Carolina Panthers All-Time Lineup

QB: Jake Delhomme

Our current quarterback is the franchise career leader in four passing statistical categories and a very close second in two more.  Like Peyton Manning is the Indianapolis Colts, Jake Delhomme is the Carolina Panthers.

RB: DeShaun Foster, Tshimanga Biakabutuka, Stephen Davis

Foster, a former Panther whom I despised—especially in the last couple years—while he was with the team from 2002-2007, leads all Panthers rushers in attempts and yards as well as being tied for first in 100-yard games with two other players.  He's also third in YPC, and he owns the second-longest touchdown run.  He also has the fourth-most touchdowns in team history. 

I mainly put Biakabutuka in because his name is awesome.  But he's second in franchise history in attempts, yards, and YPC too.  Not to mention tied for first with Foster and Davis for most 100-yard games at seven.  And he has the third-longest touchdown run.     

Stephen Davis was an integral part of the 2003 team's run to the Super Bowl.  He's also tied for first in most 100-yard games and touchdowns and second in YPC.

FB: Brad Hoover

While he isn't an overachieving player—mainly due to the fact that the Panther hardly ever use him to run—he is a big fan-favorite. 

Whenever he does something right—or even whenever he gets a carry—Bank of America Stadium (geez, that name sounds way too official and boring to be the name of a football stadium, Ericsson Stadium was much better) echoes, "Hooooooooooooooooooooooooooov!" 

Panthers fans love calling him that—and love him—so I had to put him in my all-time Panthers lineup.

WR: Mushin Muhammad, Steve Smith

These guys are Carolina Panthers icons. 

Muhammad, or "Mooooooose!!!" as the fans like to call him, is the all-time leader in catches, yards, and 100-yard games.  He's also tied for first in touchdowns andhe has the second-longest touchdown catch.  Muhammad is also the third-highest scorer in Panthers history. 

When you think of the Carolina Panthers these days, Steve Smith is probably one of the first two guys to come to mind—and for good reason.  He's probably the most electrifying playmaker the Panthers have ever had.  He's second all-time in Panthers history in receptions, yards, touchdowns, and100-yard games. He also has the longest touchdown catch ever.  Smitty is also the second-highest scorer in Panthers history.   

TE: Wesley Walls

Walls is really the only memorable tight end the Panthers have ever had.  Many years after Walls retired I still remember and recognize who he is.  That's different with Kris Mangum, a former Panthers tight end who retired within the last few years.

Walls is the highest-receiving tight end in Panthers history.  He has 324 catches for 3902 yards and 44 touchdowns.  He has also scored the fourth-most points in team history, 263. 

OL: Jordan Gross, Jeff Otah

Gross is probably the best offensive lineman in franchise history, and he's got a franchise tag to show for it.  Gross is the best offensive lineman currently on the team, too. 

We did so much to get Otah that he's gotta be in this lineup.  Hopefully his performance this year makes all that we did to acquire him worth it.

DL: Julius Peppers, Mike Rucker

Peppers is a defensive beast.  Panthers fans love him.  Plus he's the Panthers career leader in sacks (56) and multi-sack games (15).

I just have to say that Mike Ruckeris one of the best men you'll ever meet.  He also is second all-time among Panthers in sacks (55.5) and third in multi-sack games (11).  I was very sad to see Rucker retire this offseason.  Good luck, Mike. 

LB: Dan Morgan, Kevin Greene

Morgan was a fan-favorite and the anchor of our defense for several seasons.  Even though injuries kept him off the field a lot, he still managed to make 386 tackles.

Kevin Greene is third in Panthers history in sacks (41.5) and second in multi-sack games (12).  Even though I never saw Kevin Greene play, I still remember him to this day.  Now that's significance.

DB: Mike Minter, Ricky Manning, Jr.

Minter was a fan favorite before his sudden retirement at training camp prior to the 2007 season.  He ranks second in Panthers history in interceptions (17), and first in yards (421), average (24.8), longest interception return (62 yds), and touchdowns (4).

Manning would not have made this list had it not been for his vital role in the Panthers' Super Bowl run in 2003. 

Kicker: John Kasay

The fact that Kasay is the only remaining original Panther is reason enough for a mention here.  But he is also the Panthers' all-time leading scorer at an astounding 1,163 points (the 2nd-ranked player has 270). 

Combine the loyalty that goes with the longest-tenured player on a team and the talent and perseverance it takes to become the team's leading scorer by totaling over 1,000 points, and you get the greatest player in the franchise's history. 

Punter: Nobody

The Panther that came closest to being the all-time punter is Todd Sauerbrun. 

Jason Baker, I don't think, has been with the team long enough to be considered for a spot on an all-time team roster yet (don't start with Otah, I gave a reason for his place in this lineup). 

But Sauerbrun didn't make the cut either because he's been in too much legal trouble in the past, and he had a terrible attitude.   

Since I haven't been a Panthers fan for long (like, less than ten years), Panthers fans feel free to comment on any players I may have missed.