Carolina Panthers: One Burning Question for Every Member of the Panthers

This past Sunday marked the unofficial start of the NFL season with the Hall of Fame game.  This week, the rest of the league will open up their preseason schedules, as will the Carolina Panthers.

Carolina has found its team surrounded by an aura of optimism while in training camp.  Throughout the course of the offseason, there have been debates and breakdowns on what the Panthers need to do to improve from their 2011 season.  While many experts and analysts have discussed what the Panthers need to do as a team, there are burning questions surrounding many players individually.

As with every new year in the NFL, there are players on the roster who raise many questions from their durability to on the field production.  Some of these questions make for intriguing training camp battles.

This slideshow will highlight different players based on their position and what questions they present as the new season begins. 

Quarterbacks

Cam Newton - Can Newton duplicate last year's success and improve?

Newton could possibly be the most scrutinized player this year. Many are going to see if he can improve upon his numbers from last year, mainly increasing his passing touchdowns and reducing the amount of interceptions thrown.  Many feel he will regress in 2012, but there seems to be too much talent around him, and his ability alone should make regression a non-issue.

Derek Anderson - Does Anderson possess the tools to lead the offense if needed?

One can look at Carolina's offensive design and surmise the success is based on having Newton under center.  However, Anderson was brought in for a reason.  Rob Chudzinski was Anderson's offensive coordinator in Cleveland, and they put together a good season in 2007 going 10-6.  Anderson knows the offense and even if he serves as a game manager, he has the talent around him to keep defenses honest.

Jimmy Clausen - Does Clausen have a future in Carolina?

It is difficult to determine where Clausen stands with the current coaching staff.  He did not dress for many, if any, games last season and has failed to do enough to move him up on the depth chart.  The Panthers may look at keeping him through the duration of his contract or could release him.  Newton has the starting job and when the Panthers move forward with finding his backup, they may not consider Clausen at all and look for a quarterback with a similar skill set comparable to Newton.

Running Backs/Full Backs

DeAngelo Williams - Can Williams stay healthy enough to start in all 16 games this year?

The one knock about Williams was his ability to stay healthy.  He suffered a major setback in 2010 by missing ten games, and he has not started in a full season since 2008.  Fortunately, he has the benefit of being spelled by his partner in crime, Jonathan Stewart.  Add the talents of Cam Newton and newly acquired Mike Tolbert to the mix, Williams can save himself some wear and tear but still be as effective.  He will not get as many carries as some of his contemporaries, but it will have nothing to do with his health.

Jonathan Stewart - Will the Panthers re-sign Stewart?

This question has been floating around since the Panthers season ended in 2011.  Stewart would no doubt be a feature back with any other team and has the talent to rush for over a thousand yards each season in that role.  There is a chance he does stay in Carolina. Per a radio interview with CBS Charlotte, general manager Marty Hurney stated, "he's somebody that we would like to extend for a lot of years."  It is uncertain when contract talks will begin but right now both the team and Stewart are focusing on winning.

Mike Tolbert - What element does Tolbert bring to an already explosive offense?

Tolbert is the jack of all trades and master of them all.  He can be utilized as a fullback, running back, tight end and even line up at wide receiver.  Tolbert is very versatile and allows the creative mind of Rob Chudzinski to make a potent offense even more dangerous.  Tolbert should see a lot of action inside the red zone and especially around the goal line.  He could rotate out every other series with Stewart in these situations. 

Josh Vaughn - Will Vaughn ever be more than a backup?

The short answer, no.  Vaughn is pretty much stuck where he is, unless there is an injury to either Williams or Stewart. 

Wide Receivers

Steve Smith - Will Steve Smith repeat his numbers from last year?

After two abysmal seasons in which his production suffered, Smith rebounded and turned in a Pro Bowl season.  His resurgence is credited to Cam Newton and the rapport the two established early in the 2011 season.  Smith was very close to leaving the Panthers prior to last year and the selection of Newton persuaded him to stay another year.  It was a good decision as he caught 79 passes for 1394 yards and seven touchdowns.  There is no reason to doubt he can duplicate that feat in 2012, but help from his receiver brethren will go a long way in that effort.

Brandon LaFell - Is this the season where LaFell emerges as the clear #2 wide out?

The Panthers have rarely had an answer to this question in past years and as a result, opposing defenses have been able to double team Smith without having to worry about another receiver taking advantage of them.  LaFell looks to be the early favorite and could be the perfect complement to Smith since the days of Muhsin Muhammad.  This question will be better answered at the end of the preseason.

