NFL Two-A-Days: Carolina Panthers 2010 Season Preview

This idea originated from ESPN's Mike and Mike. I would like to warn you that I am a Falcons fan. I will now preview the 30th team of this series, the Carolina Panthers.

1. Can starting QB Matt Moore hold off Jimmy Clausen all season?
This is an odd situation, they've got two young quarterbacks in Matt Moore and Jimmy Clausen. Moore was an undrafted free agent out of Oregon State, while Jimmy Clausen was a second round draft pick from Notre Dame. Moore has the edge right now, as he has the eight games of prior starting experience. In those eight games, he is 6-2 (all from the past two seasons.) Jimmy Clausen should be somewhat familiar with this offense as offensive coordinator Jeff Davidson was a Charlie Weis assistant in New England. Moore will need to play well an win early on to keep this job. If this is a lost season, expect to see Jimmy Clausen.

2. Will DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart both rush for 1,000 yards this season?
They both did last season and you could argue they'll have a better quarterback in 2010 (Moore or Clausen.) They are the best running back duo in the NFL, if you ask me. The Panthers will once again be a running team, as they will have a young QB either way they go. If the passing game is a threat to an opposing defense, 1,000 yards for both will happen. If the passing game struggles, opposing defenses will stack the box and as a result the running game would struggle. I'll say yes, but this could go either way.

3. The Panthers best wide receiver not named Steve Smith is...
This would not include tight ends, so we can count Jeff King and Dante Rosario out. Muhsin Muhammad retired or he would be the answer. The running backs also finished ahead of the next wide receiver in receptions. On the Panthers' website, Dwayne Jarrett is listed as the number two wideout. Jarrett was a second round draft pick in 2007 from USC. So far, Jarrett has to be considered a bust just look at a few wide outs drafted after him: Steve Smith (New York Giants), Mike Sims-Walker (Jacksonville Jaguars) and Steve Breaston (Arizona Cardinals). Can Brandon LaFell step into this role? If not, the answer is Jarrett by default more than past production.

4. Who will emerge as the defense's top pass rusher now that Jullius Peppers is gone?
The Panthers traded a first round draft pick for Everette Brown. Brown is from Florida State and only had 2.5 sacks in 2009. Add that to the fact that he is currently listed second on the Panthers depth chart (behind Tyler Brayton!) and I'm not sold. Tyler Brayton is a steady player but is not a primary pass rusher. This leads me to Charles Johnson. Johnson was a third round pick in 2007 and had four sacks last season. He is listed as the Panthers starter at left defensive end, Jullius Peppers' old spot. You would have to believe Johnson is in the right mind set, since a story from the Charlotte Observer (on August 2nd) claims he has lost weight this offseason. All the signs indicate the answer to this question is  Georgia native Charles Johnson.  

5. The Carolina Panthers record will be... 
8-8, third in the NFC South.

Bonus Thoughts:
The offensive line has proven to be very strong and has stayed together for the most part (lost Keydrick Vincent this offseason.) Mackenzy Bernadeau is expected to replace Vincent at right guard. Jon Beason and Thomas Davis are pro bowl caliber players to anchor the linebacking core. However, Davis will miss the upcoming season and James Anderson is set to replace him. Dan Connor is the early candidate to win the middle linebacking spot. In the secondary, Richard Marshall gets himself in trouble with an aggressive style. For that reason, Chris Gamble rarely gets targeted on the other side of the field. Don't be surprised if Captain Munnerlyn takes Marshall's starting spot. Charles Godfrey and Sherrod Martin are both young and talented safeties.