2012 NFL Season Preview: Carolina Panthers
By Editorial Staff
Carolina Panthers
Front Office:
Owner: Jerry Richardson
GM: Marty Hurney
D: John Fox should not have been the only one to go. Hurney was largely responsible for creating this mess. I do not get it….was Hurney someone who used to know how to build a football team and lost it or was the orcastrator someone who left??? Panther fans clue me in because this is easily the worst put together team in the NFL.
Coaching:
HC: Ron Rivera
OC: Rob Chudzinski
DC: Sean McDermott
C-: I like the hire of Rivera. I think he has been long overdue for a HC position. I even think hiring Chudzinski to come over with him from the Chargers was a decent move, but can someone explain why he hired McDermott??? I am hoping Rivera has a large input on the defense.
QB: F
Matt Moore was obviously not the answer after a few games. Jimmy Clausen looked lost and had a poor attitude the whole season. To make matters worse Andrew Luck decided to go back to school. This is garbage, what made it worse was the selection of Cam Newton. Newtonhas such flawed characteristics: brash attitude, bad mechanics, and coming from an overly simple college offensive system. Did you watch the Gruden QB camp??? Guy didn’t know how to call a play?
RB: A-
I doubt they spend the money to bring back DeAngelo Williams. I was screaming for them at this point last year to trade him for picks. Looks like I was wrong. Spending 53 million to bring him back was not a wise decision. Well the Panthers are still in decent position. Jonathan Stewart has shown glimpses of being a dominate RB when carrying the full load. MikeGoodson is a good change of pace RB for him. Panthers are hoping Stewart is behind his injured past.
WR/TE C
Steve Smith decided to stay which helps a little. While not what he was he is still their best WR option. The Panthers drafted 3 WR’s last season. Brandon Lafell could be solid if he catches the ball more consistent. Armanti Edwards was a failure that they traded last drafts second round pick for. David Gettis has good speed and play making ability. The Panthers also signed Jeremy Shockey and traded for Greg Olsen. These acquisitions drastically upgraded the TE position. Newtonwill have little to throw to in year 1. Welcome to Claussen’s world.
OL: B
Getting a healthy Jeff Otah will help immensely. He is a dominate road grinder. At LT and center the Panthers are rock solid with Jordan Gross and Ryan Kalil. The guard position is a little dicey. The Panthers ignored this position in the draft and I hope they can gloss it over in FA.
DL: B
The Panthers need to resign Charles Johnson and did so. He is no Julius Peppers but is a complete DE that is going into his prime and was handsomely paid to stay on board. On the other side two talented, young players compete…only problem is neither can stay healthy. Everette Brown and Greg Hardy have it in them to be a 10 sacks a season guy. Panthers hope one of them can be. DT it is a little unclear. The Panthers spent both 3rd round selections on Sione Fua and Terrell McClain. I think they both complement each other. Fua is a big body gap closer and McClain is a gap penetrator. Ron Edwards was signed to be a 1-2 year run stuffing rental.
LB: B+
This unit was overpaid to stay together and is the strength of the Panthers. Thomas Davis andJamesAnderson both have talent and were both signed to solid deals. Both have problems but the Panthers have too many other holes to let them both go. Jon Beason is a pro bowler and Dan Conner finally showed why he was a third round selection.
DB: C
This unit has solid players. None of them are elite but if the front seven can step up this will not be a weakness. Chris Gamble could be a pro bowler if he can make more big plays. Sherrod Martin and Charles Godfrey are both steady but replaceable. Problem this unit has if they do not resign Richard Marshall at CB than they are really hurting for CB depth.
2011 NFL Draft
Cam Newton was a waste. I will not waste my time talking about him. Unless his dad gives me a solid offer. Sione Fua and Terrell McClain were both solid picks. I did not like anything else they did. They over reached for almost all their players. D
Offensive/ Defensive Sleepers
David Gettis showed glimpses of big play potential last season. He has good speed and runs solid routes. His hands are a little dicey but maybe in time he can overcome this. However, this season I doubt he overcomes the QB position. I predict 55 receptions for 700 yards and 4-5 TD’s.
Everrette Brown is on the cusp of being a sack master. Injuries and his own inconsistent play have held him back. I think he builds on the momentum he built last season. I can see 8-9 sacks.
Season Preview: 3-13
Bottom line is this is the worse team in the league. I have told my friend in NC that this is almost as bad as the 0-16 Lion team a few years ago. Good news is Andrew Luck cannot hide forever and the Panthers seem to be outlasting him. Back to back 1st round picks used on QB’s!!!!!!!!