2007 Record: 7-9
2007 Rankings
Rushing: 14th (114.0)
Passing: 29th (170.9)
Total Offense: 29th (284.9)
Run Defense: 18th (110.7)
Pass Defense: 17th (214.1)
Total Defense: 16th (324.8)
What was the Panthers’ best move during the offseason?
Bringing back veteran wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad, who previously played with the Panthers from 1996-2004, and signing former Seahawk D.J. Hackett should take some attention away from superstar Steve Smith and maybe open some things up for him. Of course, Smith has to stop going around beating up teammates (and getting suspended for it) so he can stay on the field.
What needs to go right for the Panthers to succeed this season?
Delhomme must stay healthy and regain the connection he had with wide receiver Steve Smith, who posted 1,000+ yards receiving in 2007 despite being thrown to by four different quarterbacks. The Panthers also must re-establish their run game, which should be boosted by first-round draft pick Jonathan Stewart, assuming he can shake a toe injury that has kept him from fully participating in training camp workouts.
Getting Julius Peppers back on track will be key for the defense, as well. He’s coming off a down season in which he seemed to disappear at times and needs to rebound strongly.
Where will the Panthers finish the 2008 NFL season?
Head coach John Fox and General manager Marty Hurney are clearly on the hot seat after failing to reach the playoffs for the second consecutive season, so they were aggressive in free agency and the draft. They also dropped disappointing running back DeShaun Foster and linebacker Dan Morgan.
The biggest factor in this team’s success, however, will be in recapturing the connection between Delhomme and Smith, reestablishing one of the more dangerous quarterback/wide receiver combinations in the league. If they can keep the pair on the field the majority of the season and the defense turns it back up a notch, the Panthers should challenge for a playoff spot.
Prediction: 8-8 and third in the NFC South.
