ESPN.com - Offseason Overview: Carolina Panthers

ESPN.com: NFL

Wednesday, June 25, 2003
Updated: July 3, 5:34 PM ET
Offseason Overview: Carolina Panthers

By James C. Black
ESPN.com

2002 RECORD: 7-9
TEAM RANK (NFL): Defense (2nd); Offense (31st)
ADDITIONS:
Free agents -- QB Jake Delhomme (Saints), G Doug Brzezinski (Eagles), WR Ricky Proehl (Rams), WR Kevin Dyson (Titans), LB Greg Favors (Bills).
Draft picks -- 1. OT Jordan Gross (Utah); 2. C Bruce Nelson (Iowa); 3a. TE Mike Seidman (UCLA); 3b. CB Ricky Manning Jr. (UCLA); 4. S Colin Branch (Stanford); 5. DE Kindal Moorehead (Alabama); 7a. WR Walter Young (Illinois); 7b. FB Casey Moore (Stanford).
SUBTRACTIONS:
TE Wesley Walls (released), OL Jay Humphrey (Jaguars), DT Sean Gilbert (released), LB Hannibal Navies (Packers), RB Lamar Smith (Packers).
Team news | Roster | More on Panthers draft

Mon., June 30
Which one of the four QBs will Fox mostly likely start?
Conventional wisdom is that the venerable Rodney Peete, who generally takes care of the football and whose caution affords Carolina a chance to hang close in most games, will be the starter at the outset and at some point will be supplanted by Jake Delhomme, the former New Orleans backup. But such a scenario is hardly etched in stone. In fact, some observers insisted this spring that the quarterback who threw the ball best in minicamps was Chris Weinke. And, in public moments, some Panthers officials have suggested that the best long-range quarterback on the roster is second-year veteran Randy Fasani. Regardless of who starts, coach John Fox isn't likely to alter the formula he used last year. Fox wants his quarterback to manage the game for him, to play error-free football, and to allow one of the NFL's best young defenses to control the tempo. With free agent tailback Stephen Davis on-board, the Panthers will attempt to bludgeon opponents and the former Redskins star should be able to reverse some of the late-game losses the Panthers have suffered the past two years, by helping to bleed the clock in the final quarter. The best bet for the starter's job remains Peete, but given the way the Panthers play, the identity of the quarterback might not be too critical.

The Carolina Panthers' priorities this offseason were pretty clear -- improve every aspect of the offense.

The Panthers went from a one-win season in 2001 to 7-9 last year. Practically all of the success was a reflection of the talent on defense -- a stark contrast to an anemic offense that suffered two shutouts and was second to last in yardage (267.5 yards per game).

With the additions at running back, wide receiver, on the offensive line and even at quarterback, Carolina might have made enough improvements to be more competitive in the tough NFC South.

What they've added?
Stephen Davis, assuming he's gotten over the nagging injuries that caused him to miss four games last year in Washington, should be an instant fix to Carolina's rushing woes. Rookie DeShaun Foster never played a game and veteran Lamar Smith ended the season on injured reserve, resulting in the Panthers averaging less than 100 yards (ranked 25th) on the ground last year.

While the running backs and quarterbacks had their share of shortcomings, the offensive line didn't help. The fact that Carolina had 22 interceptions compared to 15 throwing touchdowns plus a paltry average of 3.5 yards per carry indicates shoddy line play. Carolina used its first two draft picks on offensive linemen -- tackle Jordan Gross and center Bruce Nelson -- and signed veteran guard Doug Brzezinski as a free agent.

After none of their receivers came close to posting a 1,000-yard season, the Panthers tried to upgrade the receiving corps with the signings of veterans Ricky Proehl and Kevin Dyson. However, the Panthers have already caught a bad break with Dyson expected to miss all of '03 after rupturing an Achilles tendon at an offseason workout.

The quarterback situation could be more interesting than a year ago when coach John Fox named Rodney Peete as his starter over Chris Weinke a week before the season opener. Both guys return and Peete is believed to have an edge over Weinke, second-year signal-caller Randy Fasani and newcomer Jake Delhomme.

The Panthers didn't do a lot of tinkering with defensive personnel and for good reason. Defensive end Julius Peppers returns after serving a four-game suspension to end his rookie campaign and they've added linebacker Greg Favors and rookie cornerback Ricky Manning Jr. to a group that recorded 52 sacks and 17 interceptions in '03.

Fantasy Focus

Stephen Davis, who's entering his eighth season, is one of the NFL's underrated runners. His stats slipped last season because of nagging injuries and was a poor fit with Steve Spurrier's spread offense. Davis runs most effectively when he's the featured back and is receiving 20-plus carries. He's also consistent, averaging 4.0 yards the past three seasons. Carolina's starting runners of Lamar Smith, Dee Brown and Nick Goings combined for 361 carries last season. Carolina will also be a run-heavy offense again this year as it looks to a strong defense to keep scores low. An improved offensive line boosted by the addition of No. 1 draft pick Jordan Gross will help Davis, too. Figure that Davis will receive at least 300 carries; he's shown he can handle the workload, carrying 332 and 356 times in 2000 and 2001, respectively. Davis makes a solid pick in the second round because of his steady production and reliability.
-- Roger Rotter, ESPN.com fantasy editor

What they're missing?
Even with the additions on offense, Carolina doesn't have the look of a squad prepared to light up the scoreboard. Peete threw just 15 touchdowns and passed for 2,630 yards last year, and will not be expected to do much more. Whether its Peete, Weinke or someone else at the helm, Carolina's emphasis on offense will center more around Davis and the rushing attack.

Another concern affecting scoring production is the kicking game. John Kasay was just 2-of-5 in field goal attempts before missing the final 14 games following hernia surgery. Permanent replacement Shayne Graham wasn't much better, missing five of his 18 kicks including a 24-yarder in Green Bay during a 17-14 loss. If neither consistently gets the job done, expect Carolina to audition kickers early in the season.

The biggest concern defensively is the future of safety Rashard Anderson. He applied for reinstatement after serving a one-year suspension in 2002 for violating the league's susbstance-abuse policy. The Panthers are still waiting for word from the league on whether Anderson will be cleared to play in 2003.

What it all means?
In a short time, the Panthers have once again made themselves competitive. Four of their nine losses last year were by four points or less, but they should be better given their upgrades and a second-year of tutelage under Fox.

One problem that Carolina shares with other bottom feeders from last year is that they're in a division where the competition was stiff and should be as good if not better. The Panthers were 1-5 in the NFC South last year. If Fox can somehow get his team to play .500 ball in the division, the Panthers have a shot at the playoffs.

James C. Black is an NFL editor for ESPN.com.