The Elevator: Analyzing The Panthers’ Preseason Loss To the Ravens

For all intents and purposes, the preseason is over for the Carolina Panthers’ starters.  The third game is known as the final dress rehearsal for the starting units around the NFL, and is used to gague the progress or lack thereof that any given team has made.

For the third game in a row, the Panthers took the loss and left the field with questions flying around the team as to what happened to last year’s 12-4 squad that took the NFC South title.

However, the Panthers are looking better.  From the first preseason game to Saturday night’s contest, they have made improvements in nearly every area to some degree.  That doesn’t fully answer the questions facing this team but it doesn’t leave fans void of hope that, come September 13th, this team will remain a contender.

DeAngelo Williams sat out after tweaking his knee earlier in the week during practice, but Mike Goodson filled in nicely.  Jon Beason is still sidelined with a sprained MCL, but said after the game that he is optimistic about his chances of playing in the team’s regular season opener.

Let’s take a ride on the elevator to see just what went down on Saturday night.

 

Going Up…

– Backup running backs. 

Mike Goodson and DeCori Birmingham looked like a formidable duo as they filled in for Double Trouble. Goodson had 11 carries for 52 yards to go along with three catches for 26 yards. 

He often made the Ravens defenders miss after changing directions, and blocked well in the passing game.  Birmingham racked up 27 yards on three carries and scored the Panthers’ only touchdown of the game, a one-yard plunge on fourth-and-one.

 

– Downfield receptions.

Four 25+ yard receptions by four different Panthers on Saturday night. Dante Rosario, Jeff King, Steve Smith, and Muhsin Muhammad all found space to create big plays for the offense. 

What makes this stat more impressive is that two of these catches are credited to tight ends. That leads us to…

 

– Jake Delhomme. 

Being the game manager he is supposed to be. In his return to the site of the worst day of his career, Delhomme was much better. He completed 10 of his 16 passes for 180 yards.  To date, Jake has yet to throw an interception in the preseason, and has looked much more aware in the pocket.

 

– Defensive line. 

Now, before you jump all over me, consider this: Before Saturday night, the defensive line looked like that of a Pop Warner All-Star team. Nick Hayden has been used and abused all preseason, but he did a good job of pretty much holding his own against the Ravens running game. 

Tyler Brayton notched a sack on a play that worked perfectly for the Panthers. Julius Peppers brought pressure from his old left side of the line, freezing Joe Flacco with a huge leap just long enough to give Brayton enough time to bring Flacco down from behind. 

Peppers also made a nice hit on Flacco, garnering a polite response from the fans.  Everette Brown was again able to put pressure on the quarterback as well. After pretty much resting on the ground floor all preseason, the defensive line made a budge up the elevator.

 

– Turnover margin. 

For the first time this preseason, the Panthers won the turnover margin. Carolina managed to hold onto the ball and forced an interception from Ravens backup quarterback Troy Smith. 

 

Going Down…

– Penalties. 

The Panthers amassed 70 yards of bad behavior, having the laundry tossed their way nine times. To make matters worse, most of these involved our first team, meaning the loose ends that should be tied up by the third preseason game are still dangling in the wind. 

The outcome of this game would have likely been different if the Panthers could have lowered this number, and also if they could have capitalized on…

 

– Third-down conversions. The Panthers were 0-for-7 on the night in these critical situations, which explains the measly 13 points on the board. Not ONCE did the offense find a way to extend the drive when they faced third down. 

That is cause for concern at any level of football, and should never happen in the NFL.

 

– Secondary. If the secondary was a pair of your favorite boxer shorts, your girlfriend would be nagging you to throw them away. You could drive a pickup truck through some of the holes that were present in the Panthers’ secondary on Saturday night. 

Lucky for the Ravens, all they had to do was run players through them, which explains Flacco’s stat line of 23-of-28 for 247 yards and a touchdown. Whenever a receiver has time to catch the ball, turn up field, square his body, take a bite of his sandwich, check his watch, and start to head up field before he realizes there are guys trying to tackle him, its time to figure something out defensively. 

Ron Meeks’ new defense is supposed to play to the strengths of our defenders, but so far it has embarrased them. None more than…

 

– Chris Gamble. 

In the words of the prophetic Charlie Brown…”Good grief.”  Gamble was beat like he stole something on Saturday, and claims his efforts were the result of poor technique.  If that’s the case, Gamble’s technique needs to file for bankruptcy. 

Perhaps the intricacies of the new defensive scheme have not yet been revealed to the public, or perhaps the personnel we have doesn’t have the skills that the playbook is based on. 

Whatever the case, the Eagles won’t have any qualms about exposing the weaknesses when they come to town, so the defense better take a long look in the mirror in the little bit of time left before the opener.

 

The Panthers will host the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday night and will then have until Saturday to trim their roster down to the 53-man limit.  Expect to see a series, MAYBE two from the starters, but mostly a final tryout for the bottom dwellers on the depth chart. 

