Week 1 @ San Diego

Week 1 vs. the San Diego Chargers should prove a difficult task for the Panthers. This will be Jake Delhomme’s first game back since Tommy John Surgery and although his arm feels better than ever, he might be a little rusty. He might face trouble early on facing the Chargers great secondary, but with a new improved receiving core, he should find his rhythm by half time. Rookie Jonathan Stewart will be the first to touch the ball for the Panthers taking the kickoff back to the 30 yard line breaking a tackle and falling forward for a nice start to the season. Stewart will take his first carry of his career for a gain probably running the ball up the middle beginning to wear down the Chargers defense. Steve Smith will line up against Quentin Jammer and will probably create trouble for him. Smith will get double-teamed from the Chargers, but it will probably come from rookie Antoine Cason. Smith will take advantage of Cason’s inexperience and catch a touchdown early on. The Panthers will take a lead early on. After a nice first drive the score is 7 – 0, with around 10:00 left in the first quarter.

The Chargers will quickly return with a touchdown though. After a good Darren Sprolles return from Darren Sprolles, the Chargers march down the field with runs down the throat of the Panthers weak D-Line picking. After LT carries the Chargers to the goal line, the Panthers look like they have a goal line stop set up. It is 3rd and goal when the Chargers fool the Panther’s defense with a play action pass to TE Antonio Gates.

The Charger’s defense stops the rusty Panther’s offense at mid-field and they take to ball at the 20 yd. line. After a long pass to Receiver Chris Chambers, Ladainian Tomlinson runs in a lengthy dash to the end zone and the Chargers have the lead at 14 – 7 with little time left in the first half.

Steve Smith and Muhsin Muhammad go down the field with receptions back and forth setting the Panther’s up for a 30 yd. field goal shortly before half-time. Fans are reminded of the good old days when this combination of Jake to Moose, Jake to Steve, etc. was a regular site. John Kasay kicks the chip shot in and the Panthers go into half-time with a score.

14 – 10

Early in the half, the Chargers take advantage of the 5 in. height difference between Vincent Jackson and Ken Lucas. Phillip Rivers connects with Jackson for a long pass to midfield. The quickster, Darren Sprolles, takes a carry outside and Chris Harris comes up and lays him out. The ball falls to the turf and Julius Peppers takes the ball to the house as San Diego falls quiet. 17 – 14

Young Phillip Rivers doesn’t mind the small deficit. He looks like an experienced quarterback at home . He drops back and drops off a screen to the elusive Tomlinson. He breaks up the field for a first down. The Chargers are rolling and charge down the field. They take their time with runs up the middle with LT and short out passes to Jackson and Chambers and even the young, quick Nanee(Boise State reciever who caught famous hook and ladder play vs. Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl, 2007). Charles Johnson doesn’t quit and comes through with his first sack of the season on a 3rd down for the Chargers. Its is 4th down and 3 yards for SD. Norv Turner’s team has the all on 37 yd line. This is out of range for San Diego Kicker, Nate Kaeding. The young FB, Jacob Hester, leads LT down the Panthers gut, first down. The ball is on the Panthers 30 as the quarter comes to a close.

Rivers leads them to the endzone ending with a QB sneak from the 2 yd. line. Jake Delhomme’s team is down by 4 points late in the game. He’s looking to grab an upset win vs. the Chargers and it looks like he will. The Panthers are rolling down the field. The Chargers defense is tired and Deangelo Williams is running all over them. Moose catches a first down pass at the 9 yard line and there is about 5 minutes to go. Delhomme drops back. Moose is running a fade to the left corner when Antonio Cromartie snags the ball and downs it in the endzone for a touchback. San Diego hangs on to win 21 – 17.

For whatever reason be it an illness in training camp, or simply a down year, Peppers had an abysmal season last year, barely being able to put together a pass rush, and looking nothing like his usual pro bow self. Because of this bad season, Carolina can’t afford to pay Peppers. Sure it works out if he bounces back and records another 13 sack season, but if he doesn’t? The risk is just too great. Carolina could end up paying franchise money for a player that averages five sacks a season. Yes Peppers does have a career total of 56 sacks in six seasons with the Panthers, but in the NFL its “What have you done for me lately?”

Another reason that I think that Peppers can’t get paid is that not only has Peppers gone 16 games with only 2.5 sacks, but looking back into 2006, he only had 2 sacks in the last seven games of the season. That’s 23 games with only 4.5 sacks. This seems to be overlooked because Peppers had gotten out to such a great start in 2006, recording 11 sacks through the first 10 games, and lots of times, multiple sack games come in clumps, but for whatever reason Peppers cooled down, and it looks like that cooling down might have carried over into 2007. It could just be that Peppers cooled down in 2006, and had a down year in 2007, I hope it’s just that, but by looking at the numbers the Panthers just cannot afford give Peppers the big contract, not yet at least.

