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The Panthers look to get back to basics--defense and power running--the same formula that led to their Super Bowl appearance a few seasons ago by adding Jonathan Stewart, Jeff Otah and Dan Connor...
The Carolina Panthers have realized that they need to turn back the clock with their philosophy in hopes of returning their franchise to the NFC elite. A flurry of "under the radar" free agent movements in addition to an "all in" mentality during the NFL Draft a few weeks ago should lead to a much improved Panthers team for the 2008 season. Some whispers around the league have the futures of GM Marty Hurney and Head Coach John Fox as being uncertain. One thing is certain: the Panthers want to get back to the style that got them within an Adam Vinatieri field goal of winning Super Bowl XXXVIII—that of a physical team powered by its running game.
During the 2003 season, the Carolina Panthers had a physical defense that created opportunities, limited time of possession for opposing offenses, and antagonized the opposition's quarterback with its schemes and pressure. On the flip slide, the offense had the fiery Jake Delhomme captaining the ship through efficient decision making and keeping the mistakes to a minimum. Meanwhile, the two-headed monster lurking in the backfield--Stephen Davis and DeShaun Foster--wore defenses down and slashed through them late in games. Sprinkle in some great route running and downfield blocking from wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad combined with the highlight reel that is Steve Smith and you can see why this team stormed their way to the Big Dance in Houston, TX. However, over the past few seasons in Carolina, the winds of change blew through and swept several players away including Muhammad, Davis, Foster, defensive tackle Kris Jenkins, linebacker Dan Morgan and some of the big uglies on that beefy offensive line. Those players are gone, but Carolina brass have flashbacked a few years and revamped a roster with some new faces, but similar attributes that helped the Panthers achieve success. Veterans like Tyler Brayton, Landon Johnson, Ian Scott and Darwin Walker have been brought in to return that aggressive, physical edge that has been lacking for the past few seasons. In addition, Defensive Coordinator Mike Trgovac has been given three potential gems from the draft. Dan Connor is the most known of the three with his Penn State pedigree. Defensive back Charles Godfrey brings flexibility to the defensive backfield as he played both cornerback and safety in college. The former Iowa Hawkeye possesses the speed of a corner and the ball hawking hard-hitting skills of a safety. Both of these draftees were stellar second day picks for the Panthers. The third player, Hilee Taylor is a defensive end/linebacker tweener and probably better suited to stand up in a 3-4 defensive scheme. Taylor, a former UNC standout, has an explosive burst and gets to the quarterback in a hurry. If he hits the weight room and adds about 20 lbs. of muscle, he could remind some of another former Tarheel, Julius Peppers.
Despite the changes on defense, the offensive side of the ball is where the biggest transformation is taking place. The front office has added veterans Milford Brown, Toni Fonoti, and Keydrick Vincent to the offensive line, Brandon Toefield's bulky frame to the backfield, and the receiving corps has been boosted by the additions of D. J. Hackett and Muhsin Muhammad. Muhammad, in his second tour of duty for the Cats, should play a key role in mentoring the younger players like Jason Carter, Dwayne Jarrett, and Ryne Robinson. Jarrett, a former second round pick has some serious work to do to prove his worth this coming season. With the top three slots pretty much assured to Hackett, Muhammad and Smith, the ex-Southern California wide out faces an uphill battle to retain the #4 receiver slot. Jason Carter, an undrafted free agent pick-up that has been relegated to practice squads the past couple of seasons, has been turning heads during the Panthers' recent mini-camp. Ryne Robinson is an undersized receiver that is entering his second year, and veteran Travis Taylor is always a viable option. Hopefully for Panther fans, Muhammad can be the mentor that Keyshawn Johnson should have been in 2007, before he was abruptly released after the weekend of the draft. For all of the baggage that Johnson supposedly brings, he and Jarrett are almost clones, and were both ex-Trojans. Aside from the veteran presence that was brought in to shuffle things up, a couple of highly-touted rookies were drafted in the first round by Carolina this past April.