For the casual football fan the last preseason game is nearly unwatchable, but for the diehard, its the most interesting.

Carolina Panthers Game Guide: Back To The Bank As Ravens Fly In To Town

The photo above depicts Carolina Panthers head coach John Fox the last time he observed the team’s pre-game routine at Bank Of America Stadium. Little did he know that by the time the seats behind him returned to their empty status, his team would be packing its bags for an early offseason after being embarrassed by the Cinderella-esque Arizona Cardinals.

Tonight, the Panthers will take the field at “The Bank” for the first time since that dreadful night. Jake Delhomme will come under center in front of the home fans for the first time since throwing five picks and losing a fumble in that game, solidifying his title of public enemy No. 1 around Charlotte.

For the last seven months, Jake’s name could be heard in the same sentence as the terms washed up, over-rated, and dead weight. The worst part? Those are only the printable insults.

Jake has become the Panthers fans’ favorite target. If you tune into WFNZ 610 AM any time during the week, you’ll hear caller after caller metaphorically hang Jake from a clothesline. You’ll hear debate after debate about how the Panthers will never win anything with Jake running the offense.

All of this was hidden inside these people and Jake’s performance the last time he stepped on that field proved the straw that broke the camel’s back. The floodgates were opened and things have never been so rough in Carolina.

Jake has his first chance to work towards redemption tonight.

The Baltimore Ravens will come into town to face the Panthers on Saturday night. After two mediocre preseason performances, the Panthers will get to try their hand inside the friendly confines of The Bank. 

Yes, I’m aware that this is preseason and this game will mean nothing in a few weeks. However, this is that “all-important” third preseason game where the starters play into the third quarter and there is a game plan and all that jazz. At least, that’s how its supposed to be.

The Panthers find themselves in somewhat of a catch-22 at this point in the young season. They return to their home field for the first time since being blown off of it, yet they can’t afford to lose anyone else before the games start counting.

 

What to Look For on Saturday

+ Look for an explosive beginning to the game. Whether we start with the ball or on defense, look for the Panthers to be firing on all cylinders out of the gate. I guarantee you that I am not the only one who remembers Saturday, January 10, 2009. 

Ron Meeks has preached all offseason about explosiveness and getting to the ball, but we haven’t seen a bit of it. Perhaps the home crowd will be the motivation needed to get some heavy hitting underway.

If Jake gets the ball first, look for us to establish the run. The last thing that we need is Jake throwing an early pick. The boo birds are perched and are ready to swoop down upon him—as well as Ray Lewis—if he makes a mistake. 

+ Look for a break from the norm. The Panthers will likely not play their starters at the skill positions into the third quarter like most teams will in the third preseason games.  They are simply too banged up to risk anymore serious injuries—especially with a hard-hitting Ravens defense waiting in the wings. 

DeAngelo suffered a mild knee injury during practice this week, so why overwork him and risk having both Double and Trouble watching from the sidelines when Philly comes to town?

Steve Smith isn’t quite 100% yet, so why put him on the line for a meaningless game?  Besides, we have a dogfight for the fourth receiver position on our hands between Kenneth Moore and Ryne Robinson. Let’s see what these guys can do against the Ravens’ secondary.

+ Look for someone to make a difference. I’m holding out hope that one of the defensive tackles we have on our roster will make a case to start. At this point, its very likely that the guy who will line up shoulder-to-shoulder with Damione Lewis on Sept. 13th isn’t a Panther yet. 

It would be nice to see one of the guys already on the team step up and stake his claim for the job. Marlon Favorite was impressive in camp but hasn’t gotten much first-team action. Nick Hayden has been tagged as the starting guy as of right now, but it is evident he isn’t ready for that role.

 

Keep in Mind…

This is a shell of our team. We aren’t as deep as we have been in years past, and the coaching staff will likely continue to err on the side of caution. We haven’t played spectacular ball, but we also haven’t had our weapons loaded either. Jake might not look great, but he doesn’t have Smitty and Moose out there. Even if he does tonight, it won’t be for long.

The defense is missing Jon Beason, so it’s very likely that our defense could be abused as the game wears on, especially if Ray Rice is on the level he has been so far this preseason.

 

What to Take Away From This Game…

A level head. Keep remembering that we aren’t in full force, and won’t be until the opener. You cannot read too much into this or any of the other preseason games we have played. 

Watch the offensive line. They are healthy and they are all back, so the chemistry on the line should be impressive. See what kind of holes the Panthers backs have to run through, whether or not they hit them.

Watch the return game again. Right now, I’d have to call advantage Captain Munnerlyn after his 58-yard dash against Miami. See if Robinson or Larry Beavers can make a case to keep their roster spot.

 

Kickoff is at 8:00pm ET, and can be seen locally on Panthers TV (local Fox station).

