NFL 2006: Carolina Panthers

(This is the Corners look at the upcoming NFL season. For the next 32 days we'll be previewing each team and their prospects for the 2006 season. Today we look at the Carolina Panthers.)

The Carolina Panthers have had tremendous success under John Fox and last season was no different. Carolina stormed to an 11-5 record, a wild card berth and went all the way to the NFC title game before falling to Seattle on the road.

With the addition of some key free agents and a solid draft, the Panthers are cocked and loaded for another run at the NFC championship and the Super Bowl. Carolina has one of the most talented teams in the league and if Fox's squad can stay healthy, it could be a big year for Carolina fans.

Offense: The Panther offense has slowly but surely gotten better and better under the Fox regime. Carolina scored 391 points last season, good enough for a 24.4 average. With very little turnover and some key draft picks coming in the Carolina offense could be even better in 2006.

Jake Delhomme has grown into a first rate quarterback and leader. The former NFL Europe player passed for 3,421 yards and 24 touchdowns. He has taken the Panthers to the Super Bowl in 2003 and the NFC championship game last year. The guy is a clutch performer who knows how to win. Chris Weinke is the backup and Stefan Lefors or rookie Brett Basanez will fight for the three spot.

DeShaun Foster (879 yards rushing, 37 receptions, three scores) had another decent year, but can't stay healthy. His injury in the playoffs really limited the Carolina offense and what they could do. To counteract this, Fox drafted DeAngelo Williams, arguably the best pure runner in the draft. Williams ran for over 5,000 yards in college and will press Foster for playing time. Nick Goings is a capable back as well. Brad Hoover returns at his fullback slot.

Steve Smith had a breakout season in 2005. The undersized receiver led the league in receiving yards (1,563) and tied for the league lead in receptions (103) and receiving touchdowns (12). He put up those gaudy numbers because he had to, there was no other receiver helping him out. Keary Colbert was second on the team with only 25 catches for 282 yards. To resolve this problem, the Panthers went out and signed Keyshawn Johnson, who was released by Dallas after Terrell Owens signed. Johnson (71-839-6) is a big possession receiver who will keep the double teams off Smith. Drew Carter is penciled in as the fourth receiver.

Fox uses a tight end by committee with Kris Mangum (23-202-2), Michael Gaines (12-155-52) and Mike Seidman. Look for rookie Jeff King to challenge for a roster spot.

The offensive line lost center Jeff Mitchell and guard Tuten Reyes, but is still a decent group. Justin Hartwig was signed away from the Ravens and will replace Mitchell at center. Mike Wahle returns at guard and Evan Mathis takes over for Reyes at the right guard slot. Jordan Gross and Travelle Wharton are back at tackle. Todd Fordham and rookies Rashad Butler and Will Montgomery provide depth.

Defense: One thing is for sure if you're a Carolina fan - as long as Fox is head coach the defense will be tough. The Panthers surrendered only 259 points last season, which translates out to only 16.2 a game.

The defensive line is one of the strongest in the NFL and it got even better with the return of defensive tackle Kris Jenkins, who missed all of 2005 with a knee injury. When healthy, he's one of the best in the business. Interior partner Brentson Buckner is gone, but Carolina was busy signing Maake Kemoeatu from Baltimore and Damione Lewis from the Rams. This duo will compete with Kindal Moorehead (five sacks) for the other starting assignnment. Jordan Carstens (four sacks) is in the mix as well. Julius Peppers (50 tackles, 10.5 sacks) and Mike Rucker (44 tackles, 7.5 sacks) are dominating defensive ends. Al Wallace (five sacks) and rookie Stanley McClover will see action as well.

Carolina suffered a serious blow at linebacker, losing rising star Will Witherspoon and Brandon Short to free agency. Dan Morgan (75 tackles, three sacks) returns at Mike linebacker to lead this unit. Thomas Davis, the Panthers number one pick in 2005, moves from safety to linebacker and will take over for Short. Free agents Keith Adams (69 tackles) and Na'il Diggs will battle for the weakside linebacker job. Chris Draft and rookie James Anderson are in the mix also.

Chris Gamble (75 tackles, seven interceptions) and Ken Lucas (69 tackles, six picks) return to give Carolina a formidable duo at the corners. Free agent Reggie Howard (48 tackles), who makes his return to the Panthers, and rookie Richard Marshall will play in the nickel and dime packages. Mike Minter (62 tackles) is back at free safety with free agent Shaun Williams taking over at strong safety. Collin Branch and rookie Nate Salley will figure in the mix.

Special Teams: Reliable and dependable. That sums up kicker John Kasay (121 points, 26-34 field goals, 43-44 extra points) as he enters his 16th NFL season - twelve of those with the Panthers. Jason Baker (43.3) is back at punter. Smith will return punts (10.6) and Jamal Robertson will handle kickoffs (21.4).

Outlook: This is a solid team that got better with the signings of Johnson, Hartwig, Kemoeatu, Lewis, Howard and Shaun Williams and the drafting of DeAngelo Williams and Marshall. The Panthers are tough at every position and fairly deep too, with the exception of wide receiver. The only questionable area is the linebackers. Davis is untested and Adams and Diggs inconsistent. Regardless of that, this team has all the makings for a Super Bowl run if they stay healthy.

Prediction: Carolina is loaded and one of the favorites in the NFC. If Keyshawn and Steve Smith can function together, if DeAngelo Williams picks up the pro game quickly and the linebackers come together as a unit, this could be the team to beat in 2006. The Panthers will challenge for the division, the conference and the Super Bowl and go 13-3 or 14-2.

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