Panthers Camp preview

As magnus notes, Johnson wasn't very good at all in Kansas City last year.


magnus:
Davis consistently has problems in the run game because he's on the strongside, and as you said, he's not eliminating the tight end either. So what you hoped for hasn't happened, while what I worried about does appear to be true. I'd much, much rather see him play weakside with someone more stout at strong.

 

Thanks for posting this. The only thing that bothers me is that everybody keeps saying that our defense is getting old. Aside from Minter and Rucker, they have actually gotten younger, with guys like Peppers and Jenkins entering, what should be, their prime years. Other than the safety position, they should be fine.

I'm glad that he aknowledged that losing their starting center and LT in the first game of the season was actually a big deal. So many of these so called experts don't even take that into account.

 

I have no problem with rotating Foster and Williams but it just seems inevitable that Williams will eventually be the guy. I am thinking why not just make him the guy now, but I guess that might not be the smart way to play it. Keep them both fresh for the post season and all.

 

Mags, I think the "Fox on the hotseat" thing is our OL was "terrible" last season. People only see on the surface that we were terrible--they didn't see that just about everyone on the line played out of their "natural" positions and that we finished 8-8, not 10-6 or whatever the "experts" were predicting for us last year.

 

the O in general, IMO, which is a big part of why coaches had to be held accountable. Which extends into the uncertainty from the outside on the new OC, and that some staffs do fall apart when they start making changes after a few years. That the O was, essentially, the one they wanted to put out there - two backs who could carry the ball, a top flight WR across from Smith, new blood into the OL - and with the exception of the injuries, a lot of those pieces

I still believe he's doing what he needs to do at SLB. He'll progress, and fill into that role - they're not asking him to be Brandon Short. They want much more from him.

Why change their roles? It would essentially still mean both backs are getting high reps, and work interchangeably, but you call a player who hasn't beaten a veteran out as a starter.
Unless you mean just work Williams' wheels off right away without regard, then sure, you're going to get what you pay for there too.

 

Panthers Training Camp position battle capsules
By Steve Reed
July 19, 2007 - 11:41PM
Running back
DeShaun Foster vs. DeAngelo Williams

The skinny: Williams (above) would seem to have the upper hand because new offensive coordinator Jeff Davidson’s offense favors his running style. The offense Williams played in at Memphis when he broke all sorts of NCAA records is almost identical to what the Panthers will run. However, the Panthers still have a lot of faith in Foster, even though he’s never had a 1,000-yard season.

What could happen: Look for Foster to start the season, but don’t be surprised if Williams replaces him at some point. Regardless of who lines up on the first offensive series of the game, both players are going to get plenty of carries and should contribute.

Tight end
Jeff King vs. Michael Gaines vs. Dante Rosario

The skinny: With Kris Mangum retired, the Panthers will need to decide on a replacement. Gaines (above) has the most experience and seems like the odds-on-favorite, but King and Rosario, a rookie, both looked good in minicamp. Carolina’s tight ends should see more action in the passing game this season. I give the early edge to King.

What could happen: It’s entirely possible the Panthers look to add a receiving tight end if one comes available. They aren’t going to find an Antonio Gates on the waiver wire, but if a solid tight end with experience becomes available, look for the Panthers to pounce.

Wide receiver
Drew Carter vs. Dwayne Jarrett

The skinny: Carter (above) has three years under his belt and has shown steady improvement but it remains to be seen whether or not he’s capable of stepping to handle the No. 2 receiver spot opposite Steve Smith. Certainly he has the speed, but his route running could improve. The Panthers drafted Jarrett in the second round to fill the role of Keyshawn Johnson, but the big question will be if he’s ready to start as a rookie.

What could happen: I suspect Carter will begin the season as the starter but give way to Jarrett early in the season unless he lights it up. Clearly, Jarrett is the guy the Panthers want to emerge in this role.

Center
Justin Hartwig vs. Ryan Kalil vs. Geoff Hangartner

The skinny: The Panthers have three talented centers on their roster, but it appears the team is willing to give Hartwig, a high-priced free agent pickup in ’06, one more chance to prove himself. If he doesn’t hold up this summer, then the battle is on between Hangartner, a 15-game starter last season, and Kalil, a promising second-round pick from USC.

What could happen: If Hartwig stays healthy, then he starts. But there are no guarantees at this point. This is simply one decision that will have to play out during the preseason. Regardless of what happens, the team has solid depth at center.

Right guard
Jeremy Bridges vs. Geoff Hangartner vs. Evan Mathis

The skinny: Bridges started 14 games last year at right tackle, but shifted to right guard earlier this off-season and has been working with the starters ever since. Mathis started most of last season, but the team is considering moving him to tackle where he could back up Travelle Wharton or Jordan Gross. Hangartner hasn’t played guard, but he could in a pinch. D’Anthony Batiste could get a look, too.

What could happen: It looks like Bridges is the guy right now. The Panthers like his athletic ability and believe he’d be a good fit in the team’s zone-blocking scheme.

Cornerback
Ken Lucas vs. Richard Marshall

The skinny: Lucas played at a Pro Bowl level two years ago, but a shoulder injury hindered his ability to tackle and he was benched for Marshall (above), who turned in an outstanding rookie season. Lucas said earlier this year that some teammates questioned whether he was faking a hamstring injury late in the season. He’s out to prove doubters wrong this year.

What could happen: I still believe Lucas is an outstanding talent and if he can return to the level he played at in ‘06 and stop worrying about what others think, then the Panthers will head into the season with three very talented corners.