David Gettis - Will David Gettis bounce back from his knee injury?

Gettis debuted in 2010 and turned in decent numbers; 37 receptions for 508 yards three touchdowns.  A knee injury last season kept him out the entire year and now it should be interesting to see how he performs.  If he can stay healthy and be as productive this season as he was last year, he could give Carolina a solid stable of receivers and make life for Steve Smith a lot easier.

Louis Murphy - What will be the role of Louis Murphy in Carolina?

Murphy came over in a trade with Oakland last month.  The thought is he will provide a veteran presence and help shore up the receiving corps if Gettis goes down or LaFell struggles to produce.  Murphy has shown what he can do on the field so he may get a boost in his numbers if he establishes a rapport with Newton. 

Kealoha Pilares - Does Pilares have a future as a wide receiver or will he serve primarily as a kick returner?

Pilares has an immense amount of talent and has brought new life to the Carolina kick return unit.  It is undecided how much of a role he will have in the offense, but early indicators in camp show him working with them.  Pilares could go the route taken by Steve Smith who, early in his career, was a special teams guy until he moved up to the offense as a mainstay.  Pilares should get some action in the offense but probably not on a consistent basis, at least not right away.

Joe Adams - What can be expected from the rookie wide receiver?

Adams could turn out to be the steal of the 2012 draft.  He will be utilized to improve an ineffective punt return unit and could see some action in the slot.  Adams needs to establish himself early as a guy who can be dangerous on punt returns and when he lines up at receiver.  He has drawn comparisons to Steve Smith and if he plays like him, Carolina will have made one great investment.

Armanti Edwards/Jared Green/Darvin Adams/Seyi Ajirotutu/Michael Avila - Will any of these guys do enough to make the final roster?

Edwards and Ajirotutu both have had time on the field and put up some numbers.  Adams appeared in two games last year but did not record any catches.  Green and Avila are the rookies trying to earn a spot and unless they impress in camp could be placed on the practice squad before the season opens up.  Out of all the bunch, Edwards appears to be the most likely on the bubble as he may have lost the punt return job.  It is still too early to tell, but probably one of these guys makes the final cut.

Tight Ends

Greg Olsen - When will Olsen have that breakout year?

Unless a last minute resigning of Jeremy Shockey takes place, Olsen will be the undisputed starting tight end.  He has the ability to pick up big numbers but needs to reduce the number of dropped balls.  Newton will need to rely on him being open in the red zone.

Gary Barnidge - Can he become a suitable second option?

Barnidge was injured last season and really hasn't seen too much on field action.  If he can stay healthy and be the tight end the Panthers think he can become, then they will be set at this position for years to come.

Richie Brockel - Will Brockel be more of a presence in the offense?

Brockel has the ability to be a decent tight end.  He can execute a trick play well, as evidenced by his role in the "Chud-rooskie" play last year at Houston.  However, he probably won't see much field time unless there is a major injury or he is called upon to fill in for another designed play.

Ben Hartstock - Is Hartstock gone after this season?

Hartstock made appearances in 15 games last year having started in two of them.  Unfortunately, he did not put up any stats.  Given his track record in recent years, he has yet to remain with a team past the two-year mark since he was playing with the Indianapolis Colts.

Offensive Line

Ryan Kalil - Can he deliver on his prediction?

Kalil made headlines with his bold prediction about Carolina winning the Super Bowl.  But will he be able to help make it a reality?  Kalil is one of the leaders on both the line and in the offense so he will be doing his part to motivate his teammates to play hard on every down.

Amini Silatolu - Will he do enough to justify his selection in the second round of last April's draft?

Silatolu did a lot of great things in order to be taken in  the second round.  He certainly did enough to catch the attention of the Panthers coaching staff and he should be expected to start in Week 1.  It is safe to assume the line is starting to rebuild; reflecting in both this selection and the trade/release of Jeff Otah.  Luckily, Silatolu has the benefit of being guided by established veterans Kalil and Jordan Gross.

Jordan Gross - How much longer will he be able to hold up?

From 2003 to 2007, Gross was a solid fixture on the line starting in all 16 games each of those seasons.  Since then, he has appeared in a full schedule of games only once.  He has been in the league for 10 years now, and the recent additions on the line could be a sign that a changing of the guard is near.

Byron Bell - Can he hold on to his starting spot at right tackle?

Bell stepped in last season for the injured Jeff Otah and played admirably.  There are still a few things for him to work on but he has done enough to make the coaching staff feel good about him.  If he succeeds and gets better as a starter, he will be another example of an undrafted free agent doing well in the league.

