Going to the big Show?

[NewFaceOfFailure]

A real Super Bowl run

So now we know that Carolina coach John Fox is determined to build around a power rushing game, and that the Panthers believe -- along with all of the problems at quarterback, that the lack of a consistent ground attack is a main reason the Panthers stumbled to a 7-9 finish a year ago.
Since then, the team has bulked up and beefed up, and you know Fox never wants to have to throw on third-and-1 again.
Does a strong running game translate into postseason success?
It did for the 2003 Panthers, who reached the Super Bowl on the back of RB Stephen Davis and averaged 130.7 regular-season rushing yards, their highest mark ever. Last season, Carolina averaged 114.0 ground yards, 14th-best in the NFL.
For comparison, I thought I'd take a look at the last ten SB champs, and see where they finished on the league rushing list.
There is a correlation; six of those ten finished among the league's top seven in rushing, and five of those six were in the top five, with Denver, which won the 2000 Super Bowl, the highest of the bunch at
second (154.2).
Then again, Tampa Bay and New England finished a dismal 27th but went on to win the 2003 and '04 Super Bowls, respectively.

-- Stan Olson
Super Bowl rush
The last ten Super Bowl winners, and their regular-season rushing
averages and league rankings. The year is when the SB was actually
played, with rushing numbers from the regular-season preceding it:
2008: Giants, 134.2, (4)
2007: Colts, 110.1 (18)
2006: Steelers, 138.9 (5)
2005: Patriots, 133.4 (7)
2004: Patriots, 100.4 (27)
2003: Bucs, 97.3 (27)
2002: Patriots, 112.1, (13)
2001: Ravens, 137.4 (5)
2000: Rams, 128.7 (5)
1999: Broncos, 154.2 (2)

 

[Thelt]

I will be happy if we can run well enough to keep the defense from focusing solely on Steve Smith. He is still our meal ticket on offense.

 

[reezyd]

robert d raeford?

 

[Black&Blue]

It's easy to forget that we won a shitload of close games in '03. We definitely need to run the ball, but I think our depth at receiver is what can take us to the next level. I like our chances if Jake is consistant.

 

[The Brain]

I think the D got younger this year, which is good for the future, but may not be great this year. If Peppers shows up they'll be better than last year. Even as just one player, that's all it'll take, but the point I'm getting at is, that even with an improved running game the defense HAS to show up if a Super Bowl run is realistic. Admittedly I'm one of those that thinks a decent time eating offense helps a defense by keeping them rested, but you can only polish a turd so much. Defense has potential to be decent, but it needs to translate on the field.

 

[hasbeen99]

The more I think about it, the more I think our special teams units are being seriously overlooked. They absolutely suck under Crossman, and if we're serious about making a Super Bowl run, that part of the house definitely has to be in decent shape. It was huge in '03.

 

[NewFaceOfFailure]

Panther QB's arm feels good after taking part in team drills

Associated Press






Updated: May 28, 2008, 12:15 PM ET

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme took a few snaps Wednesday, another step in his rehabilitation from elbow surgery.

Delhomme


Delhomme participated in team drills on the opening day of the team's optional workouts. Delhomme threw about 40 passes, up from the 34 he threw in individual drills during April's minicamp.
Delhomme said he was "mentally a little rusty," but said his arm felt fine. Delhomme had ligament-replacement surgery in his right elbow last fall after playing in only three games.
The Panthers expect Delhomme to be at full strength for the start of training camp in July.
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press