And So It Begins: What To Watch for as Carolina Panthers Begin New Era

Carolina took an interesting approach to this year's offseason, releasing all but three players over the age of 30 (two of whom were its kicker and punter).

They let go of long time Panthers Jake Delhomme, Julius Peppers, and Muhsin Muhammad. All three had been fan favorites for a long time and were also with the team during its Super Bowl run in 2003.

As the new era begins, Carolina has now handed the torch over to players like Matt Moore, DeAngelo Williams, Jonathan Stewart, and Thomas Davis.

Steve Smith, Jon Beason, and Jordan Gross are still the ultimate leaders of this team however.

Quarterback Matt Moore has been handed the starting quarterback job after Jake Delhomme was released after another disappointing season.

With a brand new set of receivers and defensive linemen, this team will have plenty of competition throughout the whole preseason.

It is going to need some momentum since it will be playing tough defenses like Baltimore, New York, and Pittsburgh.

As the Carolina Panthers head to Baltimore to begin their 2010 season, here are some things to look out for.

Is Matt Moore the Real Deal?

Starting the final five games of the season, Matt Moore was able to put up an incredible eight touchdowns with just two interceptions. This helped him win games against Tampa Bay, Minnesota, New York Giants, and New Orleans.

He looked sharp, and some believe if the Panthers would have made him the starting quarterback earlier, they would have made the playoffs.

However, he put up those stats against three teams that had already made the playoffs. Teams that have already made the playoffs usually slack  off towards the end of the season.

But Moore also started the final three games of the 2007 season in his rookie year, winning two of those three.

He has shown himself to be a leader, having a career record of 10-3. With his long arm and mobility in the pocket, Moore may turn out to be one of the better quarterbacks in the league with time.

He will make his first start as the Panthers' full-time starter against Baltimore.

Rookies Filling Holes Left by Veterans

Carolina made up for not taking part in free agency by having one of the better draft classes this season.

Every rookie that I have seen during the Panthers' training camp has put an impression on me. This is going to be Carolina's new era, it may have found many steals during this draft.

Quarterback Jimmy Clausen was drafted to be the quarterback of the future if Matt Moore does not fill that role. He has impressed during training camp, but he will have to wait, as he is the second quarterback behind Moore.

Carolina drafted three receivers—Brandon LaFell, Armanti Edwards and David Gettis—to improve a passing game that struggled during 2009.

Sixth-round pick receiver David Gettis out of Baylor has impressed me the most out of the three. At 6'3", 216 lbs, Gettis has a lot of potential to be great in this league.

He's got the ability to make a tough catch and good speed to get away from the cornerback.

Also watch for former Appalachian State quarterback-turned-receivers Armanti Edwards. He's still learning the basics of being a receiver, but over time he should develop into a good slot receiver.

He's been working a lot with punt returns, a position the Panthers have desperately needed help at.

Fourth-round pick Eric Norwood has impressed me a lot too, as I could see him being the next Elvis Dumervil.

The linebacker out of South Carolina played defensive end in college, and was one of the better pass-rushers in the league.

But the most important rookie to watch out for is sixth-round pick Greg Hardy.

The 6'4", 277lb defensive end out of Ole Miss could be one of the best steals that Carolina has ever had. He was once projected to be a first-round pick, but injuries plagued his college career.

He looks healthy now, and if he plays the way he did when healthy, he could make Panther fans forget about Julius Peppers.

Carolina's Brand New Defensive Line

Carolina is coming into the season without three of their starting defensive linemen in 2009. Not to mention the fact that Ma'ake Kemoeatu was lost for the season.

2009 second-round pick Everette Brown replaces All-Pro defensive end Julius Peppers at left defensive end, leaving Tyler Brayton and Charles Johnson fighting for a starting spot on the opposite side.

At defensive tackle, Louis Leonard and Tank Tyler will start, with Corvey Irvin and Ed Johnson rotating. Both Leonard and Tyler were acquired for a late-round draft pick last season.

Both impressed before going down with season-ended injuries.

Many people are worried about Carolina's defensive line, although I am not. I feel better about this defensive line than I have in years.

You never knew when Julius Peppers was actually going to show up, and it seemed like defensive tackles were going down on every play last season.

The group that Carolina has got together on the defensive line has a lot of work ethic, something it has not had in a while.

The Panthers also have one of the better rotations on their line.

Tyler Brayton is their best against the run, while Charles Johnson is their best pass-rusher.

Everette Brown is undersized, but very strong, so he can do a little bit of everything. Greg Hardy also has a lot of potential and will get into the rotation as well.

The Replacements

Carolina enters this season with 10 positions being replaced with new starters.

This time last year, Carolina enetered their first preseason game with Jake Delhomme at quarterback, Muhsin Muhammad at receiver, Julius Peppers at defensive end, Thomas Davis at linebacker, and Chris Harris at Safety.

Delhomme and Peppers were signed to other teams, Muhammad retired, Harris was traded, and Davis tore his ACL for the second time in two seasons.

With that being said, the Panthers only brought in five players via free agency, with all but one signed to help on special teams.

Players who have spent their whole careers as reserves now will get their chance in the spotlight. Most of the players were former second and third round draft picks.

I'm very excited to see linebackers Dan Connor and James Anderson, both former third-round picks, step into their starting positions.

Both have impressed me throughout their whole careers, and when stepping in for an injured player, they have always made an impact.

At receiver, either fourth-year receiver Dwayne Jarrett or rookie Brandon LaFell will replace Muhsin Muhammad, who had a Hall of Fame career as Carolina's second receiver.

Muhammad was one of the league's best blocking receivers, and John Fox has always wanted receivers who are able to block.

Brandon LaFell may be the favorite to start, as he was one of the better blocking receivers during his college career.

As Longtime Panthers Go, New Leaders Are Handed the Torch

Longtime Panthers and fan favorites Jake Delhomme, Julius Peppers, and Muhsin Muhammad were all let go this offseason, handing the torch over to other veterans ready to take the leadership role.

Linebacker Jon Beason has taken over as the team's public speaker, although guys like Steve Smith and Jordan Gross need to be the team's ultimate leaders.

Matt Moore takes over as the team's starting quarterback, giving him the team's key to success. Over time, we could see Moore become more of a team leader if he succeeds as the starting quarterback.

As the oldest player besides the kicker and punter, Steve Smith has really got to let go of his "swag" and become more of a team leader.

During his whole career, players, fans, and coaches have always looked his way for a big play.

His need to be a leader was covered up however, as Carolina always had other talent.

But that talent isn't there anymore.

All eyes are now on Smith to be the leader of this team. He has been the team's top playmaker for years, but he has never fully been a leader.

Hopefully he can buckle down and become one; this team really needs one.