Bruce Campbell - How well will he fit into the offensive line?

Campbell was brought in via trade with the Raiders that sent Mike Goodson to the West Coast.  He could be a starter, he could be a rotational guy.  Bottom line, he will help shore up a line that is in a bit of a transition now.

Geoff Hangartner - How many games will Hangartner appear in this season?

Hangartner has shown his versatility by playing different positions on the line.  However, his durability is questionable.  He has only started all 16 games twice in his career and only one of those was with Carolina.  He is still young enough to be around for awhile but his health needs to be maintained for that to happen.

Garry Williams - Can he be a solid back up?

Williams has done enough to back up his teammates on the line but not enough to move beyond his role.  His health has been suspect lately as well given the fact he has missed games in the past three years to include all of 2011.

Lee Ziemba/Matt Reynolds/Jeff Byers/Bryant Browning/Will Blackwell/Roger Allen/Mike Pollack - Which of these linemen can step up if needed?

Ziemba would be the consensus favorite having a year in the league and experience with protecting Cam Newton.  However, he may be lost for the season and could be on the IR before the preseason concludes.  Allen has experience as well but he has yet to stick anywhere.  Browning appeared in two games and could be a solid option if needed.  Byers also has game experience and is familiar with having a mobile quarterback under center.  Reynolds and Blackwell are the rookies who could make a big enough impression to earn a backup job or they could find themselves on the practice squad. Pollack brings experience and could be a good option in case the Panthers find themselves in need of guard help.  He understands the importance of protecting a valuable quarterback as he was doing that for Peyton Manning during most of his tenure at Indianapolis.

Defensive Tackles

Ron Edwards - Can the big man stay healthy and shore up a porous defensive line?

Edwards is a mountain of a man weighing in at 325 lbs. and creating a massive task for opposing centers or guards.  If he stays in good health and helps mentor Fua and McClain, he will improve the line drastically.

Frank Kearse - What kind of defensive tackle can he be?

Kearse appeared in only six games last season and started four of them.  He didn't put up big numbers so it is really hard to gauge what he can do.  His role could be for rotation only; serving as a backup.  Given how the line played last year, he still has a good as shot as any to earn increased playing time.

Sion Fua /Terrell McClain - Can they bounce back from their injuries and be capable starters?

Both of these defensive tackles were taken in the 2011 draft, and both sustained injuries later in the season.  It is still too early to get a feel for what they can bring to the table, but they do have a year of pro experience under their belts. 

Andre Neblett - Will his suspension hurt?

This question could be twofold.  Neblett didn't do himself any favors by testing positive for a banned substance earlier this summer.  However, he did enough on the field last year to just get a suspension instead of being cut by the Panthers.  Neblett may get time to practice with his teammates but the four game drop will hurt as other players will begin to settle into the pace of the regular season.

Ogemdi Nwagbuo - Can another castoff from San Diego help the defensive line?

Nwagbuo only appeared in four games with Carolina last year, starting in just one.  He was claimed by the Panthers after the Chargers waived him to help patch an injury riddled line.  Nwagbuo has a good chance at making the final roster, and his familiarity with Ron Rivera's coaching style from their days out west should be beneficial.

Defensive Ends

Charles Johnson - Will Big Money earn his paycheck?

Johnson re-signed with the Panthers prior to the start of last season, and while his numbers weren't good, they were not bad either.  Many will look to see if Johnson can bump up his production and increase his sack totals from a year ago.  If the interior is strong and Hardy helps on his side of the line, there is no question Johnson can get double digits in sacks.

Greg Hardy - Can Hardy be an effective starter?

Hardy looked good in his rookie season and was given the chance to start on a more permanent basis.  However, he looked over matched at times and could not produce the kind of numbers that were expected of him.  The good news is that he improved on his numbers as a starter compared to the ones he put up in a rotational role.  The bad news is that production wasn't much. 

Frank Alexander - What can be expected of him? 

The end taken out of Oklahoma played well in college and was selected in the fourth round of the draft.  It's doubtful he will start but he could spell either Johnson or Hardy this season.  He should be a nice fit with the defense and if all goes well could put up some decent stats.

Antwan Applewhite/Thomas Keiser/Eric Norwood - Are they ready to build upon last season?