Radio coverage is on 1110-AM WBT.

***If you’re heading to the game, stop at your local grocery store and pick up a few school supplies. There will be collection bins outside all entry gates, and the supplies collected will be distributed to under-privileged kids in the Charlotte area. Even if it’s one notebook or one highlighter or one folder, every bit helps***

Carolina Panthers Game Guide: Preseason Game Two, At Miami

The Carolina Panthers will travel to Miami for their second preseason game of 2009.  If they have it their way, it will be the first of two trips to Miami this season.

The Panthers are coming off of a bizarre, last second 24-17 loss to the Giants at the Meadowlands on Monday night, and have wrapped up their training camp at Wofford College in Spartanburg, SC.

Their first preseason effort left a good bit to be desired from the Panther faithful, and based on the rumblings that can be heard around Charlotte and the rest of Panther Nation, it’s crucial for the Panthers—at least the first team—to make a better impression on Saturday night.

The Dolphins defeated the Jaguars, 12-9, with a touchdown reception by wideout-turned-tight-end Ernest Wilford from Chad Henne proving to be the difference.

Miami, much like Carolina, didn’t play particularly stellar football and will be out to improve on their last performance.

The Dolphins made waves in the NFL last year with their use of the Wildcat offense, a scheme that took them from the AFC East cellar with a 1-15 record in 2007 to the playoffs in 2008 with an 11-5 record.

These two teams will meet again in Week 11 at Bank Of America Stadium on the NFL Network Thursday night match-up.

Before their preseason opener, the Panthers broke their huddle with a chant of : “Miami on three,” signaling their intent to finish up their season at Super Bowl XLIV, which will be held in Miami.

 

What to Watch For

The most obvious thing to look for on Saturday will be how the defense adjusts to having been pretty well diced on Monday night. The starting defensive unit did not echo the reports from training camp that a new level of intensity and passion had been injected into the defense with the arrival of Ron Meeks and his new defense.

The defensive line clearly missed Ma’ake Kemoeatu’s presence in the middle as the Giants proceeded to run all over the place early and often. There were several times when receivers caught balls and had time to turn and make a move before garnering any sort of interest from Panthers defenders.

The starting offense, outside of DeAngelo Williams, struggled as well, as Jake Delhomme was off target with several of his throws being well off target. Dwayne Jarrett failed to step up in his first action as a starting wide receiver, playing in Steve Smith’s place.

Overall, it was an effort that raised concerns across the Panthers fan base. It is important to remember, though, that it was the preseason opener. No Smith, no Jonathan Stewart, no game plan, no advanced play calling, just a way for the coaching staff to evaluate the pieces of the puzzle that will complete the final 53-man roster.

Delhomme and the first team offense will face a different defensive scheme from the Dolphins, who play the 3-4. This is a good thing for the Panthers, as it is nice to go into the regular season with a fresh look at any type of defense an opponent can throw at you.

Look for Mike Goodson’s ball protection to be much better. Jim Skipper doesn’t play nice with his running backs when they put the ball on the ground, so you have to assume Skip spent a good amount of time in Goodson’s ear this week at practice. Goodson will also likely see some time with the first team, as the starters are expected to play about two quarters.

Also keep an eye on the opening defensive series. The defense has worked on closing and tackling in their last week of practice and will come out with a chip on their shoulders after being dogged in the local media all week. Expect more rotation in the defensive tackle positions while Meeks tries to figure out who will start alongside Damione Lewis. 

The backup quarterback play will also be important, seeing as how all four quarterbacks on the roster fumbled on Monday night.  Word is that the Panthers will keep Hunter Cantwell on the practice squad, so the competition is between Josh McCown and Matt Moore for the second string job.

Perhaps the most intense position battle going on in Carolina right now is for the fourth receiver position. Ryne Robinson, Kenny Moore, Jason Chery, Jason Carter, and Larry Beavers have all impressed at some point in time over the last few weeks, and Moore and Chery played well Monday night at the Meadowlands. This battle could come down to one play at some point in the preseason, so look for these guys to be giving it their all.

The return game hasn’t had anyone’s name etched into the depth chart in stone at this point, mostly because the Giants offered little opportunity for returning any kicks on Monday night. Beavers had the longest kickoff return of the night with a 24-yarder.

 

What to Take Away From Saturday

Saturday will be more of a measuring stick for the Panthers than Monday night was, but it is still early in the preseason. Not only that, but I can’t reiterate enough the fact that these games are nothing like regular season games.

The teams may spend a practice or two working on some things the opposition may do just to get in the rhythm of preparing for a game. A lot of this is done for the rookies so that they aren’t shell-shocked completely when the regular season gets underway.

If there is any improvement from Monday night, then the game should be rendered a success. The battle for the fourth receiver should be intriguing, as the coaches will probably call a pass-heavy play selection once the backup quarterbacks get in the game.

