2008 NFL Preview > Carolina Panthers Preview
2008 Carolina Panthers Football Preview
Head Coach: John Fox
2007 Record: 7-9
Key Additions: DE Tyler Brayton, ILB Dan Connor, DB Charles Godfrey, WR D.J. Hackett, OLB Landon Johnson, WR Muhsin Muhammad, OT Jeff Otah, RB Jonathan Stewart, DT Darwin Walker
Key Losses: QB David Carr, WR Drew Carter, TE Christian Fauria, RB DeShaun Foster, C Justin Hartwig, DT Kris Jenkins, S Marquand Manuel, DE Mike Rucker, G Mike Wahle
The Panthers season was essentially lost last year when quarterback Jake Delhomme tore a tendon in his elbow in a Week 3 win over Atlanta. At that juncture, the Panthers offense was rolling, as Delhomme had thrown for 8 touchdown passes and just one interception. While Carolina’s difficulties on offense without their starting quarterback were unsurprising, the usually strong defense also turned in a sub par performance last season, leading critics to question whether coach John Fox had lost the team’s ear, a question that will be answered one way or another this season.
2008 Carolina Panthers Offense:
Delhomme’s return this year should do wonders for an offense which ranked among the bottom in the NFL last season without him. The Panthers will initially be forced to overcome the absence of Steve Smith, who was suspended for the first two games due to an altercation with cornerback Ken Lucas in practice in which the volatile wideout broke Lucas’ nose. Free agent pickups D.J. Hackett and Muhsin Muhammad should fit in well when Smith returns. Carolina is hoping Hackett will be able to stay healthy and prove himself a reliable second receiver. Rookie running back Jonathan Stewart has shown off his potential during the preseason and should receive the bulk of the carries by midseason unless DeAngelo Williams can continue his impressive preseason play during real action. The offensive line should be bolstered by the addition of hulking right tackle Jeff Otah, who the Panthers nabbed in the draft through a trade with the Eagles. Otah’s addition moves Jordan Gross back to left tackle and Travelle Wharton inside to guard, next to promising center Ryan Kalil.
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2008 Carolina Panthers Defense:
The Panthers once dominant defensive line pretty much fell apart last season. Past standouts Kris Jenkins and Mike Rucker were largely ineffective. Rucker retired and Jenkins was traded to the Jets this offseason. Also, highly acclaimed defensive end Julius Peppers tallied only 2.5 sacks last season. However, Peppers is entering unrestricted free agency after this season, so expect his performance to improve significantly. Even so, the defensive line remains a huge question mark for Carolina, as projected starters Tyler Brayton and Damione Lewis have been mediocre in the past. The linebacking corps is strong and features a speedy and athletic pair in Jon Beason and Thomas Davis. Cornerbacks Ken Lucas and Chris Gamble are among the best tandems in the NFL.
2008 Carolina Panthers Special Teams:
Ryne Robinson returns both kicks and punts. Kicker John Kasay turns 39 in October but has been incredibly accurate over the past two seasons, making 48 of 55 field goals.
2008 Carolina Panthers Expectations:
When Carolina has had success in the past it has been through dominant defense and big plays in the passing game. Both elements were missing last season, but Delhomme’s return should allow the passing offense to revert to form once Smith gets back from his suspension. Also, Jonathan Stewart could give the Panthers a dimension their offense has not seen, even in its NFC championship season. Nonetheless, the defensive line could be problematic if it cannot stop the run and fails to put enough pressure on the passer.
2008 Carolina Panthers Prediction: 2nd place in the NFC South
By Glenn Katzman
ProFootball-fans.com Staff Writer
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