He joined about a dozen or more undrafted free agents signed by the Panthers, and he has become the first Bear that has been selected by the Panthers in the history of franchise.

Lonnie Harvey is a 6-foot-4, 345-pounder. He was the sole free agent D-lineman that has been signed by the Panthers to join camp. The other undrafted free agents to join the Carolina’s and take on the role of longshots to make the 53-man roster includes quarterback Louisville, Hunter Cantwell, OT Gerald Cadogan, Penn State; LB Brit Miller from Illinois; RB Jamall Lee from Bishop’s College (Canada); WR/KR Larry Beavers from Wesley College; WR Jason Chery, Louisiana-Lafayette (Jake Delhomme’s alma mater); OG C.J. Davis from Pittsburgh; OC Keith Grey from Connecticut; TE Kevin Brock, Rutgers; and also LB Anthony Heygood from Purdue.

Steven Nease-I think the Panthers messed up when they called for a 50 yard field goal at Giant stadium. That stadium has been know for wide rights and wide lefts. (Even) A thirty yard field goal is ify (there). If I was the playcaller I would have had done a hurry up field goal and had Williams or Stewart being the holder and had him run for the lead. thats just me? I think Panthers are a good team and will make it to the championship people underestamate delhomme he’s cool and collective in the red zone.

Anthony-I grew up in S.C. and I have been a supporter of the Panthers since the team started. I have never been so disappointed in this team as I am now. The loss to the N.Y Giants was disgraceful and embarrassing the Carolinas and all of the fans that support them and make this team possible.The coaching , offensive run blocking, and the defense (especially Gamble and the secondary) was disgraceful and a slap in the face to me and the rest of the fans that have supported this team for so long. This team could have made franchise history tonight but instead blew a nice lead and lost the game in O.T. after being in control and dominating most of the game. We all saw the disastrous performance of the panthers so there is no need to site the most disastrous parts of the game but it is clear a good amount of the team is playing with no heart. I guess there just happy about being over paid for their talent in college and don’t really care about wining and making their fans happy. Every time this team was in a position to take control they have blown it. They always find away to blow the big games and the coaching does nothing about it. A corner back (Gamble) is rewarded with a six year contract and yet has been playing consistently bad for the last several weeks yet the coaches seem to do nothing about it. A winning team is a team that has heart. A team with heart does not walk of the field with almost a minute left to try to score. A winning team does not consistently run unproductive plays every time they get a little bit of a lead. A winning team makes players such as Gamble sit on the bench for a few games instead of rewarding him with another contract. A winning team does not allow an injured running back to break two game changing runs in overtime. A winning team does not stop being aggressive and does everything possible to win. A winning team plays their heart out as long as there is time on the clock. The panthers may have eleven wins and a lot of talented players but they are hardly a team with heart. They are not true winners. I am getting to the point that I am tempted to start looking at teams like Atlanta who had every reason to do nothing this season yet managed to come from the bottom and work their way up to a playoff spot. That is a winning team. That is an example of a team with heart. I love the Panthers, but you can consider me a fan on strike. I can’t cheer for a team who does not have heart. I have decided if Atlanta wins the division, they get my support for the playoffs, and if they fall, it goes to the team who seems to want it the most. The panthers have already lost to three of the six teams they played this season. Even most of the games they won were often much closer than they should have been. I just have to see some changes before I can offer my full support including going to games and buying their merchandise. I am just one of tens of thousands of fans and I no that no one is even really even cares about what I have to say but I have been cheering for this team for a long time and I had to speak my mind somehow. I can only cheer for teams that will do everything they can to win and I just wish that the players and coaches who aren’t willing to do their best at their jobs for every game of they year ( as the N.Y. Giants running back seems to do) would leave. N.Y. deserves to win as they had the heart and we didn’t. That’s all I have to say, as if anyone cares.