Keep an eye on last week’s Panthers Preseason Spotlight, Jeremy Leman.  His intensity has carried over from Monday through the week at practice and if he can keep his level of play where it was against the Giants, he could be suiting up on the 13th. 

Most importantly, remember that the Panthers will not show the Dolphins anything but the most vanilla of plays and packages. Coach John Fox said after the Giants game that they were very basic in their schemes and play calls because they face the Giants in Week 16, so don’t expect anything different as the team goes up against another regular season foe.

 

Carolina Panthers Preseason Spotlight: Jeremy Leman

Carolina Panthers 2009 Training Camp Preview

The Carolina Panthers head into the 2009 season carrying some stiff expectations with them. After a 12-4 season that was abruptly ended by a shameful home playoff loss to the eventual Super Bowl runner-up Cardinals, the Cats will have a tough road to another playoff berth.

Here’s a look at a few things to watch for as the Panthers go camping.

Defining The X-Factor For The Carolina Panthers

In the wonderful world of the NFL, teams and members of the media alike are in a constant search for a bit of information or insight that will put them a notch ahead of the competition.  That search is never as heated as it is during the offseason, when teams are scrambling to shuffle their rosters and coaching staffs to improve on last season’s shortcomings. 

Both teams and the media outlets that cover them embark on a hunt unparalleled by any free agent bid or trade scenario.  They search for the one player, unit, package, or even sometimes the single play that will be instrumental in the team’s success. 

They are searching for the infamous “X-factor.”

The fan’s thirst for knowledge in the 21st century is unlike anything ever seen in the past.  Every stat, every situation, every detail, and every story is covered from every angle imaginable.  And it is not uncommon to see these measurements and calculations often prove to be irrelevant or off base. 

Such is not the case for the X-factor. 

Simply defined, the X-factor is the one thing that will make or break your team. 

It’s not as obvious as a starting quarterback or starting middle linebacker.  It’s that piece of the puzzle that, if used correctly, could change the landscape of your entire season.

On the other hand, if your X-factor turns out to be a bad apple, it could poison your entire team.  In layman’s terms, the X-factor is the difference maker.

When pondering the recipient of this title for the Carolina Panthers, you can make many valid arguments.  You could go with the obvious, such as Jake Delhomme, but you would be merely scratching the surface of what the X-factor title is all about.  It’s not about what should make your team better; it’s about what could make your team better. 

So, I figure what better way to determine the Panthers X-factor than by opening the question up to the community and sparking a little friendly debate.  I’ll lay out a few of my votes and turn the topic over for discussion.

Julius Peppers:  Yes, I know, it’s an easy choice.  But you can’t bet on Peppers being in a Panthers jersey for the 2009 season yet.  As much as he has spoken about his next career destination, he is still a vital part of the Panthers defense and his absence will be known should he not suit up.  In Ron Meeks’ new defense, the front four will be largely responsible for rushing the quarterback, and nobody on the Panthers roster can touch Peppers’ ability in that department.

Richard Marshall:  Ken Lucas took a lot of the heat last year for a sub-par performance by the Panthers’ secondary.  Lucas is on the other side of the country now and the young Marshall is stepping into his place.  Marshall has shown sparks of brilliance since being drafted by the Panthers in 2006, but will have to step his game up to a full-time gig in 2009.  If he can become a shut-down corner, that will take some of the pressure off of Chris Gamble and the Panthers will be solid at cornerback.  Shoring up the secondary will go a long way to improving the defense that let the Panthers down late last year.

Ryne Robinson:  A wildcard, sure, but the return game is become ever-prevalent in the NFL.  If Robinson can become the returner that the Panthers coaching staff believes he can, the offense will have better starting position and some pressure will be taken off the defense by improving field position.  Robinson missed all of 2008 with a knee injury but is back and will be expected to take the place of Mark Jones.  Robinson worked as the team’s returner in 2007 and showed progress as time went on.  If Larry Beavers makes the Panthers’ roster, it is likely he will be able to take some of the workload from Robinson.

Dwayne Jarrett:  If Jarrett can start producing material for a highlight reel that rivals that of his college days, then the Panthers will have Steve Smith’s homemade opposite.  Muhammad is a fine number-two receiver, but he’s getting up there in age and won’t be around for too much longer.  Jarrett was drafted to be the wide-out of the future for the Panthers, but so far he has turned out to be a bust.  If Jarrett can break out of his shell in 2009, the Panthers will have a triple-threat with Double Trouble, Smith, and the former USC standout.  If not, the Panthers will likely be forced to juggle Ryne Robinson, Jason Carter, and Kenneth Moore at the third receiver spot.

