Beason Player of the Month

The NFL has named Carolina Panther’s linebacker Jon Beason the NFC’s defensive player of the month for October, Beason’s first career award.  With 37 tackles and two interceptions during the month of October, Beason was an easy choice.

Beason, who leads the team with 64 tackles, has been playing at a pro bowl level since comming into the league last season out of the University of Miami.  Orignally brought in to backup linebacker Dan Morgan, Beason started last season at WS linebacker, but eventually moved over to the middle when Morgan went down in week three.  Beason has shown amazing leadership in his first two seasons, even being recongized as a defensive team captain this season.  With Beason playing at such a high level, there should be no reason to doubt he will playing out in Hawaii come February.

Williams Player of the Week Nominee

For the second time this year, Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams has been nominated to receive the Fed Ex Ground player of the week award.  Williams’ 108 yards and a touchdown help lead the Carolina Panthers to a decisive victory over the Arizona Cardinals for the fifth 100-yard game of his career.  Williams is up against Brian Westbrook and Clinton Portis, both of whom have better numbers, but neither of them converted a 3rd and 13 to win their ballgames.

It seems that Williams is finnaly comming into his own.  Many thought the the drafting of Jonathan Stewart singaled that Williams would eventually lose his starting job.  Williams was able to hold his spot as the Panther’s number one back during training camp though, and has had a breakout year, showing vast improvment from his previous two seasons.  Williams should have some good games ahead as well, with the Panthers facing Okland and Detroit in their next two games, who rank 27th and 31st agaisnt the rush respectively.

Panthers Name Team Captains

The Carolina Panthers named their team captains for the 2008 season on Wednesday, and there were a few surprises:

Offense

Jake Delhomme- Delhomme has proven that he is the heart and soul of this Panthers team.  He is a leader both on the field and off, and has the respect of all his teammates.  Delhomme even pulled Jon Beason aside last season and told him that Beason needed to step up and be a leader on defense, contributing to Beason’s phenomenal rookie season.  That just goes to show you how much Delhomme does for the team, even when he’s not playing.

Muhsin Muhammad- I guess it really shouldn’t be that surprising that Steve Smith is no longer a team captain after what happened in training camp.  Even though Smith lost his spot, I like Moose as a captain, he’s a great veteran receiver who knows the ropes, and has no problem showing some of the younger guys what to do.  Moose offers that needed veteran leadership at the wide receiver position, which has been sorely missing the past few seasons.

Defense

John Beason-Really no surprise here.  Beason proved to everyone that he has the ability to lead that defense, even as a second year guy.  Beason is emerging as one of the league’s stars, and his leadership is part of the reason why he’s going to have such an impact for the Panthers.  Interestingly enough, it was actually Beason who pulled Smith off of Ken Lucas after the fight.  John Beastson, enough said.

Julius Peppers- This is the one selection that I really don’t like at all.  I know Peppers is a great player and all, but that doesn’t necessarily mean your a good leader.  Panthers owner Jerry Richardson publicly came out last season, and called for Peppers to step up and be a leader, but it just never happened.  I suppose the logic is that because he was a captain last season, he should be one this season, but I think that’s no good.  Chris Harris has clearly shown he has all the leadership skills, providing some veteran help to that secondary.  I guess it really doesn’t matter, but I think Harris rather than Peppers should have gotten the nod.

Speaking of getting the nod, what’s with Rocco Mediate not getting selected for the Ryder Cup team by Paul Azinger?  Rocco’s shown he can play with the big boy’s after that great U.S. Open he had with Tiger, besides Rocco’s just a good guy.  Hunter Mahan and J. B. Holmes are great golfers, but I think Rocco deserves a spot after the season he’s had.

Special Teams

John Kasay- Kasay is a 17 year veteran, and is the obvious choice to be the special teams captain.  Kasay has been rock solid for the Panthers over the last decade, and has shown he’s a good leader as well.

Injuries Giving Backups a Chance to Shine

With the rash of injuries that have hit the Panthers, most notably the wide receiving corps, many of the Panther’s second and third stringers have been given the opportunity to move up on the depth chart and get some reps in with the first team.

When Jon Beason went out with an ankle injury last week, linebacker Adam Seward was left to fill in for Beason during Saturday’s game, and he showed his stuff.  Seward filled in well, contributing to the pressure on Jeff Sorgi, as well as intercepting a Sorgi.  As good as Seward played, it was a little surprising that Dan Connor, who was drafted during the third round of April’s draft, didn’t fill in for Beason.   Connor was regarded as one of the best middle linebackers in the draft, and was a steal in the third round, but it appears he still has some work to do if he is going to be backing up Beason during the season.

The backup wide receivers may get the same chance this Thursday, with Dwayne Jarrett, Ryne Robinson, D.J. Hackett, and Steve Smith all out with injuries.  Jason Carter could be in line for a big game, and could get to start alongside Mushin Muhammad Thursday if Jarrett isn’t back. Veteran wideout Travis Taylor may also get some time with the first team as well.

As for the Strong Safety slot, Chris Harris is still out with a groin strain, but did work with the strength and conditioning coach Monday, which is a good sign that Harris may return to practice soon.  With Harris still out, Nate Salley should get some work as well as Quinton Teal.  Keeping with the secondary, Richard Marshall will also get some more chances to shine with Ken Lucas and Chris Gamble still out, though I think the Panthers were sold on Marshall his rookie year.

With three preseason games left to play, injuries are practically inevitable, hopefully none of them will be serious.  For every team in the NFL, injures have that silver lineing, giving the backups a chance to step up an prove their worth, and maybe even find a few diamonds in the process.

Position Analysis: Wide Reciever

We’ve finally come to the end of our position analysis series, and we’ve saved the best for last: the wide receiver position.

Number on the Roster: 11

Probable Starters: Steve Smith (No.1), D. J. Hackett (No.2), Muhsin Muhammad (No.3)

Ever since the Panthers let go Moose back in 2004, they have constantly been looking for a replacement for him, a decent number two receiver who can take some of the double team of Steve Smith. One of Head Coach John Fox and General Manager Marty Hurney’s main goals of the offseason was to get Steve Smith that extra help, and it looks as if they succeeded in doing so.

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