Welcome to the 2008 Carolina Panthers. The philosophy we went into with the Panthers was strengthening up the offensive and defensive lines. Last year the Panthers suffered problems with both and this caused a cascading effect on the rest of the team. After accomplishing this through free agency, trades and the draft we decided to add some receiving threats to open the game for Delhomme. When Delhomme has weapons he flourishes. Adding Patton and Royal to Steven Smith basically guaranteed that Jake would have his weapons. We stayed pat with the running game because even under brutal circumstances Deangelo Williams was able to average over 5 yards a carry and we feel that with a more balanced offense and strengthened line he would be able to realize his potential of becoming a franchise back. The Tight End position is young and full of potential. We decided to only bring in Adam Bishop and his all around game
On defense, we have put together the next terror bookend pairing of the league in Peppers and Merling, while strengthening the middle by adding Darby. The linebacking crew is fast, fast, fast. Did I mention they were fast? There is tons of youth, potential and ability there and we can basically field two starting units in case of injuries. The secondary was overhauled to make certain key trades possible but we were able to restock to the point where we actually improved the secondary. We have four good to great cornerbacks now. The kicking game was left alone.
Bottom line we are getting back to traditional, Parcells inspired, smash mouth football by controlling both lines of scrimmage, running the ball with effective play action and having a terrorizing defense that will blow up the run and garner turnovers aplenty if you try to throw. The time to get that ring is now and the Panthers canht wait to start the quest
QB
Jake Delhomme/ Todd Collins/ Rex Grossman
Jake Delhomme started out the 2007 season on fire. 111 QB rating, 64% completion percentage, 8 TDs, 1 Int, 624 yds through three games and then his arm got injured. The reports coming out are that Delhomme is well on his way to a full recovery and we feel that this 33 year old is in the prime of his career, ready to lead the Panthers to their first NFL SuperBowl. Behind him we decided to stock up on QBs that can step in and lead our team immediately should Delhomme get injured. Todd Collins was brought in from Washington . His excellent play last year singlehandedly kept the Redskins playoff hopes alive. Rex Grossman is a good fit for our offense and we feel the change of scenery will do wonders for his career. Two QBs with SuperBowl experience and one with playoff, this group is primed for a championship run.
FB
Nick Goings/ Lex Hilliard
Old reliable H-Back type Nick Goings will be our all around fullback. Avergaed 4.7 yds per carry last year and if injuries come to the starters is able to take on the role of lead back as witnessed by his 800 yd season three years ago. The pleasant surprise here is our ability to pick up rookie Lex Hilliard from Montana in free agency as an undrafted rook. 5'11" 231lbs and runs a 4.6. This guy has excellent size and bulk, very productive, is a terrific blocker, is very strong and powerful and runs hard. He has great football IQ, a nose for the endzone and is versatile enough to play multiple positions. In 11 games he had 242 attempts for 1,132 yds and a 4.7 average with 16 TDs and avergaing over 10 yds per catch.
http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/rb/lexhilliard.html
The plan here is to have Goings start the year as the Fullback and when Hilliard is ready, he will become the short yardage specialist and lead blocker. In year two we plan to expand his responsibilities and have him become more involved in the passing game
RB
DeAngelo Williams/ Deshaun Foster/ Thomas Brown
The changing of the guard is officially at hand in Carolina. DeAngelo Williams averaged 5 yards per carry last year and we feel its time his workload is increased to twenty carries per game. We will spot him with the gritty and crafty running of Deshaun Foster. We are also hoping to incorporate Thomas Brown, a rookie out of Georgia.
http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/rb/thomasbrown.html
At 5'8" 204 lbs he carries a surprising pop for his size. He runs a 4.55 and can run inside or out, having great run instincts. He is also great in the passing game having soft hands. He also brings great return ability so we can use him on special teams. This guy reminds me of Joe Morris for those of you old enough to remember the New York Giants running back
WR
Steve Smith/
WR
Eddie Royal/ Dwayne Jarrett
WR
David Patten/ Steve Johnson
In Steve Smith, the Panthers possess one of the best playmakers in football. What he's needed ever since their SuperBowl run is a receiver to take the double teams away from him. We feel we brought in several receivers that will force teams to play Smith more honest. David Patten was brought in from New Orleans to provide a steady target for Delhomme. His 800 yards last season will be a welcome addition in Carolina. To add to the firepower we drafted Eddie Royal who has been climbing up the draftboards recently and may end up getting drafted in the second round. A deadly slot receiver prospect, he's a terrific athelete who runs a 4.39 and is very strong. He's another vertical threat who can stretch the field, make defenders miss and can run after the catch. Also a great kick return specialist
http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/wr/eddieroyal.html
Dwayne Jarrett failed to live up to expectations last year but we feel he was simply overwhelmed his first year by the new environment and expect a much improved Jarrett to come out this year. Could develop into a great possession receiver and goaline threat. Steve Johnson out of Kentucky is a great pickup for us and we expect great things from him. He's not the fastest but he has good size (6'2" 210, 4.55) and just makes big plays. A fantastic leaper with long arms. A football players football player.