Offensive Line:  As is the case with any run-heavy team, the Panthers’ offensive line will play a huge part in their success or lack thereof come September.  All five starters are returning, leading one to believe that the unit will continue their solid play from 2008.  That must happen in order for the Panthers to remain near the top of the league in rushing, which is the team’s bread and butter.  Anchored by Jordan Gross and his new six-year deal, the offensive line is lacking some of the depth it sported last year, but should be in good shape for ‘09 barring any major injuries.

Tight Ends:  The Panthers spent a good lump of money on making sure Jeff King didn’t leave town as a restricted free agent.  Now it’s time to put that money to use.  King has shown steady improvement during his time in the league, and he is accompanied by Dante Rosario and Gary Barnidge; two other very capable tight ends.  If the Panthers’ running game is as successful as it was last season, teams will be forced to cheat to stop it, thus opening up the passing game.  With three athletic tight ends, there will almost always be a mismatch with whoever is checking them.  If the powers-that-be would insert some short routes, they could serve as a glorified run or even as a game changer in the right situation.  Whatever the case, the tight end needs to be utilized more in Carolina.

These are a few likely candidates for the title of the Panthers’ X-factor.  Now I’ll open the floor to my fellow fans to start the debate.  Have another player or unit in mind?  Let’s hear it.

 

 Austin is the Carolina Panthers’ Fan Voice at NFLTouchdown.com.  Visit him here.

 

Charles Johnson: Ready for Whatever Comes Next in Carolina

While the Carolina Panthers’ front office remains adamant that they expect Julius Peppers to be back with the team in time for training camp, they are going through summer school as if he’s already gone for good.

Weary that putting all of your eggs in one basket can spell doom in the NFL, the Panthers have conducted their offseason workouts the way they would if Peppers had his way and was spending the summer months getting used to a new city.

The understandably glaring question facing the Panthers this offseason is this: Who will replace Peppers when he is gone?  So far, it looks like it will be third-year man Charles Johnson, a 6’2″, 275-pound pass rusher from Georgia. 

Johnson has spent most of the Panthers’ summer school sessions working with the first team in Peppers’ currently vacant right defensive end position.

All signs currently point to Johnson having continued his rapid improvement since entering the league in the Panthers 2007 draft class, which includes Pro Bowl linebacker Jon Beason, starting center Ryan Kalil, and the much-maligned but ever-promising Dwayne Jarrett.

Johnson was inactive for the majority of the 2007 season, only cracking the game-day lineup when injuries made it a necessity late in the year. His role was specifically that of a pass rusher on passing downs.

After Mike Rucker retired at the end of the ’07 season, Johnson moved up into the role of the Panthers’ third defensive end behind the newly acquired Tyler Brayton. 

Johnson’s improvement between 2007 and 2008 was evident, as he recorded 30 total tackles and 19 quarterback hurries in his reserve role. More impressive were his six sacks—good for second on the team behind Peppers. His knack for reaching the quarterback and either stopping or changing the play cannot be overlooked as the Panthers face the possibility of life without Peppers.

Johnson’s athletic frame and relatively small stature for a defensive end fit perfectly into new defensive coordinator Ron Meeks’ system. When you think about the Indianapolis Colts defense, two of the first names that come to mind are Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis—a pair of undersized defensive ends whom Meeks made into Pro Bowlers.

Word from the Panthers’ recent summer school sessions is that Johnson has added some bulk and improved his conditioning, which will do nothing but help him in his quest to become a starting defensive end. 

For now, Johnson is doing his best to soak up the experience gained by practicing with the first team, and he remains open-minded about the upcoming season. 

“I’m a team player, I want Julius here,” Johnson told the media Wednesday. “I’m just trying to go out here and get better…You never know what’s going to happen.”

While those are mighty laid back words from perhaps one of the best kept secrets in the NFL, Jon Beason feels as if this may be Johnson’s breakout season.

“Charles is a guy who’s really maturing,” Beason said. “With this defense it’s going to allow him to play fast and free…I look for him to be a household name this year.”

Peppers or no Peppers, look for Johnson to continue his improvement and contribute at the highest level for the Panthers.

Austin Penny is the Carolina Panthers’ Fan Voice on NFLTouchdown.com.  Visit him here.

Carolina Panthers Playbook Plans for Consistency on Offense, Overhaul on Defense

For the first time in a long time, its not the Carolina Panthers’ offense that needs fine tuning in the offseason.  The Panthers “O” was good for 25.9 points per game last season, seventh best in the league.  They also averaged 152.3 yards per game on the ground, good enough for third in the league.

In the past, Panthers teams have been known for their tenacious defense and sub-par offense.  Outside of Steve Smith they have never been blessed with a superstar on that side of the ball, and the statistics have backed that up. 

Now that DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart have burst onto the scene as arguably the best two-back tandem in the NFL, it’s the other side of the ball that’s having problems.

The Panthers defense allowed 28 points per game in the team’s final seven regular season contests.  Although the offense played well enough to win five of them, it was obvious that if and when the offensive unit had an off day, the team would suffer greatly. 

