2006 Panthers preview
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The Panthers are the chic pick of a lot of pundits to represent the NFC in Super Bowl XLI, and there certainly is justification for such lofty aspirations. Carolina is big, fast and physical, very strong on both lines, and has plenty of playmakers on offense and defense. Perhaps the only questions are whether wide receiver Steve Smith, coming off a remarkable 2005 campaign but bothered by hamstring problems in camp, will be ready for the season opener, and whether defensive tackle Kris Jenkins and tailback DeShaun Foster can stay healthy.
If Jenkins is whole again, after being limited to just five games the past two seasons, the defensive line could be monstrous. The addition of tackle Maake Kemoeatu in free agency gives the Panthers a pair of elite run stuffers, and there is plenty of inside depth. Ends Julius Peppers and Mike Rucker, middle linebacker Dan Morgan, corners Chris Gamble and Ken Lucas and safety Mike Minter are all elite players.
On offense, the Panthers must blend in wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson, and the biggest problem there has been that Smith's hamstring injury has kept the two from getting much work together. Foster isn't the physical runner coordinator Dan Henning usually prefers, but he can make dynamic plays and hit the home run. Still, he will have to demonstrate he can survive a 16-game schedule, something the four-year veteran has yet to accomplish.
The Panthers are as deep and talented as any team in the NFL. There is not one area on this team that you could look at from a personnel standpoint and not like. With the addition of WR Keyshawn Johnson and the emergence of Pro Bowl receiver Steve Smith, the Panthers have the supporting cast to make QB Jake Delhomme even more effective in 2006.
The Panthers have a solid offensive line led by LG Mike Wahle and RT Jordan Gross. However, RB DeShaun Foster must stay healthy and avoid the injury bug. Defensively, the Panthers are a dominating group led by Julius Peppers, Mike Minter and shutdown corner Chris Gamble. Gamble has outstanding ball skills and the athleticism to make a lot of big plays on the back end in coverage. If the Panthers can avoid major injuries at a few critical positions, they should control their own destiny in the NFC South.
Prediction: First in NFC South.
The Panthers gained a mere 3.6 yards per rush attempt in 2005, a total that ranked them next to last in the NFC in that category. The running game problems last year were due more to the running backs than the blockers. Stephen Davis and DeShaun Foster ended up with a similar number of carries (Davis 180, Foster 205) but Foster gained 330 more yards than Davis. In addition, Foster beat out Davis in yards per carry in five out of the seven major run types and was only half a yard behind Davis in one of the others.
If Foster can duplicate his 2005 numbers and DeAngelo Williams can improve on Davis' numbers, the Carolina running game could be dominant in 2006.
Even if a potentially dominant defensive line fizzles, the Panthers now know that DBs Ken Lucas (left) and Chris Gamble will be there to pick up the slack. Both have the size and press-coverage ability to excel in the Cover 2. Last season, the duo flashed playmaking skills (13 combined INTs), while proving they could hang in single coverage, giving coordinator Mike Trgovac more flexibility in blitz packages.
So perhaps it's not just media hype after all. In their preseason opener against Buffalo, which drew 18 scouts from across the league, the Panthers lived up to their billing as the NFC's best team. Jake Delhomme threw an 18-yard strike to free-agent prize Keyshawn Johnson (left) on the Panthers' first play en route to a 150.7 passer rating. With Jenkins healthy for the first time in two years, the first-team D held the Bills to 21 yards in the first half, while collecting a sack from D-line dynamo Julius Peppers and a TD on Lucas' pick return. The Cats reacted to their dominance in typical fashion: with a yawn. "For a first game, I didn't think it was too bad," says coach John Fox. OK, so maybe the Bills are just that bad. More likely, the Panthers are just that good.
| Team Preview Centers |
| Key Stretch: Weeks 5-8 |
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Oct. 8: Cleveland Oct. 15: at Baltimore Oct. 22: at Cincinnati Oct. 29: Dallas |
| Comings & Goings |
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Key Acquisitions: C Justin Hartwig; WR Keyshawn Johnson; DT Maake Kemoeatu; LB Na'il Diggs; CB Reggie Howard; DT Damione Lewis. Key Departures: |
| Offensive Starters (as of 8/30) |
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RB DeShaun Foster FB Brad Hoover QB Jake Delhomme WR Steve Smith RT Jordan Gross RG Evan Mathis C Justin Hartwig LG Mike Wahle LT Travelle Wharton TE Michael Gaines WR Keyshawn Johnson |
| Defensive Starters (as of 8/30) |
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LDE Julius Peppers LDT Maake Kemoeatu RDT Kris Jenkins RDE Mike Rucker SLB Thomas Davis MLB Dan Morgan WLB Na'il Diggs LCB Ken Lucas FS Mike Minter SS Shaun Williams RCB Chris Gamble • Complete roster |