http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/wr/stevejohnson.html
TE
Jeff King/ Dante Rosario/ Adam Bishop
Jeff King does everything well. He is an effective blocker in the run game which is a must for the run first philosphy of the Panthers. But he can also catch as exhibited by his 46 receptions for 406 yds in his first year starting, including one stunning 10 reception outing against the Colts. He was the 15th ranked Tight End for receptions for last year and we expect even greater things for him his second year as a starter. Donte Rosario flashed some big play ability in his rookie year towards the end of the season and big things are expected of him his sophmore season after scoring two touchdowns in the last four games of the season. We expect a great battle for the starting spot this training camp. Adam Bishop is an outstanding blocker that also has surprisingly soft hands and the ability to find the soft seams in the passing game. Another complete Tight End that should help out immediately in the run blocking two tight end formations the panthers will use on short yardage formations.
http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/te/adambishop.html
LOT
Marvel Smith/ Will Robinson
LOG
Mike Wahle/ Jeremy Bridges
C
Ryan Kalil/ Fernando Velasco
ROG
Damien Wooody/ Mackenzie Bernadeu
ROT
Jordan Gross/ Brandon Gorin
In Marvel Smith, the Panthers got a Left Tackle with very good athleticism who is quick off the ball and can get to the second level effortlessly. He's very good at pulling which will come in handy with our zone blocking scheme. Great hand technique in pass protection. Borderline Pro Bowler. Mike Wahle is among the league best at pulling and trapping and is great on screens. He gets great push in the run game. One of the best at his position. Ryan Kalil gets the starting position his second year as we move him from guard. A much better center prospect than Nick Mangold of the Jets, we expect the transition should go smoothly for the young player. He started looking good towards the end of last season as a guard. Damien Woody can play all three positions on the line but is best suited for Guard in our opinion. We expect that the exodus from the Lions will have him playing at his pro bowl form that he displayed while playing for the SuperBowl Patriots. Jordan Gross plays with a mean streak and is explosive as a run blocker moving piles with ease. Can handle bull rushers with ease.
Jermey Bridges has the versatility and speed to play both inside and out. Brandon Gorin is a solid veteran presence that has extensive starting experience at Tackle and is a valuable backup.
OT Will Robinson was brought in to develop into a left tackle potentially. He has good size and good feet and is able to hit the second level. He has room to grow
http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/ot/williamrobinson.html
OG Mackenzy Bernadeau has good size and great agility. He stood out at Divison 2 and we expect great things from him after a year of seasoning
http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/og/mackenzybernadeau.html
C Fernando Velasco has good size and bul. He has great strength, good hand technique and is smart.
http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/c/fernandovelasco.html
DE
Julius Peppers/ Bryce Fisher/
DE
Phillip Merling/ Charles Johnson/ Stanley McClover
Julius Peppers had a down year last year but that had more to do with the lack of help he received allowing other teams to constantly double and triple team him. He is arguably the best Defensive End in the game and we addressed the problem of help by drafting Phillip Merling to pair him up with. Merling is the best run defender of any draft prospect this year and has pass rush ability exhibited by some of the best spin moves you will ever see. We'll teach him some new techniques and expect double digit sacks from Merling as well.
http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/de/phillipmerling.html
Charles Johnson enters his second season as a great run stuffer and we are expecting nice things from him this year. A solid pick in 2007 he has the abilty to apply pressure on the QB. He showed some of his future ability when insderted into the lineup late last year. Bryce Fisher offers savvy leadership. Has a nonstop motor and offers power and athleticism. Has a good club and rip move. Stanley McClover showed considerbale improvement in all facets of his game and is a solid backup.