The Panthers used their #13 overall pick on arguably the best running back not named Darren McFadden in this draft--Oregon's Jonathan Stewart. The former Duck fits the Panthers offense like a glove and should bring the thunder to complement the lightning that is already there with DeAngelo Williams. Stewart barrels in at 5'10" and 235 lbs while still running in the sub 4.5 40 range. On the subject of big-bodied players, look no further then Carolina’s second selection at #19 overall, offensive tackle Jeff Otah. The former Pitt lineman digs in at a healthy 6'6" and 324 lbs. and has room to add some more muscle to that frame.
Looking at the Panthers' draft, many are seeing a team that is going to be a handful for four quarters of football. The backfield boasts a shifty slashing back in DeAngelo Williams that will elude defenders and burn them with speed. After he has worn a defense down all afternoon, look for the rookie Stewart to steamroll through tired defenders with his thick muscular frame and deceptive, shifty speed. This is why the two-back system has been such a success in the league and why the Panthers selected the talented Oregon back. After McFadden, Stewart and former Illinois running back Rashard Mendenhall were in the next tier of backs. Both runners had similar styles, with Stewart being the more polished and Mendenhall being a little more of a speedy, yet inexperienced back. There were a few other backs that would have fit the Panthers' style like Tulane's Matt Forte or Central Florida's Kevin Smith, but passing on a player like Stewart would have been a mistake. Seeing him tote the rock 12-15 times a game will remind management and fans about the times when Stephen Davis used to pummel opposing defenses.
 Photo Credit: College Press Box (Pittsburgh)
Speaking of musical chairs, the Carolina offensive line will definitely have some shuffling taking place between now and when the season opens in San Diego on September 7th. Jordan Gross, sophomore Ryan Kalil, Jeff Otah and Travelle Wharton are penciled in for four of the five starting spots, but the competition for right guard will be a heated battle. Milford Brown, Toniu Fonoti, Evan Mathis, Geoff Schwartz, and Keydrick Vincent will all audition for the position. All of these players take up large amounts of space in addition to bringing that physical play that is John Fox's trademark. After the dust clears, this offensive line will not resemble the line that the Panthers trotted out on the field in '07 in any way. The athletic, zone blocking style that Offensive Coordinator Jeff Davidson tried last year fell short of expectations. Zone blocking was not what got Stephen Davis and DeShaun Foster into the endzone nor was it what propelled Carolina into the Super Bowl in 2004.
Defensively, the Panthers selected two potential gems in the third round that should translate into solid players in the NFL. The #67 overall pick, Charles Godfrey, is flying under the radar big time. He played cornerback and safety at the University of Iowa so he brings versatility to the defensive backfield. His blazing speed and cover skills are that of a corner, and the former trait is not a common characteristic in safeties. His recovery skills should be helped a lot by his quickness. His hips are fluid and he knows how to be around the ball at all times. Godfrey loves to play physical and lay the lumber which will make receivers think twice when coming near him. The tandem of he and Chris Harris gives the Panthers a young duo that plays physically and Harris is known for his opportunistic play in addition to his physicality. Godfrey was already lining up at free safety with the first team during the teams' initial mini-camp last weekend. It's still early, but the ex-Hawkeye is starting off on the right foot. The other, more heralded pick was Carolina's second 3rd round pick, Dan Connor. Connor is from "Linebacker U" in Happy Valley and was a steal with the #74 pick. He is the all-time leading tackler at Penn State and was projected to go in the late first or early second round. Very similar to last year's rookie from Penn State, Paul Posluszny, Connor is a rangy linebacker that is very physical and is great at covering large amounts of field. His athleticism is a little questionable and he projects to be more of an inside linebacker in the NFL. Carolina already has a defensive captain in the wings with last years' draft selection, middle linebacker Jon Beason. Beason did start the year on the outside while Dan Morgan tried to recover from his concussions, but Beason assumed the MIKE linebacker spot midseason and has not looked back. Connor has played some on the weakside and if he can smooth out his coverage skills, he could be solid out there. Another option would be moving Beason back to the outside to free up the middle for Connor. However, first Connor has to make the transition from the speed of college to the pro level; everything will fall into place after that.
However you dissect Carolina's draft and off season moves, it's clear that they are pushing all of their chips to the center of the table. Fox and Hurney have added integral pieces to their puzzle and their physical approach to the 2008 season should power the Panthers back into the playoff picture.
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