2010 RECORD: 2-14-0
(4th in NFC South)
HEAD COACH: Ron Rivera
Offense: Rookie Cam Newton (Auburn) was the number-one pick in the entire NFL draft and will have the chance to direct the offense for the Panthers. Jimmy Clausen (1,558 passing yards, three touchdowns and nine interceptions in 2010) is also in the mix at quarterback with Matt Moore gone.
The running game that had been so productive the previous two seasons fell off last year due to injuries. DeAngelo Williams was limited and had just 361 yards (on 87 carries) while averaging 4.1 yards per carry. The other half of the "smash and dash" duo Jonathan Stewart, ran for 770 yards (4.3 ypc) and only scored two touchdowns. Mike Goodson, who gained 452 yards and averaged 4.4 per carry while scoring three times, is also in the backfield.
Wide receiver Steve Smith (46 receptions for 554 yards and two TD) is back for another season after also missing time last year. Legedu Naanee (23 catches for 371 yards) comes over from the San Diego Chargers and will be a target along with David Gettis (37, 508, three TD) and Brandon LaFell (38 catches for 468 yards).
The Panthers picked up two decent tight ends in Greg Olsen (41 receptions for 404 yards and five TD with Chicago) and Jeremy Shockey (41, 408, three TD), who was with New Orleans last season.
The offensive line has Ryan Kalil at center with Geoff Schwartz and Travelle Wharton at guards. The tackles are Jordan Gross and Jeff Otah.
After averaging just 258 yards per game, the Panthers ranked dead last in offense in 2010. The passing game in particular was awful, getting just 143 yards per game. Carolina also finished last in the NFL in scoring with 196 points.
Defense: New Head Coach Ron Rivera comes over to lead the defense after guiding the San Diego Chargers to the top spot defensively in 2010.
With defensive ends Charles Johnson (11.5 QB sacks), Everette Brown and Greg Hardy playing along with rookie tackles Terrell McClain (South Florida) and Sione Fua (Stanford), the Panthers will look improve against the run after allowing 124 yards rushing per game in 2010.
Jon Beason is the middle linebacker and the outside linebackers are Thomas Davis and James Anderson.
The pass defense was decent, ranking 11th overall with safety Charles Godfrey leading the way for the Panthers with five interceptions. The other defensive backs include Sherrod Martin (strong safety) and cornerbacks Chris Gamble and Captain Munnerlyn (three INT) along with Brandon Hogan and Sean Considine.
OUTLOOK: After being outscored by a two-to-one margin last season, the Panthers will be looking for Newton and his versatility at quarterback to lead the offense back to respectability.
Having Smith, Williams and Stewart back healthy in 2011 will be big for Carolina and if Newton can live up to some of the expectations, then the offense will see improvement.
The defense will have some growing pains up front with two rookies slated to start. But the linebackers and secondary are decent enough to help out against opponents.
Rivera worked wonders with the Chargers' 3-4 scheme after becoming the Defensive Coordinator three years ago, but the Panthers are a different story as the 2011 season approaches, especially playing the likes of the Falcons, Saints and Buccaneers in the NFC South.
A fierce pass rush is in order (Carolina had only 31 QB sacks in 2010) to ease the pressure on the secondary and the run defense must improve.
The team has some of the parts already in place but with the dependence being placed on rookies and new players, plus a new system coming along with a new coaching staff, there are lots of questions to be answered.
A 4-12 finish for Carolina would be an improvement from a year ago as the Panthers will have to continue to build with Newton and company as they look to the future.
TEAM SCHEDULE:
Week 1- at Arizona
Week 2- vs. Green Bay
Week 3- vs. Jacksonville
Week 4- at Chicago
Week 5- vs. New Orleans
Week 6- at Atlanta
Week 7- vs. Washington
Week 8- vs. Minnesota
Week 9- BYE WEEK
Week 10- vs. Tennessee
Week 11- at Detroit
Week 12- at Indianapolis
Week 13- at Tampa Bay
Week 14- vs. Atlanta
Week 15- at Houston
Week 16- vs. Tampa Bay
Week 17- at New Orleans
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