Carolina Panthers DE Charles Johnson Providing Bright Spot for NFL's Worst Team

It has been a dismal year for the Carolina Panthers.

At 1-10 and showing few signs of life, head coach John Fox is likely out after this year and there are questions as to what direction that franchise will go.

One things is for sure, though: Charles Johnson will be around.

The 24-year-old defensive end is having the best season of his young career.

In his fourth NFL season, the former third-round pick has 46 total tackles in 11 games. That’s nearly twice his career-high of 25 set in 2008 in 16 games and duplicated in 2009 in just 11 games.

After starting just four games in his first three years, Johnson has started all 11 in 2010 and shows more promise than ever with 6.5 sacks and a forced fumble.

“The game is slowing down for him,” said Fox. “He has worked very hard. He's gotten more opportunities, so he's gotten more plays this year than most other seasons, and he's taking advantage of those opportunities.”

Johnson was voted second-team All-SEC in 2006 while at Georgia. He recorded 73 tackles and 14.5 sacks (tied for 10th in school history), forced six fumbles, recovered three and had 12 passes defended in his career. He also scored one touchdown on a fumble return.

There will be changes in Carolina this offseason. That is a given. Just expect Johnson to be among the new regime’s holdovers from 2010’s underachieving squad.

This article can also be found at www.footballnewsnow.com.