Stephen-I realise this is coming in really late, but after reading the comments above i felt i had to vent. Of all the feelings us panther fans could have after the loss to the Giants, to describe it as embarrasing and disgracefull is simply shocking. The Giants are the reigning superbowl champs, and even with Burress, Umenyora and the likes missing they are still the Nfl’s best team until Feb. The team ran them close, and could have won if Kasay kicked the field goal. Gamble is our best corner, and how people can say he should be benched, i just cant beleive it. This team has come along way from last year, and the run defence, which was our main downfall can be fixed if we should play the Giants again. This year has been a great year for Carolina and its fans, and we have a genuine chance of a superbowl. They have skill, heart and desire and with a bit of luck can go all the way. Any fan that goes on ’strike’ after the season we have had, is crazy.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The first move the Panthers made was releasing Keary Colbert, a chronic under achiever after a promising rookie season, while letting the number two receiver from last season, Drew Carter test the free agent waters. With this move the Panthers showed that they were going to revamp the wide receiving corps. After letting Colbert and Carter go, the Panthers went out and resigned Muhsin Muhammad. For me, this is huge because when Moose is on the field he is a great second option that Delhomme trusts, and can pickup a needed third down easily with his size, not to mention the fact that he is a great run blocker as welll. Even though Moose is 35, he is a better option than either Colbert or Carter, and adds some needed experience to the position.

The second, and probably the biggest addition of the offseason, was the pickup of D. J. Hackett from the Seahawks. Though Hackett has had some durability issues which has hindered his play in the past, his size and speed put him in line to the second starter behind Smitty this season. Hackett is a good contrast to Smith, who is a little smaller and quicker, and will definitely draw some of the double coverage off Smith, which means bigger plays from the Panthers best player.

I don’t think much needs to be said about Smith, who still managed to get ever 1,000 receiving yards last season with Vinny Testeverde and David Carr throwing to him. With the addition of Moose and Hackett, Smith will be able to do some serious damage to opposing defenses. I don’t think he’s going to win the triple crown this season (leading the league in receptions, yards, and touchdowns) because the offense should be much more balance this season, and Tom Brady and Randy Moss are crazy good, but I would expect him to be around 1,800 yards by the end of the season.

So, after taking a look at the probable starters, lets look at some guys who could see some action. I really think Dwayne Jarrett is going to have a breakout year this year, and is a definite sleeper. Jarrett struggled last season, but appears to have made strides this offseason, both on the field at summer school, and off the field with his DUI charge. Jarrett has received a lot of praise from both coaches and players, and has the potential to pass Moose on the depth chart. Even if Jarrett is behind Moose, he will add good depth to the position, something the Panthers have lacked since their Superbowl season with Smtih, Moose, and Ricky Prohel. Ryne Robinson also looks like he could be in position to get some action at wideout. Robinson was drafted in the fourth round of last year’s draft to return punts (which is also what Steve Smith did his rookie season). With Jonathan Stewart taking over kick returns this season, Robinson should get more work at reveiver and could be another supprise.

Looking at the position I think it is one of the most solid positions on the team along with linebacker. There’s the big play potential with Steve Smtih, the reliable 10 yard grabs with Moose, and the number two Hackett taking off double teams with this combination, the Panthers look to have one of the top ten receiving corps in the league. Speaking of which I was surprised that ESPN’s rankings of teams wide receivers put the Panthers at number 14, they should at least be number 10, but hey, it keeps them under the radar, which is what they like.

Final Position Grade: A-

Excluding last season, Julius Peppers has been a beast in Carolina, racking up 54.5 sacks in five seasons, putting Peppers up there with the league’s elite, but for whatever reason Peppers fell apart last season, collecting only 2.5 sacks. I’m not going to dive into all of the possible reasons why Peppers played so bad, that’s a whole other story, I’m simply going to look at his chances of having Hall of Fame numbers by the end of his career.

Right now there are 14 defensive ends in the Hall of Fame, but the thing is, the NFL did not record sacks until 1982, which means that there really isn’t a bar for how many sacks Julius Peppers needs to shoot for. If Peppers rebounds next season and the seasons following, Peppers would need to keep up the same pace he had in his first five seasons, for the next 10 seasons, for him to have any type of numbers close to hall of fame worthy. Peppers will need to put up some pretty impressive seasons, I’m talking 18 or 20 sacks, if he wants to be considered for the Hall of Fame. I’m not saying he can’t do it, with his power years still to come, Peppers might be able to, but with the chance of injuries, poor play by your teammates (means Peppers is double teamed), or a mystery bug, it just isn’t likely.

Another thing hindering Peppers is the number of players in front of him to be selected, Bruce Smith (all time sack leader) and Michael Strahan to name a few, have yet to be inducted, as well as quite a few others. If Peppers was to end up with l50 sacks, there would still be a long list of players in front of him that are Hall of Fame worthy. The bottom line is that Peppers chances really dropped because of last season, and he needs to have some phenomenal seasons in order to have any shot at getting into Canton.

Hall of Fame Chance: 15%