Number on the roster: 8

Probable Starter: DeAngelo Williams

Like the offensive and defensive lines, the running back position for the Panthers was a focus for revamping this offseason. First, Carolina started by finally releasing DeShaun Foster, a move that was a season overdue. Foster had shown flashes of greatness in previous seasons, particularly late in the 2005 season, but Foster couldn’t stay healthy, and his style of running never fit Head Coach John Fox’s vision of a north-south, downhill runner. The problem with Carolina’s running game the last two seasons was that the Panthers were really using two change of pace backs. The two back system is really meant for when a team has big pounder, something they had in Stephen Davis, and a speedy outside back, Foster and Williams. With Foster and Williams though, the Panthers didn’t have that back that could wear down defenses so that the speedy guy could come in later in the game and break off some big runs.

With this in mind, Carolina dropped Foster, which also freed up some cap space for later signings, and started looking for backs. The high profile guy that everyone, including myself and other sports aficionados who post their opinions on the (of all places) discussion boards of poker download websites wanted was free agent Michael Turner, but thankfully the Panthers steered clear of Turner, who eventually went to Atlanta and signed a monster deal on really no proven NFL experience. No, instead the Panthers went out and signed little known LaBrandon Toefield, who was burried on the depth chart in Jacksonville behind Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew. Toefield seems almost nonexistent now, with most of the focus on the Panther’s number one pick, Jonathan Stewart, but Toefield received high praise for the Jags head coach Jack DelRio, and Toefield could do a lot next season in backing up Williams and Stewart.

Anyway, moving on the what the position looks like next year, the Panthers appear to be set. After picking up Jonathan Stewart in April’s draft, Carolina finally got that downhill runner they’ve been missing since Stephen Davis, who took the Panthers to the Superbowl in 2003. With Stewart’s punishing style of running, he should do a great job of wearing down defensive lines for DeAngelo Williams. Williams had a number of big runs last season, most of which coming later in the game, showing that Williams has that much needed big play ability, which should be seen a lot more with Stewart in the lineup. With these two guys, the Panthers finally have a true two-pronged rushing attack, and I would expect them to be in the top seven in rushing next season (they were 14th last season, even though they seemed more like 25th).

Stewart and Williams also have good depth behind them as well, I mentioned Toefeild who has some promise, but Nick Goings who has started games is also there to help back up the starters. As of now, Carolina has both quality starters and good depth behind the starters, the keys to a good rushing attack.

Overall Position Grade: B+

Tags: deangelo williams, Position Analysis, running back