Weakside linebacker
Na’il Diggs vs. Jon Beason

The skinny: Diggs, above, started most of last season but I can’t, for the life of me, remember a play he made. Although Diggs worked with the first team throughout minicamp, Beason is the team’s first-round draft pick and I’d be shocked if he doesn’t open training camp working with the first team.

What could happen: There’s always a chance Beason may need to move inside if Dan Morgan suffers another concussion. In that case, Diggs would step in as the starting weakside linebacker. Obviously, the Panthers are hoping Morgan can stay healthy so Beason can focus on learning one position.

Strong safety
Nate Salley vs. Deke Cooper

The skinny: Not exactly a marquee matchup, is it? Salley (above) is a second-year player with limited experience, while Cooper has been little more than a journeyman safety since winning NFL Europe Defensive Player of the Year award in 2001. Salley has been working with the starters during minicamp, but it’s uncertain how much faith the coaching staff has in him.

What could happen: I have a sneaky suspicion the team’s starting strong safety may not even be on the roster yet. There’s at least a decent chance the Panthers will get to camp and sign a veteran free agent off the scrap heap or wait until another team cuts a safety.

Elsewhere
You may notice quarterback isn’t on the list. Although some Jake Delhomme (below) haters still believe David Carr deserves a chance to be the starting quarterback in the preseason, I’m here to tell you it’s not going to happen. Forget about it. Barring an unforeseen injury, Delhomme will start the regular-season opener against the St. Louis Rams. However, I’m not naïve enough to think that if the Panthers offense sputters early in the season that Fox wouldn’t turn to Carr.

The Panthers also face uncertainty at defensive tackle and kick returner.

If Kris Jenkins returns to the team, which I don’t think he will, then he’ll start. If he holds out, look for Damione Lewis to assume the starting job.

As for kick returner, the Panthers are hoping rookie Ryne Robinson can win that job, thus freeing up DeAngelo Williams to focus on running back.

Regardless of what happens, this figures to be the most interesting Panthers training camp in years, so stay tuned.

 

I can forgive this mistake from the SI guy because he doesn't follow teams individually, but Steve Reed should know better. I'm guessing that he read this in SI and because he's so completely useless, he believed it.

 

Sure, especially with Carter UFA after the year. They'd love Jarrett to be the starter and Carter a role player who could be had cheaply. Jarrett being the more talented player as well, and the more recent acquisition, sure. Fox does love Carter, though, and Jarrett's impact will be greatest on 3 wide and 3rd down roles unless we're working on isolating a CB in base.

I don't see him as more athletic than the other two, but he's a better blocker, and he's experienced. If Bridges is at RG, this isn't a contest. Hangartner sucks out loud when covered, and Mathis' lower body power just isn't great. I'd rather have him as the utility backup with Hartwig here, but I guess that's not an option.

I think it's strange that they didn't enter Gamble into this equation as if he were a lock to start. To me, Marshall outplayed both Lucas and Gamble, and Gamble didn't have the year he did in 05. Of the three, the only one I feel is a near-lock to start is Lucas; healthy and without any retarded bullshit like taking supplements that he was, he's our best DB.

And if he can't break the starting lineup at CB, by all means move him to safety immediately. But he's our best DB. Theoretically, Marshall and Gamble are both too good to not be on the field but one will spend time on the bench, which is allright. Of that pair, I feel Marshall is the better football player, Gamble the better athlete; Marshall has the instincts and Gamble the natural ability. Either way, I don't see how Reed sees this with Gamble as a lock. He's wrongly assuming the bench for Lucas last year, that Marshall didn't play his way onto the field anyway, and that Gamble's that safe, so he has no idea what's going on at CB.

Ideally, you'd like to see Gamble rise to meet the road and put three years' starting experience under him to be the player he could be - which is a 6-8 INT year without as much guessing or blown plays. Lucas, and his huge contract, should come to play and that leaves Marshall as the scrappy, angry nickel who's going to fuck someone up on special teams, which is ideal. But I don't know how ideal that'll end up - we came into August with more than this last year to worse results, as fluky as that was.

Diggs is our 4th best LB, so I could see him sticking for just a little bit if Beason struggles to adapt. Beason doesn't seem the type to let the mental aspects bother him, but guys like Witherspoon that were smart did have some challenges, so who knows. Beason could sit in the nickel and wait for the inevitable Morgan injury, but I think he could make a difference at WLB and Diggs won't. I had doubt that Anderson would, too - he looks to have range, and enough instinct to get to the ball, but he's not the type to do more than his role would require.

Still, though, I do remember Diggs deflecting a couple passes, one I believe on a screen (nfl.com reassures me, saying he had 3). So if I can remember two of Diggs' four plays (including one QBP, although stats,inc has him with 4 stuffs, too)

If this happens, I'm fairly certain it won't be until camp is in progress, and that it'll be one of the two we had last year that still sits on the market.

Duh. Plus, it's a bit presumptuous to say Lewis can't fight for the start, though it being a situational issue I don't guess it matters much.

Williams might see time, but Goings was good there. Robinson isn't the elite KR the way he is an elite PR, but he's good enough. I think this year will spell the end of Marshall working at return duties altogether, which isn't heartbreaking. He was initially sold as the return specialist, though.


Hard to say. Guys like Diggs and Bridges are the next-best thing to starters in each position - Diggs the 4th best LB, Bridges the 6th best OL, but both may start because of hard work and young guys being less than ready.

 

It makes more sense to get Kalil on the field. Hartwig should play guard.

 

It would have made more sense to have made a better decision the first, or second time we tried to replace Jeff Mitchell. then maybe we could have focused on procuring a viable Safety.