Carolina Panthers

HISTORY
Joined the NFL as an expansion franchise in 1995, and has never relocated.

CHAMPIONSHIP SUMMARY
League Championships: None

Conference Championships: 1 – 2003 (NFC)

Division Championships: 2 – 1996 (NFC West), 2003 (NFC South), 2008 (NFC South)

Playoff Appearances: 3 – 1996, 2003, 2005, 2008

Recent Records:

2004: 7-9 2005: 11-5 2006: 8-8 2007: 7-9 2008:12-4 2009: 8-8 2010: 2-14

2011 Draft Grade

Carolina Panthers (F+)
1: Cam Newton (15, 11 = 13) -12
65: Terrell McClain (71, 84 = 78) – 13
97: Sione Fua (255, 136 = 196) -99
98: Brandon Hogan (98, 139 = 119) -21
132: Kealoha Pilares (206, 255 = 231) -99
166: Lawrence Wilson (153, 140 = 147) +19
203: Zachary Williams (255, 255 = 255) -52
244: Lee Ziemba (104, 147 = 126) +118

The Panthers took a big risk, apparently, because grabbing the highest upside quarterback in the draft isn’t a normal move? Right. Sure, Newton’s a risk, just like every quarterback you pick in the draft, hoping he becomes a franchise player, is a risk. Newton has his positives and negatives; his positives are all physical with a competitive streak that made him the Nation’s best college player. His negatives have to do with the questions about his father trying to sell him to a university, the fact that he played for 3 teams in 3 years, and that he played in a simple offense that is nothing like an NFL situation. But he’s a winner, a leader, and a winner – 2 National Championships in 2 seasons (though the first was at his CC). The value reflects the rest of the draft more than Newton’s pick itself, but everyone will judge this draft on one player, Mr. Cam Newton. As far as value, well, two guys were value picks – Lawrence Wilson and a big time value guy in Lee Ziemba (Cam’s teammate at Auburn) – those two guys kept the Panthers from getting a full F!

Draft Pick Total: 1006 – Player Rankings Total: 1165 —- TOTAL RANKING: -159

2011 Mock Draft

Carolina Panthers 2-14 – Da’Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson: When it comes right down to it, I don’t see the Panthers reaching for a guy like Cam Newton, and I don’t think Blaine Gabbert is worth that 60 million dollar risk, and this defense was hurt because of an inconsistent pass rush. A defensive end that projects as an every down stud, and a pass rushing beast, gets the nod over Nick Fairley, who might be the best player in the draft. He certainly was the most dominant player in college.

2009 Fantasy Football Notes

Jake Delhomme, DeAngelo Williams, Jonathan Stewart, Steve Smith, Mushin Muhammad, Dwayne Jarrett

The Panthers boast one of the best running back duos in the NFL. You have DaAngelo, a man that lead RBs in fantasy land in 2008, and Jonathan Stewart, a 2nd year back out of Oregon picked early in the first round of the draft in 2008, and despite some injury troubles totaled 1000+ yards of offense and doube digit TDs in 2008. It’s tough to suggest who the better back is, despite Williams’ success last season. A clean 50/50 carry situation looks to be brewing in 2009. Jake Delhomme should be better this season, given one more year to  recover from his elbow surgery. He’s old, he locks on Steve Smith, but given the elite receiver’s skill set, that’s not really a bad thing. I doubt Jake will ever be starting QB material though, as his rushing attack is just too strong. Still, Mushin Muhammad gets enough targets to be a respectable option from time to time, and Dwayne Jarrett has the ability and size to be a great compliment to Steve Smith, given the chance, but he’s not much more than a deep sleeper in 2009.

