Carolina Panthers' Focus Points

I feel the key areas of focus for the Panthers this year lays in the defensive line, quarterback and the secondary. The Panthers looked like the best team in the league at some points last year, and in others they looked like the worst. 

Unfortunately they picked the play offs to look like the worst. Better luck next year...I hope.

Defensive Line – The Panthers defense surrendered huge plays towards the end of the season.  Look back at the Giants game when the Panthers couldn’t even touch Derrick Ward.

The worst part was everyone knew runs were coming and we just couldn’t stop them. Either the Ward is the next Barry Sanders or the Panthers D was awful. I’m leaning toward the second one.

What happened to the Panthers' shut-down defense? The Run stoppers? We had a descent defensive line this year, but if Peppers goes, we are in real trouble. Darwin Walker, an above average tackle is gone as well.

I feel the Panthers need to haul in a good tackle who can clog up space for the rusher, but can possibly sack the quarterback as well. Maybe the Panthers should take a rare risk and grab Tank Johnson.

If Peppers goes, then Carolina will be in desperate need for a good end as well. The lose of both Rucker and Peppers will be tough, but Brayton and C. Johnson have played well. 

Quarterback – As angry as many fans might be, I feel that Delhomme will still be the guy next year. He is very inconsistent, but there were many good things from him last year. 

The coaching staff loves him, and no matter how bad he plays he will probably always be a Panther, even if they replace him. They definitely need a quarterback for the future though, someone who can compete for the starting job.

If you ask me, I think the Panthers should trade unhappy Peppers for a quarterback. 

Now that Cassel is off the market I would love to see them go after Cutler. Cutler has been having recent problems in Denver, so how about Peppers for Cutler? They at least need to try harder than a weak fifth-round pick this year, because Matt Moore is not a quarterback of the future.

Secondary – Rumor has it that Lucas is on the trade block. That would leave us with Marshal and Gamble, both solid but if you ask me nothing special. Behind them there is almost nobody. 

There is much need for some depth at corner and safety. Another player I would love to see the Panthers go for is Dre Bly. 

He was recently released by the Broncos and would give some much needed experience and depth. Hopefully their new defensive coordinator will provide something new, because the Panthers defense has been awful.

I used defenses like Houston over Carolina in fantasy football, which is quite sad.  

Some other positions that aren’t quite as urgent but still need to be addressed are offensive line and wide receiver. When healthy, the Panthers have one of the best offensive lines in the league. 

They recently lost three solid guards in Geoff Hangartner, Jeremy Bridges, and Frank Omiyale. The Panthers need to gain some depth at O-line because there will be injuries. 

Some more depth at wide receiver is needed, too. Hackett was recently released, so there’s not much behind Muhammad, Smith, and Jarrett. Ryne Robinson fills in the number four spot currently; he will also perform the kick and punt returns. 

When was the last time the Panthers had a kick-return touchdown? It’s been awhile. 

It would be great if the Panthers would actually go after a big name tight end for once.  They seem to draft a tight end every year in the fifth round. Players like Mangum, Gains, Siedman, King, Rosario, and Barnidge. 

I would bet if you were to ask a group of football fans who the Panthers tight end is they would say Wesley Walls, or they don’t know. I like Jeff King and Donte Rosario, but it would be great if they could put in more than one good game a season.

I would have loved to see the Panthers go after Winslow, but I knew it wouldn’t happen. 

Summary: The Panthers could be in for drastic changes this year. A new quarterback will be on the team this year I just hope its not another fifth rounder. We need a young quarterback who will compete with Delhomme and eventually take over.

I feel Cutler would be perfect. Some other possible quarterbacks could be Chris Simms or Tyler Thigpen. 

The Panthers need to make some key signs from free agency this year and maybe even make some trades. The only position the Panthers actually have depth in is linebackers.

We can afford to give one up between Beason, Diggs, Davis, Anderson, Conner, Seward, and Johnson. I feel the Panthers could make a trade including Landon Johnson to get depth somewhere else.

The Panthers should re-sign Goings and Bridges to help with depth problems as well. 

This year looks like it may be a rebuilding year for the Panthers, but I feel they still have a lot of talent that could send them to the playoffs. The Panthers seem like they are the most inconsistent team in the league; it will be interesting to see what will be done to change that.