HEAD COACH: Ron Rivera
Key Additions: RB Mike Tolbert; DB Haruki Nakamura; OL Bruce Campbell; LB Kenny Onatolu; OL Mike Pollak
Key Losses: LB Dan Connor; OL Geoff Schwartz; OL Travelle Wharton; WR Legedu Naanee; OL Jeff Otah
Offense: The Panthers offense begins and ends with second year quarterback Cam Newton, who had a monster rookie season by passing for 4,051 yards to go with 21 touchdowns and 17 interceptions. Newton's pass yardage set an NFL rookie record as did his 14 rushing touchdowns for quarterbacks. Newton also ran for 706 yards, averaging 5.6 yards per carry.
Wow!
Backing up Newton will be Derek Anderson and Jimmy Clausen.
The running backs will be DeAngelo Williams (836 yards rushing, with a 5.4 ypc average and seven touchdowns) and Jonathan Stewart, who had 761 yards and also averaged 5.4 yards per carry to go with four rushing touchdowns.
The fullback is Mike Tolbert, who put together some good seasons with San Diego, as he rushed for 490 yards with eight touchdowns and also caught 54 passes for 433 yards and two TD last year.
Newton will have more options in the backfield with Tolbert aboard in 2012 as both (Tolbert) and Stewart are good receivers out of the backfield. Stewart caught 47 passes last season, including one for a score.
The wide receivers are led by Steve Smith, who enjoyed a big season, hauling in 79 receptions for 1,394 yards (17.6 ypc average) and seven touchdowns. Brandon LaFell (36, 613, three TD) will be the other starter. The tight end is Greg Olsen, who made 45 catches for 540 yards and five touchdowns.
The Panthers saw Legedu Naanee leave via free agency and will have David Gettis, Kealoha Pilares, Armanti Edwards and rookie Joe Adams in reserve.
The offensive line features tackles Jordan Gross and Byron Bell along with center Ryan Kalil. The guards will be Geoff Hangartner and rookie Amini Silatolu. Also available up front are Garry Williams, Bryant Browning, Jeff Byers, Mike Pollak and Bruce Campbell.
Carolina finished seventh overall on offense (390 yards per game) last season, including third in the league rushing the football, where they gained 150 yards per game. The passing attack was 13th in the NFL, averaging 239 yards per game. The Panthers also tied for fifth in scoring, totaling 406 points.
Defense: This is where the team has to improve in 2012, as the Panthers ranked in the bottom half of the NFL in total defense, including both run and pass defense.
Employing the 4-3 set, Carolina will have Ron Edwards and Terrell McClain at tackles with Greg Hardy (four QB sacks) and Charles Johnson, who led the team with nine sacks, at the ends.
Rookie Frank Alexander (Oklahoma), Sione Fua, Andre Neblett, Antwan Applewhite, Tom Keiser (four sacks) and Ogemdi Nwagbuo will spell the starters.
The linebackers are Thomas Davis and Jon Beason outside while first round draft pick Luke Kuechly (Boston College) will be the man in the middle.
Other linebackers in the fold include James Anderson, Kenny Onatolu, Kion Wilson, Jason Phillips and Jordan Senn.
The secondary has cornerbacks Chris Gamble (three interceptions) and Captain Munnerlyn while the safeties will be free agent signee Haruki Nakamura and Charles Godfrey, who made two picks last year.
Sherrod Martin (three INT), Brandon Hogan, Darius Butler, Jordan Pugh and rookies Josh Norman and D.J. Campbell, along with veterans Reggie Smith and R.J. Stanford will be ready to play when needed.
Carolina allowed 429 points last season, which ranked 27th in the NFL in that category. In addition, the Panthers gave up 378 yards a game (28th in NFL) while yielding 131 yards on the ground (25th) and 247 yards passing per game, which was 24th in the league.
OUTLOOK: The fun and gun offense the Panthers displayed with Rookie of the Year Cam Newton at quarterback should continue once again in 2012, but Head Coach Ron Rivera (who helped build a solid defense in San Diego as the D coordinator) would like to see the defense step up to match what the offense does.
While piling up points and yardage makes for an exciting football game, the bottom line in the NFL is wins and losses and if the Panthers want to get to the next level with Atlanta and New Orleans in the NFC South, they must get better on defense.
The schedule is brutal this season, so the team will be pressed to improve on last year's record. The Panthers were 2-4 in division games last season, sweeping Tampa Bay but were swept by the Falcons and Saints.
The key may be turnovers as they were a plus-one last year when they had ten fumble recoveries and 14 interceptions to go with 31 QB sacks.
Improvement in those areas would do wonders as it would give Newton and company even more opportunities to score.
As long as the defense can improve while the offense keeps humming along and Newton does not experience the "sophomore slump," the Panthers could move up this season.
Another 6-10 finish may be coming this year as the team will definitely be tested with the schedule they play, which includes going against three playoff teams from 2011 in their first five games.
But with Newton at the offensive controls, the Panthers can never be counted out. No matter the outcome this season, it should be another exciting ride for Carolina fans.
TEAM SCHEDULE:
Week 1- at Tampa Bay
Week 2- vs. New Orleans
Week 3- vs. NY Giants
Week 4- at Atlanta
Week 5- vs. Seattle
Week 6- BYE
Week 7- vs. Dallas
Week 8- at Chicago
Week 9- at Washington
Week 10- vs. Denver
Week 11- vs. Tampa Bay
Week 12- at Philadelphia
Week 13- at Kansas City
Week 14- vs. Atlanta
Week 15- at San Diego
Week 16- vs. Oakland
Week 17- at New Orleans
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