CAROLINA PANTHERS
Current Vegas Super Bowl Odds: 55-1
Training Camp: Wofford College, Spartanburg, S.C., July 28th
The Looming Question: “Forget the quarterback position for a moment. Who’s actually catching the passes in Carolina this season?”
In addition to longtime team leaders Jake Delhomme and
Julius Peppers, reliable No. 2 wideout Mushin Muhammad's no longer in Carolina this season, either. Muhammad’s replacement? Who knows? The Panthers finished 27th in the league in passing last season … and that was with a veteran quarterback and a No. 2 receiver. This year? Yikes.
When receivers coach Richard Williamson, a member of the original Panthers coaching staff in 1995, retired in January, the team decided to go outside the organization to find his replacement. New receivers coach Tyke Tolbert, formerly of the Bills staff, comes to Carolina with a tough task.
Dwayne Jarrett, a second-round selection out of USC in 2007, is expected to finally step it up in his fourth NFL season as the second wideout. Of course, he's done next to nothing in his three years in the league. Third-rounder Brandon LaFell is an LSU guy like his position coach Tolbert, but is still a rookie with a lot to learn. Fellow 2010 third-rounder Armanti Edwards is a converted college quarterback out of Appalachian State. Though uber-athletic and accomplished, there will be a learning curve for him, too. Other names in Panthers camp this summer are former Jets special teams ace
Wallace Wright, local hero Kenny Moore and sixth-round pick David Gettis out of Baylor. Karl Hankton might make the squad for his return game abilities, but isn’t a reliable option at receiver.
(WTF?!?)
In short, regardless of whether it’s
Matt Moore or Jimmy Clausen under center, there are giant question marks at the wideout spot.
Here’s hoping
DeAngelo Williams and
Jonathan Stewart can each put up 1,500-yard rushing seasons. Hell, they may have to if the Panthers hope to have any offensive success in 2010.
Key Camp Battle: Right guard:
Duke Robinson vs.
Mackenzy Bernadeau vs.
Geoff Schwartz
After left tackle
Jordan Gross went down in ’09, the unknown Bernadeau filled in for
Travelle Wharton at left guard. He was surprisingly solid. This summer, he’ll go head to head with Duke Robinson for the starting right guard gig. Geoff Schwartz is an outside possibility for the spot, too.
Early Edge: Mackenzy Bernadeau
New Veteran in Town: Wallace Wright, WR/ST
The Jets made a major push to get Wright a Pro Bowl roster spot last year, and deservedly so. He comes to Carolina with a reputation as the ultimate team guy and a gunner in on every special teams tackle. There’s an outside shot he plays a role in the passing game as a third or fourth wide receiver as well.
Young Gun to Watch: Greg Hardy, DE
Hardy, considered a first-round pick for much of his career at Ole Miss, slipped to the sixth round after a foot injury ruined his final collegiate season. With Julius Peppers in Chicago and a host of question marks along the defensive line, Hardy — if healthy — could very well end up being a starter in Carolina by season’s end. He could even be starting by opening day with a good training camp.