That was no more evident than in Carolina’s embarrassing 33-13 home loss to Arizona in the divisional round of the playoffs. 

In that game, Larry Fitzgerald burned the Panthers for 166 yards and a 29-yard touchdown, while the Cardinals amassed 145 yards on the ground.  Yes, Jake Delhomme had a terrible game, but it wasn’t helped any by the fact that the Cardinals could do whatever they wanted to when they had the ball.

The defensive unit is lucky Jake petered out like he did, because that shifted much of the blame off of their shotty performance.

Enough about the past.  This is all about the future.  In 2009, the Carolina Panthers have a real shot at making the playoffs in succesive seasons for the first time in franchise history. 

They have the majority of their starting cast back and have made some changes to the coaching staff that should play out nicely.  Their road to the postseason, however, goes through many difficult and winding roads.  Their schedule is theoretically the second-toughest behind the Dolphins’, and nobody will take the Panthers lightly after their performance last season.

On offense, the goal is seemingly simple: keep on keepin’ on.  The Panthers offense relied heavily last year on the ground game, and figures to do the same in 2009.  Williams and Stewart will continue to be called on to carve up opposing defenses and attempt to open the passing game for Delhomme and Steve Smith. 

The entire starting offensive line is back and, barring injury, should be able to improve with the benefit of an entire offseason to work as a unit under their belt. 

The only prospective change is rookie Duke Robinson beating out Keydrick Vincent for the starting right guard spot, something that will likely only happen if Vincent cannot fully recover from a groin injury that knocked him out late last season. 

Williams and Stewart are obviously comfortable running behind these Gross and the gang, and should continue to charge through defenses.

The passing game will have much of the same look to it, with a couple of utility players potentially making a small splash.  Rookie Mike Goodson from Texas A&M has already impressed Delhomme with his speed and agility, and could prove to be useful coming out of the slot in certain situations. 

He played as a running back in college, so you could see him lining up in the split back formation on passing downs as well.

Dwayne Jarrett continues to puzzle his teammates and media pundits alike with his inability to grasp the concept of the NFL game.  If he can somehow translate his illustrious college game to the Sunday gridiron, the Panthers will have a definite threat to line up opposite of Smith. 

In the meantime, Muhsin Muhammad returns as the possession receiver and, as always, figures to be a steady asset for the team.

The only significant visible change we may see to the Panthers offense in 2009 could be more options on the short passing routes.  Smith is no longer the only player with blazing speed, and it is widely thought that using Williams in the slot could create confusion in opposing defenses. 

With the addition of the speedy Goodson and given the dollar amount that the Panthers spent to keep tight end Jeff King, a more active short passing game could be in the works for the team’s offense.

The defensive side of the ball will have a new leader in Ron Meeks, the team’s new defensive coordinator.  Meeks replaces Mike Trgovac who came under massive scrutiny during the team’s defensive collapse late last year.  Abundance of talent is no problem for the Panthers, but finding a way to mesh that talent into a smooth operating unit will be the job that Meeks is charged with. 

Every defensive starter returns except for Ken Lucas, who was cut by the team after vetoing a trade to Detroit.  Julius Peppers has been a no-show for all of the Panthers voluntary offseason workouts to date, but the organization remains confident he will suit up in 2009.

Meeks has said he is creating a new scheme in Carolina, one that doesn’t have cookie-cutter definitions but rather plays to the strengths of the players who will be running it.  It will likely implore many of the basic principles of Tony Dungy’s “Tampa-2” scheme that he has used for much of his career.

In the Tampa-2, the majority of the pressure on the quarterback comes from the front four of the defensive line, while the linebackers and secondary use zone coverages to thwart downfield threats.

It is likely that he will use more linebacker blitzes than the traditional Tampa-2, given that he has threats such as Jon Beason and Thomas Davis in his linebacking corps.  More zone coverages for the Panthers secondary will also help, as they at times seem undersized and overmatched when defending man-to-man.

The defensive scheme is still in the fledgling stages, with Meeks running the most basic of defenses at the team’s OTA’s to get a feel for his players’ strengths and weaknesses.  Don’t expect the team to reveal much about the new defense until we see it in action on opening day, although training camp should give us a healthy glimpse.

The goals are simple for the 2009 Panthers:  continue their new-found dominance in the ground game when they have the ball, and shore up the leaks that nearly sank the ship down the stretch on defense last year. 

The artists and conductors are all in place, let’s see what the music sounds like.

Clawing For Position: Key Carolina Panthers Position Battles

The Carolina Panthers are coming off a successful 2008 campaign that saw them go 12-4, albeit losing ungracefully in the first round of the playoffs to a destined Arizona Cardinals team. 

Most of the starters on both sides of the ball will be back next year, and the few that won’t be are pretty much already replaced, with their successors having been determined almost before their departures. 