These guys were brought in to help counter the injury bug that was ravaging the defensive front in Carolina last year.  They didn't put up eye-popping numbers, but they showed what they could do on the field.  They shouldn't do too much in 2012, but an improvement and a full slate of games should give everyone a good idea on how effective these guys are going to be.  Norwood hasn't done much but was able to record 11 tackles in 13 games last year.  Expect much of the same this year with him filling in on a part time basis.

Ryan Van Bergen - Does the rookie have a chance at making the roster?

Bergen finds himself in a unique position.  He may be a rookie but he is also on a line that may need help during the season.  He needs to have a strong camp in order to make the final cut, and having the aforementioned guys ahead of him will prove to be a daunting task.

Linebackers

Jon Beason - How much will Beason be limited by last season's injury?

Beason has been as solid and durable as they come in the league.  Then last year happened.  He injured his Achilles inthe first week and missed the entire year.  Injuries to both him and OLB Thomas Davis prompted the Panthers to select Luke Kuechly with their first pick back in April.  The hope is Beason returns and alternates between the Mike and Will linebacker positions.  Of course, most will be happy to see Beason return to the field in general as his leadership was severely missed.

Luke Kuechly - Can the rookie be a leader?

If Beason isn't 100 percent, the chances are the defense will look to the young linebacker from Boston College to carry them.  Kuechly has been making noise in training camp so far and has impressed teammates and fans alike.  Right now it seems as though the Panthers are having the rookie play at the weak side linebacker spot with Beason or Jason Phillips in the middle.  The next four weeks will tell the story, but if the Panthers need an insurance policy for Beason, they cannot do any better than Kuechly.

Thomas Davis - Will the third time be the charm?

Davis suffered another knee injury, and it seemed like he was ready to call it a career.  However, he is back and attempting to become the first person to return from same injury three years in a row.  If (and that's a big if) he is able to return, he could possibly round out one of the most talented linebacker units in the league.  Everyone will probably be on edge when he first steps out onto the field.

James Anderson - Will Anderson have a Pro Bowl season?

Anderson is overlooked by others and sometimes doesn't get the credit he deserves.  He is very capable of putting up the numbers necessary for a Pro Bowl invite.  It should be interesting to see what he can do with a defense that looks to improve and be part of a unit that could be one of the best.  There is no reason to think he can't reach 100 tackles again this year.

Jason Phillips - What will be his role for the 2012 season?

Phillips was waived by Baltimore last season, and after being claimed by the Panthers, he appeared in four games, notching three tackles.  Currently, he is the backup to Beason.  With Kuechly's versatility to play the middle and outside linebacker positions it is still up in the air if Phillips will be the primary backup in the middle.  Recently, it was learned that Beason will miss the first preseason game due to a hamstring injury, and Phillips will start in the middle with Kuechly on the weak side.  Few people are afforded such an opportunity, and it would benefit Phillips to make the most of his time on the field.

Jordan Senn/Jason Williams/Kenny Onatolu - Are these guys capable of starting in the future?

Senn played well last season and even started seven games.  Unfortunately, it took a lot of injuries to make it happen, but when called upon, he was reliable.  Williams has been decent but has only started four games in his career.  His numbers are less than impressive, and given the extent of injuries last year, one would feel he could have done more.  Onatolu has experience but has only started one game.  He was brought in to shore up the linebacker corps but may not start at all.  He does provide a decent bench option though.

Cornerbacks

Chris Gamble - Will Gamble finally get the recognition he deserves at season's end?

Gamble played well last year and was one of the most underrated cornerbacks in the league.  During his career with Carolina, he has played well, but really the only accolade to his credit was being a co-leader in interceptions in 2005.  Making the pick is not a problem for him, and he has only had one season where he couldn't reel in a pass.  If he gets help on the other side of the field in 2012, he could improve on last year's numbers.

Captain Munnerlyn/Brandon Hogan/Josh Norman/Darius Butler/RJ Stanford/Nate Ness - Which of these guys will be the other starting corner?

While Gamble played admirably in 2011, the same could not be said for the other side of the field.  Munnerlyn didn't fare too well and seemed designated to play the nickel slot position.  Hogan will be returning from an injury and is still young to make an impression on defense.  Norman is the rookie who has been taking on Steve Smith in one on one drills in the absence of Gamble.  Early reports say he has been doing well and playing with intensity.  The small school corner has not shown any signs of being intimidated and could be a key cog in the secondary for years to come.  Butler and Stanford will be doing their best to maintain a spot on the roster and it seems at best they could be reserved for backup duty.  Ness is the wild card having been acquired during camp and so far has made some good plays in practice.  It remains to be seen if he will do enough to earn a starting nod given his history of bouncing from one team to another.  As of now, he seems to be doing all the right things.

