The Panthers start off their 14th season in the NFL having made the playoffs three times already in their short team history. The Richardson family is one of the best ownership groups in football. Injuries doomed the Panthers ‘07 season from the start, but even with the injuries they still finished 7-9. The Panthers ranked 26th in scoring (16.7 PPG) and 15th in points allowed (21.7 PPG)

Coaching: John Fox enters his 7th season as the Panthers Head Coach. He is known as a no-nonsense, defensive minded coach with a very good relationship with his players. In his second season, Fox took a 1 -15 team in 2001 to the Super Bowl 2003. In doing so he became just the third coach in NFL history to accomplish the feat (Lombardi/Parcels). Jeff Davidson enters his second year as Offensive Coordinator. Prior to that he spent two years in Cleveland after 8 years with the Patriots. During his time with the Pats he helped them to four division titles, three conference championships and three Super Bowl wins as the tight ends/assistant offensive line coach from ‘97-’04. Mike Trgovac joined the Panthers in 2002 and has been a rock solid Defensive Coordinator.

Stats Slant: This is a very solid coaching crew from top to bottom.

Quarterback: Jake Delhomme returns from the elbow injury that sidelined him 23/09/07 and required Tommy John surgery. His first appearance at camp came on May 28th and he threw about 40 passes. Afterward both he and trainer Vermillion were happy with the progress and Jake should be fine. Provided he can stay healthy Jake is a high-end #2 starting QB. The Panthers cleaned house in the QB area in the off-season and Matt Moore enters his second season as the now entrenched backup in Carolina.

Stats Slant: Delhomme was off to an amazing start in 2007 passing for 8 TD’s and one INT through three games. If the elbow is healthy, (the coaching staff says he looks stronger than before the injury) Jake will move up to a low-end #1 QB.

Running Back: The Panthers finished 14th in rushing (114 YPG) in 2007 using the tandem of DeAngelo Williams (717 Y 3 TD) and DeShaun Foster (876 Y 3 TD) The Panthers were kind of forced into running the ball after Delhomme went down. The Panthers selected Jonathan Stewart 13th over all in the ‘08 Draft (Oregon) and reports have him carrying the bulk of the load this season over Williams. Stewart could very easily be the safest rookie pick in Fantasy Football this season. The Panthers did acquire LaBrandon Toefield from the Jags but he looks to be nothing more than insurance. DeShaun Foster is now with SF.

Stats Slant: The Panthers insist they are going to be a run first, smash mouth team this season. However because of the RB by committee approach they plan to take, we see Stewart as a high-end #3 RB (though moving up) with Williams a little further back.

Wide Receiver: No one could be happier to see Delhomme return than Steve Smith. Four of Smiths 7 TD’s came in the first two weeks with Jake at the helm in ‘07. His yards per game slipped from 97.7 in ‘05 and 83.3 in ‘06 to 66.8 in ‘07 and disappointed a lot of Fantasy Owners. A healthy Delhomme back under center makes Smith an overall top 10 WR. Muhsin Muhammad and D.J. Hackett join the Panthers receiving core and will help take some double coverage off of Smith.

Stats Slant: Smith is a #1 WR who will average double-digit points weekly. Hackett
and Muhammad will battle for the second spot with the edge going to Hackett. Neither should be nothing more than a mid range #3 WR though.

Tight End: Jeff King enters his third season with the Panthers and second as their undisputed #1 TE. In ‘07 King was second in catches with 46 for 406 Y and 2 TD. With their new weapons at WR expect the Panthers use the TE position for blocking more than receiving.

Stats Slant: King will be hard pressed to improve on his ‘07 totals and should only be used as a bye week replacement.

Place Kicker: John Kasay enters his 18th season and 13th as a Panther. In ‘07 he hit on 24 of 28 FG’s and all 27 PAT’s good for a tie for 16th overall. We expect the Panthers to score more this season but that should only raise Kasays PAT totals.

Stats Slant: Kasay is mid range #2 PK and should only be used as a bye week replacement

Defense/Special Teams: The Panthers D (16th) and ST (15th) both finished in the middle of the pack in ‘07. There is not much to suggest they will improve in ‘08

Stats Slant: The return of Delhomme is good news for the D as well as they should spend less time on the field. They are still no better than a bye week replacement if the match up is right.

Red Flag: Have the injuries healed?

Keep a pre-season eye on: Delhommes elbow and Stewarts toe.

Stats Sleeper: No one is really talking about him but if healthy, Stewart will be an impact player.

2008 Strength Of Schedule: 17th out of 32

Last word: As is the case with every NFL team, the Panthers health at QB will be a determining factor of their overall success. If all is well, Smith is a #1 WR, Jake is a #2 QB and Stewart is a # 3 creeping up to # 2 RB.

Up Next: Chicago Bears On Deck: Cincinnati Bengals In The Hole: Cleveland Browns

StatsGuru

Photo Source: http://www.carolinapanthersblog.org/mini-camp-news/deangelo-williams-adopts-new-role/