There are, however, a few positions that aren’t quite etched in stone at this point.  The best part of training camp is watching those who know they are fighting for a job go at it day in and day out.  Every non-superstar NFL player knows that one bad day on the job at camp can be the difference between a roster spot and a pink slip. 

Here are a few battles to watch as training camp unfolds for the Panthers, assuming Julius Peppers is back in black next year.  If that ends up not being the case, then impressive youngster Charles Johnson will likely battle it out with rookie Everette Brown for the right to start opposite Tyler Brayton at defensive end.

 

Position: Right guard

Last Year’s Starter: Keydrick Vincent

The Challenger: Duke Robinson (rookie)

 

The Breakdown 

If his college highlights and the praise that scouts have given him turns out to be anything close to Robinson’s production in the NFL, the Panthers could have one of the major steals of the 2009 NFL Draft. 

Robinson, a 6’5”, 330-pound guard from Oklahoma, is a bulldozer of a man. Though he is listed at 330, most think he is likely closer to 350.  His ability to drive defensive players out of plays is amazing, and he has the size and speed to move to the tackle position if the need arises.  Robinson can also get to the next level after mowing over his first blocking assignment. This would be ideal to compliment the Panthers’ “Double Trouble” duo coming out of the backfield.

His potential downside is his temper, which cost the Sooners penalty yards several times in 2008, including in the National Championship game. 

His draft stock after his junior year had him going in the top three rounds, but as is the case with most guards, his stock fell, and he slipped to the Panthers in the fifth round this year. 

Keydrick Vincent missed the Panthers final two regular season games, as well as their playoff game against Arizona with a groin injury.  If the eight-year veteran can’t come back at full speed for training camp, Robinson will have the upper hand in this battle. 

 

The Impact

The Panthers’ offensive line was its strongest asset last year, allowing DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart to run wild on opposing defenses. The right guard position will be key to running the ball up the middle, which the fearsome duo often does before bouncing outside or breaking tackles for large gains.

 

Strong side linebacker

Last Year’s Starter: Na’il Diggs

The Challenger: Landon Johnson

 

The Breakdown

New defensive coordinator Ron Meeks is likely to favor Johnson’s smaller, speedier build.  Diggs was a staple on the Panthers defense last year, missing only one game and recording 54 total tackles (43 solo).  Diggs also recorded a sack and an interception, as well as two pass deflections. 

He had a team-high nine tackles in the team’s week six loss to Tampa Bay. 

Johnson recorded 16 total tackles and forced a fumble on special teams while serving as a back up in Mike Trgovac’s defense. 

Johnson was a third-round pick by Cincinnati in 2004 and his rookie year tackle totals are greater than any one season in Diggs’ eight year career. He twice eclipsed the 100-tackle mark in his final two seasons with Cincinnati before coming to Carolina as a free agent before the 2008 season. 

Johnson has shown he can be a solid starting linebacker, and after an entire season with the coaching staff in Carolina, should make strides towards re-solidifying his status as a starter.

 

The Impact

Linebacker play has been solid for the Panthers since the addition of Jon Beason at middle linebacker in 2007.  The linebacking corps has proven to be the heart of the defense, with Beason and Thomas Davis starting at the other two spots.

The strong-side linebacker position will be key in providing pressure on opposing quarterbacks and in stopping opposing tailbacks who make it to the second level.

 

Position: Kick/Punt Returner

Last Year’s Starter: Mark Jones (departed)

The Challengers: Ryne Robinson, Larry Beavers, Mike Goodson

 

The Breakdown

Robinson was the team’s return man in 2007, and was slated to hold the job in 2008 before a knee injury knocked him out for the season.  Jones filled in nicely, and has since left the team in free agency. 

Robinson showed a bit of hesitation at times while returning kicks, but gained confidence as the 2007 season wore on. He averaged 23.0 yards per return, and had a long of 60.  He is the clear frontrunner for the returner position, as he is the only player on the list with any NFL experience. 

The undrafted Beavers is a relative unknown to even some of the more serious football fans, but his 2008 stat line at Wesley College is something you cannot overlook.  Beavers returned kicks for 39.5 yards per return and 10 touchdowns.  No, that’s not a typo: That’s 10 kickoff returns for touchdowns.

No matter what level of football you are talking about, 10 kickoff returns for touchdowns is absolutely jaw-dropping.  Couple that with a 4.28 40-yard dash time in college (video proof here), and you’ve got what could be the next Devin Hester.  His small frame may pose problems for him at the pro level, but with some work in the weight room, he could be a dark horse to make the Panthers’ roster, especially if he can impress the coaches with returns in training camp. 

Goodson was not a returner in college, but his speed and size make it hard to ignore him for consideration at this level.  His raw speed and ability to make it to the outside as a running back at Texas A&M make him an intriguing possibility at this position.

