capable of stymieing the Carolina passing attack. Undoubtedly, former Pro Bowl quarterback Jake Delhomme is salivating over throwing the ball to these two wideouts during the season.

The Panthers' downfall in 2005 proved to be their lack of a true weapon opposite Smith in the passing game, but that problem has seemingly been remedied.

No. 1 area of concern: The running game. OK, DeShaun Foster and 27th overall pick DeAngelo Williams have all kinds of talent, but can that translate onto the playing field this year? In his four-season career, the 6-foot, 222-pound Foster has averaged a respectable 4.1 yards per carry; his health, however, has completely bogged the 26-year-old down.

Recognizing Foster is a major talent, the Panthers re-signed him to a hefty three-year contract during the offseason. Williams, meanwhile, was one of the most talented runners in this past April's draft, but there are some questions about his game, too. The ex-Memphis star needs to become better at running north to south, since the east-west style often fails in the pros.

If this pair can perform the way coordinator Dan Henning is hoping, there will be virtually no flaws in Carolina's offense.

Final outlook: The success the Panthers' offense will have probably does hinge on the running game this year. The passing attack should be tremendous, meaning Delhomme and Smith could be on their way to Pro Bowls. Adding Johnson will be a major boon for the offense as well. Again, though, opposing defenses will be keying on the aerial assault during the season, making it imperative that the heralded backfield duo gets the job done.

--Got feedback? Connor J. Byrne responds to readers' questions and comments: cbyrne@realfootball365.com.

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