Slim Pickings for Potential Panthers Position Battles

Status Quo in professional sports usually isn’t a practice that winning organizations favor in the offseason, especially in the “win now” NFL.

But Status Quo seems to be the mantra that the Carolina Panthers have adopted heading into the 2009 season, and that might not be such a negative.

There were no roster purges, no flashy free agent signings, and not a great deal of turnover. The Panthers drafted based on needs and picked up some players who could step in and make immediate contributions. But for a team that went 12-4, won the NFC South before losing to the Arizona Cardinals in the playoffs, and return all but one starter, the opportunities will be few and far between.

One of the Panthers draft picks, offensive lineman Duke Robinson of Oklahoma, admitted in an interview with the Charlotte Observer that he was stunned when the Panthers selected him.

“I never had a conversation with the Panthers,” Robinson said. “This is the last team I thought would take me.”

Maybe Robinson did his homework on the Panthers and knew that the starting offensive line will most likely remain intact, especially after the team re-signed left tackle Jordan Gross.

The offensive line was a strength for the Panthers in 2008 and contributed heavily to the success of running backs DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart in the league’s third-best rushing attack.

Robinson, at 6-5 and 330 pounds was taken in the fifth round, and could battle for a starting role with incumbent Keydrick Vincent at right guard, but will most likely give the team some depth in the trenches. Robinson also may be one of the draft’s best bargains when all is said and done, and could slide into a starting role next season when Vincent’s contract is up.

Depending on what shakes out with All-Pro defensive end Julius Peppers. Everette Brown may be in a position that is the most beneficial for a chance for immediate playing time.

The Panthers traded their first round pick in next year’s draft for the chance to pick Brown (6’4”, 252 lbs) in the second round this year. He uses a combination of power and speed to make plays. He led the ACC in sacks with 13.5 sacks and was runner up for ACC Player of the Year.

Brown provides great insurance if Peppers decides to hold out or sit out this season after expressing a desire to be traded.

Regardless of if Brown slides into Peppers’ role on the right side or competes with Charles Johnson or Hilee Taylor for time at left end, you’ll probably hear his name being called a lot during games this season.

The most intriguing position battle may come from one of the most unheralded positions on the field.

10-year veteran Brad Hoover has helped open many a running lane for Panthers’ running backs over the years in his 91 career starts, but at 32, he’s not getting any younger.

That’s probably why Carolina invested a fourth-round draft pick on Tony Fiammetta of Syracuse, who was rated as the top fullback in this year’s class by most draft pundits.

Fiammetta (6’0”, 242 lbs) could see most of his action early on special teams. However, since it’s rare for NFL teams to occupy multiple roster spots for fullbacks, expect Hoover and Fiammetta to duel for the starting role.

Carolina used its second pick in the draft to take Sherrod Martin, a cornerback from Troy. Martin may be best known for picking off three passes in a single quarter in a game against Alcorn State. Martin will provide added depth to the secondary and could see some spot starts, especially if injuries flare up.

Cornerback Ken Lucas, who was released in the offseason, is the only starter from 2008 not returning.

Expect Richard Marshall to assume Lucas’ starting job at one corner position, and Chris Gamble to remain the other starter.

Martin, who also played some at safety at Troy, could also challenge projected starters Chris Harris and Charles Godfrey. However, the Panthers like Martin’s speed and cover ability and feel he would be better suited at corner. Look for Martin on the field in Nickel packages, however.

On special teams, the Panthers will need to find a replacement for Mark Jones as the kick returner.

This could be the ideal situation for fourth round draft pick Mike Goodson, a running back from Texas A&M. Let’s face it: Goodson won’t be stealing any playing time from Williams or Stewart in the backfield.

The Panthers may also look at undrafted free agent Larry Beavers for the role. Beavers, from tiny Division III Wesley College, impressed Panthers scouts enough that it signed him to a deal. Probably didn’t hurt that he averaged 39.5 yards on returns and ran 10 kickoffs and three punts back for touchdowns during his collegiate career. Beavers is small (5’10”, 167 lbs) and was clocked with a 4.37 40-yard dash time during his pro day workout.

Also in the mix, and probably the favorite for the job, is Ryne Robinson, a backup wideout. Robinson most likely would have been the returner in 2008 if it were not for a knee injury suffered during training camp that ended his season prematurely. He averaged 23 yards per return in 2007 in the same role.