CAROLINA PANTHERS
2009 RECORD: 8-8-0
(3rd in NFC South)
HEAD COACH: John Fox
Key Additions: DT Ed Johnson (FA/Indianapolis), CB Marcus Hudson (FA/San Francisco), LB Jamar Williams (trade/Chicago)
Key Losses: DE Julius Peppers (FA/Chicago), QB Jake Delhomme (FA/Cleveland), QB Josh McCown (FA), WR Mushin Muhammad (FA), DT Damione Lewis (FA/New England), QB A.J. Feeley (FA), LB Na'il Diggs (FA/St. Louis), S Chris Harris (trade/Chicago)
Offense: There is a new quarterback in Carolina for 2010 and Matt Moore (1,053 yards passing with 8 touchdowns and two interceptions) is the man as Jake Delhomme departed for Cleveland in the off-season. Rookie Jimmy Clausen will backup Moore.
The running tandem of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart is one of the best in the NFL. Each rushed for over 1,100 yards last season. Williams gained 1,117 yards and scored seven touchdowns while Stewart had 1,133 yards and scored 10 TD. They both averaged five yards per carry.
The receivers are led by Steve Smith, who had 65 catches for 982 yards and seven TDs in 2009.
Dwayne Jarrett is the other projected starter while rookies Armanti Edwards and Brandon LaFell are also available. The Tight Ends include Jeff King (25 catches, 200 yards, three TD), Dante Rosario (26 catches, 313 yards) and Gary Barnidge.
The line has Ryan Kalil at center, Travelle Wharton and Mackenzy Bernadeau at guards and Jordan Gross and Jeff Otah at tackle.
Defense: The mainstay on defense is gone as Julius Peppers (and his 10.5 QB sacks) left for Chicago via free agency.
Tyler Brayton (five sacks) and Everette Brown will play Defensive End while Tank Tyler and Louis Leonard man the tackle spots.
The linebacking corps sees Dan Connor and Thomas Davis on the outside with Jon Beason in the middle.
The cornerbacks are Chris Gamble and Richard Marshall, who each had four interceptions last season. The safeties are Charles Godfrey and Sherrod Martin.
The Panthers defense ranked eighth overall in '09 and the pass defense allowed just 191 yards per game, which was fourth in the NFL. The run defense was 22nd overall, allowing 125 yards per game.
OUTLOOK: The Carolina running game averaged 156 yards per game and ranked third in the league last season. The passing game must increase its numbers in 2010.
That is where Moore and the receivers must step it up and balance the offense so opposing defenses can't just crowd the line of scrimmage.
If Stewart and Williams continue to run the way they have the past two seasons, the Panthers should be competitive once again.
There were simply too many mistakes made at quarterback (Delhomme had a miserable season in '09) prior to Moore taking over. The prime target is Smith and the other wideouts must contribute to take pressure off the running game.
A balanced offense and improved run defense would do wonders for the Panthers' chances in the NFC South, where Head Coach John Fox knows there will be tough competition.
Another 8-8 finish appears to be on the horizon for this team as they continue to build for the future.
TEAM SCHEDULE:
Week 1- at NY Giants
Week 2- vs. Tampa Bay
Week 3- vs. Cincinnati
Week 4- at New Orleans
Week 5- vs. Chicago
Week 6- Bye Week
Week 7- vs. San Francisco
Week 8- at St. Louis
Week 9- vs. New Orleans
Week 10- at Tampa Bay
Week 11- vs. Baltimore
Week 12- at Cleveland
Week 13- at Seattle
Week 14- vs. Atlanta
Week 15- vs. Arizona
Week 16- at Pittsburgh
Week 17- at Atlanta
No comments:
Post a Comment