Safeties

Charles Godfrey - Which Godfrey will show up in 2012?

Godfrey has a good season in 2010 but disappointed in the lack of interceptions he made the following season.  He is solid in the secondary when healthy and playing an entire season but he needs to stay consistent.  Hopefully, the addition of Nakamura and Smith will motivate him to play harder.

Sherrod Martin - Will Martin recover from a disappointing 2011 season?

Martin had an interesting season to say the least.  While he picked off three passes, he saw his number of tackles drop compared to the previous season.  Some of that was due to the missed tackles and opponents breaking free from him in games.  He seems to be playing hard in camp by making some big plays and fueled by a desire to keep his job.  It should be interesting to see how he performs in the preseason.

Haruki Nakamura/Reggie Smith - Which of these two career backups is most likely to start?

Both Nakamura and Smith were brought in via free agency to compete and possibly start as safeties for Carolina in 2012.  Nakamura sat behind Ed Reed for a long time honing his craft.  Smith was in a similar spot in San Francisco.  While both seem to have a fair chance at starting, Nakamura seems to have the early advantage with his performance in camp.  Nothing is guaranteed, and this battle could be determined after the last roster cuts have been made.

Jordan Pugh - Can Pugh do enough to challenge for a starting spot?

Pugh enters his third season with Carolina and has appeared in his fair share of games.  He hasn't put up great numbers and has seem relegated to the special teams unit.  At a position that is deep in talent and experience, Pugh faces an uphill battle and may only see the field during kickoff or punt coverage teams.

Jonathan Nelson - Will he survive camp and make the final roster?

As mentioned above, the depth of the safety position is fairly deep and like Pugh, Nelson will have a difficult time trying to move up the ladder.  He was brought in as a free agent towards the end of last year and started one game.  He will need to stand out in order to stay with team otherwise he may find himself on the practice squad.

Kicker

Olindo Mare/Justin Medlock

The question for both them is who will be the kicker?  Mare has established a reputation for missing kicks, and Medlock has been making a name for himself in training camp with his long and accurate ones.  This position battle could very well go down to the last preseason game, so Mare needs to step up.  If he does and Medlock continues to show his ability to make the long kicks in real games and on a consistent basis, Coach Rivera will have a difficult choice to make.

Punter

Brad Nortman/Nick Harris

This is another position battle that doesn't quite have the flare shared by the kickers.  However, it does present the same question; who will win the spot?  Nortman was selected in the draft, and Harris was brought in to give the kid some competition.  Nortman looks to win this battle, but it's good that he knows nothing is ever given to you.

The key to winning this competition will be long and accurate punts pinning the opponent deep in their territory.  Nortman has been getting some good leg with his punts, but Harris will not go down without a fight.  This will not have the interest level of the kicker competition but should be fun to watch.

Bonus: Coaching Staff

Ron Rivera - Will his approach and philosophy pay off?

Rivera has brought a new approach to the team and a fire that seemed to be lacking during the John Fox era.  Entering training camp, Rivera told his team that no position was safe and everyone would need to earn their spot.  He improved the team by four wins last year, and it could have been more if not for a poor defense and some untimely miscues on offense and special teams.  Just recently he ripped into his team for not competing and the lack of effort during practice.  It should be interesting to see what happens in year two.

Rob Chudzinski - How many more tricks does he have up his sleeve?

Chudzinkski is the master at being creative with an offense, and it will be that kind of creativity that will net him a head coaching job one day.  Right now, he needs to focus on the offense, and with new weapons surrounding Newton, should have no problem devising plays to throw off opposing defenses. Last year, his variation of the "fumble-rooskie" caught the Texans off guard and became a hit with the fan base.  He isn't shy about taking chances as shown during a play last year which had former Panther Legedu Naanee catch a lateral pass and then throw it back to Newton that almost resulted in a touchdown.  As long as Chud has the right tools at his disposal, the sky's the limit.

Sean McDermott - How improved will his defense be?

McDermott entered the season with high hopes of making the Carolina defense a formidable one.  However, the laundry list of injuries would prove to be his undoing and his scheme wasn't very effective.  Going into his second year, there is hope that everyone stays healthy and his entire defense is comfortable with the playbook.  The return of Jon Beason and the addition of Luke Kuechly should make the middle of the unit very strong.  There will be a lot of question marks as the season opens but if McDermott can turn things around, he will make a noticeable mark on the league.