 

As is the story every year heading into camp, the starting positions are never solidified until the 53-man roster is set, and the Panthers begin regular season play.  As camp progresses, it’s almost certain that these will not be the only battles going on, but they will certainly be some of the most intriguing. 

 

Meeks Brings New Level of Excitement to Carolina Panthers’ Defense

New Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator, Ron Meeks, has a tall task.

He will be charged with taking a defense that began the 2008 season as one of the best and most feared units in the league, and ended it with a blank stare after watching the Cardinals do as they pleased while dismantling the Panthers in an embarrassing 33-13 home loss in the NFC Divisional round.

The Panthers are looking forward now with a new vision.

After former defensive coordinator, Mike Trgovac turned down a contract extension to take a job as the Green Bay Packers’ defensive line coach, the team realized that it was time to look for answers.

When Tony Dungy retired from the Indianapolis Colts, Meeks stepped down from his position as defensive coordinator. When the news of Trgovac’s departure from Carolina came out, there were a few intriguing candidates for the Panthers to mull over.

Kansas City had parted ways with Herm Edwards, a defensive mastermind, and Jim Haslett was free from the St. Louis Rams. The Panthers ultimately stuck with a model of success in Meeks, who won a Super Bowl with the Colts in 2007.

In his first mini-camp with the team last weekend in Charlotte, Meeks quickly made it apparent that he was no Trgovac. A former defensive back who is still in great shape, Meeks could be seen sprinting around the practice field while yelling direction, praise, and criticism—sometimes all at once.

“Meeks is a fiery guy, out there running around,” Panthers Pro Bowl linebacker Jon Beason said. “You can see he’s in good shape so he can keep up with us.”

Meeks has said that he will not execute a defensive scheme identical to the “Tampa Two,″ made famous by Dungy, but that his formations, coverages, and packages will resemble it.

“Obviously we’ve had some success with this system in Indianapolis,” Meeks said. “Working under Tony Dungy, obviously I picked up some things there that are a big influence in what I’m doing. But we want to make sure we’re doing the things that can magnify and produce some good results based on the skill set that we have.”

The most important part of that skill set, defensive end Julius Peppers, is still hanging in a purgatory of sorts.

The Panthers designated Peppers as the team’s franchise player in February, but the four time pro bowler has yet to sign the $16.7 million tender. Peppers has publicly stated that he wants out of Carolina, showing a particular interest in playing in a 3-4 defensive scheme as the blitzing linebacker.

After trade rumors with New England fizzled out in March, there has been no real push for Peppers on the market. With draft day having come and gone, it’s unlikely that a team will forfeit the hefty price for Peppers at this point.

With that being said, all signs are pointing toward Peppers’ return to Carolina for at least one more season. A switch to his college position as right defensive end proved helpful as Peppers notched a career high 14.5 sacks in 2008.

Peppers would likely thrive in a system run by Meeks, who coached Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis into two of the more imposing defensive ends in the NFL.

Another Panther who will benefit from Meeks’ success at defensive end will be rookie Everette Brown, for whom the Panthers traded their 2010 first round pick to steal at number 43 overall.

Brown fits the mold of the two aforementioned Colts defensive ends. Labeled as undersized at 6′2″ and 256 lbs., Brown hopes to experience the same kind of success that Freeney (6′1″ and 268) and Mathis (6′2″ and 245) experienced under Meeks’ defensive guidance.

In the scheme that Meeks is likely to implement in Carolina, the basic Tampa Two principles will be key.

That means that the bulk of the pressure on the opposing quarterback will come from the front four on the defensive line.

That means that whoever ends up suiting up on the line for the Panthers will have to be able to penetrate teams’ offensive lines quicker and more efficiently, setting up the potential for the speedy Brown to help the Panthers right away.

Brown led the ACC last year with 13.5 sacks at Florida State.

Meeks’ scheme will also include opportunities for two of the unit’s biggest play makers to showcase their abilities. Meeks pointed out Beason and cornerback Chris Gamble as players who would have a major role in the success of the new and (hopefully) improved defense.

While it is far too soon to tell whether Meeks will provide the Panthers with the answer to the seemingly never ending riddle of trying to find a way to carry solid production on both sides of the ball from Week One throughout the season—his first impression on the players, his fellow coaches, and the media present at the Panthers rookie mini-camp was positive to say the least.

And for that, Panthers fans have reason to look forward to the 2009 season.

This article originally appeared at NFLTouchdown.com.  Check out this article and more from Austin Penny by clicking here.

« Previous Page — Next Page »

NFL Sport Channel Latest

• Just How Far Would You Go?
• Sorry Rex, But It Isn’t Happening
• Super Bowl Predictions: Five Stat-Free Reasons Why the Eagles Will Reach The Super Bowl
• Seahawks Attempt to Turn Corner With Heavy Pursuit of Pete Carroll
• Bill Cowher Unlikely to Coach in 2010