Carolina Panthers 2005 Preview

By John Onan  |   Sunday, August 14, 2005  |  Comments( 0 )

Carolina Panthers
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One year after appearing in their first Super Bowl in team history, the Carolina Panthers suffered a barrage of injuries that helped set them off into a six game losing streak and a 1-7 record. They found some resolve in the second half of the campaign and nearly came back to capture a playoff birth. The team wound up finishing the season a respectable 7-9. As they begin the 2005, the Carolina Panthers look to stay in good health and get off to a better start.

Strengths: After seeing most of his offensive weapons head to the sidelines early in 2004, quarterback Jake Delhomme literally put their replacements on his back and carried the team. Delhomme threw for almost 4,000 yards with twice as many touchdown passes than interceptions and became one of the top field generals in the league. It remains to be seen if starting running back Stephen Davis will be able to be strong enough in time to start in week one, but with a healthy DeShaun Foster lining up behind him, he won't have to shoulder as much of the responsibility, and the team will go back to being well balanced.

With linebacker Dan Morgan and defensive tackle Kris Jenkins back in the huddle, the Panthers should get back to being one of the top teams in the league against the run. The team missed these two dearly in the middle, and as a result, Carolina dropped to 19th in the NFL in rushing defense. Unfortunately, courageous linebacker Mark Fields will miss the season after a recurrence of Hodgkin's disease. Not only was Fields a Pro Bowl caliber player, but also an inspiration to the rest of his teammates. As was former linebackers coach Sam Mills, who succumbed to cancer this past spring. Brandon Short, who was a starter with the Giants before coming to the Panthers last season will step in for Fields. Also, don't forget that the Carolina Panthers boast possibly the best pass rusher in the NFC, Julius Peppers.

As noted earlier, Davis isn't yet ready to return. If he can come back and be close to what he was, the Panthers will boast some the better talent at the position in the league. When you add Foster, Nick Goings, and underrated rookie Eric Shelton to the equation, they are very deep at a position. It'll be impossible to get all these guys playing time, but if Davis or Foster can't go Goings and Shelton are nice insurance policies.

Also, the kicking game is solid with the return of John Kasay, while Tom Rouen comes over from Seattle looking to unseat Jason Baker for punting duties. Rod Smart, from XFL "He Hate Me" fame, will return kick again this season. The Panthers may be wary of reinserting Steve Smith as punt return specialist.

Weaknesses: The loss of NFL receiving leader Muhsin Muhammad is huge. Muhammad left Carolina to sign with the Chicago Bears during the off season. However that loss is offset somewhat by the return of Steve Smith from a broken leg. Also, Kerry Colbert is back after catching 46 passes a year ago. The main knock on this duo is their lack of height; both are under 5-foot-11 . The Panthers also acquired Rod Gardner, who was unhappy in Joe Gibbs stale offense in Washington. If Gardner can regain the flashes of stardom he showed with the Skins, this position could become a strength. The surprise retirement of newly acquired TE Freddie Jones means that last year's starter, Chris Mangum, will once again be inserted there.

The Carolina Panthers upgraded at the left guard position by signing former Green Bay Packer Mike Wahle, but there are still concerns at the right guard where third round pick Evan Mathis could get the starting nod. The team is also uneasy about converting Travelle Wharton from guard to the left tackle spot. Keep an eye on how this unit performs early on, their performance will go a long way in predicting Carolina's success on offense.

The Panthers feel they've upgraded the secondary with the arrival of FA corner Ken Lucas from Seattle and safety Indrees Bashir from the Colts. They used their first round draft pick on former Georgia star safety Thomas Davis; he will backup Mike Minter for now.

Overall: A return to the Super Bowl may be a bit much to ask from this team, considering all the changes and the loss of Muhammad. However, a return to the playoffs looks likely, unless the team suffers another injury riddled campaign. Jake Delhomme established himself as a leader in the mold of Brett Favre, and I expect him to become an elite quarterback.

The defense will be one of the best in football, particularly if the remade secondary lives up to expectations. This team will challenge, and in my opinion, overtake the Atlanta Falcons to win the NFC South. Looks like an 11-5 season could be in the cards for the Carolina Panthers.
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