Panthers Will Try to be Team They Were Supposed to be Last Season, But Weren't

Team-By-Team Offseason Roundup

Carolina Panthers

Players Released:
Al Wallace, DE
Kris Mangum, TE (retired)
Kevin McCadam, S
Chris Weinke, QB
Keyshawn Johnson, WR

Free Agents Lost:
Vinny Ciurciu, LB
Chris Draft, LB

Free Agents Re-Signed:
Na'il Diggs, LB
Kindal Moorehead, DT

Free Agents Added:
Terrence Melton, LB
Stephen Williams, DT
Deke Cooper, S
Dave Ball, DE
Curtis Deloatch, CB
Chad Lavalais, DT
David Carr, QB

Draft:
Rd. 1 (No. 25 overall) Jon Beason, LB, Miami
2 (45) Dwayne Jarrett, WR, USC
2 (59) Ryan Kalil, C, USC
3 (83) Charles Johnson, DE, Georgia
4 (118) Ryne Robinson, WR, Miami (Ohio)
5 (155) Dante Rosario, TE, Oregon
5 (164) Tim Shaw, LB, Penn State
7 (226) C.J. Wilson, CB, Baylor

Analysis:

The Carolina Panthers were one of last season's most puzzling disappointments, beginning the season with Super Bowl aspirations but bogging down every time they seemed poised to make an inspired run toward a championship.

They remain a team with many of the pieces to be a top contender in place, especially after having a good draft in which they got Miami linebacker Jon Beason in the first round and two USC offensive players with first-round talent, wide receiver Dwayne Jarrett and center Ryan Kalil, in the second round. The arrival of Jarrett paved the way for the departure of veteran wideout Keyshawn Johnson, who was released.

But they also are a team with a prospective quarterback controversy brewing, even if they don't want to admit it. The Panthers signed quarterback David Carr, the former top overall selection in the NFL draft, after he was released by the Houston Texans. Panthers officials made it clear that Carr was brought in to back up Jake Delhomme. But if Delhomme starts off next season with a string of erratic performances, it might not take long for the Panthers to try to find out if they can get something out of Carr that the Texans couldn't.

The Panthers have shopped defensive tackle Kris Jenkins but, at least so far, haven't traded him. The core of the team that entered last season as a Super Bowl favorite in the NFC remains intact. The Panthers remain a Super Bowl threat if they can pull things together and play like they were expected to play last season. But if they don't, this could be a club in line for some big changes, beginning with a likely switch at quarterback.

By Mark Maske |  May 8, 2007; 3:14 PM ET  | Category:  Panthers
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Posted by: pack4life | May 9, 2007 11:27 AM

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