Carolina Panthers Expectations Tempered

Coming off of a 12-4 season in which you bring back mostly the same roster is a good thing right?

Apparently not.

I just finished reading ESPN's expert football predictions for the season. Only one analyst had the Panthers repeating and winning the NFC South. Is this a sign of disrespect to the organization?

No, not at all.

This just shows that nobody is willing to forget Jake Delhomme's game against Arizona. Delhomme was widely viewed among the "experts" as a veteran-savvy quarterback who could lead his team at crunch time before the game against the Cardinals.

Delhomme isn't the only question mark the Panthers have, and his performance alone won't decide the season. Here are the three things that need to happen if the Panthers hope to repeat as division champs.

Defense Needs to Tighten Up

In the first half of last season, this looked like a dangerous unit that could lead the team to a possible Super Bowl berth. The second half of the season...not so much.

Teams were able to throw against the Panthers at will, which in turn opened the running game up.

Insert new defensive coordinator Ron Meeks.

The hope is that this unit, by season's end, will be a cohesive unit. An 0-4 preseason in which the defense didn't show any promising signs has Panther Nation worried. To be fair, Carolina was without some of their best defensive starters such as Jon Beason and Thomas Davis.

Week One of the regular season will give us a much better look at how the players are adjusting to Meek's system.

Under John Fox's tenure, the Panthers have been known as a tough defensive team. Towards the end of last season, this was a team that was anything but tough. Hopefully, an offseason to soak in the disappointing loss to the Cardinals in which Larry Fitzgerald embarrassed the Panthers defense, will be an experience this unit grows from.

Stay Healthy

Every team suffers injuries, but if the Panthers suffer any more significant injuries, they won't be able to keep up with Atlanta and New Orleans. The loss of Maake Kemoatu leaves an already thin line even thinner. With no replacement in sight, the Panthers will have to make do with what they have.

The biggest question is, will that be enough?

Depth is not a strong point for Carolina, and if the injury bug hits hard this year, it could be a long season. The offensive line has suddenly become thin, and if Steve Smith goes down for a game or two is Dwayne Jarrett ready to step in and make an impact?

Only time will tell.

A Bit of Magic

Somebody not named Steve Smith or DeAngelo Williams is going to have to step up and prove to be a consistent playmaker.

The obvious choice would be Jonathan Stewart, but will he be able to stay healthy? If Dwayne Jarret can emerge, be a valuable third down receiver, and make some plays in the red zone, the Cats will have a formidable passing attack.

Delhomme is going to have to get back some of that magic he had in '03 and '05. If he can forget about the Arizona game and not try to do too much, he should have a solid season.

The Panthers have pinned their playoff hopes on Delhomme's right arm. If he reverts to "bad" Jake early on in the season, the boo birds will be out.

Regardless of what happens, it should be an interesting season in Carolina.