2008 NFL DRAFT GRADES

Carolina Panthers: A

I really dig that the Panthers took the guy they thought was the best player available. I really don’t like that the Panthers took a freaking running back in Round 1. I like Stewart and think that, like Maurice Jones Drew, Joseph Addai, and Laurence Maroney – he will be a better running back than the first player chosen from that position (Darren McFadden). Running backs in Round 1 is a bad way to draft, but it’s hard for me to argue with the addition of Stewart, he does everything well and has great size.

Joining the many teams that took a lineman in Round 1, the Panthers jumped at the chance to add a very tough and gigantically powerful offensive tackle by the name of Jeff Otah. He should really help an offense that struggled all of 2007.

Charles Godfrey was a great value with the 4th pick of Day 2, and should help right away in the secondary. He has good size and maybe too much muscle, but he’s a very good all around corner that can help at a number of places right away. He’s kind of in the mold of Ken Lucas, whom I’ve always liked.

Dan Conner was another steal in Round 3, which gave the Panthers two great picks in the first 11 picks of Day 2. Not a great coverage linebacker, Dan Conner still does enough great things to be a 100 tackle guy at the NFL level. Right away, he helps this team get better where they really struggled in ’07.

Gary Barnidge was underrated coming into the draft, and lasted until the 6th pick of the 5th round. Yet another great value addition to a place where the Panthers could use some help. Have you noticed a trend? Barnidge plays smart, but isn’t much of a blocker.

Nick Hayden isn’t a sexy pick, but he’s a guy that will help. He has the size and strength to compete at the next level, will help stuff the run, and is a nice pick in Round 6.

With 3 7th round picks, the Panthers took Hilee Taylor (OLB), Geoff Schwartz (G), and Mackenzy Bernadeau (G). All will need time to grow, as they are either in line for a position change or come from a small school, but in the 7th round they all seem to have considerable upside.

This was one of my favorite drafts, as all the pieces seemed to fit into the puzzle for the Panthers.


2007 Carolina Panthers

Yikes! This was not the year for Panthers’ fans. I picked the Panthers to come out of the NFC, so obviously I was a little disappointed when they played so poorly all season long. But, there was still hope for a turnaround, as luck would have it, a simple 9-7 record would have gotten them a playoff spot. What do you think happened? Ah yes, the Panthers blew their shot at the playoffs, and fumbled themselves around the football field for yet another loss. That’s the type of year it was for football fans. Jake Delhomme played like garbage, Steve Smith was hurt for a few games to start the season, Deshawn Foster wasn’t the same back who ran well in last years’ playoffs, and the vaunted Panthers defense didn’t have the flash that it had shown in years’ past. Well, like they always say, there’s always next year. I can’t reiterate enough, the Panthers were a major disappointment.


2007 Off-Season Plans:

It wouldn’t surprise me if the Panthers attempt to pull their heads directly out of their behinds, and maybe take some karate classes to help them prepare for the mental and physical toughness it takes to win in this league. The Kings of underachieve pulled out yet another year of sub-par play. Beating teams they should beat has become nearly impossible for the talented Panthers. The off season will almost surely see the end of DeShaun Foster’s career as a Carolina Panther, paving the way for DeAngelo Williams to carry the load for Carolina in his second season. Williams showed his talent last season, but injuries seemed to keep him from taking the top job. Making decisions on some aging defensive players, and The Mouth Johnson seems to be the plan for Carolina. I think John Fox needs to find a way to get the most out of his team, or see his tenure as coach in Carolina end promptly after this season. It will be interesting to see if Jake Delhomme comes back like the guy in ’05 or the guy in ’06. Either way, expect the Panthers to select a young quarterback sometime on Day 1 or early Day 2. With the fourteenth pick, I expect the Panthers to select the best player available, because talent-wise, they have what it takes. A big super tackle in the waiting, like Levi Brown, a big bad wide receiver like Dwayne Jarrett or Dwayne Bowe, or quite possible a safety like Reggie Nelson or LaRon Landry to sure up their secondary. Anything is a possibility for Carolina. If Brady Quinn falls, he could be an understudy, without a doubt.

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