NFL Team Previews: Carolina Panthers
With the first team I will be doing in the AFC South, I will be doing the defending NFC Champion Carolina Panthers, coached by Ron Rivera and assembled by general manager Dave Gettleman. After an impressive regular season that led to a 15-1 record, people still didn't believe in Cam Newton and the Panthers, saying their schedule was "soft", with arguably the toughest game against the Green Bay Packers at home. They then went on to beat the Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals to make the Super Bowl, defying expectations again, only to come back to earth with a loss against the Broncos in Super Bowl 50. Now, heading into Super Bowl 51, the Panthers believe they can handle the added expectations and head back to the Super Bowl, hopefully for a victory this time.
DRAFT RECAP: After a disappointing season from DT Star Lotulelei, the Panthers went big and selected DT Vernon Butler in the first round, making him the first Louisiana Tech player to be drafted in the first round. Despite having a lot of other DT on the board at the time (and many supposedly "better"), the Panthers went with Butler. His drafting also means that they have financial flexibility down the road with him, Lotulelei and Kawann Short, as well as three defensive tackles who can play any down and create havoc. Outside of Butler, the Panthers went on to draft CB James Bradberry from Samford. Then CB Daryl Worley from West Virginia. And then CB Zack Sanchez from Oklahoma. Do you think this strategy might have anything to do with the losses of CB Josh Norman and Charles Tillman? Yeah, I do too, as CB Bene Benikwere is the only corner remaining on the roster with significant playing time last season.
FREE AGENCY: When it ain't broke, don't fix it. The Panthers brought in another DT in Paul Soliai from Atlanta, but he's not even a lock to make the roster. Neither is backup C Gino Gradkowski. They also brought in P Mike Scifres from San Diego to replace P Brad Nortman. In other words, not much happened. The biggest non-drafted addition to this team is WR Kelvin Benjamin, who was out for the year with a torn ACL, and should become the teams #1 receiver again.
PLAYERS LOST: I already pretty much mentioned everybody who the Panthers lost. They let P Brad Nortman walk to the Jacksonville Jaguars, and S Roman Harper is now across the division in New Orleans. CB Josh Norman and the Panthers had a bit of a snafu with the contract situations, and the Panthers eventually let him walk into free agency. He is now with the Washington Redskins, and he was arguably the second most important player on that defense outside of ILB Luke Kuechly.
STRONGEST POSITION: With hopefully a full season from DE Charles Johnson, an improved season from DT Star Lotulelei, and the addition of first rounder Vernon Butler, the Panthers D-Line might be the strongest in the NFC. Kawann Short had a Pro-Bowl season, DE Kony Ealy and DE Mario Addison emerged to become solid edge rushers, and even DT Kyle Love had an impact on a few games. This defensive line has stars, depth and skill, and the depth part is why I have it ranked ahead of the linebacking group. Thomas Davis and Luke Kuechly are one of the best duos in the NFL, but the third spot is manned by the mediocre AJ Klein.
WEAKEST POSITION: S Kurt Coleman is another stud on this defense, but outside of him, the secondary is filled with questions. The Panthers look to rely on CB Bene Benikwere and three rookie corners this season, and everybody will likely attempt to hold down the fort on the pass rush and launch an aerial attack on this defense. S Tre Boston and Trenton Robinson have been waiting in the wings for an opening at safety, but they are still in the prove-it stage as well.
FIVE MOST IMPORTANT PLAYERS TO THE PANTHERS SUCCESS: QB Cam Newton, DT Kawann Short, ILB Luke Kuechly, OLB Thomas Davis, S Kurt Coleman. Look, TE Greg Olsen, WR Kelvin Benjamin and Ted Ginn Jr. and RB Jonathan Stewart are all good and are all important, but everybody knows this offense is all about MVP Cam Newton. He provides this great defense with a championship caliber offense, and without him the Panthers are mediocre. That said, the Panthers need a healthy and productive Davis & Kuechly to go anywhere, and Kawann Short is now the start of the pass rush after leading the team with 11 sacks. And with all of the depletion in the secondary, it relies on S Kurt Coleman more than ever to lead this group and help make up for any shortcomings.
PREDICTION: I like this team to win the AFC South. Are they going 15-1 again? No. I'd say the 10-6 to 13-3 range is more likely, and a potential visit back to the Super Bowl. With the loss of Josh Norman et. al. in the secondary, however, Arizona is my team to beat in the NFC, and at this point, the path to Super Bowl 51 goes through Glendale. Maybe the Panthers will defy expectations yet again.