DT
Kris Jenkins/ Chuck Darby
DT
Ma'ake Kemoeatu
You will not move Kemoeatu. He is an absolute force against the run. Able to deal with double teams effortlessly. He has only one pass rush move, the bull rush. Kris Jenkins can shoot the gaps at a pro bowl level. Has a nice array of moves. He has great closing speed and can disrupt the run in the backfield. Chuck Darby provides great leadership and will rotate in to help out Ma'ake and Kris. He shoots the gaps well to disrupt plays and has a great burst. Has good agilty and speed
OLB
Freddy Keiaho/ Steve Octavian/ Robert James
MLB
Dan Morgan/ Na'ill Diggs
OLB
Ali Highsmith/ Thomas Davis/ Stanford Keglar
The Carolina Linebackers built for speed. Freddy Keiaho is a dynamo that has some of the best instincts around. Using his speed, he goes sideline to sideline and explodes into his tackles. He's got a great understanding of angles. Dan Morgan is one of the better MLBs in the game. He's had some bad luck with injuries but we feel confident that he'll be able to put that behind him this year and put up a pro bowl year. Should he go down with an injury, very little will be lost as Keiaho will simply slide over. Thomas Davis will start the season but will be in a battle for that spot with Ali Highsmith. Davis is a headhunter who is a force against the run. He's a great athelete and is really starting to come into his own. Highsmith is another LB with sideline to sideline ability. A great athelete, he's a very good tackler, solid blitzer and is good in coverage. He plays with a nonstop motor for 60 minutes
http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/olb/alihighsmith.html
Naail Diggs is another LB with great speed who ca drop into coverage and cover alot of ground against the run. Steve Octavian could be the steal of the draft if he can stay healthy for us. An amzing athelete, he's an axcellent tackler who hits with pop. Has great power and is constantly making plays behind the line. Very good blitzer.
http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/olb/steveoctavien.html
Robert James is the protypical weakside backer. Great instincts, fast, great tackler who hits with pop, he's great in coverage
http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/olb/robertjames.html
Keglar has great size and speed and is good in zone coverage. He plays sideline to sideline and possesses great instincts. Blew up the combine
http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/olb/stanfordkeglar.html
CB
Samari Rolle/ Kelly Jennings/
CB
Tracy Porter/ Fred Bennett/ William James
Samari Rolle had a rough year battling several injuries and ending up being diagnosed with epilepsy. The epilepsy is controllable and we expect Rolle to get back to his playmaking ways. A great cover corner, he has great hands and playmaking ability. Tracy Porter is simply a shut down corner. Running a killer 4.37 he can completely shut down receivers. He has long arms, great hands, nice size and a nose for the football as evidenced by his 6 interceptions last year.
http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/cb/tracyporter.html
Fred Bennett showed great stuff his rookie year in Texas and looks like a future Dunta Robinson with his big size, athleticism and long arms. He lead the entire Texans team with 3 interceptions his rookie year after being put in midway through the season. He will eventually replace Rolle as our starter. Kelly Jennings is a solid starting CB with great speed, closing burst and ball skills. He's great at winning jump balls and is a natural at knocking down passes. William James rounds out a secondary full of starting caliber corners. He showed he's fully back from the injuries that derailed his career at New York. He'll be a great backup and nickel or dime back for us
FS
Chris Harris/ Fred Bennett/ Ryan Clark
SS
Dawan Landry/ Nick Ferguson/ Derrick Doggett
Chris Harris is a hitter and an anchor for the team. He forced a team record 8 fumbles last year, with 102 tackles. He's a player that's just reaching his potential. Dawan Landry is another killer at SS. Just a force at stopping the run and very good blitzer he can be a game changer. Fred Bennett will be tried at FS to take advantage of his skills. If he proves better than Harris he will be our starting FS. Nick Ferguson can play both safety spots. Tremendous aginst the run, he has great instincts playing the ball in fron of him. Ryan Clark had his spleen removed last year but is clear to play. He is a solid if unspectacular player who can step in and start anytime. Derrick Doggett is going to be a steal. A converted linebacker, the guy is a monster against the run while possessing the speed to cover tight ends deep. A Michael Boulware type.
