Carolina Panthers
HISTORY
Joined the NFL as an expansion franchise in 1995, and has never relocated.
CHAMPIONSHIP SUMMARY
League Championships: None
Conference Championships: 1 - 2003 (NFC)
Division Championships: 2 - 1996 (NFC West), 2003 (NFC South)
Playoff Appearances: 3 - 1996, 2003, 2005
2005 Finish: 11-5, 2nd Place NFC South, NFC Championship Game Runner-up
2006 Finsh: 8-8
Recent Records:
2004: 7-9 2005: 11-5 2006: 8-8
2008 NFL DRAFT GRADES
I really dig that the Panthers took the guy they thought was the best player available. I really don’t like that the Panthers took a freaking running back in Round 1. I like Stewart and think that, like Maurice Jones Drew, Joseph Addai, and Laurence Maroney - he will be a better running back than the first player chosen from that position (Darren McFadden). Running backs in Round 1 is a bad way to draft, but it’s hard for me to argue with the addition of Stewart, he does everything well and has great size.
Joining the many teams that took a lineman in Round 1, the Panthers jumped at the chance to add a very tough and gigantically powerful offensive tackle by the name of Jeff Otah. He should really help an offense that struggled all of 2007.
Charles Godfrey was a great value with the 4th pick of Day 2, and should help right away in the secondary. He has good size and maybe too much muscle, but he’s a very good all around corner that can help at a number of places right away. He’s kind of in the mold of Ken Lucas, whom I’ve always liked.
Dan Conner was another steal in Round 3, which gave the Panthers two great picks in the first 11 picks of Day 2. Not a great coverage linebacker, Dan Conner still does enough great things to be a 100 tackle guy at the NFL level. Right away, he helps this team get better where they really struggled in ‘07.
Gary Barnidge was underrated coming into the draft, and lasted until the 6th pick of the 5th round. Yet another great value addition to a place where the Panthers could use some help. Have you noticed a trend? Barnidge plays smart, but isn’t much of a blocker.
Nick Hayden isn’t a sexy pick, but he’s a guy that will help. He has the size and strength to compete at the next level, will help stuff the run, and is a nice pick in Round 6.
With 3 7th round picks, the Panthers took Hilee Taylor (OLB), Geoff Schwartz (G), and Mackenzy Bernadeau (G). All will need time to grow, as they are either in line for a position change or come from a small school, but in the 7th round they all seem to have considerable upside.
This was one of my favorite drafts, as all the pieces seemed to fit into the puzzle for the Panthers.
2007 Carolina Panthers
Yikes! This was not the year for Panthers’ fans. I picked the Panthers to come out of the NFC, so obviously I was a little disappointed when they played so poorly all season long. But, there was still hope for a turnaround, as luck would have it, a simple 9-7 record would have gotten them a playoff spot. What do you think happened? Ah yes, the Panthers blew their shot at the playoffs, and fumbled themselves around the football field for yet another loss. That’s the type of year it was for football fans. Jake Delhomme played like garbage, Steve Smith was hurt for a few games to start the season, Deshawn Foster wasn’t the same back who ran well in last years’ playoffs, and the vaunted Panthers defense didn’t have the flash that it had shown in years’ past. Well, like they always say, there’s always next year. I can’t reiterate enough, the Panthers were a major disappointment.
2007 Off-Season Plans:
It wouldn’t surprise me if the Panthers attempt to pull their heads directly out of their behinds, and maybe take some karate classes to help them prepare for the mental and physical toughness it takes to win in this league. The Kings of underachieve pulled out yet another year of sub-par play. Beating teams they should beat has become nearly impossible for the talented Panthers. The off season will almost surely see the end of DeShaun Foster’s career as a Carolina Panther, paving the way for DeAngelo Williams to carry the load for Carolina in his second season. Williams showed his talent last season, but injuries seemed to keep him from taking the top job. Making decisions on some aging defensive players, and The Mouth Johnson seems to be the plan for Carolina. I think John Fox needs to find a way to get the most out of his team, or see his tenure as coach in Carolina end promptly after this season. It will be interesting to see if Jake Delhomme comes back like the guy in ‘05 or the guy in ‘06. Either way, expect the Panthers to select a young quarterback sometime on Day 1 or early Day 2. With the fourteenth pick, I expect the Panthers to select the best player available, because talent-wise, they have what it takes. A big super tackle in the waiting, like Levi Brown, a big bad wide receiver like Dwayne Jarrett or Dwayne Bowe, or quite possible a safety like Reggie Nelson or LaRon Landry to sure up their secondary. Anything is a possibility for Carolina. If Brady Quinn falls, he could be an understudy, without a doubt.
See the Panthers draft situation at Lucky’s Mock Draft!
Sponsored Ad