http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/profile.php?pyid=15363
K
John Kasay is one of the best kickers year to year. Lats year he didnt get many chances but was 16 of 17 form 40yds and less, 6 of 9 from 40 to 49, and 2 for 2 from 50 yards on out
P
Jason Baker was in the top half of punters with a 44.2 average last year
DRAFT PICKS
rd 1 #13 DE Phillip Merling Clemson
rd 2 #60 (Colts) CB Tracy Porter Indiana
rd 3 #75 OLB Ali Highsmith LSU
rd 4 #108 WR Eddie Royal Virginia Tech
rd 6 #175 OLB Steve Octavian Nebraska
rd 7 #206 WR Steve Johnson Kentucky
Trades
1)Carolina Panthers trade
CB Chris Gamble 1,060,000, LB Tim Shaw 370,000, 4th rd draft pick #106
to the Colts for
LB Freddy Keiaho 445,000, 2nd rd draft pick #60 (CB Tracy Porter)
2)Panthers trade
CB Ken Lucas 1,300,000, CB Richard Marshall 445,000
to the Ravens for
CB Samari Rolle 3,900,000, S Dawan Landry 445,000
3) Panthers trade their 2nd rd (#44) to the Texans for CB Fred Bennett and their 4th (#108) (WR Eddie Royal)
4) The Panthers trade LB Jon Beason 370,000 and OG/C Justin Hartwig 2,150,000 to the Steelers for OT Marvel Smith 3,950,000 and CB Kelly Jennings 540,000
FREE AGENT SIGNINGS
CB William James 300k
QB Todd Collins 400k
QB Rex Grossman 400k
RB DeShaun Foster 400k
WR David Patten 800k
OL Brandin Gorin 300k
OL Jordan Gross 7.5 million franchised
DE Bryce Fisher 400k
DT Chuck Darby 300k
S Nick Ferguson 300k
S Ryan Clark 300k
OG Damien Woody 7.25 million
FB Lex Hilliard 300k (rookie)
RB Thomas Brown 300k (rookie)
SS Derrick Doggett 300k (rookie)
LB Robert James 300k (rookie)
LB Stanford Keglar 300k (rookie)
OT Will Robinson 300k (rookie)
OG Mackenzy Bernadeau 300k (rookie)
OG Fernando Velasco 300k (rookie)
OG Andrew Crumney 300k (rookie)
TE Adam Bishop 300k (rookie)
53 62 mil
Delhomme, Jake QB 3,690,000.00
Collins, Todd QB 400,000 (FA)
Grossman, Rex QB 400,000 (FA)
QB =
4,490,000
Goings, Nick RB 730,000.00
Williams, DeAngelo RB 445,000.00
Foster, Deshaun 400,000 (FA)
Hilliard, Lex 300,000
Brown, Thomas 300,000
RB =
2,175,000
Jarrett, Dwayne WR 370,000.00
Royal, Eddie WR 350,000
Smith, Stevonne WR 1,750,000.00
Johnson, Steve WR 350,000
Patten, David WR 800K (FA)
WR =
5,090,000
King, Jeff TE 445,000.00
Rosario, Dante TE 370,000.00
Bishop, Adam TE 300,000
TE =
1,115,000
Bridges, Jeremy OT 1,200,000.00
Kalil, Ryan C 370,000.00
Wahle, Mike LOG 3,000,000.00
Gross, Jordan ROT 7,500,000 (franchised)
Smith, Marvel, LOT, 3,950,000.00
Gorin, Brandon OT 300,000
Robinson, Will OT 300,000
Woody, Damien OG 7,250,000
Velasco, Fernando C 300,000
Bernadeau, Mackenzie OG 300,000
OL =
24,440,000
Johnson, Charles DE 370,000.00
McClover, Stanley DE 445,000.00
Peppers, Julius DE 6,500,000.00
Fisher, Bryce DE 400,000 (FA)
Merling, Phillip DE 650,000
DE =
8,365,000
Jenkins, Kris DT 2,955,000.00
Kemoeatu, Ma'ake DT 1,900,000.00
Darby, Chuck DT 300K (FA)
DT =
5,155,000
Davis, Thomas SLB 650,000.00
Diggs, Na'il LB 800,000.00
Morgan, Dan MLB 2,850,000.00
Keiaho, Freddy LB 445,000 (Colts)
Highsmith, Ali LB 400,000
Octavian, Steve LB 350,000
Keglar, Stanford LB 300,000
James, Robert LB 300,000
LB = 6,005,000
Rolle, Samari CB 3,900,000.00
James, William CB 300,000 (FA)
Bennett, Fred CB 370,000
Kelly Jennings CB 540,000
Porter, Tracy CB 500,000
CB = 5,610,000
Harris, Chris S 520,000.00
Doggett, Derrick S 300,000.00
Landry, Dawan S 445,000.00
Ferguson, Nick S 300K (FA)
Clark, Ryan S 300K (FA)
S = 1,865,000.00
Baker, Jason P/K 1,000,000.00
Kasay, John P/K 1,500,000.00
P/K =2,500,000
TOTAL SALARY
61,250,000
